Privacy policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Beit el Ahlam ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you visit our website at beitelahlam.com or place an order with us. We handle your personal information lawfully, transparently, and with care, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

WHO WE ARE

Beit el Ahlam is a bespoke wedding and event favours studio based in London, United Kingdom. We are the data controller for the personal information we collect through our website and orders. For any privacy matter, write to us at hello@beitelahlam.com.

WHAT INFORMATION WE COLLECT

When you visit our website or place an order, we may collect:

- Identity and contact details: name, email address, postal address, phone number
- Order details: products purchased, personalised message content, event date, event type, delivery preferences
- Payment information: card details are handled directly by our payment processor; we do not store full card numbers
- Communication records: messages you send us, customer service interactions
- Newsletter preferences: if you subscribe to our newsletter
- Technical information: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, time spent on the site, via cookies

WHY WE COLLECT YOUR INFORMATION

We process your information on the following legal bases under UK GDPR:

- Contract: to fulfil your order, process payment, arrange delivery, and provide customer service
- Legitimate interest: to improve our website, prevent fraud, and run our business effectively
- Consent: for marketing communications and non-essential cookies
- Legal obligation: to comply with tax, accounting, and other legal requirements

WHO WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION WITH

We share your information only where necessary to operate our business:

- Shopify, our e-commerce platform, which processes and stores your order information
- Payment processors such as Shopify Payments, PayPal, Klarna, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
- Couriers and delivery partners, to fulfil delivery of your order
- Email service providers, to send order updates and newsletters
- Professional advisors such as accountants and lawyers, where required
- Authorities, where required by law, such as tax authorities or in response to a court order

We never sell your personal information to third parties.

INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS

Some of our service providers, including Shopify, may store data outside the United Kingdom. Where this happens, appropriate safeguards are in place, such as Standard Contractual Clauses, in line with UK GDPR requirements.

HOW LONG WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION

We retain your information only as long as necessary:

- Order records: 6 years, to meet UK tax and accounting requirements
- Customer service correspondence: 2 years
- Newsletter subscribers: until you unsubscribe
- Website analytics: up to 26 months

YOUR RIGHTS

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Have inaccurate information corrected
- Have your information erased, subject to legal exceptions
- Restrict how we use your information
- Object to processing based on legitimate interest or for direct marketing
- Receive your information in a portable format
- Withdraw consent where we rely on it

To exercise any of these rights, write to us at hello@beitelahlam.com. We will respond within one month.

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we will send you occasional emails about new designs, studio stories, and offers. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of any newsletter, or by writing to us at hello@beitelahlam.com.

COOKIES

Our website uses cookies to function correctly, remember your preferences, and understand how the site is used. You can manage your cookie preferences through the cookie banner on our site, or through your browser settings.

SECURITY

We take the security of your personal information seriously. We use industry-standard measures, including encryption (SSL/TLS), access controls, and the security infrastructure provided by Shopify. However, no online service can be guaranteed completely secure, and we cannot accept responsibility for unauthorised access despite our best efforts.

CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

Our website and products are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with information, write to us and we will remove it.

CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most current version will always appear on this page, with the date of last update shown at the bottom. Significant changes will be communicated to existing customers and newsletter subscribers by email.

HOW TO COMPLAIN

If you have a concern about how we have handled your information, write to us first at hello@beitelahlam.com. If you remain unsatisfied, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane
Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF
ico.org.uk
0303 123 1113

CONTACT

For any privacy-related questions, write to us at hello@beitelahlam.com.

Beit el Ahlam, London, United Kingdom