Terms & Conditions

1. Consultations

1. Consultations are by appointment only for wedding cakes. Appointments can be made by email, phone or using the ‘contact me’ page on my website at charlotteraymond.co.uk.

2. The consultation process includes a one hour video call which I will send you an invitation for or otherwise initiate.

3. You can also call or email me if you need to discuss any aspects of your cake before making a booking. Bookings can also be made over the phone or by email without prior consultation if desired.

4. Please advise me of any allergies or specific dietary requirements when booking your consultation.

5. Please note, that for 2024 I have a £450 minimum order for wedding bookings. This is my minimum order price for 2024, however, this is not my average wedding cake price. Usually, couples have a budget of £550-750+ for one of my cakes. For dates further ahead than 2024 the minimum order value is subject to change.

2. Booking Fees

2.1 All wedding cake orders require a non-refundable booking fee of £100. For cake orders with less than 4 weeks notice the full cost of the cake must be paid at the time of booking.

2.2 All booking fees must be paid within 14 days of the booking form being sent; dates cannot be held open without the booking fee. After 7 days, if no fee has been received then the event date will be released and another booking may be taken, which may mean I am no longer able to accommodate you.

2.3 All orders are only confirmed when the booking fee has been paid. Please note that all booking fees are non-refundable and are only transferrable in certain circumstances. See ‘Section 16’.

3. Payment Schedule

3.1 Once the cake design and details have been finalised. The final payment is due 30 days before your event. The due date will clearly be stated on the bottom of the booking form and a reminder will be sent a week before the final balance is due. This is then non-refundable in the event of a cancellation.

3.2 If the final payment is not received 30 days before your event, then I have the right to cancel your booking. The booking fee paid to secure your date is then non-refundable and non-transferable and I may no longer be able to accommodate your booking.

3.3 All payments are to be made by BACS bank transfer to the details shared on your booking form.

4. Cake Details

4.1 Once the booking form has been sent, please review all the details carefully especially; cake tier sizes, flavour choices, spellings of names, allergen information, delivery time and contact numbers – please advise me of any changes as soon as possible.

4.2 The cake will be made according to the booking form and therefore it is imperative that all details are checked carefully. Any errors not picked up on the booking form before the cake is made will not be considered to be my error.

5. Decorative Items Supplied By Third Parties

5.1 I cannot be held responsible for delays on items being supplied from other companies e.g., cake toppers, special order cake stands etc.

5.2 If a bespoke cake topper or stand is required, please give me at least one month’s notice to order it (but ideally longer).

5.3 If you are ordering a topper or cake stand yourself, please carefully check the size with me to make sure it is suitable for your cake and ensure the lead time is in line with your event. I would always advise ordering as soon as possible.

5.4 If ordering items yourself, I cannot be held responsible for any errors in size, shape or design as the ordering has not been carried out by myself.

5.5 I reserve the right not to use anything supplied by a third party if I feel it’s unsuitable.

6. Flowers Supplied By Florists

6.1 When fresh flowers are being added to a cake, I will liaise with your florist about my requirements, but I would always advise you discuss this with them too.

6.2 The cost of any fresh flowers will be added to your florist’s bill and I would always advise ordering a few extra flowers so I have a good selection to work with.

6.3 I can only work with what your florist provides for me on the day. Please ensure they order flowers especially for the cake so that the cake flowers are of the same high standard as the rest of the florals. Any unsuitable or toxic flowers supplied will not be used on your cake.

6.4 If your florist does not meet me at the agreed time at the venue, I cannot always guarantee that I will be able to wait for them to arrive.

6.5 If I cannot wait due to lateness of your florist, then they would have to add the flowers to the cake, and I cannot be held responsible if the arrangement made does not then match our vision and design for the cake and take no responsibility for the way the flowers have been added to the cake which may not be in a food safe way.

7. Alterations To Orders

7.1 I am happy to make alterations to your cake design and order up to 4 weeks prior to your event date. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate changes to the design, please note that changes within 4 weeks of the event cannot always be guaranteed.

7.2 Changes to cake designs may be subject to an additional cost. This will be discussed with you when making the changes. I reserve the right to increase a quoted price in the event you request a variation to the work agreed.

7.3 Please take the time to check the new copy of the order form with the amendments carefully and let me know by return if any changes are needed. See ‘Section 4’.

