Mermaid booking agreement
When you book Iona the Mermaid, you must agree to these terms. Please read them carefully, and submit an agreement statement when finished.
Booking and Event:
•If you decide to book me, I require a non-refundable deposit to reserve your date. Payment of all remaining fees is due on the day of your event, and will be paid to my assistant or me. I accept cash, money order, or PayPal (I will need to receive the receipt of sent payment before leaving).
•It is the sole responsibility of the clients to book the venue and pay any venue fees. If renting a pool, be sure to check if they allow mermaids before booking.
•I cannot walk at all in my costume. Therefore, I will need some prep time before and after the event. I either need to arrive at least 20 minutes at the pool before the children, to change and get situated before they arrive; or I will need to have access to a private space in which I can change in and be carried out of. I require a non-gendered bathroom or other private changing space, as I need a male assistant to carry me out. This is so the children do not see me out of costume.
•If you have booked “dry time”, in a party room, that takes place after the swimming portion of the party- please be patient while I make my way to said party room. I may need up to 15 minutes to make this transition, depending on the venue. Typically this is how long children take to change into their dry clothing- but if for some reason this takes longer than usual, I will say longer for your party if I’m able.
•If you opt for photo or video services as part of your package, I will send them to you digitally. They will either be sent via email, or I will send you a link from which you can download them directly, depending on how many photos were taken. You retain rights to use these photos for personal use only. You may not sell the photos or use them for any commercial purposes. Photos will be sent within 2 weeks.
•Photographers or aforementioned assistants may take photos or video at the event. These may be used on my website, youtube, social media sites, ect. If parents of a child do not wish for their photos to be used, please submit a written request ahead of time and I will avoid capturing them in photos or video as well as possible, or I will edit out the child or blur their face(s). If there is an issue after the fact, please email me and let me know.
•Breaks are required for long events. For dry events, I will stay in costume for no longer than 2 hours at a time. After that I require a 20-30 minute break before resuming. For swimming events, after two hours in the water I require a one hour break before returning to the water.
Safety:
•I will be bringing an assistant to my events. They are not only to aid me, but also for my safety, and are non negotiable.
•A parent or guardian must be present at all times. I am not responsible for the safety of children or others present, in or out of the water. I cannot stress highly enough that I am not a lifeguard nor a babysitter. This is especially important at pools where lifeguards are not present.
•Lifeguards are not babysitters. We ask for your cooperation in supervising the children, and being sure ratios are maintained (lifeguards will inform you of the ratio based on pool rules) and that all guests respect all pool rules. While I am present for entertainment, I do not count as an adult in the ratio that must be maintained. If a child or guest acts in a manner that is unsafe, or breaks pool rules, we ask for your support, understanding, and if necessary, assistance with this.
•It is the responsibility of the parents to inform me if their child, or other children in attendance, has any allergies to silicone (my costume is made of medical grade silicone) or shellfish (as I adorn myself with shells). If you order a package with glitter or temporary tattoos it is the responsibility of parents to inform me if their child has allergies or sensitivities to either of these.
Allergies associated with glitter tattoos are linked to the adhesive used on the stencil -similar to medical plasters- and the glue used in application, this is rare but is possible. Anyone who is allergic to sticking plasters should not participate in glitter tattoo activities. If the person receiving the temporary tattoo or glitter tattoo is unaccompanied or of-age, it is their responsibility to inform me of existing or possible allergies or sensitivities. I am not responsible for any reactions that may occur.
•IMPORTANT: By agreeing to hire Iona the Mermaid you agree and understand that there are inherent dangers when swimming in a pool, at a lake, or in the ocean, and also when swimming with a mermaid. While lifeguards, other adults, mermaids, and our assistant all work together to ensure the safety of your children. However, you understand that mermaid participation is at your own risk, and you accept all responsibility. You agree to not bring any charges or claims against Iona the Mermaid.
Behavior:
•It is understandable that adults and children may exhibit many different behaviors when they are around mermaid entertainers such as myself. I am use to many different reactions. However, if you see a child harming me in ANY way (pulling on hair or earrings, hitting me, biting, spitting, etc.), and/or being destructive to my costume or other belongings, I ask for your support understanding and, more importantly, assistance in redirecting the behavior.
