My goal is to make the process of ordering your custom cake as smooth and enjoyable as possible. I believe in open conversations where we both agree on the best options to meet your needs.

To ensure that I can create the perfect cake for your event, I recommend placing orders in advance.

• Cakes, for special occasions - orders to be placed at least 6 weeks before your event.
• Wedding cakes - orders to be placed at least 3 months before your wedding. 
• Cupcakes - orders to be placed at least 2-weeks before the occasion. These can now be ordered online or via the contact form. Click here to go to the cupcake store Cupcakes

I may be able to complete an order with less notice if I have availability, just ask. 

Click Contact➡️to make an enquiry, I aim to reply within 48 hours. 

We recommend you read the terms & conditions in full before paying your deposit.
Paying the deposit means you are agreeing to the terms & conditions set out below:

1. Payments - Deposit

Your initial deposit reserves your event date and is non-refundable.

2. Payments - Balance

We must receive the balance at least two weeks prior to pick up or delivery, or by the due date indicated on the invoice. Non payment of balance may result in your order being cancelled and the deposit will not be refunded.

3a. Changes to orders

The date of your final payment is the final date for any changes of size, style or flavours of the cake. These may come at an additional charge if additional resources are required to complete the changes. Any changes requested after this date cannot be guaranteed and may be subject to additional charges.

3b. Changes to Dates

Date changes must be agreed and we reserve the right to refuse a date change if we are unable to complete the order on that date. Deposits are non refundable but, if the full payment has been made and the event is more than 4 weeks away, we may, at our discretion offer a refund of the payment less the deposit.

3c. Cancellations
Refunds are at our discretion and follow similar terms as date changes.

4. Collection

Collection is from 117 Old Rectory Road, PO6 1AT. Time of collection to be agreed between client and baker. Changes to pick up time to be agreed, no later than 24 hours before pick up and at bakers discretion.
If client is late for collection, a late collection fee of £5 may be payable for every 15 minutes of the delay.

If you or your representative chooses to pick up and set up the cake, you assume all liability and responsibility for the condition of the cake once it leaves our possession. We will provide and talk through the cake care card to aid transportation and set up.

The Baking Butterfly does not take responsibility for any accidents, collapses or damage to the cake once it has left the premises on collection.

5. Transporting Cakes

Cakes to be transported in the footwell of the car or on a flat, secure surface with air conditioning on, especially in hot weather. Once at your home or venue, keep cake in the fridge or cold area (ideally below 8 degrees centigrade). Let cake come to room temperature before serving, approx 30 to 60 mins for best taste experience.
Cakes should be served within 2/3 hours or put back in the fridge until required. Do not keep out on display for more than 4 hours.

6. Delivery

Delivery and setup is agreed on quotation and is depending on the location of the venue, additional charges will be stipulated in the final price.

The Baking Butterfly is not responsible for any damage to the cake after setup is complete. You are responsible for providing an appropriate and secure table and environment for the cake(s). Cakes are heavy and require a sturdy table, and optimal room temperature of 20 degrees Celsius or below.

7. Fresh flowers

If flowers are provided by an outside source, we will place them for an additional fee. You acknowledge that fresh flowers are not a food product, and may contain pesticides, insects, dirt, or other contaminants. Some flowers/plants are poisonous and we reserve the right to refuse adding these to the cake as it can cause harm. In this case, we will advise you to use artificial versions of the flowers/plants. Commonly used poisonous plants are eucalyptus and gypsaphaelia. We always reccomend using artificial versions of these items.

8. Photography

Usually we will photograph our cakes and we reserve the right to use any photographs for display or promotion without compensation to you.

9. Allergies

Our products may contain or come into contact with milk, wheat, nuts, soy, and other allergens. You agree to notify your guests of this risk and hold us harmless for allergic reactions. Allergy information will be included in your order.

10. Complaints
In the unlikely event there is an issue with your cake, it must be brought to our attention within 48 hours of the cake being delivered so we can be given the opportunity to assess the nature of the problem. We would take any complaints very seriously.
If the complaint is regarding the quality of the cake, we ask for the cake or the remainder of the cake to be returned to us within 48 hours of delivery for inspection.
If the complaint is regarding the design of the cake, but the cake was made according to the booking form and/or sketch which has been checked and approved, we cannot be held responsible for any errors not picked up by the customer.
For any complaints we can only deal with the person who booked the cake originally.

You must give us an opportunity to resolve the issue and agree not to post any defamatory comments or pictures on social media or online forums before discussing the situation with us and allowing us reasonable time to provide a satisfactory solution.
Once a solution has been reached, you agree not to post any defamatory comments or pictures on social media or online forums at any point in the future. If this happens, we may seek to take legal action against you.

12. Agreement

Performance of this agreement is contingent upon our ability to complete the Agreement and is subject to labour disputes or strikes, accidents, Acts of God, and other causes beyond our control.

