Terms and Conditions

The small print

  • Standard hire period is 1-3 days. Longer periods can be arranged for an additional charge.  

  • We will require proof of address and all hirers must be over 18.

  • The hired items remain the property of Dolly's Vintage Tea Party at all times and are the responsibility of the hirer throughout the duration of hire.

  • We want you to be entirely happy with your package, so orders can be, within reason, amended up to seven days before your event.  We will try to accommodate any changes but regrettably these cannot always be guaranteed. 

Copyright

  • All wording and images on our website and other social media are copyrighted to us.

Photography

  • We would truly love it if you would allow us to photograph the styling of your event, in the hope of using them for marketing purposes.  If, however you would rather we didn't please let us know.

Promotional and charity hires

  • We hope you understand that if you are hiring for charities in exchange for promotional opportunities our terms and conditions will still apply and we will still require a loss/damages deposit.

Payment

  • A deposit of either £250 or 50% of the total hire value will be required to secure your booking.  Once this booking fee has been received we will confirm your order in writing.  Dollys is totally happy for you to pay in Installments thereafter, however the remaining balance must be paid four weeks prior to the date of hire, unless otherwise agreed.  If this is not received the booking will not be able to proceed and any deposit will not be refunded. Payment terms will feature on your invoice.

  • Transferring your holding deposit of 50% of your order or 250.00 will confirm the items on your proposal and/or my services. After this time for anything other than a 10% margin of change within your china and props, pieces can only be added, not deducted.  

  • If you have not made a holding deposit - All cancellations, including individual items and packages must be confirmed in writing.

  • Payment Is To Be Paid By Bank Transfer, Or If Agreed, By Cash At Time Of Drop Off, We Reserve The Right Not To Supply The Event Until Payment Has Been Made.

  • In the event of cancellation we are sorry but

    • no deposit refunds will be given and 80% of your balance for missed wages will be required. I will of course, where possible honor a change of date for your event and will do my utmost to work with you to Accommodate the Rescheduling of your celebrations. I hope you understand that this to avoid any disappointment, because they could be hired by others clients. 

    • Your wedding insurance should cover this, however I must add that, after speaking to a number of insurance providers, if it is the venue or supplier cancelling due to uncontrollable circumstances you will potentially be covered. however, they explicitly almost without Exception, will not cover you if you simply decide to play it safe and cancel ‘just in case’ or because a number of guests are unable to make it. I will of course be here to help you in any way I can.

    • Your deposit is made to cover any time and admin costs, however as a gesture of good will, I am allowing this deposit to be transferable against any other event you may hold in the future for example anniversary, birthday, baby shower.   I hope this helps with everything and you are able to claim through your wedding insurance.

Delivery & Collection

  • We try to keep delivery costs to your venue to a minimum, unless otherwise stated in your quotation, it will be charged at approximately £75 per hour, up to a 100 mile radius of Cambridge, for further afield, quotations will be given upon request. We do reserve the right to increase this charge if an order is placed at short notice (under two weeks from date of event).  Alternatively, we are always happy for you to collect and return to us, whereby you will be fully responsibility for all items and all items remain the property of Dollys. We request that it is all packed in the same way it has been received.

STYLING AND ON THE DAY COORDINATION

  • WILL BE CHARGED PER THE HOUR UNLESS WE HAVE AGREED A FULL PACKAGE FEE. IF MY SERVICES ARE BASED ON AN HOURLY RATE AND MY TIME SPENT STYLING, COORDINATING AND TAKING DOWN EXCEEDS THE APPROXIMATE TIME ALLOCATED YOU WILL BE INVOICED ACCORDINGLY. ALTERNATIVELY THE AMOUNT DUE WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR LOSS/DAMAGES DEPOSIT. lIKEWISE, IF I WORK LESS THAN THE ESTIMATED TIMINGS YOU WILL BE REFUNDED THE DIFFERENCE. 

Damages, loss and breakages deposit

  • In addition to the hire costs, a refundable breakage, damage and loss deposit will also be required at the time of final payment. This amount will depend on the items ordered. 

  • Once we have conducted our post collection check, for any breakages, loss or damages that are found we will deduct the appropriate amount (according to the cost to replace it off Ebay).  

  • The balance will then be refunded with a detailed receipt.  If the total amount of losses, or damaged items exceeds your deposit, you will be invoice accordingly within 7 working days from the date the order is returned.

  • Replacement fee prices for any unfortunate deductions will be taken from your deposit and are listed below. Your final invoice will detail all charges and will need to be paid within two weeks from the date of the receipt. If there are no issues your damages, loss and breakages deposit will be refunded in full within 7 days from the date of collection. Please send your details for the transfer back to you.  

  • If any items are found in replacement of ours (perhaps due to being mixed up with another suppliers) we will deduct the appropriate charges from the damages deposit, or will invoice for these items. If items returned are damaged in transit, we will also invoice you for breakages.  

  • We will hold onto any items returned to us that are not ours for a period of three weeks, after which time they will be disposed of.

  • All our items are authentic and not reproduction so due to the age of the crockery there may be slight wear on the guilt edges and silver plating and our linen may have an occasional slight ageing blemish. If linens are returned after hire with unreasonable stains, we will have to deduct replacement costs from your deposit.

