Jess In Thyme Catering Booking Policies
Effective for all events booked after January 1, 2025.
At Jess In Thyme, every event is customized, prepared from scratch, and staffed with care. These policies help ensure clarity, fairness, and smooth planning for both parties.
1. Booking & Deposit Requirements
To reserve your event date:
A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the estimated total is required at the time of booking.
This secures your event date and allows us to begin planning, staffing, and sourcing ingredients.
No date is considered confirmed until the deposit is received.
For events booked within 14 days of the event date:
A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking due to expedited planning and purchasing needs.
2. Payment Schedule
Standard Booking Timeline:
25% non-refundable deposit – Due at booking
50% payment – Due 30 days before the event
Final remaining balance – Due 7 days before the event
Short-Notice Bookings (within 14 days):
50% deposit – Due at booking
Remaining balance – Due 7 days before the event
Accepted Payments:
Credit card, debit card, ACH, PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, or invoice payments (for existing clients with agreed-upon terms).
A 3% processing fee applies to all credit/debit card transactions.
3. Guest Count & Menu Finalization
Final guest count is due 7 days before the event.
This number is what we use to finalize food purchases, staffing, and equipment.
If the guest count increases after this deadline, accommodations may be possible, but are not guaranteed and will incur additional fees.
Menu finalization:
All menus must be finalized no later than 10 days before the event, unless otherwise approved.
4. Cancellations & Refunds
Because Jess In Thyme purchases ingredients fresh and reserves staff and select equipment specifically for your event, cancellation policies protect the cost of labor, planning, and food.
If you cancel more than 30 days before the event:
The 25% deposit is non-refundable, but no additional fees apply.
If you cancel 15–30 days before the event:
Deposit is non-refundable.
50% of the total event cost is owed (or retained if already paid).
If you cancel 8–14 days before the event:
Deposit is non-refundable.
75% of the total event cost is owed.
If you cancel 0–7 days before the event:
Deposit is non-refundable.
100% of the total event cost is owed.
(This is due to perishable purchases, staff scheduling, and reserved labor.)
Rescheduling:
Rescheduling requests are handled case-by-case and are not guaranteed.
If approved, the original deposit will transfer to the new date.
5. Changes to Event Details
Changes made within 7 days of the event
Will incur additional fees and are not guaranteed due to staffing, ordering, and prep schedules.
This includes:
Time changes
Location changes
Major menu changes
Rental/equipment additions
Significant guest count increases
6. Service, Staffing & Equipment
Jess In Thyme will provide a detailed proposal outlining staffing, rentals, equipment, and service style.
If additional staff or equipment is requested after booking, charges may apply.
Damage to Jess In Thyme equipment or rentals caused by guests or third parties may be billed to the client.
7. Leftover Food Policy
For food safety reasons:
Food that has been out on display beyond safe temperatures cannot be packaged or removed from the event.
Any safe, unused food may be packaged at the chef’s discretion.
Jess In Thyme is not responsible for the safety of food once it leaves the event premises.
8. Weather, Venue, and Access Requirements
Clients are responsible for ensuring adequate venue access, workspace, electricity, lighting, and shelter (for outdoor events).
If conditions are unsafe, unsanitary, unusable, or unagreed upon, service may be modified or discontinued without refund.
Outdoor events should have a contingency plan in place in case of inclement weather.
9. Allergies & Dietary Notes
Jess In Thyme can accommodate many dietary needs; however, we are not an allergen-free kitchen.
Clients are responsible for notifying all guests that cross-contamination may occur.
*BY ACCEPTING AND APPROVING ANY JESS IN THYME CATERING PROPOSAL, THE CLIENT AGREES TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN THESE POLICIES.