These terms form the basis of the contract between the customer and Emma Shafi Cake Design.

Booking Fee
A £75 non-refundable booking fee is required when booking your wedding cake to secure the commission of your cake and chosen date. This fee also covers the necessary time given to your order prior to your wedding such as administration, emails, design consultation, design sketches and wedding cake sample box. When you receive the final price of your cake following consultation it will include the booking fee and the £75 paid will be deducted from the final price.
No contract is 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 Emma Shafi Cake Design. I cannot hold dates and only once your booking fee has been paid will you date be secure. 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 cancellation of an order takes place, I reserve the right to retain your non-refundable booking fee. If cancellation takes place 6 months prior to the event, 50% of the total order amount must be paid. If cancellation takes place 1 month prior to the event, I reserve the right to seek 100% of the order value.
If you postpone the event, I will endeavour to transfer your order providing the date is suitable, otherwise it shall be treated as a cancellation (see 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 attempt to 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 sketches 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 your cake and remain the property of Emma Shafi Cake Design.
I reserve the right to use images of your cake for any form of advertising including web-based promotions, brochures & social media.

Design Alteration and Changes
It is your responsibility to read & check the contract details thoroughly. If requested, I will endeavour to adjust the design where possible, but sometimes this is not possible according to the nature of the request or amount of notice given. 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
Your balance invoice will be sent to you 6 weeks prior to your wedding date. Final payment for your wedding cake is required no later than 1 month prior to the scheduled event. If final payment or other arrangements are not made by this time, the order will be cancelled and all monies forfeited. Emma Shafi Cake Design will not bake 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 3 days of your event 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.
Emma Shafi Cake Design 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 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. Sugar paste cakes should NOT be refrigerated.
Emma Shafi Cake Design will take every step possible to ensure a quality product upon delivery. Emma Shafi Cake Design cannot be held responsible for unfavourable conditions at the cakes destination.

Food Allergy Disclaimer
Please note Emma Shafi Cake Design is NOT an allergy free kitchen. I cannot guarantee that my products are free from ingredients that may affect those with food allergies. Emma Shafi Cake Design will not assume any liability for adverse reactions to our products.
The following ingredients are used in my kitchen: Wheat & Gluten, Eggs, Milk and other dairy products, Nuts: peanuts, almonds, coconut. Please note that some food colourings may have an effect on behaviour in children.

Cakes stands and frames
In the event that Emma Shafi Cake Design provides cake stands and cake frames not purchased by the responsible party, they must be returned within 5 days of the event. Failure to return cake stands and frames will result in NO REFUND of hire deposit. Upon return of all stands your deposit will promptly be refunded.

Flowers
If your cake requires fresh flowers, then 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 Emma Shafi Cake Design is not responsible for any problems with your fresh flowers.
I cannot take responsibility for any damage rendered to the cake caused by a floral arrangement that was implemented by your florist.
If fresh flowers are used, the cake will be set-up as late as feasibly possible to ensure their freshness throughout the day but depending on the varieties used & the weather conditions at the time, it may be necessary to cut the cake relatively early on in the proceedings to ensure their freshness for the photography.

Cake Toppers and Other Decorative Items
Cake toppers or other decorative items that are purchased by the responsible party can be delivered to Emma Shafi Cake Design a minimum of 7 days prior to cake delivery or left at the venue on the morning of the wedding.

Cake Table
The responsible party is responsible for ensuring that there is a cake table available 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 Emma Shafi Cake Design. Emma Shafi Cake Design 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 Emma Shafi Cake Design.