Wedding reception managers who shut up shop and left dozens of couples without a venue at the last minute were asking clients to deposit thousands of dollars as recently as three weeks ago.

Documents reveal the owners of Melbourne wedding venue The Willows borrowed $134,250 early last month, which they secured against a personal property in Mount Eliza that has since been put on the market.

The loan, at an interest rate of 4.95 per cent a month, was lodged by Brisbane-based solicitors Elliott May Lawyers and lists the guarantors as Aaron and Estelle Lewis.

Bradley Sommers and Andrea Richards have been left high and dry by the company that manages The Willows reception centre. Credit:Joe Armao

Receivers are set to look into the company that traded as Lewis Hospitality Management Pty Ltd and examine whether it continued to trade while insolvent.