Couple sue over sprinklers at wedding

NEW YORK, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A New York couple is suing a hotel after their wedding ceremony on the building's lawn was interrupted by the sprinkler system.

Svetlana Orishchenko, 27, and her husband, Yuriy Orishchenko, 26, filed a $300,000 lawsuit last week against the Hilton Garden Inn, alleging the sprinkler system went off during their Aug. 9 wedding -- which they said cost about $20,000 -- and drenched their guests, the New York Daily News reported Thursday.

"I can't say it ruined my wedding. Nothing could have ruined my day," Svetlana Orishchenko said. "I felt the worst for my guests. I had people who were soaked from head to toe."

Hotel owner Richard Nicotra confirmed the sprinkler incident but said he offered $5,000 compensation to the couple, who continued their wedding after the sprinklers shut off.

"Ten employees went out there with towels ... we offered to take dresses to the cleaners, anything," Nicotra said. "This is blackmail. They just want a free wedding. They want to take us to the cleaners."