23/03/2020
Update from Val and Andrew, Owners of The Wedding Shed @ Kookaburra Hideaway regarding the Corona Virus as of 23rd March 2020.
Hello to all our couples who either have bookings or are thinking of booking at The Wedding Shed, Kookaburra Hideaway. Sorry about the blanket email, but it is important that we contact you promptly...
These are difficult and unprecedented times…
We have had some enquiries from clients today about their upcoming weddings in the next few months, because of the Corona Virus precautions statement from the Prime Minister and the Premier of NSW.
Initially it started as only events of 500 people and over needed to be cancelled.
Then it went to 100 persons…
But now we have the directive that says that there are proximity issues with seated weddings.
The Wedding Shed @ Kookaburra Hideaway is in the middle of open countryside with hundreds of acres surrounding it, with fresh air galore, rather than an enclosed space where germs settle.
We are also not a typical area for infection.
Nevertheless, it is very important to us that we do not put our clients or our staff at risk… therefore we are in the process of creating a contingency plan for our couples that have booking with us over the next 6 months.
This is what we will be offering as at the present time (March 23rd 2020)
We are happy to offer postponement of your wedding for up to 2 years, whereby your deposit is preserved and there are no additional CPI/incremental charges for you future wedding.
Marry now and party later… Get married on your original date and have your party later when the crisis is over…
Picnic Weddings….
We have a brilliant idea about picnic weddings… just ask us…
Love has no boundaries… The most important thing is that couple who love one another are able to show their love in whatever way they can and that we can make it special..
Don’t let this beat you…
Marriage is all about a whole lifetime together… so postponing your wedding, or altering the sequence of events won’t be the end of the world.
We will do everything and anything we can to make your perfect day.. even if it comes in stages…
If any of you are worried about the precautions we have in place, this should put your mind at rest for weddings post 6 months or stays at Kookaburra Hideaway or the Wedding Shed.
Precautions
Our team are fit and healthy and should any of them experience any sign of a cold, sore throat, runny nose, fever or a feeling of general unwellness, they are banned from attending any weddings to work and must be tested immediately.
Everyone simply needs to exercise extra precaution with hygiene.
It’s just like in flu season when people cough and sneeze around you - that’s how you get a cold or flu.
This virus is the same, it is contracted via airborne particles from an infected person through sneezing or coughing.
It can also be caught from contaminated surfaces just as the flu and the common cold can.
We have always been vigilant when it comes to hygiene, but we have stepped it up further at this time.
· All surfaces are cleaned with hospital grade disinfectant.
· We have hand sanitiser containers with pumps in both toilets.
· We have disposable hand paper towel for wiping hands after washing.
· We use Glen 20 disinfectant spray regularly throughout the wedding.
· Cutlery and crockery and all cooking items and utensils are washed thoroughly according to health code and we use disposable plates and spoons for cake and desserts. We also use disposable serviettes.
· Caterers are briefed of our requirements and are required to meet the same medical standards with regard to their health.
· We use disposable gloves for handling of all foods.
· The acrylic/glass tumblers, wine and champagne glasses we use are washed with boiling hot soapy water according to health code. We have straws at the bar if a guest prefers to use a disposable straw.
· We use disposable cups for the iced water and iced lemon drink dispensers.
The main house (Kookaburra Hideaway) and Woodcutters’ Shed are also treated with the same amount of care and level of hygiene and we have a professional cleaning team who look after it.
What if people don’t want to or can’t attend our wedding?
With your upcoming wedding, you may experience nervous guests who choose not to attend as maybe they have small children and some elderly guests may be inclined to choose not to be around crowds. Some people are just 'generally anxious’ about life and may be too fearful to attend. If this does happen, we will not charge you per head for those people even if you have already paid the balance we will refund the difference to you or give you a credit note towards a future stay.
If you have guests coming from overseas, they most likely won't be able to attend if the self-isolation for 14 days continues. In this case we will be sure to capture video of highlights of the day for you that you can send to them if you don’t have video in your package. This can be done by my team members on smart phone devices, particularly the latest iPhones (which we have), as they have incredible video quality.
