Terms & Conditions
All Weddings booked at Downe shall be subject to the terms and conditions set out in the written contract that we prepare for each wedding (“the Event Contract”).
Please note the following important terms of our Event Contract:
I. Confirmation, Deposits and Schedule of Payments.
- Provisional bookings will be held for ten days.
- To confirm a provisional booking, written confirmation, signed acceptance of the Event Contract and a non-refundable deposit of £500 is required (“the Initial Deposit”).
- A first stage payment equal to 25% of the Total Estimated Cost of the Wedding is payable three calendar months before the Wedding Date (“the First Stage Payment”).
- The remainder of the Total Estimated Cost of the Wedding is due 14 days prior to the Wedding Date (“the Second Stage Payment”).
- At the conclusion of the Wedding, a statement of the Final Cost of the Wedding is prepared by the Owners and given to the Clients. Any difference between the Final Wedding Cost and payments made to date (the Initial Deposit and the First and Second Stage Payments) must be paid in full prior to departure of the Clients.
- 14 days prior to the Wedding Date the Clients must also provide credit card details to enable the Owners to obtain prior authorisation against the card of a payment up to £2,000 as security against any damage caused by the Clients and / or their guests during the Wedding. Monies shall only be charged by the Owners against this credit card in respect of damage caused by the Clients and / or their Guests.
Cash and major credit cards (except American Express and Diners Club) are accepted.
2. Catering and Guest Numbers
The final number of guests attending should be confirmed fourteen days prior to the Wedding Date.
3. Clients’ use of Downe
The Clients and guests attending the Wedding shall:
- Comply with all licensing, Health and Safety and other regulations relating to Downe.
- Not act in an improper or disorderly manner, leave promptly at the appropriate time and comply with any reasonable request by the Owners or their employees.
4. Insurance/Damage
It is strongly recommended that clients arrange wedding insurance cover.
The Owners cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage to the personal property of any clients or their guests whilst at Downe.
The Clients will be liable for any loss or damage sustained to the property of the Owners (including soft furnishings) caused by the Clients and/or their guests. The clients shall pay to the Owners on demand the amount required to make good or remedy such damage (including compensation for any loss of business resulting therefrom whilst such damage is being repaired).
5. General
a) The Owners will take all reasonable steps to fulfil the reservation to the best of their ability and in accordance with the details provided.
b) The Owners are not responsible in any way for arrangements made by the clients with the Registrar, bands, florists, marquee suppliers and any other third party providers of services at the wedding.
8. Cancellation by the Owners
The Owners may cancel bookings under the following circumstances:
a) If the Clients become insolvent or enter into liquidation or receivership.
b) If the Clients are more than 10 days in arrears with any payment due to the Owners.
c) If Downe or any part of it is closed due to circumstances outside the Owners’ control e.g. Fire, Flood etc.
d) Death or serious illness of either of the Owners.
If the Owners cancel the booking as a result of the circumstances falling within c) or d) above, they will refund any advance payments made but will have no further liability to the Clients.
9. Cancellation by the Clients
In all circumstances, notification of cancellation must be made in writing to the Owners and will be effective on the date this notification is received by the Owners.
The following cancellation terms apply:
a) Cancellation more than ninety days in advance of the Wedding Date – the Initial Deposit and the Stage Payments due at the time of cancellation will be forfeited unless a booking is obtained by the Owners for the same dates from a third party for an equivalent Wedding on no less favourable terms in which case only the Initial Deposit will be forfeited.
b) Cancellation between three months and the Wedding Date – the Total Estimated Cost of the Wedding will be incurred.
