Florida bride grieves fiancé’s death as venue refuses refund, GoFundMe launched

LAKE MARY, Fla. — A Lake Mary bride-to-be is grieving the sudden death of her fiancé while also facing financial strain after her wedding venue declined to refund thousands of dollars paid before his passing.

Lake Mary Bride-to-be Faces Sudden Loss Before Planned Spring Wedding

Tye Hinson lost her fiancé, William Coney, on Nov. 19 after he suffered a fatal heart attack at age 42. The couple had planned to marry in May 2026 in Central Florida, a place filled with memories from their early years together.

“This wasn’t like a cancellation,” Hinson told News 6. “This was a person dying.”

A Love Story Cut Short

Hinson met Coney more than 20 years ago at Orlando’s Fashion Square Mall. She was working at a store there, and he was a student at Full Sail University. Their friendship grew into a long-term bond that eventually led them back to Florida to plan their wedding.

They signed a contract with the Crystal Ballroom of Lake Mary in August. Hinson paid a $2,000 non-refundable administrative fee and later made additional payments totaling $5,609, per the News 6 report.

“The last payment that I gave them was literally two days before he died,” she told the outlet.

Crystal Ballroom Lake Mary Venue Enforces No‑Refund Policy

Two days after Coney’s death, Hinson notified the venue. She said she hoped compassion would guide the next steps. Instead, she learned the venue would not return the money.

She said an employee even suggested she use the space for a memorial on her wedding day.

News 6 spoke with Crystal Ballroom owner Lukasz Rogowski who expressed sympathy but said the company’s policies are clear. He noted that clients are encouraged to purchase third‑party cancellation insurance.

“Offering compassion and offering refunds are not the same thing,” Rogowski told the outlet.

Community Steps In With Support

As Hinson worked through her grief, her wedding planner, Patricia Aro, created a GoFundMe campaign to help ease the financial burden.

The GoFundMe page describes Hinson’s situation as “unimaginable grief” paired with “deeply distressing financial hardship.” It urges the community to support her as she navigates the weeks ahead.

“We are doing everything we can to help her move through this painful chapter with dignity and care,” the page states.

Supporters Hope Compassion Prevails

Aro said she hopes the community continues to rally around Hinson. She also noted that, despite the venue’s quick response to media inquiries, Hinson has not received a direct reply to her cancellation notice.

For now, Hinson is focused on healing and honoring Coney’s memory. She said the support from friends, strangers, and donors has helped her stay grounded during the most difficult time of her life.

“It means more than people know,” she said.