Terms and Conditions: Tanya’s Artisan Cakes

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) apply to all custom cake, cupcake, and confectionery orders placed with Tanya’s Artisan Cakes (“we”, “us”, “our”). By finalizing your booking and completing your payment, you (“the Client”, “you”) agree to be legally bound by these Terms.

1. Booking & Payments

• 1.1 Quotes: Any quote provided is valid for 14 days from the date of issue. Slots are only guaranteed and bookings confirmed once 100% of the payment is cleared.

• 1.2 Upfront Payment: Full payment (100% of the agreed price) must be paid at the time of booking to secure your date in our calendar. No baking, ingredient sourcing, or structural preparation will begin until this payment is received in full.

• 1.3 Non-Refundable Retainer Portion: To protect our business against late cancellations, 50% of your total upfront payment is treated as a non-refundable retainer/booking fee to cover administrative costs, design time, ingredient sourcing, and the reservation of your date (which prevents us from taking other bookings).

2. Design, Interpretations & Variations

• 2.1 Handcrafted Nature: Every cake is custom-made by hand. While we strive to meet your design brief, minor variations in colours, textures, and artistic interpretation may occur. Exact replicas of external reference photos cannot be guaranteed.

• 2.2 Alterations: Any requests to alter the design, size, or flavour of the cake must be made in writing.

  • For celebration cakes, no changes can be requested within 7 days of the event.

  • For wedding cakes, no changes can be requested within 21 days of the event.

  • If the alteration increases material costs or labour, the final price will be adjusted, and the difference must be paid before preparation begins.

3. Food Safety, Allergens & Dietary Requirements

• 3.1 Allergen Disclosure: You must notify us of any allergies or dietary restrictions at the time of enquiry.

• 3.2 Cross-Contamination Warning: All cakes are made in a domestic kitchen that handles major allergens (including gluten/wheat, eggs, milk, nuts, peanuts, and soya). While we take extreme care to prevent cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that any cake is 100% free from trace amounts of these allergens.

• 3.3 Client Responsibility: It is your sole responsibility to inform your guests/event venue of any allergen risks. We accept no liability for any adverse allergic reactions.

4. Non-Edible Elements

• 4.1 Structural Support: Multi-tiered cakes contain food-safe dowels, supports, or central rods to maintain structural integrity. These are not edible and must be removed before carving and consumption.

• 4.2 Decorative Additions: Cakes may feature non-edible decorations (e.g., acrylic toppers, wire, structural floristry, or toys). We will advise you of these upon collection/delivery. It is your responsibility to ensure they are removed before the cake is eaten.

5. Collection vs. Delivery

• 5.1 Collection: If you choose to collect your cake, it must be gathered at the agreed-upon time.

  • Once the cake leaves our premises, it is considered accepted and in perfect condition. We are not liable for any subsequent damage sustained during transit or storage.

  • Safe Travel Advice: Cakes must be transported flat (ideally in an empty car boot or passenger footwell) with the air conditioning on in warm weather. Never place a cake on a car seat or a lap.

• 5.2 Delivery & Setup: Delivery is charged additionally based on distance and setup time.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure the venue is ready, accessible, and has a flat, stable, cool display table.

  • Once the cake has been set up and photographed at the venue, our liability ends. We are not responsible for any damage caused by venue staff, guests, or poor climate conditions (e.g., melting in marquee heat).

6. Cancellations, Postponements & Refunds

• 6.1 Client Cancellation: Because our cakes are highly customised and prepared in advance, normal consumer cooling-off periods do not apply. All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email).

  • If you cancel your order more than 14 days prior to the agreed collection/delivery date, we will refund 50% of your upfront payment (retaining the 50% non-refundable booking fee).

  • If you cancel within 14 days of the collection/delivery date, no refund will be issued, and the full 100% payment is forfeited to cover lost income and ingredients already purchased.

• 6.2 Wedding Cake Cancellations: Due to the scale of wedding bookings, if you cancel a wedding cake within 30 days of the wedding date, no refund will be issued, and the full 100% payment is forfeited.

• 6.3 Postponement: If you need to change your event date, we will attempt to transfer your full payment to the new date, subject to our availability. If we are fully booked on the new date, it will be treated as a cancellation under Section 6.1.

• 6.4 Supplier Cancellation (Force Majeure): In the highly unlikely event that we must cancel your order due to extreme unforeseen circumstances (such as sudden illness, accident, or emergency), we will issue a 100% full refund. Our liability is strictly limited to the refund of monies paid; we are not liable for any secondary or consequential losses.

7. Complaints and Feedback

• 7.1 Immediate Reporting: If you are dissatisfied with the design or structure of the cake, this must be raised immediately upon collection or delivery so we have an opportunity to rectify it.

• 7.2 Taste Complaints: If there is a dispute regarding the internal quality or flavour of the cake:

  • You must notify us in writing within 24 hours of the event.

  • To be eligible for a partial/full refund, at least 75% of the cake must be returned to us within 48 hours for inspection. No refunds can be issued based on written complaints alone without returning the physical product.

8. Governing Law

• These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts.