Standard Terms and Conditions of Trading
These terms form the basis of the contract between the customer and Cakes by Nicole.
Booking Fee
A non-refundable booking fee of £75 (wedding cakes) and £30 (occasion cakes) is required in order to secure the commission of your cake and your chosen date. This will be deducted from the final cost.
No contract will be made with you until we have received your booking fee. Once your booking fee has been received you are in a legally binding contract with Cakes by Nicole.
Quotations are valid for a period of 7 calendar days from the date of issue. If your booking fee is not paid within 7 days of request, then I reserve the right to cancel any previous arrangements.
By paying your booking fee, it will be deemed that the terms and conditions are understood and accepted as applying to your order.
Cancellation and Postponement
If you require to cancel your order, I reserve the right to retain your non-refundable booking fee. If cancellation takes place 6 months prior to the event for wedding cakes, or 1 month prior to collection date for occasion cakes, 50% of the total order amount must be paid.
If cancellation takes place 1 month prior to the event for wedding cakes, or 1 week prior to collection date for occasion cakes, I reserve the right to seek 100% of the order value.
In the event that your wedding or occasion is postponed, I will endeavour to transfer your order to the new date. However, this is not guaranteed as it will be subject to my availability on the new date requested. If I am unable to transfer your order, this will be treated as a cancelation and will fall under the terms detailed above. Please be aware that postponements may be subject to an increase in costs, in line with the annual cost of inflation, dependant on the duration of the postponement.
Design
I will make every effort to create a cake designed to your exact wishes. It is your responsibility to ensure that your wishes are clearly stated, and colour swatches, photographs and other design aspects are given accurately.
Any samples, drawings, or descriptions I issue, and any descriptions or illustrations contained on my website and social media are issued solely to provide you with an approximate idea of the cakes they describe and remain the property of Cakes by Nicole.
I reserve the right to use images of your cake for any form of advertising including web-based promotions, brochures & galleries once the date of your event has passed.
Design Alteration & Changes
It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the order is read and checked thoroughly before confirming.
If a change or alteration is requested, I will endeavour to adjust the design to your request. However, please note that this may not be possible depending on the nature of your request and/or the amount of notice given for the changes. If the alteration affects the cost, or preparation work for the original design has already been undertaken, then your balance will be adjusted accordingly.
Final Payment
Final payment for your wedding cake is required no later than 1 month prior to the scheduled event. Occasion cakes must be paid in full before collection.
If final payment or other arrangements are not made by this time, the order will be cancelled, and all monies forfeited. Cakes by Nicole will not produce any cakes until payment in full has been received.
The Cakes
All cakes are baked to order, using fresh ingredients, the week of your event. I do not use additives or preservatives and I do not pre-bake and freeze cakes. As with any fresh product, consumption is intended within 24 hours of delivery/collection to ensure enjoying the cakes at their very best.
Stacked cakes contain dowels in each tier to provide support and these should be removed before consumption.
Cakes by Nicole will not take responsibility for any defect in the cakes arising from wilful damage, accident, negligence by you or any third party.
Climate Conditions and Storage
It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the cake will be stored / set up in an area that is climate controlled to ensure that the cake remains intact and retains its original condition. Extreme high temperatures and humidity due to weather conditions, and the lack of a cool environment at the appointed location, may adversely affect the condition of the cake.
Cakes should be stored in a dry place, at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. The cake should NOT be refrigerated.
Cakes by Nicole will take every step possible to ensure a quality product upon delivery. Cakes by Nicole cannot be held responsible for unfavourable conditions at the cake’s destination.
Food Allergy Disclaimer
Cakes by Nicole is NOT an allergy-free kitchen. I cannot guarantee that products are free from ingredients that may affect those with food allergies.
Cakes by Nicole will not assume any liability for adverse reactions to our products.
The following ingredients are used in our kitchen:
• - Milk and other dairy products.
- Eggs
• Nuts: peanuts, walnuts, almonds, coconut
Wheat and gluten
Please note that some food colourings may have an effect on children’s behaviour.
Flowers
If your cake requires fresh flowers, these are not included in the price. I can work with your florist but expect you to make all the necessary arrangements with the florist. Please note Cakes by Nicole is not responsible for any issues with your fresh flowers.
If fresh flowers are used on any wedding cake, the cake will be set-up as late as feasibly possible to ensure their freshness throughout the day. Depending on the varieties used and the weather conditions at the time, it may be necessary to cut the cake relatively early in the proceedings to ensure their freshness for any photography opportunities.
Cake Toppers and Other Decorative Items
Cake toppers, ornaments, ribbons or other decorative items that are purchased by the responsible party’ must be delivered to Cakes by Nicole a minimum of 7 days prior to cake delivery.
Cake Table
For wedding cakes, the responsible party is responsible for ensuring that there is a cake table available at the venue at time of delivery. If the table is to be skirted or otherwise covered it must be prepared before the cake is set up. The table must be secure and level and must be able to support a minimum of 50lbs. Once the cake is set up it is no longer the responsibility of Cakes by Nicole. Cakes by Nicole cannot be held responsible for tables provided by the customer/venue that fail to support the weight of the cake.
Delivery / Setup and Acceptance:
At the time of delivery and set up, a designated responsible party must be present to inspect and sign for final cake set up. Once the cake is set up and accepted, it is no longer the responsibility of Cakes by Nicole.