Ceremony Service Terms

1. About the service

Akako House provides hosted Ethiopian coffee ceremony experiences for private gatherings, weddings, workplaces, universities, cultural programs, and related events. The ceremony is the core service. It is delivered by Akako House personnel or a trained Cultural Ambassador from our approved local partner network under Akako House coordination.

Our goal is to provide a warm, organized, culturally respectful experience while meeting reasonable venue, safety, accessibility, and guest needs. Cultural practices vary by household, region, and occasion. Our ambassadors use approved explanations and do not represent that one presentation is the only expression of Ethiopian coffee culture.

2. What is included

The accepted quote defines the services included in the booking. Depending on the quote, the service may include ceremony equipment and presentation materials, coffee preparation and service, approved accompaniments, setup, cleanup, and service by one or more Cultural Ambassadors.

Anything not stated in the accepted quote is not included. Additional guests, service stations, service time, travel, parking, venue charges, special equipment, food items, custom décor, or other additions may require written approval and an adjusted price.

Guest counts are planning estimates unless the quote states a guaranteed capacity. The customer must promptly notify Akako House of a material change in attendance. We may limit service to the capacity and duration stated in the quote when an increase cannot be safely or reasonably accommodated.

3. Tea accommodation and guest inclusion

Premium tea may be available as a considerate accommodation for guests who do not drink coffee. Tea is not offered as a separate ceremony or independent service line and does not replace the Ethiopian coffee ceremony as the central experience. The customer should discuss the expected quantity and any ingredient concerns during planning. Availability is guaranteed only when the accommodation is included in the accepted quote or confirmed by Akako House in writing.

Tea guests receive the same warmth and hospitality as coffee-drinking guests.

4. Customer responsibilities

The customer or authorized event contact must:

- provide accurate event, contact, venue, timing, attendance, access, and safety information;
- have authority to approve the booking and provide event instructions;
- obtain required venue permission for Akako House's presence, setup, heat method, food or beverage service, photography, loading, and cleanup;
- provide safe and timely access to the agreed service area;
- disclose relevant venue restrictions, stairs, long carries, parking rules, security requirements, power or water limitations, and required certificates;
- provide a stable, reasonably clean area with safe guest circulation and unobstructed exits;
- communicate known allergies, accessibility needs, child-safety concerns, and other material guest requirements before the event; and
- identify an onsite decision-maker who can approve reasonable operational adjustments.

The customer is responsible for delays, added expenses, or reduced service caused by inaccurate information, denied access, unavailable promised facilities, undisclosed venue restrictions, or material changes outside Akako House's control.

5. Heat, venue, and safety rules

Akako House uses only heat sources and preparation methods allowed by the venue and applicable authorities. A traditional appearance does not justify prohibited flame, smoke, charcoal, fuel, or unsafe equipment.

Akako House may substitute an electric, reduced-smoke, or no-heat presentation method when required by venue rules, weather, safety, law, equipment condition, or the event risk assessment. A safety-based substitution that reasonably preserves the ceremony experience is not a failure to perform.

Akako House may pause, modify, relocate, or stop service if conditions present an unreasonable risk to guests, staff, partners, property, or cultural integrity. This includes unsafe crowding, interference with the hot zone, severe weather, harassment, illegal activity, or instructions that conflict with venue or safety requirements.

6. Food, beverage, and allergens

Akako House uses approved products and reasonable hygiene and cross-contact controls. Ingredient and allergen information is provided from available labels or approved recipes and is not guessed.

Because services may occur in shared venues and use products prepared or packaged by third parties, Akako House cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. Customers and guests with severe allergies or medical dietary requirements should contact Akako House before accepting the quote and make decisions appropriate to their circumstances. Akako House does not provide medical advice.

7. Cultural Ambassador assignment

A temporary partner reservation is not a confirmed assignment. Akako House confirms the assignment as the booking progresses through quote acceptance and required payment steps.

The named or anticipated ambassador may become unavailable because of illness, emergency, compliance status, travel disruption, or another circumstance outside reasonable control. Akako House may assign a comparably qualified replacement. We will inform the customer of a material substitution. If we cannot provide a suitable replacement, the customer may choose a reasonable reschedule or receive a refund of amounts paid for services not provided.

8. Schedule and changes

The customer must ensure the event schedule permits the agreed access, setup, ceremony, and cleanup windows. Akako House is not responsible for reduced service caused by late venue access, earlier programming overruns, or customer-directed delays.

Changes affecting price, time, guest capacity, staffing, location, travel, safety, or deliverables must be approved in writing. Akako House may decline a late change that cannot be delivered safely, legally, culturally, or operationally. Onsite requests are subject to ambassador authority and may require later billing when the customer authorizes additional work.

9. Accessibility and respectful conduct

Akako House makes reasonable efforts to support mobility, sensory, dietary, language, and religious needs within safety and the agreed scope. Please provide advance notice so accommodations can be planned.

Customers, guests, venue personnel, and Akako House representatives must interact without harassment, threats, discrimination, abuse, or cultural disrespect. Akako House may stop service when serious misconduct continues after a reasonable warning or presents an immediate safety concern.

10. Photography, testimonials, and media

Booking or accepting a ceremony does not give Akako House permission to use identifiable customer or guest images, recordings, testimonials, event details, or private venue content for marketing. Marketing use requires separate, appropriate authorization. Venue permission does not necessarily replace individual consent, particularly for minors or private events.

Guests may photograph for personal purposes when permitted by the host and venue, provided they do not interfere with safety, service, or the dignity of participants.

11. Complaints and service recovery

Questions or concerns should be sent to [email protected] as soon as practicable. For an issue during the event, notify the Field Lead or Cultural Ambassador promptly so immediate needs can be addressed.

Akako House will review the event record, customer information, partner account, and other available evidence. Remedies may include correction, follow-up, credit, partial refund, rescheduling, or another proportionate response. Only an authorized Akako House representative may promise a financial remedy.

12. Disruption and force majeure

Neither party is responsible for delay or failure caused by events beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, government restriction, utility outage, venue closure, transportation disruption, public emergency, or sudden illness that cannot reasonably be covered.

The parties will first consider a safe operational adjustment or reschedule. Refunds, credits, and committed third-party costs will be handled under the Cancellation, Rescheduling, and Refund Policy and any event-specific quote terms.

13. Limitation and governing law

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Akako House's aggregate liability arising from a ceremony booking will not exceed the amount the customer paid to Akako House for that booking. This limitation does not apply where liability cannot legally be limited, including liability resulting from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or another non-waivable obligation.

These terms are governed by Virginia law, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. The parties will first attempt in good faith to resolve a dispute through written communication. Any court proceeding will be brought in a court with lawful jurisdiction over the dispute.

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