The Contract – wedding terms and conditions

All bookings in respect of weddings at Château Rigaud, are accepted by the clients, here after called ‘the couple’, upon the following terms and conditions. Payment of a deposit for a wedding booking will be considered as agreement on part of the couple to the terms and conditions set out here.

SARL Château Rigaud is a registered French company. Where these Conditions mention 'Château Rigaud' ‘Rigaud” or 'The Company', this means the registered company SARL Château Rigaud. References to "you" and "your" mean the person making the booking, the couple and all members of the rental party who have been accepted by the Company. These Conditions set out the basis of your contract with the Company. They also deal with the Company's position. Nothing in these conditions affects your normal statutory rights.

YOUR BOOKING: All offers and bookings are subject to availability. Your booking is made as a consumer and you agree that no liability can be accepted by the Company for any expenses, costs, losses, claims or other sums of any description which relate to any business, howsoever suffered or incurred by you.

All bookings are considered provisional until an initial deposit of €4000 has been received. An initial deposit is required within 14 days of making a provisional booking of the chateau.

This initial deposit is made via bank transfer upon confirmation of the booking and is non-returnable in the event of cancellation.

After receipt of this initial deposit the Company will issue an email confirmation to you and this signifies that the Company has entered into a contract with you, which is subject to these conditions. When you receive your confirmation, the details must be checked carefully. If anything is not correct, you are required tell the Company within 48 hours.

A first instalment of a further €4000 is due ten months before the wedding is due to take place and a second instalment of a further €4000 is due six months before the wedding. Where a wedding is booked within ten months of the wedding date the initial deposit will be €8000 to account for the initial deposit plus the first instalment. Where a wedding is booked within six months of the wedding date the initial deposit will be €12000 to account for the initial deposit plus the two further instalments.

Some of these payments will be paid direct to self-employed team members who will invoice you separately. Any such payments will be deducted from your overall Rigaud budget.

The balance of the planned cost, less 10% contingency and any agreed cash payments, is due eight weeks prior to the wedding.

If any payment you make is not honoured for any reason whatsoever, the Company is entitled to make an administration charge of €40.

PLANNING: The Rigaud planning team will be in contact with you for planning purposes from the receipt of the initial deposit until the wedding.

No less than eight weeks before the wedding the Couple will be available to the Rigaud planning team, either in person, via telephone call, or via extensive email communication in order to finalise the detail of the wedding weekend. At this stage the planning team are able to provide via email, an estimated total cost of the services provided by Rigaud and or Rigaud suppliers, based on the details discussed.

On agreement of this cost a pro forma invoice will be issued which is payable in full, less 10% contingency and less agreed cash payment, no later than eight weeks before the wedding.

Immediately after the Wedding Day itself a formal invoice will be raised and issued taking into account deposits and pro forma payments. The final 10% contingency and any further outstanding sum should be paid before check out.

The Company reserves the right to charge an administration fee of 50€, plus interest at the Bank of England rate plus 5%, on any outstanding balance not paid within ten days of the final invoice being issued.

COMMITMENT TO SUPPLIER BOOKINGS: In the course of the planning procedure you will be asked to choose service suppliers such as musicians, photographer, fireworks providers, cake makers, hairdressers etc. Unless otherwise discussed an assumed deposit equal to 25% of the agreed total cost will be paid on your behalf by Rigaud.

Cancellation of a service provider will result in this 25% cancellation fee being added to your bill. In the case of musicians, where a cancellation is made within six months of the wedding this cancellation fee rises to 50% of the agreed cost.

PAYMENT OF SUPPLIERS: The Rigaud Planning team in discussion with the Couple, will highlight the division of service providers between those which fall within the Rigaud provision of service and those which are contracted directly by the Couple.

There maybe services such as musicians, photographers and in some circumstances the florist, which are contracted directly by you and are not able to accept card payments. These suppliers therefore require cash payments. Where this is discussed with the couple and agreed upon, the cash sum will be highlighted within the budget in order that the couple are able to make the necessary arrangements to arrive with the right sum of cash on the day. Where the couple are unable to provide this sum in cash it is possible for them to make the payment via card but we will be forced to add 20% to the total in order to comply with our TVA obligation.

NUMBERS: We require absolute confirmation of expected numbers for meals at the wedding two weeks prior to the event and these are the minimum number that will be charged on your account.

DAMAGES: The Couple agree to a responsibility for the respect of and care for the house and its grounds during the weekend.