8. Collection Of Cakes

8.1 I prefer to deliver all my cake orders personally, however if this is not possible, your order may be collected at a pre-arranged time. However, not all cakes are available for collection; it depends on the design and size of the cake. Cakes over 2 tiers tall or with intricate decoration are not suitable for customer collection.

8.2 Cakes that are collected by the customer are always boxed for transportation. I will provide full instructions on the care and handling of your cake. I do not take any responsibility for any damage that may occur to the cake once it has left my possession.

8.3 I advise cakes to be placed on a level, steady surface for transport e.g., in the passenger footwell of your car. I am happy to place the cake safely in the car for you if required. The cake should then be stored in the box at room temperature and out of direct sunlight until taken to the venue.

9. Delivery & Set Up Of Wedding Cakes

9.1 I prefer to deliver and set up my wedding cake orders. I will deliver your cake to your venue at a pre-arranged time. This will be discussed during the consultation, and I will advise the venue in advance of my arrival time.

9.2 If the delivery time needs to be changed, please advise me as soon as possible but at least 14 days in advance – depending on other orders on the day of delivery, I cannot always guarantee a change of delivery time will be possible.

9.3 Local delivery is charged at £25 within 10 miles of Wimborne Minster. Other journeys are charged at 50p per mile for the return journey (mileage is calculated based on Google maps mileage from Wimborne Minster), plus the charge will include a set-up fee (minimum £20) for time spent at the venue.

9.4 It is your responsibility to ensure you have given me the correct delivery information and delivery time. This will be on your cake booking form so please check it carefully.

9.5 It would be very rare, but on the event day I may be faced with a ‘force majeure’ e.g., severe weather conditions, public unrest, or other unexpected events that may make delivery to your venue impossible. You can be assured that I would always do my best to deliver as prearranged, but some circumstances would be out of my reasonable control. Please ensure you have adequate wedding insurance in place to cover this eventuality.

9.6 It is your responsibility to ensure you have provided me with the set-up details and location of the cake at the venue. I cannot be held responsible for the location of the cake at the venue. Please ensure that the display location is level, stable and strong enough to hold the cake. It would be advisable that it is not directly in front of a heat source, in a sunny window/conservatory or in a location where it could be knocked easily by passing guests.

9.7 I reserve the right to change the location of the cake at the venue if I feel it is unsuitable and may cause damage to the cake e.g., the cake table is in front of a large glass window, and it is an extremely hot day

9.8 I also reserve the right not to use a cake stand provided by the venue or yourself if I feel it will not hold the weight of the cake. I have a wide selection of suitable cake stands available to hire if you so wish. This will be discussed at your consultation.

9.9 I will photograph the cake at the venue as proof that it has been delivered and set up and left in perfect condition.

10. Non-Edible Elements

10.1 Most of my stacked cakes will contain non-edible elements such as plastic dowels, flowers, or cake toppers. I will advise you of any non-edible elements that need to be removed during cutting.

10. 2 As I will not personally be cutting the cake, I cannot accept any responsibility for any non-edible elements not removed prior to serving or any other aspects of the serving of your cake.

11. Shelf Life

11.1. I recommend my cakes be eaten within 4 days of the event for them to be enjoyed at their best.

12. Allergens & Special Dietary Requirements

12.1 All allergy and special dietary requirements should be conveyed to me during the consultation. It is the customer’s responsibility to make me aware of any special dietary requirements that need to be accommodated in the making of the cake.

12.2 Unless otherwise stated, all cakes contain; gluten, butter and eggs and are made in an environment that handles; nuts, dairy, gluten and alcohol. Gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy free cakes can sometimes be made on request; however, I cannot guarantee that these cakes will not contain trace amounts of these ingredients due to the nature of the product and my facilities.

12.3 I would recommend anyone with a severe nut; dairy or gluten intolerance does not eat my cakes.

12.4 I will provide full allergen information with the cake upon delivery to the venue.

12.5 I accept no liability for customers suffering allergic reactions from eating my cakes.

13. Publication & Promotional Rights

13.1. I am the sole designer and owner of the final cake design. All rights in any original designs created and designed by the company shall remain the exclusive property of myself.

13.2 From time to time my designs are published in the media e.g., wedding magazines, websites, and blogs. I reserve the right to use any image of your cake for publication after the delivery date unless previously agreed in writing between us.

13.3 The customer has no ownership rights over any cake design. Exclusivity of cake designs between my customers cannot be guaranteed.

