Three separate couples from Saskatoon say they're angry after paying thousands of dollars to a local catering company and then having to make last-ditch arrangements when the food didn't show up for the wedding.

One of those brides, Jessica Sagert, says she received only an hour's notice when the caterer, Just Like Granny's, failed to show up to her wedding banquet.

"I was devastated," she said. "I was angry as all get out."

Scrambling, she talked to the wedding party's DJ, who had connections with a local pizza parlour.

"We had about an hour to feed 100 people," she said. "We got a crazy good deal on pizza, and they had 25 extra-large pizzas there within the hour."

Sagert had done her research. She had checked online reviews of the company, all of which came back as positive. She had also booked the company, and signed a contract, more than a year ago. She's not sure if she could have avoided the situation.

"I honestly have no idea," she said. "Reading the ratings online, she had excellent ratings from people that she had worked with. We had a contract with an actual business, licensed through the city. So, honestly, I have no advice for the next person."

Hard to reach

Another couple says the same thing happened to them shortly after. This time, event organizers gave the bride and groom a heads up about what happened at the Sagert's wedding.

"I immediately tried to contact the caterer," said groom Scott Drader. "Family huddled around and said, 'What are we going to do if she doesn't show up?'"

Jessica Sagert (l) says she was shocked when her caterer didn't show up to her wedding. (Jessica Sagert)

In desperation, the couple organized a last minute barbecue, with burgers and potato salad.

"We had already paid in full," said Drader. "She's been paid in full for all three of these weddings. We're out around $1,320."

Meanwhile, the couples say the company's owner, Sabrina Nordquist, has been very difficult to track down.

"I tried getting ahold of her (the day of the wedding) and the number that I had, had been disconnected," said Sagert.

Both Sagert and Drader were eventually told by the caterer that the work had been outsourced to another company, although neither bridal party has been able to track that company down.

Now, all three families are in the process of taking the caterer to small claims court. Sagert has a court date in February.

"I'm hoping to get back the money that we paid her," she said. "Plus, hopefully we can get back the money for the food that we had to order."

Former owner responds

According to Sabrina Nordquist, she had sold Just Like Granny's to other people in August due to personal reasons.

She said all of the remaining catering jobs were transferred over. Nordquist said she was told an email notification of the change would be coming out.

"Clearly, none of these things happened and I feel terrible for the people who used to be my clients," she wrote in an email to CBC.