•While it’s not essential that the children believe that the mermaid is real, I ask for your help in preserving the idea, as I aim to inspire use of imagination through play. It can be very discouraging for myself and the children engaging in this play, if there are adults present who ask questions about my costume in front of the children, or adults who feel the need to tell the children that the mermaid is not real.
Please ask your older guests to avoid this, as it can lead to behavior issues in the children- such as children ganging up on the mermaid and/or taunting the mermaid about not being real. It takes away from the fun of the event, when we aim to have everyone pretend and play.
If there are children present who choose not to believe or use their imagination to play, all I ask is that they don’t ruin it for the younger children who enjoy it. If you see a child fixating on the subject, I ask you to in taking a hand to help redirect the child, in asking them to play along for the sake of the other children.
Please note: If you would rather the kids know that I’m just in a costume, please let me know beforehand, so I can be prepared.
•Any intentional harm brought to my mermaid costume, or me, by the children or other attendees, may result in additional fees for compensation. After reasonable effort has been made to get them to stop and damage occurs, you will be held liable for damages. This includes things such as pulling off fins, damaging the fluke by stomping on it, etc.
•I will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment from guests or clients.
•Failure by guests or clients to follow proper respectful behavior may result in me ending a booking early, and clients being charged the full amount, plus damages.
Cancelation and Rescheduling:
•In the very unlikely situation that I am not able to fulfill the booking, the client will be refunded the deposit, and I and will make every effort to arrange an alternate mermaid for you at the same rate, or reschedule with you at the earliest available opportunity.
•Rain Days: I will work with the client if rescheduling for an event is necessary due to bad weather conditions. I will work to reschedule a date as soon as possible that fits with my schedule and the schedule of the client.
•If you need to cancel the event due to any other circumstances (other than bad weather), the notice of cancelation must be made 48 hours in advance. I will work to reschedule for a date that works for both of us. Please note that if you do not wish to reschedule, your original deposit is non-refundable.
If you wish to book with me, after you have read this agreement in full, please respond (via email or message) the following completed statement. Please type how you would normally sign your name in the signature field, replacing the “legal name” with your name, but leave the slashes IN. Then retype your name as you electronically “signed” it above the “typed or printed name” field.
Agreement statement:
I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the above Terms and Conditions for booking Iona the Mermaid.
/legal name/
____________________________________
Signature
____________________________________
Typed or printed name
____________________________________
Date
Booking and Event:
•If you decide to book me, I require a non-refundable deposit to reserve your date. Payment of all remaining fees is due on the day of your event, and will be paid to my assistant or me. I accept cash, money order, or PayPal (I will need to receive the receipt of sent payment before leaving).
•It is the sole responsibility of the clients to book the venue and pay any venue fees. If renting a pool, be sure to check if they allow mermaids before booking.
•I cannot walk at all in my costume. Therefore, I will need some prep time before and after the event. I either need to arrive at least 20 minutes at the pool before the children, to change and get situated before they arrive; or I will need to have access to a private space in which I can change in and be carried out of. I require a non-gendered bathroom or other private changing space, as I need a male assistant to carry me out. This is so the children do not see me out of costume.
•If you have booked “dry time”, in a party room, that takes place after the swimming portion of the party- please be patient while I make my way to said party room. I may need up to 15 minutes to make this transition, depending on the venue. Typically this is how long children take to change into their dry clothing- but if for some reason this takes longer than usual, I will say longer for your party if I’m able.
•If you opt for photo or video services as part of your package, I will send them to you digitally. They will either be sent via email, or I will send you a link from which you can download them directly, depending on how many photos were taken. You retain rights to use these photos for personal use only. You may not sell the photos or use them for any commercial purposes. Photos will be sent within 2 weeks.
•Photographers or aforementioned assistants may take photos or video at the event. These may be used on my website, youtube, social media sites, ect. If parents of a child do not wish for their photos to be used, please submit a written request ahead of time and I will avoid capturing them in photos or video as well as possible, or I will edit out the child or blur their face(s). If there is an issue after the fact, please email me and let me know.
•Breaks are required for long events. For dry events, I will stay in costume for no longer than 2 hours at a time. After that I require a 20-30 minute break before resuming. For swimming events, after two hours in the water I require a one hour break before returning to the water.
Safety:
•I will be bringing an assistant to my events. They are not only to aid me, but also for my safety, and are non negotiable.
•A parent or guardian must be present at all times. I am not responsible for the safety of children or others present, in or out of the water. I cannot stress highly enough that I am not a lifeguard nor a babysitter. This is especially important at pools where lifeguards are not present.