14. Commissioning A Cake That Is Similar To Another Design

14.1 If you request a cake that is not my original design, I would prefer not to directly copy it, but to use it as a basis to design your cake around so that it is unique to you. This can be discussed at your consultation.

15. Cancellations/Refunds

15.1 The booking fee is non-refundable and non-transferable in the event of cancellation.

15.2 Cancellations from the date of booking until 30 days before the wedding will forfeit the booking fee.

15.3 Cancellations with less than 30 days notice are subject to full payment. If this has not already been paid then the final balance will be immediately payable upon cancellation. This final payment is non-refundable in the event of cancellation if that cancellation occurs within 30 days of the wedding date.

15.4 There may be a rare occasion when I need to cancel an order due to exceptional circumstances beyond my control*. In this case, as much notice as possible of the cancellation will be given and any monies paid, including deposits will be refunded. If required, I will also assist in finding a replacement baker of the same high standard to make your cake for you.

*This does not include a force majeure that may occur on the event day. See ‘Section 9.6’.

16. Change Of Wedding Date

16.1 If you need to change your wedding date, please let me know as soon as possible. Any changes are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. Please liaise with me to check my availability before moving your wedding date. I always advise getting more than one new date option from your venue for a move of date to give me the best chance of being able to change the date.

16.2 If you request to move your date, a new booking fee of £100 will be payable. The first booking fee will not be refundable or transferable. It will be classed as a cancellation and a new booking as it is highly likely I will have turned down other work for your first date.*

16.3 If you are moving your wedding to a date I am unavailable for, unfortunately the booking fee will be strictly non-refundable as this covers work already completed in the run up to your wedding (this may include but is not limited to: phone calls, emails, completing and sending forms, holding consultations, providing taster boxes and it is also highly likely that I will have turned down other work for your original date).

16.4 Date changes to different years may be subject to an additional charge in line with my yearly cost increases e.g., a date change from 2023 to 2024.

16.5 I would strongly advise that you take out wedding insurance that covers you in the event of a cancellation/change of wedding date that is out of your control.

*If I am subsequently able to fill the original date with a new booking, I will deduct the first booking fee off the final balance of your cake.

17. Complaints

17.1 In the unlikely event there is an issue with your cake, it must be brought to my attention within 48 hours of the cake being delivered so I can be given the opportunity to assess the nature of the problem. I would take any complaints very seriously.

17.2 If the complaint is regarding the quality of the cake, I may ask for the cake or the remainder of the cake to be returned to me within 48 hours of delivery for inspection.

17.3 If the complaint is regarding the design of the cake, but the cake was made according to the booking form and details which have been checked and approved, I cannot be held responsible for any errors not picked up by the customer.

17.4 For any complaints I can only deal with the person who booked the cake originally.

17.5 You must give me an opportunity to resolve the issue and agree not to post any defamatory comments or pictures on online forums or social media channels before discussing the situation with me and allowing me reasonable time to provide a satisfactory solution.

17.6 Once a solution has been reached, you agree not to post any defamatory comments or pictures on online forums or social media at any point in the future.

18. Cake Stand / Equipment Hire.

18.1 I have a range of cake stands and other decorative items available to hire for your wedding. The cost of this can be discussed during the booking process or a consultation (wedding cake orders only).

18.2 Any hire is subject to a refundable damage deposit. This varies depending on the cost of the item/s being hired.

18.3 All hire charges and deposits are payable in advance 30 days before the event date and will be detailed on your booking form.

18.4 Hired items must be returned to me within 7 days of the event date unless previously agreed. If items are not returned within 7 days then a late return fee of £5 per day per item will be charged.

18.5 If items are not returned within 14 days, then the entire hire deposit will be forfeited.

18.6 If a late return has been previously agreed in writing then no charges will be made as long as the items are returned by the specified date.

18.7 I do not collect hired items unless this has been previously agreed. A fee will be charged if I am required to collect hired items. This will vary dependent on distance to the venue but would usually be equal to the delivery charge for your wedding cake.

18.8 If items are returned damaged then the damage deposit will be forfeited.

18.9 Please notify me as soon as you can if damage, breakage or loss has occurred so I can assess the situation and advise of the best resolution.

I reserve the right to revise and amend these terms and conditions, However, you will h us and that are shared with you with the booking form.

If you change your wedding date for any reason, you will be sent the most up to date terms and conditions with your new booking form and these will supersede any previously sent to you.

By paying your booking fee, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions so please read them carefully.