Booking Terms and Conditions for Weddings in the Woods

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These pages represent the standard Terms & Conditions and contract for wedding receptions with Weddings in the Wood, hereinafter referred to as the Company, held at the New Forest Outdoor Centre. Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully before booking our venue. Once a booking has been accepted and payment received all the persons named on the booking form will have entered a binding contract on the basis of these Terms & Conditions. If you have any questions about them please do not hesitate to contact us. Weddings in the Wood, is the trading name for Aquaire Ltd, company registration number 7283018. The Company reserves the right, without the need to give reasons, to refuse to accept a booking. In such circumstances no agreement arises and the Company will return any payment accompanying the booking. This agreement is governed by English law.

Confirmation

To confirm a booking, the Company will raise a deposit invoice for 50% of the total cost. Payment of this deposit invoice within 14 days of the deposit invoice date, or before the event, whichever is sooner, will secure the booking together with the remittance of the completed booking form agreement. It is important to note that no wedding reception is accepted as confirmed by the Company until a signed copy of the booking form agreement (or confirmed acceptance by electronic means) is returned by the Bride and Groom to the Company, whereby they agree to all our conditions and our cancellation policies, along with a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the value of the estimated final account*.

Price

In the event of any taxation change beyond the control of the Company (eg. increases in the standard rate of VAT), the Company reserves the right to vary the prices quoted to an extent that reflects such change.

Payment Terms

Deposit Invoice

The Company will raise a deposit invoice for 50% of the estimated final account*. This must be paid within 14 days of the deposit invoice date, or before the event, whichever is sooner, to secure the booking. If no deposit is received from the client by the date specified on the deposit invoice, the Company reserves the right to cancel the booking and offer the date to another party. The deposit is non-returnable.

Balance Invoice

21 days prior to the event the Company will raise an invoice for the balance, including any Shepherd Hut accommodation fees required. This must be paid no later than 7 days prior to the event. If no payment is received from the client within the 14 day period specified on the balance invoice, the Company will cancel the booking and will start procedures to recover the debt.

Additional Charges

Any extra charges should be settled within 28 days of the date of the reception.

Cancellations

Cancellation by the Bride and Groom

All client cancellations must be made in writing.

Period of Cancellation	Chargeable Payment
Up to 12 weeks prior the date	The 50% deposit will be retained by the Company
Between 12 and 4 weeks prior to the date	75% of the estimated final account*
28 days or less prior to the date	100% of the estimated final account*

If a client wishes to change the date of a confirmed event, within twelve weeks of the event date, the client will be liable for an additional 25% of the total event cost, on top of the full event cost, in order to reimburse the staffing, administration and other overheads associated with moving the date.

* The final account will be estimated accordingly to the number of guests specified in the deposit invoice along with all the agreed arrangements. Any postponement of confirmed and contracted business will be treated as a cancellation.

Cancellation by the Company

The Company reserves the right to cancel the booking if:

a) Any part of the venue is closed or unavailable because of any event beyond the Company’s control. In this instance the bride and groom will be offered either a full refund of any deposit or balance invoice paid or the same booking on a different date. The Company accepts no liability for contracts with third parties made by the bride and groom.

b) It becomes apparent that the booking may, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, damage the reputation of the Company. In this instance, the Company will treat it as a cancellation by the bride and groom.

Catering arrangements

The Company offers a choice for the catering arrangements for the reception. The bride and groom can either use our “Catered Service” or elect to provide their own catering using the “Home Service”. The Company recommends that the bride and groom insist that any catering company not familiar with the site make a site visit prior to being engaged as caterers for the wedding. The Company must be made aware of the need for any additional requirements eg service marquees, electricity requirements, refridgeration etc and the Bride and Groom must make the necessary arrangements for access to the venue. For full details of the catering service conditions please refer to our current brochure.

