Terms & Conditions

Thank you for choosing The Messy Baking Co. Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully. By submitting your Inquiry Form, you agree to be bound by the following:

1. Delivery, Set-Up, & Pick-Up

Delivery is available exclusively to established wedding venues. Residential addresses, rental cabins, and similar locations are not eligible for delivery.
Delivery fees are based on the distance from our kitchen to your venue and will be confirmed upon booking.
A stable, level surface for cake or dessert display must be provided—ideally indoors, in air conditioning, and away from direct sunlight or high-traffic areas to ensure quality and safety.
Once your cake or desserts have been delivered or picked up, responsibility transfers to you or your venue. We are not liable for any damage caused by table movement, temperature, children, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances after delivery.
For weddings, delivery typically occurs one hour prior to the ceremony but may vary based on your timeline and venue.
If venue refrigeration is required, it must be clean and approved in advance. We are not responsible for any damage that occurs when venue staff or coordinators move the cake or desserts after delivery.
Pick-up is available at our Blue Ridge location and must be scheduled in advance. Late pick-ups may result in rescheduling or additional fees. No refunds are provided for failure to pick up.

2. Outdoor Conditions

Desserts should be stored in a cool, air-conditioned environment whenever possible.
We are not responsible for any damage caused by heat, humidity, insects, weather, or acts of God.
Cakes and desserts should never be displayed in direct sunlight.

3. Design, Decorations & Stands

We do not supply flowers, toppers, cake stands, or other decorations. These must be provided by you and approved prior to the event to ensure they are food-safe and suitable for the design.
For elopements and pick-ups, you may bring flowers for us to place on the cake at the time of pick-up.
Decorations must be ready and on-site at delivery. If unavailable, we will attempt to reach your coordinator; if unreachable, responsibility transfers to you.

4. Substitutions & Artistic Variations

Slight variations from inspiration photos are natural and part of the artistic process.
Color matching is a science and variation in shades may occur.
Ingredient or decoration substitutions of equal quality may be made if necessary, and we will inform you whenever possible.

5. Structural & Safety Notice

Tiered cakes are supported with food-safe dowels and/or straws that must not be ingested.
Please do not allow guests to lift or handle the cake.
If transporting a cake, follow all care instructions provided to avoid injury or damage.

6. Client Responsibilities

You are responsible for providing accurate and up-to-date venue, contact, and timeline details.
Changes must be communicated promptly.
Ensure timely venue access for delivery and set-up. We are not liable for delays caused by lack of access.

7. Payment Terms & Cancelations

A non-refundable 50% retainer is required to secure your wedding date. The remaining balance is due no later than 4 weeks prior to your event.
For celebrations, all orders must be paid up front. Payments may be split, depending on price and how far out you are booking.
Failure to pay on time may result in cancellation without refund.
Payment plans may be arranged upon request.
Cancelation: 50% of all orders are non-refundable, regardless of circumstances.
Re-scheduling: We understand things happen and do our best to reschedule, if possible. Rescheduling is dependent on our booking schedule and may be subject to fees, depending on the timing and if prep has began for your order.

8. Changes to Your Order

Design or detail changes must be requested no later than 2 weeks before the wedding and are subject to approval and potential additional costs.
Not all changes can be accommodated depending on timing and complexity.

9. Allergies

Allergies & Shared Equipment The Messy Baking Co. operates as an artisanal kitchen and is not an allergen-free environment. Our products may contain or come into contact with common allergens, including but not limited to milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and gluten. While we have rigorous systems and sanitation protocols in place to prevent cross-contact, our equipment (including mixers, ovens, and decorating tools) is shared across all orders. Therefore, we cannot and do not guarantee that any item is 100% free of trace allergens. We are not a laboratory-sterile facility, and the risk of cross-contamination—however small—always exists.
Hidden Ingredients & Third-Party Manufacturing We rely on the ingredient labels provided by our third-party suppliers. Many professional baking staples contain "hidden" sub-ingredients or stabilizers added during manufacturing, such as corn starch in powdered sugar and baking powder. We are not liable for inaccuracies in third-party labeling or the presence of secondary ingredients inherent to the manufacturing of these products.
Food Dyes & Additives Our desserts may contain synthetic FD&C food dyes (such as Red 40, Yellow 5, or Red 3) and other professional-grade additives (gels, luster dusts, and sprinkles). We follow current FDA guidelines for all legally available food colorings. If you require a dye-free or "natural-color" design, this must be requested at the time of booking and may incur additional costs.
Client Responsibility & Medical Release It is your sole responsibility to inform your guests of potential allergens and dyes. We strongly recommend labeling desserts at your event to ensure guest safety. By booking with us, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
Assumption of Risk: You accept all risks associated with food allergies and sensitivities on behalf of yourself and your guests.
Release of Liability: The Messy Baking Co. is not liable for any allergic reactions, medical emergencies, or complications arising from the consumption of our products.
Medical Expenses: In the event of a medical incident, The Messy Baking Co. is not responsible for first aid, medical treatment, or any resulting costs (such as ambulance or hospital fees).
High-Sensitivity Guests: For guests with life-threatening or highly sensitive allergies (including severe corn or dye sensitivities), we strongly recommend providing a commercially-certified, allergy-safe alternative from a specialized facility rather than an artisanal product.

10. Photography & Marketing Use

We may photograph your cake and desserts for marketing, social media, and portfolio use.
We will not post identifiable faces without consent.
You may request that images of your event not be shared publicly.
Photos will not be shared until after your event date.

11. Refunds, Complaints & Returns

If you have concerns, contact us within 48 hours after your event. No complaints, refunds, etc. will be available after 48 hours.
We may request product return within 24 hours for review.
Refunds, if any, are limited to the value of returned product and only if quality standards are not met.
Refunds are not issued for personal taste preferences or failure to follow care instructions.
If an issue arises, we kindly ask that you contact us directly before posting public complaints. Open communication allows us to address your concerns promptly. Public or defamatory statements made prior to contacting us may affect refund eligibility.
Initiating a chargeback without first attempting resolution with us is considered a breach of these Terms & Conditions. We reserve the right to dispute chargebacks and recover any associated legal or administrative costs.

12. Liability & Third-Party Handling

We are not responsible for damage caused by venue staff, other vendors, or guests.
Once the cake or desserts leave our possession, liability transfers to you.

13. Force Majeure (Acts of God)

We are not liable for failure to fulfill orders due to events beyond our control (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, transportation disruptions, or personal emergencies).
We will notify you promptly and offer alternative solutions when possible.
Refunds may be issued at our discretion only if failure is due to our fault or negligence.

If you have any questions about these terms, please contact us prior to submitting your inquiry or order.

Terms & Conditions​