Lesbian couple bursts into tears after receiving 'heartbreaking' email from the wedding venue they fell in love with

A lesbian couple reached out to a wedding coordinator who felt the need to inform them of their firm religious beliefs before booking them for their big day.

Ali Waggy and Jessica Robinson, from Wichita, Kansas, “fell in love” with the Barn at Grace Hill when they visited earlier this month.

After choosing the country barn for their special day, they were devastated when they received an email from the coordinators telling Ali and Jessica that 'their deeply held religious beliefs endure'. [them] of celebrating anything other than marriage between a man and a woman'.

The couple claimed they received the heartbreaking message after months of emailing back and forth with wedding coordinators.

The screenshot of the email read: “I also wanted to reach out and make sure we had an open and honest line of communication, something we desire with all our couples.

'If you decide that our barn is the location you want for your wedding, we have learned that it is most honest for you to know who we are and where our heart lies.

“And if you did this at the beginning in the past, everyone felt much better in the future, and you were able to make the very best decision for you.

“While our deeply held religious beliefs prevent us from celebrating anything other than marriage between a man and a woman, we want to serve everyone equally and do not want to prevent anyone from using our building if they wish to do so.

“Our hearts should serve regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or marital status, while also upholding our beliefs and convictions.

“All couples legally allowed to marry in the state of Kansas are welcome at The Barn at Grace Hill.

“Sharing this with you is the only way we've found that allows everyone to move forward in the most authentic way possible.”

Posting a screenshot of the correspondence on Facebook, bride-to-be Ali said she interpreted the meaning of the email as: 'It is basically illegal for me to tell you not to use the email [the venue] so that's possible.

“We'll take your money, but we're not going to celebrate your wedding and we want to make sure you know that.”

Posting a screenshot of the correspondence on Facebook, bride-to-be Ali said she interpreted the meaning of the email as: 'It is basically illegal for me to tell you not to use the email [the venue] so that's possible.'The location

The site coordinators (pictured) told Ali and Jessica that “their deeply held religious beliefs will be preserved [them] of celebrating anything other than marriage between a man and a woman'.

She added: “I cried all night… people are evil. So if you have any venue recommendations (that believe everyone deserves to be celebrated), send them to me!”

Ali's post attracted nearly 800 comments, with Facebook users largely critical of the location.

One replied: 'I'm so sorry. They want your money, but they don't want to celebrate the wedding.'

Another raged: 'Aside from the fact that they're horrible people, what do you care? [what their beliefs are]?

“This is basically a way for them to throw a hissy fit and lock out people they don't 'agree' with without getting charged.”

Ali Waggy's post received nearly 800 comments from supportive Facebook users. The pair have now found a new wedding location

A third said: 'This is absolutely not okay. I'm so sorry Ali! You and Jessica deserve so much better. I'm so sad for you.'

Earlier this week, Ali and Jessica revealed their story had a 'happy ending' after a venue owner reached out and offered to host their venue for free.

The couple will now tie the knot at the Heritage Meadow Estate in Derby, Kansas.

Ali added, “We get to keep our planned wedding date, and the venue is even more beautiful than we could have ever imagined!

“But most importantly, they support and celebrate ALL the love! We are so incredibly grateful for her and her generosity.”

Femail contacted The Barn at Grace Hill for comment.