We ask you to let your guests know that if any of them are experiencing any flu like symptoms, that they are to go to the doctor immediately for a test before attending the wedding. Results come back within around 3 days. People just need to exercise caution and sensibility. People need to simply wash hands regularly with warm soapy water and refrain from touching their mouth and faces with their hands.
Media frenzy
Please be assured that Andrew and I and our team take this very seriously, but we don’t get caught up in the fear and drama of the media hype and we advise you to do the same.
Especially don’t get caught up with the media frenzy. I (Val) spent 15 years working in the Media and Public Relations and you definitely should not believe the majority of what is in the News… it is mostly created to sell newspapers and attract audiences through fear.
We are here to give you the very best wedding day and will not let you down.
So please enjoy the lead up to your special day and don’t allow other’s fear to spoil that for you.
Here’s a bit of advice that has stood me in good stead over the years…
Focusing on avoiding the bad things that we don’t want or are scared of is like putting your boat into a river and trying to paddle upstream.
Focusing on the good things that we do want is like putting your boat into the river and flowing gently downstream.
So I encourage you all to minimize the time/attention you give to hysteria and fear, and instead put your focus on things that bring you joy – family, friends, simple pleasures and your very special wedding day.
Val and Andrew –
Owners The Wedding Shed @ Kookaburra Hideaway
Cancellation policy
Please don’t cancel… postpone or redesign your wedding with us… Your deposit paid can be preserved with us and we will make sure you have a fabulous day, even if it is in stages… Please help us to help you.
In the event of a cancellation, the deposit is 100% non-refundable under any circumstance. We don’t want that to happen… We want you to postpone or find another way.
If the wedding is cancelled 31 to 60 days before the wedding, 50% of the total amount is payable.
If the wedding is cancelled 30 days or shorter to the wedding date, the entire whole amount is due and non-refundable.
If the wedding is cancelled 61 days to 120 days before the wedding date, 30% of the entire whole amount is payable.
Below is a statement from our fabulous cleaning team… Mrs Sparkles.. the name says it all....
Cleanliness and your safety is paramount to us..
Dear Property Managers
These are challenging times with the uncertainty of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the impact it will have on our daily lives. What is certain is that we need to take preventative measures now to minimise the transmission of the virus.
We know the virus is transmitted from person-to-person via respiratory droplets within 2mtrs. Current evidence suggests the COVID-19 may remain viable for hours to days on various types of surfaces. It is also an enveloped virus and the best form of elimination is best practice cleaning and hygiene measures.
To combat and minimise the transmission of COVID-19 our housekeeping teams will increase their cleaning efforts and focus on touchpoints with the property. This will include sanitising; Keys and lockboxes All doorknobs and handles Remotes Light switches Tapware Appliances Balustrades/staircases
Our best practise cleaning procedures to eliminate cross contamination and transmission of viruses include
We Use paper towels for toilets and bathrooms and throw away so only 1-time use… general areas are one time use Microfibre cloths and sanitised after each clean. Microfibre cloths for kitchen and general areas are one time use and sanitised after each clean. Using only commercial grade floor cleaner and disinfectant to kills all types of bacteria Bathrooms, showers and toilets are disinfected and sanitised at every clean.
Our housekeeping teams will also be given Personal Protective Equipment to use where necessary. During the cleaning process all staff are required to wear gloves and addition will be required to wear face masks and eye protection when appropriate.
There is currently a national shortage of soap, hand sanitiser, toilet paper and long-life milk. We are working with suppliers to ensure there are no service interruptions to your properties. In line with increased demand and shortages of supply, we have no choice but to pass on price increases for these essential items. Also as there is a shortage guests are now taking hand soap pumps ect. If we need to replace these we will have to pass costs on. There will be additional time added to the service length of each property to ensure the thoroughness can be achieved, this will also incur a price increase.
Please be assured that we have the health and safety of your guests and our staff as our number one priority.
Kylie Pester
Owner/Director
89 Allandale Road
Cessnock NSW 2325
0428 827 100
Wedding Celebrant with a difference, upbeat, happy, caring, with heaps of great tips to make your wedding or any celebration truly fantastic.