Bar arrangements and supply of drinks

The Company has a licensed Woodland Bar, which can serve drinks until 23.00 hrs. Any extension to the bar must be discussed in advance with the Company. The Company will run the bar according to the bar option selected by the bride and groom. For details of the bar options please refer to our current brochure. In addition to the bar service the bride and groom can provide:

• one glass of wine, sparkling wine, champagne or soft drink (no concentrated cordials) per guest to serve as a welcome drink

• one bottle of wine or soft drink per four guests to drink with the meal at the table

• one bottle of champagne per six guests to serve for toasts

• bottled water for the tables

All additional bottles of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be subject to a corkage fee starting from £8.00.

These allowances also apply where the bride and groom elect to use a Catered Service and the catering company provides the reception and table drinks.

Guests of the bride and groom may not bring any alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks into the venue for the consumption on the premises. Any guests found contravening this regulation will be charged a corkage fee.

Marquees

There is an unlined semi-permanent marquee on the Woodland Deck. The Company can arrange for additional marquee/s to be erected on the Woodland Deck, gravelled areas or adjacent lawns. The prices for further marquee start from £500.00. The Company only allows marquees from its approved suppliers. A list of our current approved suppliers is available on request. The company can also arrange for the catering service tents to be erected If any marquees needs to be erected on site in advance of 18.00hrs on the day before the wedding date then an access add-on must be included in the wedding package.

Marquees linings

The Company can line the Carpenter’s Barn with a cream liner, subject to prior booking. The Company will begin to line the Carpenter’s Barn as soon as the hire period for the wedding package commences. There is an additional charge for lining the barn.

The Company can arrange for the semi-permanent marquee on the Woodland Deck to be lined by one of its approved suppliers. The Company will begin to line the marquee as soon as the hire period for the wedding package commences. There is an additional charge for lining the marquee.

Tables/chairs, other equipment

The Company can provide the following as standard:

• 120 bistros style beech wood dining chairs

• 12 5ft6in round dining tables

• 19 trestle tables

• 20 benches, suitable for seating at trestle tables

• 10 rustic picnic-style tables with integral benches

• 60 white plastic stacking garden chairs

The Company can also provide anumber of drum-style BBQs. Neither BBQ fuel/charcoal or BBQ utensil are provided as standard in the Wedding Package.

Decorations and florists

The bride and groom can make their own arrangements for decorations but the Company is not obliged to assist with the decorations. The bride and groom may choose any florist etc. Any decorations used must not cause permanent damage to the venue. Ant external contractors must comply with the agreed access arrangements.

Entertainment, music and activities

The Company allows non-amplified or amplified music to be played within the Carpenter’s Barn. The doors of the Barn, if attached, must remain shut while music is being played. Only non-amplified music is allowed on the Woodland Deck/adjacent lawns, subject to prior arrangement with the Company. The Company recommends that DJ/musicians visit the site prior to the function to assess the space for set-up and power requirements. All music must cease by midnight.

The Company can organise activities on site to be provided by The New Forest Outdoor Centre. There is an additional cost to provide instructor-led activities. All guests who wish to take part in these organised activities will be required to fill out a consent form on the day.

The Bride and Groom can organise their own entertainment subject to approval in advance by the Company.

Confetti

Please note that only eco-friendly confetti may be thrown at the venue.

Smoking

The Carpenter’s Barn, marqueed areas, cloakrooms and Shepherd’s Huts are all strictly non-smoking in line with the Smokefree England Legislation.

Woodland environment and estate rules

The following are not permitted at the venue:

• Fireworks, sky lanterns or sparklers.

• Metal or paper confetti or rice.

• Roaming of the estate grounds - guests must remain in site of the Carpenter’s Barn unless they are on a designated venue trail.

