YOUR JOURNEY WITH VINES
Planning an event can feel overwhelming at times, so we’ve kept our booking process as simple and straightforward as possible.
Below is a step-by-step guide explaining exactly how the journey works with Vines — from your initial enquiry right through to your event day.
Whether you’re planning a wedding, birthday, private party or corporate event, our team is here to help make the process smooth, organised and stress-free
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1. Check Availability & Get a Quote
Complete our enquiry form with a few simple details about your event, guest numbers and the services you’re interested in.
At this stage, you don’t need every little detail finalised — just enough for us to understand your plans and provide an initial quote.
2. Secure Your Date
Once you’re happy to move forward, we’ll send over:
Your quote
Booking paperwork
Agreement/contract
Deposit information
Once your deposit has been paid and your initial booking form completed, your date is officially secured within our diary.
You’ll then receive confirmation emails and automated welcome information.
Our standard deposit is 50%, although alternative arrangements can sometimes be discussed where appropriate.
Any minimum spends or booking requirements specific to your event will always be clearly outlined within your quote and booking emails.
3. Relax — Final Details Come Later
We know event planning changes constantly, so we keep the initial booking process simple and give you breathing space to finalise the finer details later on.
Once your booking is secured, you generally won’t hear much from us until closer to your event date unless we specifically need something from you — don’t worry, this is completely normal and your booking is safely secured within our diary.
During busy seasons, our inbox can become extremely active, but we aim to respond within 1 working day wherever possible.
If you haven’t heard from us, please feel free to send us a polite nudge — we’d always rather be reminded than have customers worrying.
To keep everything accurate and organised, we handle all booking communication via email wherever possible. This gives:
A clear paper trail
Accurate booking records
Less chance of important details being missed
If possible, please keep replies within the same email thread and include your booking reference and event date when contacting us.
4. Final Booking Form & Guest Numbers
Your final booking form is due 3 weeks before your event and includes things such as:
Final guest numbers
Dietary information
Timings
Menu selections
Setup information
Any final changes or requests
Why we wait until 3 weeks: Guest numbers, timings and plans often change throughout the planning process, so this keeps everything cleaner and less stressful for everyone.
We always recommend booking with a conservative guest estimate initially, as numbers can always increase later if needed.
Please note: Once booked, guest numbers cannot decrease below the original confirmed amount.
5. Final Balance Payment
Once your final booking form has been completed, the remaining balance will be due.
Payments can be made via:
Bank transfer
Secure online payment link
6. Final Countdown
7 days before your event, you’ll receive a final countdown email with useful reminders, final information and any important updates before the big day.
7. Event Day
Our team usually arrives 1–2 hours before service begins to set up, prepare and ensure everything is ready to run smoothly and on time.
Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, private party or corporate event, our goal is simple:
Great food, smooth service and an experience your guests will remember.
8. After Your Event
You may receive a short review request, as customer feedback genuinely helps us improve and maintain high standards.
You may also occasionally receive updates regarding new menus, products, services or offers from Vines.
Additional Information
Planning & Logistics
Once your booking is confirmed, our team carefully plans your event around:
Guest numbers
Menu selections
Service timings
Venue access
Setup requirements
Travel and logistics
We always allow sensible contingency time for travel and setup to help ensure everything runs smoothly on the day.
Catering Unit Dimensions & Access
Our catering units and horseboxes typically require approximately:
Height: 3m
Length: 3m
Width: 2m
Please ensure:
Adequate access and turning space
No low-hanging branches
No height restrictions
Safe setup space at the venue
If your venue has any access concerns or restrictions, please let us know as early as possible.
Power Requirements
Most of our catering units only require access to a standard 3-pin plug socket.
This is generally used for low-voltage LED lighting, and we provide extension leads where required.
Specific power requirements (if any) will always be discussed beforehand depending on your chosen setup.
Reliability & Backup Systems
One of the biggest advantages of booking with an established events company is reliability.
Unlike many smaller operators, we have:
Backup drivers
Backup event leaders
Backup vehicles
Backup catering units
Multiple trained team members across all areas of the business
This means we have systems and contingencies in place to help protect your event if unexpected issues arise.
Transparent Pricing
Our pricing is usually structured per guest, making it simple and transparent to understand.
Travel, fuel and standard operational costs are included within your quote, meaning there are no hidden surprise charges later on.
Any optional extras or upgrades are clearly listed and priced within your booking paperwork.
Plates, Cutlery & Serving Equipment
Disposable plates, napkins and cutlery are included free of charge with all standard catering packages.
If you require china plates, premium cutlery or additional serving equipment, this can usually be arranged at an additional cost.
Queue Management & Service Style
Depending on guest numbers, timings and service style, our team may adjust service flow on the day to help keep queues moving efficiently and ensure all guests are served smoothly.
This may include:
Rotating menu options
Buffet-style service adjustments
Portion pacing during peak periods
Our priority is always smooth service and a great guest experience.
Dietary Requirements & Allergies
We can cater for most dietary requirements and intolerances with advance notice.
However, due to the nature of working within mobile catering units and shared kitchens, we generally cannot guarantee allergy-safe preparation unless specifically agreed in writing beforehand.
While we always take food safety seriously, there is an increased risk of cross-contamination in these environments.
Safety, Hygiene & Insurance
We hold:
5-star food hygiene ratings
Public liability insurance
Employers liability insurance up to £10 million
All events are operated with the appropriate food safety procedures, risk assessments and operational processes required to deliver events safely and professionally.
Cancellation & Rescheduling
Deposits are fully refundable if cancellation takes place 12 months or more before the event date.
If cancellation takes place within 12 months of the event date, we are usually happy to transfer your booking to another available date within 12 months of cancellation.
We understand that life happens and always aim to be fair and reasonable wherever possible.
START YOUR VINES JOURNEY TODAY