Cutting the Cake

1. Remove any candles, decorations, cake dowels and sugar paste plaques (if applicable) before slicing your cake.
2. Refer to the cake cutting guide below if you need help working out the number of servings and how best to cut the cake. 
3. Layer cakes are best sliced with a large plain edged kitchen knife.
4. Cold buttercream or ganache can stick to a knife and make the cake crumble when slicing. To ensure neat, smooth slices, simply have a jug with hot water and a kitchen cloth at hand to dip and wipe the knife blade regularly between slices.
5 . To lift your slice off the cake board, use a cake slice lifter or palette knife.

6.  Tall cake slices can be cut in half across the middle to create more portions. 

Non-edible Decorations

Your order may include non-edible decorations or components, such as figurines, cake dowels or cocktail sticks. Please ensure that these are removed before cutting and serving the cake. 

Cake Care Guide

Please read this information carefully as The Baking Butterfly cannot be held liable for damaged items caused by incorrect handling, transportation, or storage, once the purchase has been handed over to the customer or an external courier company organised by the customer. 

Handling

Carry your cakes carefully.
1. Hold your cake box or bags in an upright position, make sure they are kept level to avoid damage to decorations and to prevent cakes from toppling over. 
2. Avoid holding more than one box or bag at a time as this can make the cakes tilt and slide.
3. Cakes shouldn't be stacked on top of each other, unless specified as this can cause decorations to get damaged.

Transporting Your Cakes/Bakes  

1. Travelling by car?? place boxes onto a level, non-slip surface, ideally in the front footwell with the air conditioning on full to keep the cake as cold as possible.  Avoid bumpy roads wherever possible!!

2.. Long journeys can cause the icing to soften, ideally do not leave the cake/s in a car for longer than 15 minutes in warm weather or 30 minutes in cooler weather, unless you have the air conditioning on constantly to keep the cake cool. 
3. We strongly advise against transporting your cake by bike, motorbike or airplane as this may cause damage to the structure, icing or decorations.

Storage

1. Transfer your cakes into the fridge as soon as possible, and keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

2. Decorations such as cake toppers (if supplied separately) should be kept at room temperature.. 

3. Do not leave outside or in a marquee/tent without air conditioning as this will cause the cake to melt before the event. 

Shelf Life

Unless stated otherwise, our cakes and cupcakes should be stored in the fridge and have the following shelf life from the day of delivery/collection:
Fondant & Ganache Cakes: 4 days  

Cupcakes and Whoopies: 3 days 

Buttercream Layer Cakes: 3 days if kept in a fridge

Cookies: 3 to 4 days if kept in airtight container.

Serve & Enjoy

All cakes taste at their best if eaten at room temperature on the day of purchase.
For maximum flavour and a soft, moist texture we recommend removing the cake from the fridge 1 to 2 hours before consumption, and cake slices and cupcakes 20 to 30 minutes in advance (subject to room temperature).

If your cake sponge still appears hard, this means that it hasn’t reached normal room temperature, so just leave it out for a little longer.

Cakes and cupcakes with sugar (Fondant/ Isomalt) decorations should be collected as close to the required event as possible and ideally should not be stored in the fridge for more than 2 hours as the sugar decorations can melt or collapse in cold, damp conditions.

Dietary & Allergen Information

I can cater to dietary restrictions by offering gluten-free, egg-free, dairy free and vegan options, so everyone can indulge in my delicious creations.

Please specify any allergies or dietary requirements when placing your order to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.

PLEASE NOTE: I make every effort to reduce cross contamination but all my products are baked and prepared in my home kitchen which handle Celery, Gluten (Wheat), Crustaceans, Egg, Fish, Milk, Mustard, Nuts, Peanuts, Sesame Seeds, Soya and Sulphur Dioxide and may contain traces. 

More details can be found in the Allergy Policy 

Refunds & Returns Policy

We will always do our best to prepare, pack and deliver your product(s) with the utmost care. Nevertheless, accidents can happen and so we ask that you check your order is correct and in perfect condition upon collection/delivery. In the unlikely event that you find your order is incorrect, incomplete or damaged on delivery, please contact me immediately. If collecting, it is you or your couriers responsibility to ensure the product is as ordered. 

As the items are unique to each customer, it may not be possible to provide a replacement in time for your event. In this case, and if the fault lies with me, I will refund the full payment. If contact is not made immediately and the item is partially or wholly consumed, it will not be possible to issue a full refund as there will be no evidence to support your claim.

If the issue is with the quality of the item, I will only consider a refund or partial refund if the partly consumed item has been returned to me for inspection. I cannot issue a refund based on feedback only. 

I will only communicate with the person who purchased the item originally as this is the person whom I have the contract with. 

I politely request you do not post anything detrimental or inappropriate on social media. In the event you are not happy with the service you have received, please speak to me directly so that I may have a chance to resolve your concerns. 

Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any damages occurred during delivery through an external courier.  To submit a claim for a credit note or refund, please return the item to us for inspection or provide photographic evidence together with a proof of purchase within 48 hours upon receipt. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any refunds without the requested evidence and proof of purchase. Please note that we can only credit a refund to the card used to purchase the item or to the bank account used to purchase the item/s.