  • If, after our post collection check, damaged items exceed the deposit paid, an invoice will be sent out.  A charge will be deducted from the ‘damage deposit’ for any breakages, loss and damages as follows:

    • 5 ~ per cup, saucer or cake plate

    • 3 ~ per boned knife, fork, spoon or teaspoon 

    • 10 ~ dinner plate 

    • 8 ~ per milk jug, or preserve bowl

    • 10 ~ Sugar bowl 

    • 3 ~ glass sundae/bonbon dish 

    • 2.50 ~ champagne glass 

    • 30 ~ teapot                  

    • 20 ~ one tier glass cake stand 

    • 35 ~ three tier vintage plate stand

    • 10 ~ cake slice or sugar tongs 

    • 15-30 ~ tablecloths 

    • 12 ~ serving bowl or platter 

    • 10 ~ glass pimms/water jugs                  

    • 25 ~ candelabra 

    • 20 ~ bunting                  

    • 10 ~ vases-based on size 

    • 12 ~ picnic basket 

    • 15 ~ folding chairs 

    • 4 ~ crochet doilies 

    • 10 ~ bygone years c.ds 

    • 60 ~ large patchwork quilt 

    • 35 ~ suitcase 

    • 14 ~ parasol/umbrella 

    • 4 ~ bottles 

    • 35 ~ deckchairs

    • 35 ~ cast iron trough (drink coolers)

    • cleaning charges apply to furniture, rugs and for any removal of soiling

  • This is only a selection of the most commonly hired items, if you would like to know the potential charge for anything not listed please do ask.

  • Props – prices vary, therefore If a unique, valuable, or rare item is lost, broken and damaged, Dollys vintage tea party expresses the right to charge according to the cost of replacing them off Ebay. 

Any other business

  • With confirmation of your order please present proof of residence for our records, it would be a good idea to send your bank details for a speedy return your of your loss/damages deposit at this time too.

  • Initial meeting no charge, any subsequent consultations at Dollys HQ charged at £45.00 per hour.

  • If you decide to simply use our meeting and planning for ideas and inspiration and not feel the need to hire or use Dollys for your big day, a charge of £45.00 per hour will be invoiced to cover the time spent at our consultation, onsite visits, phonecalls and admin correspondence via email and whatsapp.  It will of course be complimentary if you move forward with any order.

  • Please return the suitcases which transport your order, their loss, or damage will be charged at full replacement cost. Due to the age of the suitcases and for the safety of the china please do not carry the suitcases using the handles, rather, they must be carried like crates.

  • All our items are authentic and not reproduction. Our collection contains a mixture of individual vintage pieces, mismatched china and tableware whereby an eclectic look is promoted.

  • Due to the age of the crockery there may be slight wear on the guilt edges and silver plating and our linen may have an occasional ageing blemish. If linens are returned after hire with unreasonable stains we will have to deduct replacement costs from your deposit.

  • Please handle all Dollys collection with the utmost care.  We ask is that crockery, glassware and cutlery are carefully washed by hand in warm, soapy water, dried and securely wrapped in the original packaging then put back into the suitcases provided, making sure no damage could occur during transit.   Due to their age and delicate nature, and to prevent any damage, please under no circumstances use a dishwasher.  Alternatively, we can pop on our marigolds for an extra 25% of your hire and do it for you.  If you would like us to do the later, please make sure that all residue is removed with kitchen roll, before packing in newspaper and then the bubble wrap, ready for transportation.   

  • Under no circumstances put our items in a microwave, dishwasher or oven. Being so old they are very delicate and the beautiful prints and gilt on the edges are easily removed at high water temperatures or by using present day technology. 

  • A hired items checklist will be provided and it is very important that you bring to our attention any problems with your order upon delivery. 

  • Please find a copy of our ‘tips for hire’ enclosed in your order, this is a great tool to use when briefing any staff.

  • If you would like to organise your own transport, you must be fully insured against all loss or damages and be able to produce evidence of such upon request.

  • Three tier cake-stands: I have checked all the fittings for unusable threading and they are all good. I've also put in extra fittings and some more white foam fillers, just in case’.  Each screw should twist in gently, but, if there is any need for force then stop immediately, unscrew them and try again slowly to start with. Occasional problems with the threads have been found, this will hopefully prevent it happening.

  • Due to their age, all teapots and cake-stands should be supported underneath to prevent any unfortunate accidents from occurring.  We find a saucer under the teapot and holding the cake stand from the bottom plate will help.

  • Please ensure all items are returned in the condition you have received them. Once you have your hire, we advise you to check the order and bring to our attention any concerns as soon as you can. We will do our best to rectify anything we can and apologize for any error on our behalf.

  • At no time does Dolly's Vintage Tea Party accept liability in the event of any injury or damage caused by our hired items, however they are caused. They are hired entirely at your own risk. We therefore recommend that you take out your own event insurance.  

  • For event insurance, we RECOMMEND  John Lewis or the Wedding plan company, who can  arrange the correct level of wedding insurance cover for your needs.

  • Dollys has public liability insurance, first aid training, food hygiene certificates and complies with all the current health and safety requirements.  

  • By making a booking with Dollys vintage tea party you are in agreement with our terms and conditions set out above.  

Disclaimer 

We aim to ensure that the information contained on this site is true and accurate, however, we cannot give any warranty to that effect. We cannot be responsible for the consequences of reliance on that information. However, this disclaimer is not intended to affect your statutory rights.