NEW RIVER, Ariz. — Holliann Tran knew exactly what she wanted for her wedding: A 20 minute ceremony followed by a night of dancing with friends, family and the love of her life.
"That is what I imagined for my wedding to be is just a one humongous dance party all night long," Tran said.
But she wouldn't get her wish — she didn't know that her wedding venue was under a cease and desist order and facing tens of thousands of dollars of unpaid fines.
While dancing with her new husband, just four songs into the reception, Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputies showed up to the wedding venue and told them to turn off the music, Tran said.
It turns out that this wasn't the first time deputies had been called to the venue, not by a long shot. Deputies had been called 60 times in the past three years for the same problem — the venue just wasn't zoned to host these gatherings.
"They said, we have to shut it down," she said.
Her mom tried to convince the deputies to let them keep the music playing. She even showed them the contract created by the venue that wrote music could be played until 10:00 p.m. Deputies told her they received a noise complaint from a nearby neighbor and the venue they were at wasn't zoned to host loud events including weddings.
Tran said the deputies didn't want to be the ones to shut down the party. She recalled that they looked sad to have to break the news to the bride on her wedding day.
When Ferber texted one of the owners, Heidi Stewart, about the issue, she was told to keep the music going and to have the sheriff's office speak with them about it. Not wanting to create any more problems, they decided to stop the music.
The contract Ferber signed didn't matter. The DJ packed up their gear and left. Tran's special day was over.
"I was just so sad," Tran said. "I just I really just cried all night."
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It all happened in November 2022 at Wrangler's Roost in New River. A VRBO listing Tran gave to 12News for the north Valley compound states that events are allowed with added fees.
She chose Wrangler's Roost for a variety of reasons. The price seemed right, she could have her large dance party, and she loved the beautiful desert scenery.
It was also a good middle ground for her and her now husband's family to come together. One side lives in Safford, Arizona, the other in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“My 92-year-old daddy traveled eight hours to walk his granddaughter down the aisle,” Ferber said.
They contacted the owners Reid and Heidi Stewart. Paid them thousands of dollars and signed the contract. Ferber provided a copy of the contract to 12News that did state they could have music until 10:00 p.m.
What the contract didn't state is that MCSO deputies have been called out to that location more than 60 times in the past three years for the same problem. They've had to tell dozens of other newly weds to turn down their music because neighbors complained. It's a venue not properly zoned to host these loud gatherings.
It also didn't state that a cease and desist has been placed against the venue since 2021 because it was being operated as a wedding venue.
"The real issue here is a zoning violation, where they're conducting business in a residential neighborhood," Sergeant Joaquin Enriquez with MCSO said.
While the Sheriff's Office doesn't enforce zone violations, Enriquez said they do have to respond to noise complaints. No matter what time of day it is.
"Most of the time it's taken care of with just lowering the music, because we're not there to stop the party," Enriquez said. "We're not kicking anybody out, but we also have to abide by the complaints that are coming in for the loud music."
MCSO has submitted charges against the owners. Officials with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said they do have an open case against Reid Stewart who is facing nine misdemeanor charges for noise ordinance violation and maintaining a public nuisance.
"We want to bring awareness for people who are thinking about booking this venue, that this is still an issue," Enriquez said.
A spokesperson with the county also said Wrangler's Roost has accrued more than $70,000 in fines for advertising as a wedding venue and carrying out the events. That same spokesperson said not a cent has been paid back to the county.
Deputy reports obtained by 12News states when MCSO asked Reid Stewart about the weddings, he would reportedly not answer or avoid the question.
Stewart did the same when 12News spoke with him over the phone on Thursday. He said to get in contact with his lawyer.
A call was made to the number provided by Stewart. 12News was told no comment after Stewart's name was mentioned.
"They knew that people were renting this for a special day and they were still willing to ruin someone's day just just for money," Tran said.
While she was given a partial refund for the wedding by Wrangler's Roost. Tran said it will never mend the heartbreak she went through at her own wedding. She's also worried this cycle will continue, with other bride's going through the same pain she did.
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