Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has banned Alicia Thompson, owner of Late to the Lake, from operating in the state for five years after more than 40 formal complaints alleged last-minute cancellations and unpaid refunds. Customers reported a canceled $6,000 order, a rehearsal-day cancellation, surprise fees and subpar service. The AG says the conduct violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act and urged other affected consumers to file complaints by May 1. The settlement requires refunds to complainants by July 1, 2026.
Michigan Bans Wedding Caterer for Five Years After 40+ Complaints Over Cancellations and Missing Refunds
Stock image of a groom and brideCredit: Getty
A Michigan wedding caterer, Late to the Lake, has been legally barred from operating in the state for five years after more than 40 customers filed complaints alleging last-minute cancellations, withheld refunds and poor service.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the prohibition against owner Alicia Thompson following a settlement that found the business engaged in "deceptive and unlawful business practices," the AG’s office said in a press release on April 6. The Attorney General's investigation pointed to a concerning pattern of cancellations followed by a failure to return customers’ payments.
Stock image of a wedding receptionCredit: Getty
Complaints and Examples
Consumers described multiple troubling scenarios: one couple said services worth more than $6,000 were canceled with no refund; another said the company pressured them to pay in full at a promotional price and then canceled on the day of the rehearsal dinner. Other complainants reported unexpected extra charges after cancellations, higher final bills than originally agreed, unauthorized fees, incomplete food delivery and generally poor service when events proceeded.
"A wedding is one of the most meaningful days of a person's life, and couples should be able to trust that their chosen vendor will deliver what they promised or at the very least refund them when something goes wrong," AG Dana Nessel said, urging affected consumers to file complaints with her office.
Settlement Terms and Next Steps for Consumers
Under the settlement, Thompson must provide refunds to customers who filed complaints. The agreement sets a refund deadline of July 1, 2026, and the Attorney General’s office has encouraged anyone who believes they were harmed by Late to the Lake to file a complaint by May 1 to be considered for reimbursement.
Stock image of a wedding altarCredit: Getty
Late to the Lake’s website displayed only a "Coming soon" message as of April 7. CBS Detroit reported that the company told the outlet only a limited number of complaints remained unresolved and that some cancellations were related to what the company described as a "coordinated escalation of communications, including repeated contact, public postings and instances of harassment." The AG’s office nevertheless concluded the practices violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA).
If you were affected, contact the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to file a complaint and learn how the settlement may apply to you.
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