FAQ
We hope you're enjoying looking through our inventory and planning what your event might look like. We want you to have a wonderful experience working with us, so we've put together answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. This is an overview — more detailed information is provided in the rental agreement you'll sign in order to book.
How do I book, or figure out what I need?
Head over to the Home page — it walks through the whole process.
How far in advance should I book?
The sooner the better. Our collection is one-of-a-kind and limited, so early booking is what secures your specific items — popular pieces don't wait around. That said, your order doesn't need to be finalized to book: additions and swaps are easy as your date gets closer, right up until 2 weeks out (see below). Please keep in mind that once you've booked, our cancellation policy applies — so we’d rather you book when you're genuinely planning to move forward than hold a date "just in case."
What am I paying, and when?
At booking: signed Rental Agreement + 50% deposit (non-refundable — see Cancellations below)
14 days before your event: remaining balance, any service fees, a refundable security deposit, 6% state use tax, and the brass candlestick wax-cleaning deposit if applicable
Accepted payment: check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. The week of your event, only credit card payments are accepted. A returned check carries a $30 fee and moves you to credit-card-only for future payments.
What if I need to add, remove, or change items?
We will reach out 3 weeks before your event to get any updates needed for your order. This gives us time to update your invoice prior to your final payment 2 weeks before your event.
How does the security deposit work?
It's 25% of your rental cost, due with your final payment. When items are returned, we inspect everything for damage or loss and let you know within 7 days if anything's missing or damaged (photos available on request). If damage/loss/cleaning fees exceed the deposit, you have 7 days to pay the difference before the card on file is charged. If everything comes back in good shape, your full deposit is refunded (by check or card) within 10 days.
What if something is lost or damaged?
Replacement cost is 4x the rental rate for rented items, or current market cost for equipment (crates, totes, dollies, easels, etc.). Please let me know as soon as you're aware of anything missing or damaged.
What should I know about brass candlestick holders?
These require a $1/holder refundable wax-cleaning deposit, refunded per holder returned clean.
To remove wax: chill the holder (fridge/freezer), gently chip off wax with a fingernail, then finish with warm water, dish soap, and a soft cloth. Hand dry.
Never use flame, boiling water, or abrasives — it will ruin the brass finish.
Beeswax is harder to remove than paraffin (it turns oily rather than chipping off cleanly) — worth knowing if you're choosing candles.
A slightly spotty clear coat on vintage holders is normal wear, not damage.
Using LED candles? Send a sample at least a week before your event so we can match holders to the right fit — vintage holders aren't a standard size.
When can I pick up and return items?
For weekend events, pickup is Thursday or Friday before, return is Monday or Tuesday after. Weekday events — just get in touch and we’ll work out a plan with you.
Can you deliver, or do I need to pick up?
Both options are available. Picking up/returning yourself avoids delivery fees. Delivery/pickup is $2.54/mile each way between the venue and Delicate Dishes, with an extra $1.90/mile added for orders requiring 2 vehicles. A few things that affect delivery:
No Sunday delivery, setup, or clearing service
Two separate delivery locations (e.g., ceremony + reception) means additional fees
Standard delivery is to the lowest level of the building; stairs, elevators, or other labor-intensive load-in need to be discussed before your event for an accurate quote — labor-intensive deliveries may run an extra $100
If a special delivery situation comes up that wasn't disclosed in advance, the card on file may be charged automatically
A responsible adult (18+) must be present to sign for delivery or pickup, confirming items arrived correct and in good condition
What are the rules for picking up breakable items myself?
Breakable rentals must travel in an enclosed vehicle, van, covered trailer, or box truck — no flat-bed trailers, no exceptions. Arriving with a flat-bed for a breakable order means the rental will be denied with no refund.
What am I responsible for at pickup and return?
Items need to be gathered, packed in their original packaging/totes, and ready to load by pickup time — unless you've paid for setup or clearing service. If you won't be there for pickup, coordinate with your venue so items are staged and accessible. Store items indoors/securely until pickup. Anyone helping you decorate (including your own decorator) also needs to follow these guidelines, but you're responsible for anything damaged or missing either way.
What if items are returned late?
You may be charged a full additional day's rental. If items aren't back within 2 days of the scheduled return and we can't reach you, it's treated as theft and reported — this affects other clients waiting on the same inventory.
How do I clean items before returning them?
We will wash all items upon return, but please:
Rinse flatware thoroughly (don't let it soak — it can rust)
Scrape food debris from dishes/serving pieces and repack in the right containers
Rinse teacups and teapots
Never put anything in a dishwasher
Return goblets upside down in their racks, bagged, to avoid drips in transit
Remove wax from brass candlesticks (see above)
Unrinsed silverware or unscraped dishes reduce your security deposit refund by $0.30/item.
What if an item I ordered isn't available anymore?
Because much of the inventory is one-of-a-kind, an item could occasionally be unavailable if it was lost or damaged at an earlier event. If that happens, we'll reach out as soon as we know and offer a reasonable substitution — you can accept it or cancel that item for a refund. If we don't have a good substitute, we'll point you toward other vendors who might.
What's your cancellation policy?
Deposits are non-refundable once booked, since that reserves your specific items and turns away other clients. Cancel in writing 30+ days before your event and you're released from the remaining balance (special-order items you're still responsible for). If you cancel 30+ days out, your deposit can transfer to a rescheduled event within 180 days — though I can't guarantee the same items/services will be available for the new date.
What if payment is late?
Full payment is due 2 weeks before your event; no payments are accepted after the event date except for damage/cleaning fees. Missing a due date, or a card on file that fails, is treated as breach of contract — previous payments are forfeited and your items become available to other clients. If a breach requires legal action to resolve, you'd be responsible for related attorney's fees and costs.
What if the weather is bad?
No refunds for late cancellation due to weather — you take on the risk of hosting outdoors. If we are delivering and conditions look bad, we will call you or a backup contact to talk through options, so please include a second contact for this reason when prompted in the booking process, in the event that you are unreachable on the day.
What happens in a major emergency (force majeure)?
If something outside our control — natural disaster, pandemic, government order, labor strikes, etc. — prevents me from fulfilling the agreement, we are excused from that obligation for the duration of the event.
Can you use photos from my event?
Only with your permission — it's an optional line on the agreement. If you opt in, we may reach out to your photographer after the event to see if they're willing to share images for my website, marketing materials, and social media. You won't profit from this, and if you'd rather we only use detail shots (no guests pictured), just say so.
Questions?
Email: events@delicatedishes.com