Terms and Conditions

General

The customer is hereinafter referred to as you/your.

‘Designer Cakes by Elle’ is referred to as we/our/us.

Quotations

After we have discussed your requirements with you we will provide you with a written quotation. This quotation is valid for 60 days.

Bookings, Deposits and Payment

The deposit retainer is non-refundable and is required to secure your booking. A booking is only secured once you have received confirmation by email that your deposit retainer has been received from us. Payment of the deposit will be deemed as acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Please also refer to our website for any updates. Full payment for your event is required by or before 6 weeks prior to delivery/collection.  

Cancellation 

In the event of a cancellation by you, any payments previously made are non-refundable and the following charges apply:

More than 60 days prior to the event date = deposit retainer only.

60 days to 6 weeks prior to the event date = booking fee plus half the remaining cost.

Less than 6 weeks prior to the date = full amount.

If, for any reason, you need to re-arrange your occasion date, we will endeavour to accommodate this change, but cannot guarantee to be able to do so. Subject to availability we will carry the monies paid forward to the new occasion date. Wedding insurance is highly recommended.

Equipment Hire

For cake stand or display equipment a hire fee is required together with a security bond. It is your responsibility to return the cake stand/equipment to our address within 5 working days or as per our confirmation of arrangements.  The security bond will be refunded following safe return of hired equipment. Please note you are responsible for any damage, breakage or loss to any of our property hired for your event, however this loss or damage is caused and you will be charged at the full replacement value. This applies to the whole period between our issue/delivery and our collection/your return.

Numbers

Provisional guest numbers are required when you make your booking.  As soon as confirmed, latest six weeks in advance of delivery/collection, confirmation of your final guest numbers is required. If this number varies from the provisional guest numbers and increases the portions required, the quotation on the drafted invoice will be amended accordingly and re-issued, subject to receiving confirmation from us that the increase in order can be satisfied.  We will always do our utmost to accommodate requirements.

Dietary Requirements

If you have any special dietary requirements (e.g. gluten-free for gluten intolerance, dairy-free for dairy intolerance (lactose or casein), or vegan) please notify us as soon as possible, latest one month in advance of your event and we will be delighted to offer appropriate products to accommodate these.  All our products are suitable for vegetarians.

Collection/Delivery/Set Up

Orders for single tier cakes, edible wedding favours e.t.c. can either be collected from the Kingston address [‘Designer Cakes by Elle’, 99 Acre Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6ES] or delivered if you have made specific arrangements with us.  For collections you will be provided with instructions on the care and handling of your cake.  It is always recommended that you collect your cake in a vehicle with a flat surface e.g. your boot lined with non-slip matting (please request if needed).  Please note that once cakes have left the kitchen, full responsibility is with the customer.
Tiered wedding cakes will be delivered and set up by us due to the fragility of the product and delicate nature of the process.Delivery costs may be chargeable depending on travel distance required.

Following delivery and set up of your cake, a photo will be taken after assembly to demonstrate that it has been set up and left in good condition. After this, responsibility is left with you/your representatives.

Limit of Liability

Other than for death or personal injury caused by negligence, Designer Cakes by Elle, its management and staff will not be liable for any loss, damage, or consequential loss to persons or property however caused.

Force Majeure

Whilst we will always make our best efforts to fulfill your order, we can accept no liability for the failure to perform our obligations due to strike, lockout, hostilities or any other circumstances beyond our control. Please note we reserve the right to change the design of your cake at any point if circumstances beyond our control compromise the quality of the finished product. e.g. extreme weather conditions.  This could include insertion of a ‘faux’ tier e.g. for the top tier with the cake tier being provided boxed separately for cutting. We will notify you of any such changes and we will endeavour to keep any changes minimal.

Health and Safety

Products are made in a kitchen that produces items containing nuts, dairy, wheat or other allergens. We cannot guarantee that any of our products do not contain any substances that may cause allergic reactions. You are responsible for advising your guests on this and we will not accept any liability for any loss, damage or injury from exposure to anything which might cause an allergic reaction.

It will be your responsibility (or your appointed representative) to ensure all non-edible cake décor, including sugar flowers when included, are removed from the cake before it is cut and served and we accept no responsibility for any harm these items may cause. Sugar flowers are made from edible materials, but are not intended for consumption as wires and/or polystyrene may have been added for strength and flexibility to achieve a more natural look. This may also include, but is not limited to, plastic rods (for stability in tiered cakes), ribbons, fresh flowers and plastic food-grade flower pics (for inserting flowers into your cake).