Couple Claims 'Music Midtown Ruined my Wedding'

Not everyone is happy that after a five-year hiatus. 

One couple claims the outdoor music festival has "ruined" their upcoming wedding at Piedmont Park. They say so on a Facebook page that has garnered more than 800 "likes" since Wednesday (when the festival's return was announced). 

On the page, the couple explains their discontent:

Our wedding was originally scheduled for September 24th, 2011 at Greystone at Piedmont Park. After the deposit was paid, caterers were hired, DJ's were booked, and Save the Dates went out, we were informed that there was a "probable live music concert in Piedmont Park, which may occur on [our] wedding date." ...

It's too late to book another location for that date at a reasonable price. How can we change the date this far in advance? This is an absolute calamity brought upon by a music festival that Atlantans thought was long gone. Thanks a lot Music Midtown. You ruined my wedding.

Patch left a wall post asking for comment from the couple, but hasn't yet heard back.

The Facebook page is flooding with sympathetic comments from people, as well as offers for alternative wedding venues.

"I'm on your side! This is absolutely ridiculous," said a post from Stephanie Taylor. 

Yvette Bowden, president and CEO of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, says the nonprofit organization is using "every effort" to remedy the scheduling conflict. 

"Our organization offered potentially affected Clients options which might allow them to have the event they envisioned," Bowden said Friday in a prepared statement.

"This included arranged relocation, rescheduling and/or significant discounts and accommodations. Of course, we also offered a full refund and our assistance in moving their event outside of the Park if they chose and as possible through another venue."

Read Bowden's full statement:

Piedmont Park Conservancy is aware that the City of Atlanta’s hosting of Music Midtown coincides with the planned nuptials of one of our facility rental clients.  Our organization remains committed to our partnership with the City of Atlanta and to the valued relationship we enjoy with our Clients. 

The Conservancy does not permit events in Piedmont Park and is not involved in the permitting, scheduling, planning or staging of Music Midtown.  When we were first made aware of the event’s potential permitting, we contacted all Clients for that proposed weekend giving them the information we had at that time.  Then and subsequently, our organization offered potentially affected Clients options which might allow them to have the event they envisioned.  This included arranged relocation, rescheduling and/or significant discounts and accommodations.  Of course, we also offered a full refund and our assistance in moving their event outside of the Park if they chose and as possible through another venue.  At a very minimum, we ensure that our Clients know what we know when we know it, a courtesy that we owe and fulfill.  Our impacted Client for the September 24th event date continues to be our priority.  We have been in contact with her for some time and will continue to honor her wishes and respect the relationship we enjoy.

Piedmont Park is the home of countless first dates, a multitude of engagements and many happy and beautiful nuptials. The fact that they occur in Piedmont Park actually supports the Park’s maintenance and, for this reason, we are especially thankful to our facility rental Clients who, through their rental, are helping to care for Atlanta’s most-visited FREE amenity.  We value and respect each Client as we do all users of the Park.  Some event conflicts prove inevitable and, when this occurs, we use every effort to balance the interests of all concerned.