FAQ

I really hope you are enjoying looking at some of my inventory and planning what your event might look like. I want you to have a wonderful experience working with me, so I have provided some information for some of the frequently asked questions. This is an overview, more detailed information is provided on the rental agreement you would sign in order to book.

Required Scheduling Deposit/Paperwork

Rental booking requires a signed Rental Agreement and 50% scheduling deposit, which serves as a retainer and is due payable at time of contract signature. The final payment will be due 14 days before the event.  This final payment will include remaining balance for rented items, payment for any services, refundable security deposit, use tax and if applicable, the brass candlestick refundable wax cleaning fee. (In keeping with State guidelines, Delicate Dishes LLC charges a 6% use tax on final rental cost of all items.) Checks, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express are all accepted. Check must be received by the due date.

Since the final payment is due 14 days before your event, please notify Delicate Dishes LLC of any additions, subtractions or deletions at least 18 days before your event to give us time to generate an addendum to your agreement to make any changes and calculate a new final payment amount.  

Security Deposits

All rentals require a 25% security deposit. As stated above this deposit is due with your final payment 14 days before your event. Upon collection of all rented items, each item will be examined for damage (fading, stains, tears, cracks, corrosion, chips, etc) and client will be notified by phone or email of any missing or damaged items within seven (7) days. If you are aware of missing or damaged items, please let us know upon their return.  Photos of damages will be submitted as proof upon request. Glass tea light holders returned with non-tea light candles melted in them will be charged $0.40 per tea light holder for cleaning. The security deposit will be used toward any damage, loss or cleaning fees. If damage, loss or cleaning fees exceed the security deposit, the client will have 7 days to pay the additional amount due. If these damage, loss or cleaning fees are not paid for within 7 days, the credit card on file will be charged.  If all items are returned as they were received, the full security deposit will be refunded.  Any full or partial refund will be refunded either to the credit card or by check mailed to the address on file within 10 days of the return of the items.  

Replacement/Damage/Loss Fees

Replacement costs are equal to four (4) times the rental rate for rented items.  Current market replacement cost will be charged for lost or damaged equipment included with your order. Equipment includes but is not limited to glass racks, styrofoam totes, plastic totes, easels, stands, dollies, milk crates, other storage containers, etc.

Brass Candlestick Holders Refundable Wax Cleaning Deposit

Brass candlestick holders require an additional refundable cleaning deposit fee of $1 per candlestick holder.  If candlestick holders are returned with the wax removed, this cleaning deposit will be refunded back to the client.  If only a portion of them are returned clean, then $1 will be refunded for each clean brass candlestick holder that is free of wax.  Delicate Dishes LLC will keep the cleaning deposit to cover the cleaning of any uncleaned brass candlestick holders. DO NOT use flame, boiling water or abrasives on them to remove the wax.  It will ruin the brass finish.

Wax can be removed by putting the candlestick holders in a cold place such as a fridge or freezer for a little while and then carefully chipping it off with your finger nail.  You can then use hot tap water, a dish rag and dish washing liquid like dawn to get the rest off.  Then hand dry them. Please do not use anything abrasive on the brass.  Please also note that some manufacturers of brass candlestick holders have put a clear coating on them that keeps them shiny.  As they get older sometimes this finish gets a little spotty.  This is normal for vintage and antique candle holders. Candles to use: Please note that beeswax candles are harder to remove than ones with a higher paraffin wax content because they turn to an oily, lotion like consistency when melted and it coats a larger portion of the candlestick holder.  Paraffin wax candles are easier to chip off.  

If you choose to use LED candlesticks, please submit a sample candlestick to Delicate Dishes at least a week before your event, so we can pack the candleholders that will fit it.  (Vintage candlestick holders do not have a standardized hole diameter).

Rental Period

Weekend rentals can be picked up the Thursday or Friday before your event and can be returned on the Monday or Tuesday after your event. If your event is on a weekday, please contact me to make other arrangements.

Pickup or Delivery

Clients can pick up and return rental items to eliminate delivery/pickup fees.  Delivery/pickup may each be available for a fee.  See the information on deliveries. A responsible party (you or another designated adult 18 years of age or older) must be present upon client pick up or Delicate Dishes LLC delivery to sign the delivery slip and accept the items.  Signing acknowledges that all the correct items were received and in good condition.

