Former wedding venue owner admits to stealing more than $1 million from couples

MONROE, N.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - Authorities say the former owner of a popular wedding venue admitted to stealing over a million dollars.

Jason Lottman, the ex-owner of Champagne Manor, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud Monday while admitting to taking money from couples and vendors who booked events at the property from 2023 to 2025.

According to the North Carolina attorney general, Lottman marketed all-inclusive wedding packages but solicited investments promising ownership, guaranteed returns and other false financial incentives.

Prosecutors said Lottman also continued to take money from couples even after the venue defaulted on its mortgage in 2024 and the foreclosure process had already begun.

Myrtle Beach couple Travis and Rachael Marshall said they were among those who lost nearly $20,000 to Lottman in his $1 million scheme.

The couple shared their story in January 2025, shortly after they learned Champagne Manor had abruptly closed before their wedding day.

Travis Marshall said it has been a long and difficult process since digging themselves out of the financial hole.

“Having all that money suddenly gone that we saved for years for that special event made us have to stretch things a little thin,” Travis Marshall said. “A lot of stuff just had to be pushed to the back burner.”

Travis Marshall said he has mixed feelings when it comes to Lottman pleading guilty.

“I’m certainly glad that justice has been found and he’s being punished for what he’s done. But I just can’t help but feel sad for him that he’s more or less thrown his life away for some elaborate scheme,” he said. “We forgive him and hope that he’s learned a valuable lesson.”

The Marshalls said they did end up having their fairytale wedding and have since recovered some of the money through credit card disputes.

“We were able to use it as a learning exercise. It was awful, but it brought us closer together,” Travis Marshall said.

A sentencing date for Lottman has not yet been set.