•Lifeguards are not babysitters. We ask for your cooperation in supervising the children, and being sure ratios are maintained (lifeguards will inform you of the ratio based on pool rules) and that all guests respect all pool rules. While I am present for entertainment, I do not count as an adult in the ratio that must be maintained. If a child or guest acts in a manner that is unsafe, or breaks pool rules, we ask for your support, understanding, and if necessary, assistance with this.
•It is the responsibility of the parents to inform me if their child, or other children in attendance, has any allergies to silicone (my costume is made of medical grade silicone) or shellfish (as I adorn myself with shells). If you order a package with glitter or temporary tattoos it is the responsibility of parents to inform me if their child has allergies or sensitivities to either of these.
Allergies associated with glitter tattoos are linked to the adhesive used on the stencil -similar to medical plasters- and the glue used in application, this is rare but is possible. Anyone who is allergic to sticking plasters should not participate in glitter tattoo activities. If the person receiving the temporary tattoo or glitter tattoo is unaccompanied or of-age, it is their responsibility to inform me of existing or possible allergies or sensitivities. I am not responsible for any reactions that may occur.
•IMPORTANT: By agreeing to hire Iona the Mermaid you agree and understand that there are inherent dangers when swimming in a pool, at a lake, or in the ocean, and also when swimming with a mermaid. While lifeguards, other adults, mermaids, and our assistant all work together to ensure the safety of your children. However, you understand that mermaid participation is at your own risk, and you accept all responsibility. You agree to not bring any charges or claims against Iona the Mermaid.
Behavior:
•It is understandable that adults and children may exhibit many different behaviors when they are around mermaid entertainers such as myself. I am use to many different reactions. However, if you see a child harming me in ANY way (pulling on hair or earrings, hitting me, biting, spitting, etc.), and/or being destructive to my costume or other belongings, I ask for your support understanding and, more importantly, assistance in redirecting the behavior.
•While it’s not essential that the children believe that the mermaid is real, I ask for your help in preserving the idea, as I aim to inspire use of imagination through play. It can be very discouraging for myself and the children engaging in this play, if there are adults present who ask questions about my costume in front of the children, or adults who feel the need to tell the children that the mermaid is not real.
Please ask your older guests to avoid this, as it can lead to behavior issues in the children- such as children ganging up on the mermaid and/or taunting the mermaid about not being real. It takes away from the fun of the event, when we aim to have everyone pretend and play.
If there are children present who choose not to believe or use their imagination to play, all I ask is that they don’t ruin it for the younger children who enjoy it. If you see a child fixating on the subject, I ask you to in taking a hand to help redirect the child, in asking them to play along for the sake of the other children.
Please note: If you would rather the kids know that I’m just in a costume, please let me know beforehand, so I can be prepared.
•Any intentional harm brought to my mermaid costume, or me, by the children or other attendees, may result in additional fees for compensation. After reasonable effort has been made to get them to stop and damage occurs, you will be held liable for damages. This includes things such as pulling off fins, damaging the fluke by stomping on it, etc.
•I will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment from guests or clients.
•Failure by guests or clients to follow proper respectful behavior may result in me ending a booking early, and clients being charged the full amount, plus damages.
Cancelation and Rescheduling:
•In the very unlikely situation that I am not able to fulfill the booking, the client will be refunded the deposit, and I and will make every effort to arrange an alternate mermaid for you at the same rate, or reschedule with you at the earliest available opportunity.
•Rain Days: I will work with the client if rescheduling for an event is necessary due to bad weather conditions. I will work to reschedule a date as soon as possible that fits with my schedule and the schedule of the client.
•If you need to cancel the event due to any other circumstances (other than bad weather), the notice of cancelation must be made 48 hours in advance. I will work to reschedule for a date that works for both of us. Please note that if you do not wish to reschedule, your original deposit is non-refundable.
If you wish to book with me, after you have read this agreement in full, please respond (via email or message) the following completed statement. Please type how you would normally sign your name in the signature field, replacing the “legal name” with your name, but leave the slashes IN. Then retype your name as you electronically “signed” it above the “typed or printed name” field.
Agreement statement:
I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the above Terms and Conditions for booking Iona the Mermaid.
/legal name/
____________________________________
Signature
____________________________________
Typed or printed name
____________________________________
Date