All rented items, containers and packing materials must be returned with your order or fees will be assessed. Unless other arrangements have been made, all Items must be gathered and ready for loading following event.   Items must be stored indoors, in a secure location until pick-up. If you, the client, will not be available during pick-up, it is your responsibility to coordinate with the venue to ensure all items are gathered together in correct location.  If you have elected to not pay for setup, then you must provide all setup.  All items must be cleared and packed up in their original packaging and ready for pick up unless clearing services have been paid for.

Client Pick-Up  & Return Requirements

  • All breakable rentals must be picked-up in a secure and enclosed vehicle, van, covered trailer or box truck.  No flat-bed trailers allowed for ANY breakable order, no exceptions.  Any client renting breakable items arriving with a flat-bed trailer will be denied rentals and will not be eligible for a refund.  You may request a last minute delivery and we will do our best to accommodate you, but there are no guarantees.

  • Items must be returned on your due date to avoid additional charges. 

  • If you, your family members and friends are opting to decorate yourself, or use your own decorator, such person(s) are also required to abide by our guidelines, but you (the client) will be held responsible for damaged or missing items. Please do not discard small rented items.  Return all rental items carefully packed back in storage totes and in the same condition as it was provided (boxes, storage containers, bubble wrap etc.)

Delivery/pickup fees are figured based on the following formula:

< 25 round trip miles  - $35 Delivery/ $35 Pickup

26+ round trip miles - $1.40 per mile

If venue is more than 100 miles away and pick-up is after 9:00 pm,  

+ $120/hotel room/s for all staff (2 staff/room)

If Delivery/Pickup is more than 20 crates and/or racks  + $0.50/mile

No Sunday delivery, set-up, clearing or pickup services.

Two location –Deliveries:

If rented items are being delivered/picked up from two different locations (ie. your ceremony and reception are in two separate locations), additional delivery fees will apply.  

Extended Load In/Out or Non-Standard Deliveries:

Standard delivery fee includes drop off at the lowest level of the structure.  If the delivery location requires labor intensive load in/out (including elevators and stairs) than these logistical details must be arranged prior to your event.  Please be sure to mention all these details to be sure we provide you with an accurate quote.  Labor intensive deliveries may incur an additional $100 fee.  Please be specific about the delivery details of your location prior to making the reservation.  If Delicate Dishes LLC discovers a special delivery situation upon arrival, the credit card on file will be charged automatically. 

If items are not accessible upon pick-up, clearing fees or a rescheduled pick-up fee will be charged, regardless of fault.  Client has the option to return items to Delicate Dishes LLC the next day to avoid additional fees, but since we have already driven to the venue, pick-up charges will not be refunded.  It is the client’s responsibility to ensure the items are ready for pick-up.

Late Returns

If items are returned late to Delicate Dishes LLC, without arrangements being made, the client can be charged the full rental rate for an additional day. If items are not returned within 2 days of the scheduled return date and client is not able to be reached, Client recognizes that Delicate Dishes LLC will regard the unreturned and unpaid items as theft and the theft will be reported. We take this seriously, as unreturned items will impact other clients.

Rental Items Cleaning Requirements

Cleaning of tableware is included with your rental, however, all flatware must be throughly rinsed after the event.  Do not leave it soaking or rust may occur.  All dishes and serving pieces must be scraped free of food and placed back into proper containers. Teacups and teapots must be rinsed. Do not wash any items in a dishwasher. Replacement fees will be assessed for all damaged items. Please discuss these requirements with anyone involved with the clean up process.  If silverware is not rinsed or dishes are not scraped Delicate Dishes LLC will reduce your security deposit credit by a fee of $0.30 per tableware item.  Wax must be removed from brass candlestick holders before they are returned to receive the wax cleaning deposit back. Do not use flame, boiling water or abrasives to remove wax it will ruin the brass finish. (See area above regarding brass candlestick holders).   Goblets can be returned emptied and placed upside down in their racks.  Please put the bag back on each rack to ensure they don’t drip in the vehicle during transport.

Client requests for substitutions or additional services 

All rental substitutions or additional service requests must be placed in writing or emailed as to avoid any confusion. Delicate Dishes will do our best to accommodate any substitution or addition, but changes must be approved by completing an addendum to the Rental Agreement. Substitutions are allowed based on availability.   An addendum will be provided outlining the new items and totals and calculating the new final payment amount.  Changes will be in effect once we have received the signed addendum back and have signed it as well.  If changes are made the day of the event, an emailed request will be considered legal and binding and will not require a signature to be valid. The client further understands that last minute changes can impact the availability of specific products and the quality of the event and that Delicate Dishes LLC is not responsible for the outcome of such changes.