The Couple agree to pay Rigaud any charges incurred by themselves or their guests, for any food, beverage or other services not provided for under this contract unless the Couple, prior to the wedding, have instructed Rigaud in writing to obtain cash settlement for such charges direct from the person incurring the charges.

Any equipment or personal effects brought into Rigaud by guests remain at their own risk and Rigaud will not be liable in the event of any loss, theft or damage.

The Couple shall be responsible for any damages caused to Rigaud, furnishings, utensils or equipment therein by the wilful act or default of the Couple or their guests and shall pay to Rigaud on demand the amount required to make good or remedy such damage.

The lead name/organiser shall be responsible for the orderly conduct of guests and shall ensure they have regard to any regulations imposed by any competent authority and that nothing will be done which will constitute a breach of the law. Prior approval must be obtained if you wish to fix items to the walls, floors or ceilings and you will be liable to repair or pay for the repair of any damage that these fixings cause.

DELIVERIES: If any items are to be delivered to Rigaud before the event, arrangements must be made with Rigaud planning team to take delivery.

Rigaud will make every effort to ensure the safekeeping of such items but cannot accept responsibility unless a full and thorough inspection of these goods has occurred at the time of delivery.

UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES: The Company reserves the right to cancel any bookings forthwith and without liability on its part in the event of any damage or destruction of Rigaud by fire or any other cause, any shortages of labour or food supplies, strikes, lock outs or industrial unrest, or any cause beyond the control of Rigaud which shall prevent it performing its obligations in connection with any booking; In these circumstances reasonable steps will be taken to accommodate the booking in another venue.

OUTSIDE AGENTS: Rigaud reserves the right to object to the employment of any unsuitable outside agent by the Couple on the premises and will without obligation be pleased to give Customers and guests the benefit of their advice or recommendations in this connection.

Rigaud accepts no responsibility for equipment used or supplied by the Couple and or their guests. Rigaud advises the Couple that if equipment is of sufficient value the Customer should take out suitable insurance.

CHANGE OF PLAN: Should the Couple make significant changes to the programme or the expected numbers of guests Rigaud reserves the right to amend rates and/or facilities offered.

PRICING: Prices for the wedding will be in accordance first and foremost with the quote issued via email prior to booking and where items have not been included within this initial quote then in accordance with The Planning Handbook issued after booking.

CANCELLATIONS OR CHANGES TO YOUR BOOKING BY THE COMPANY: The Company do not expect to have to make any changes to your booking, but an unforeseen problem could occur in which case a booking might have to be changed or cancelled. If this does happen, the Company will contact you via email as soon as is reasonably practical, explain what has happened and inform you of the cancellation or change.

So as to keep any period of uncertainty to a minimum, the Company will, whenever reasonably possible, communicate with you by telephone and email in the case of a significant change or cancellation and you are required to do the same. The party leader should tell the Company as soon as reasonably possible whether you wish to accept any change to the booking or alternatively whether you want a refund.

CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE COMPANY (Force Majeure): Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Conditions, the Company shall not be liable, jointly or individually, for any changes, cancellations, effect on your wedding, party or holiday, loss or damage suffered by you or for any failure by the Company to perform or properly perform any of their respective obligations to you which is due to any event(s) or circumstance(s) beyond the reasonable control of the Company (referred to as "force majeure" in these Conditions). By way of example, force majeure includes fire, flood, exceptional weather conditions, epidemics, destruction or damage of the property by any cause (other than negligence of the Company) and all similar situations. No compensation, expenses, costs or other sums of any description (including without limitation the cost of securing an alternative property/ accommodation) will be payable in such circumstances by the Company to you.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL: The Company aims to ensure that promotional information provided is accurately conveyed in the brochure and other promotional literature or material produced and circulated by the Company. However, the information and prices in the website or other material may have changed by the time you come to book. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the brochure/other material and prices at the time of printing, changes and errors occasionally occur.

The Company cannot accept responsibility for any changes or closures to area amenities or attractions mentioned in the website, by the Company's employees or representatives or advertised elsewhere. The Company makes reasonable efforts to ensure that information supplied to you in relation to the property or its facilities and/or services is accurate and complete as at the date given.

LIABILITY: The Company’s liability is always subject to the provisions above (Force Majeure). The company shall have no liability for any death or personal injury unless this results from the negligence of the Company or its employees (providing they were at the time acting in the course of their employment).