• Dogs without prior permission from the venue

Engagement of external contractors and /or equipment

The Company only allows its own marquee partners to set up marquees at the venue. The bride and groom can engage other contractors/equipment providers subject to prior approval by the Company. The Company reserves the right to refuse access, without prejudice, to any contractor. When other external contractors/equipment providers are arranged, the bride and groom must undertake to indemnify the Company against any claim made against them resulting from an act or default by any of the servants or caused by any equipment supplied by them. This indemnity is also to include cover under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Any additional equipment deemed necessary by the Company to ensure the smooth running of the wedding reception will be hired in with your agreement and itemised on your account.

Personal and insurance

The Company accepts no liability for lost or damaged to personal belongings. While the Company aims to operate at the highest level of health and safety, you are reminded that running events in the outdoors presents an element of risk. The Company accepts no liability for any injury or accident that may occur outside the categories of staff negligence or structural failure of facilities constructed by the New Forest Outdoor Centre. The Company recommends that you take out wedding insurance and that all guests have appropriate cover for their own personal belongings. The venue is covered by £5 million public liability insurance.

Loss or damage

The bride and groom are responsible for any loss, damage or exceptional soiling made to any part of the venue or its furnishings/equipment or venue accommodation hired to the client, by the client or the client’s guests.

Conduct

The bride and groom acknowledge that during the wedding reception all guests are required to submit to the reasonable directions and supervision of the Company personnel. Guests under 18 years old must have enough accompanying adults to remain responsible for them at all times and the adults must maintain control of all children to the satisfaction of the Company. The venue is within the grounds of a private estate and all guests must remain within sight of the Carpenter’s Barn at all times unless they are following one of the Company’s designated forest trails. When the fire pit is used the Company accepts no liability for any incidents that may arise. The bride and groom must ensure that all guests understand that they must take care around the fire and are responsible for themselves. Where the Company has been subcontracted to provide activities, participation of the guests will be at the discretion of the Company and under no circumstances will guests who have consumed alcohol be allowed to participate in activities. If the conduct of a guest is unacceptable, the Company may, without the need to give reasons, ask for them to leave the venue. In such circumstances the client will not be entitled to a refund of monies and the Company will not be liable for any losses so resulting.

Departure from the venue

The bride and groom have use of the Bridal Shepherd’s Hut until 12.00 hrs the day following the recepton. The suite is equipped with a small double bed, with sheets, duvet and pillows. There is a wash hand basin, wind-up lantern and candle lantern. Towels are not provided. Breakfast for the bride and groom is included. The bride and groom must ensure that all guests, apart from those pre-booked to stay overnight, have transport to leave the venue at half past midnight unless alternative departure arrangements have been made in advance with the Company. Taxis must be pre-booked in advance due to the remote location of the venue. All guests staying overnight must depart from the site by 12.00 hrs and all cake/presents and decorations must be removed from the venue by this time.

Overnight accommodation

The bride and groom may book additional accommodation for their guests. The Company has access to 9 Shepherd’s Huts in addition to the Honeymoon Hut. Each hut can sleep up to four in bunk style accommodation and is equipped with a slow-burning wood stove, washbasin, wind-up lantern, candle lantern and hot drink making facilities. Sleeping bags, sleeping bag liners, mattress bottom sheets, pillows and pillowcases are provided. Guests need to provide their own towels and are advised to refer to the equipment list on the website for overnight stays. The hire fee includes breakfast for up to four persons per hut.

The Company can offer camping facilities on the adjacent lawns. Guests must provide their own camping equipment and tents unless prior arrangements have been made with the company. There is a per head charge for camping, which includes breakfast.

All guests staying overnight must depart from the site by 12.00 hrs.

On site facilities

All of the wedding packages are inclusive of the supply of water and electricity. Depending of the number of guests at the reception the woodburning stove in the Carpenter’s Barn can be lit to heat the barn. If it is anticipated that there be will a large demand for electricity (from, for example, additional refrigeration plant, catering plant, musicians’ equipment or blow heaters) then provision for generating equipment must be made. The hire costs of any such equipment will be added to the final account. The Company cannot be held liable for any loss or damage that may occur as a result of loss of power at the venue.