Item Unavailability

Due to the unique nature of our inventory items,  substitution/s may be required if rental item/s are lost or damaged at an event that precedes yours.  If this occurs, you will be contacted as soon as we become aware to notify you that the item/s your were renting were not returned or have been damaged to the extent that a substitution is necessary.  We will do our best to offer an item that is a reasonable substitution.  You will be offered the opportunity to accept the suggested substitution or to cancel that item/s from your order.  If you choose to cancel that item/s, you will be refunded any paid cost associated with that item/items. If we do not have an agreeable substitution we will also provide you with information on other vendor/s or resource/s that may be able to provide you with item/s similar to the item/s that are no longer available.

Cancellation Policies

Because other prospective clients will be turned away for your specific rentals/services once you have booked, all scheduling deposit payments made are non-refundable. All services may be canceled if received in writing no later than 30 days prior to the event. In this case you will not be obligated to pay the remaining balance of your contract, unless you placed a special order. In the case of a special order, for any out-of-stock item/s which were purchased specifically for your event, you would be contractually bound to pay the balance due for that item/s.  If consulting services were rendered leading up to the event they must be paid in full, even if the event is canceled.  If you cancel 30 days or more before your event, your scheduling deposit will remain on file and can be applied to your rescheduled event as long as it takes place within the next 180 days.  In these circumstances only, the deposit will be applied to the new date. Delicate Dishes LLC cannot guarantee all the same items and services will be available for your new date.  Rental items and services for the new event date are subject to availability.

Non-Payment/Breach of Contract

Payment for contracted rentals and services must be made in full 2 weeks prior to your event. No payments will be accepted beyond the event date except in the case of damage fees or added cleaning fees. 

The following circumstances are considered a breach of contract:

    • If payments are not received by the due date, or the credit card on file becomes invalid, expires, or we are unable to authorize it, your non-payment will be considered a breach of contract, and all previous payments are forfeited.

    • If payment is not received by the due date Delicate Dishes LLC will consider your rented items and services available for another client’s use. Delicate Dishes LLC is not contractually obligated to accept payments beyond the due date, nor refund previous payments.

In the event this contract is breached by the client, the client agrees that in addition to any actual damages resulting from the breach that the client shall be liable for any attorney's fees and costs associated with enforcing the terms of this contract.

Weather Related Issues

Delicate Dishes LLC does not issue late cancellation refunds for any reason, including inclement weather.  The client assumes all risks and hardships involved with having an outdoor event..  The client assumes full responsibility for wind and weather damages.  If Delicate Dishes LLC arrives for a delivery and the weather is bad or impending, we will call you or a contact person to discuss options.  Please always provide an additional contact name and number should you be unavailable the day of your event.  

Force Majeure 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Agreement, Delicate Dishes LLC shall not be liable, nor shall any credit or other remedy be extended, for Delicate Dishes LLC’ failure, in whole or in part, to fulfill its obligations under the Agreement where such failure arises from or in connection with causes beyond Delicate Dishes LLC’ control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, extreme weather, fire or other natural calamity, terrorist attack, pandemic, any law, order, or regulation or action of any governmental entity or civil or military authority, power or utility failure, national emergencies, riots, wars, strikes, lock-outs, work stoppages, or other labor difficulties (each a “Force Majeure Event”). If a Force Majeure Event occurs during the term hereof, Delicate Dishes shall be excused from performance hereunder. 

Photography Release 

We would really love to use pictures of our rentals items from client’s event for our advertising.  If you are willing to allow Delicate Dishes to use pictures from your event for our advertising, and sign you would be giving Delicate Dishes LLC your permission to use the event photographs taken by you or your photographer for our (Delicate Dishes LLC) use on our website and advertisements, materials,  social media, etc.  I understand that I will not profit from this in any way. If signed, Delicate Dishes will contact your photographer  a little while after your event to see if they are willing to share the pictures. If you prefer that we use only detail shots (no people) just let us know.

Payment Terms

Payments can be made by check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express. If a check is returned a $30 fee is assessed and all future payment must be made by credit card. Only credit card payments are accepted the week of the event.  Payment in full must be received before rental items are packed for pick-up or delivery.