For dozens of Michigan couples, the catering nightmare did not end with cold chicken or late appetizers. Late to the Lake LLC, a wedding caterer based in Spring Lake, has been sidelined from the state’s catering industry for five years after a flood of complaints about last-minute cancellations, missing refunds and shoddy service. Owner Alicia Thompson agreed to an assurance of voluntary compliance that requires paying back affected customers, after more than 40 complaints pushed state regulators to escalate the case.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office filed the agreement this week, outlining a pattern of canceled events, unauthorized charges and incomplete food deliveries. The filing and related press materials state that Late to the Lake agreed under the assurance of voluntary compliance and discontinuance to return all money owed to customers.
The Michigan Attorney General reported that the assurance was filed on Tuesday and that Thompson must complete all refunds by July 1, 2026. Consumers who believe they are still owed money were instructed to contact the attorney general’s office by May 1 to be included in the restitution process. The court filing adds that if refunds are not paid in full, Thompson will face a 50% penalty on the total amount owed to affected customers.
Couples say they were left scrambling
One couple, who paid more than $6,000 for wedding catering before Late to the Lake backed out, never saw their money again, according to FOX 2 Detroit. Other complainants reported unauthorized fees, overcharges and food that either never arrived or showed up incomplete, leaving some clients scrambling just days before their ceremonies and receptions. State officials said the number of complaints and the similarities among them led the attorney general to pursue a broad assurance instead of addressing each case one by one.
Legal action and penalties
The Michigan Attorney General stated that under the settlement, Thompson and Late to the Lake are barred from operating a catering business in Michigan for five years and must provide restitution to affected consumers. The assurance of voluntary compliance and discontinuance is a legal tool that lets the attorney general secure refunds and penalties without going through a full-blown lawsuit. The consumer protection team said the goal is both to make wronged couples whole and to send a clear message to other businesses in the wedding industry…