The cloakroom facilities on site include 3 toilets, gentlemen’s urinals, and 4 shower cubicles. Where guest numbers exceed 150, extra cloakroom facilities will be required and the hire cost will be added to the final account. The company must be advised at least 2 weeks prior to the date of the wedding of any requirements for disabled guests.

Advise for wedding guests

The Company recommends that the bride and groom advise guests that the venue is in a secluded forest location and provide all guests with adequate directions for locating the venue. GPS systems cannot be relied on to find the venue. The venue is not suitable for stiletto heels. Unless the Company is advised otherwise it may use photographs taken at the venue during the course of the wedding for publicity.

Complaints procedure

In the unlikely event that the bride and groom have cause for complaint about the wedding reception, the complaint should be made to the senior member of the staff team during the event, in order that corrective action can, if necessary, be taken. The bride and groom acknowledge that it is unreasonable for them to raise a complaint after the reception if they have taken no action to make their complaint known during the reception. However, should the complaint not be resolved, it should be made in writing to the Company within 28 days of the reception.

Accommodation & additional venue equipment expenses

If the company is arranging non-New Forest Outdoor Centre equipment or accommodation for the Bride and Groom a separate set of invoices will be raised by the Company. These invoices will include an administration charge.

Changes To This Agreement

WEDDINGS IN THE WOODS  reserves the right to update the Terms & Conditions at any time, without notice.

Woodland Wedding Package

The Woodland Wedding Package includes:

•  Access to the venue to prepare for the reception from 18.00 hrs on the day prior to the reception. The Company can accept delivery of wedding supplies prior to this by special arrangement.

•  Exclusive use of the venue for up to 100 guests (excluding children under five years old) with use of the Carpenter’s Barn, Semi-permanent Marquee, Woodland Deck,Woodland Bar, adjoining lawns and cloakrooms until half past midnight. For guest numbers of over one hundred there is an additional per head charge.

•  Use of the Bridal Shepherd’s Hut from 09.30 hrs on the day of the wedding reception to 11.00 hrs the following day. Access to the hut for storage only can be arranged from 18.00 hrs on the day prior the wedding reception.

•  A wedding co-ordinator to help with the event from the time of booking.

•  Event team of five staff headed up by a senior team member to provide stewarding, staff the bar, serve welcome drinks, manage the car parking and generally assist with the event. Separate arrangements for serving food need to be made with the caterers, as the Company staff are not available to serve food. At least one member of staff will remain on site overnight if the Honeymoon Shepherd’s Hut is occupied overnight.

•  The “Stocked and staffed bar” option. If the bride and groom choose the “Staffed bar” option there is an additional handling charge.

•  A limited range of outdoor games such as Boules, Giant Jenga, Chinese Tangrams and Giant Chess at no additional charge.

•  Car parking for up to 45 cars. If additional car parking is required, this can be arranged on one of the estate car parks provide the Company is given at least 2 weeks notice of the requirement.

•  Lighting of the fire in the fire pit by prior arrangement.

Add-ons for the Woodland Wedding Package

The “add-ons” available for the Woodland Wedding package, subject to an additional fee,  include:

•  Additional guests, as described in the current price list, where guest numbers exceed one hundred.

•  Supplimentary cloakroom facilities, where guest numbers exceed 150.

•  Extended access to the venue from 09.00 hrs on the previous day to the date of the wedding to allow for site preparation/the erection of additional marquees/ service tents. Extended access must be booked at the same time as the Woodland Wedding package to guarantee availability.

•  Hire of additional Shepherd’s Huts for use overnight by wedding guests, including sleeping bags, pillows, pillow cases and breakfast.

•  Camping pitches for overnight stays by the wedding guests, including breakfast

•  Staffed Only Bar option.

•  Outdoor activities with fully qualified instructors.

8 September 2011