You must take all necessary steps to safeguard your personal property. No liability is accepted by the Company in respect of damage to, or loss of, such personal property except where the damage or loss is caused by the negligence the Company or where the damage or loss is caused by the negligence of the Company or its employees (providing they were at the time acting in the course of their employment). Please also refer to circumstances beyond the control of the compay (Force Majeure) above.

CANCELLATION OF YOUR BOOKING: If you have to, or wish to, cancel your booking, the party leader must contact the Company via email as soon as possible. The day the Company receives your email notification of cancellation is the date on which your booking is cancelled.

In the unfortunate circumstance of the couple having or choosing to cancel a confirmed booking prior to the wedding, the Company will make every effort to re-sell the facilities on your behalf. Where the Company is able to resell the date to an alternative client for a sum equal to or greater than your agreed rental cost then the company will refund the instalments paid to date, less 15% administration charge.

Where the cancellation occurs more than seven months before the wedding date and the company is unable to resell the facilities at the full price then the cancellation penalty is equal to the sums taken at that stage.

Should a cancellation occur within seven months of the wedding date the couple and the company is unable to resell the facilities at the full price then the couple will be liable to pay the full chateau rental cost, venue fee, planning fee and 70% of the wedding meal cost, for whatever number of guests was initially booked, within 30 days of the cancellation notice.

If after the payment of these costs the company is subsequently able to generate income from an alternative sale, this generated income will be forwarded to the couple, at the point of its receipt by the company.

In the circumstances where the company is required to attempt an alternative sale, the company reserves the right to agree a price which is lower than the initial agreed rate where the company feels reasonably that this is the best likely offer in the given circumstances.

If any payment due in relation to your booking is not paid by the appropriate date, the company is entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your wedding. In this case, the Company will be entitled to keep all deposits paid or due at that date and or claim any balance outstanding and due by you.

Curtailment of your booking The Company is unable to provide any refund in the case of any curtailment of your booking.

The Company advises strongly that adequate travel and wedding insurance cover is arranged to cover you and your party against any unforeseen problems that might lead to cancellation or curtailment.

THE CHATEAU : The Chateau will be ready for you after 4pm on the start date of your rental. On the final day of your booking you must vacate bedrooms by 11.00am and leave the chateau completely by 12pm.

You and all members of your rental party agree both to keep the property clean and tidy and to leave the property in the same condition as you found it upon your arrival.

You and all members of your rental party further agree not to use the property for any commercial purpose, including without limitation assigning or subletting it or otherwise allowing anyone to occupy it who has not previously been accepted by the Company.

You are responsible for the actual costs of any breakage or damage in or to the property - along with any additional costs that may result -which are caused by you and/or any members of your rental party, and the Company can require payment from you to cover any such costs.

The Company is entitled to refuse to hand over to you, or to repossess, the property (which includes the fixtures, fittings, furnishings and decorations) if the manager or responsible person appointed by the Company reasonably believes that any damage is likely to be caused, has been caused or is being caused by you or any members or your party.

These circumstances will be treated as a cancellation by you. No refund of any monies you have paid in respect of your booking will be made and the Company will have no liability to you as a result of this situation arising (including for example any costs or expenses you incur due to not being able to occupy the property, such as your incurring the cost of securing an alternative property/ accommodation). In this situation the Company is not under any obligation to find any alternative accommodation for you.

You must not allow more people to occupy the property than have been agreed to at the time of booking and neither can you significantly change the composition of the holiday rental party during your occupation of the property.

You must allow the Company and any representative of the Company (including workmen) access to the property at any reasonable time during your occupation of the property (except in cases of emergency or where a problem needs remedying quickly and you cannot be contacted in time - in these situations the Company is entitled to enter the property at any time without giving you prior notice).

COMPLAINTS: Every effort has been made to ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable wedding. If, however, you have any cause for complaint the Company will be anxious that remedial action is taken as soon as possible. It is essential that you contact a representative of the company immediately if any problem arises so that it can be speedily resolved.

SECURITY DEPOSIT: You will be expected to provide a security deposit of 800 euros in cash on your arrival. The security deposit will be refunded at the end of your holiday rental (less any costs for breakages, damage etc if applicable.

OCCUPANCY: The maximum occupancy of the château is 18 adults and up to 8 children. The maximum capacity of the Vineyard Barn accommodation is 8 adults and up to 2 children. In the event that you invite more than these numbers to stay at the premises, the Company reserves the right to charge an additional fee per extra guest per night.

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