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cherim1000
Newbie
Joined: Feb 11, 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Hamilton, NJ
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:13 pm |
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OK I haven't a clue what to do. I haven't charged for a wedding cake in years. I found out today that something happened and my boss' brother's baker won't be doing their wedding cake next weekened, so guess who will be doing it!?! I teach cake decorating and do tons of decorating, so I know what I'm doing, I just don't have a cake decorating business. Anyway, the kicker is that she has already baked the cake, it's a Jamaican black cake, 5 tiers - yes, FIVE TIERS! 6", 8", 10", 12", 14" all 4" high. It is traditional to ice this cake with royal icing... which is strange enough - the cake is also soaking wet with port wine - but I think that she also wants fondant. I also believe that she wants an arrangement of gum paste flowers on top with smaller bundles of flowers here and there on the cake. I say, "I think" and "I believe" because she's really not sure what she wants. We just spoke on the phone today and I am going to meet with her tomorrow for the 1st time... and the wedding is next weekend... and I work full time PLUS teach cake decorating 3 nights a week! Just shoot me. Anyway, any ideas as to how much I should charge for this mess? Just a ballpark. I live in NJ if that helps. I will probably do some roses, callas, stephanotis and a few orchids for the flowers. Her theme is "shades of green". I don't know what that means yet or how it will fit into the cake that she wants. I'm also unsure of what kind of green flowers I can make but I know that she wants flowers. She said that she has green ribbon to wrap around the tiers.
Thanks for any help!
Cheri   |
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wolfley29
Frequent Member
Joined: Mar 20, 2006
Posts: 388
Location: Columbus, GA
Birthday: Oct 29
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:27 pm |
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My thinking would be to figure out what your time is worth, how long it will take you to decorate the cake and go from there. Sorry, not much help. |
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teamsterbabe
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 07, 2007
Posts: 51
Location: Republic of the Left Coast
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:28 pm |
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jsmith
Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 01, 2006
Posts: 557
Location: Louisiana
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:31 pm |
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I strongly recommend against decorating a cake someone else has baked. Aside from safety and cleanliness issues the cakes could be lopsided or crumbly or not the same height. But since she's already baked all those cakes, it's your call. I would ask to see the cakes to see if they are in good shape. Also since it's such short notice you may have to explain that it will have to be simply decorated. I'm not sure how much to charge. Good luck! |
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melysa
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 3297
Birthday: Nov 11
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:32 pm |
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i've only heard horror stories resulting scenarios like this.
not that i encourage you to do so... but, hydrangeas can be green. it would look lovely with shades of creams and white floral.
though, i think i would decline to do the cakes...liability issues with you not being the baker. |
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playingwithsugar
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 4920
Location: Carrot Cake Should Count As A Vegetable!
Birthday: Nov 20
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:38 pm |
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Never, Never, Never!
That cake is going to have "your name" on it, and if it tastes bad, it is going to reflect on your talent.
I have a close friend who is a master decorator of reknown, who was asked by another decorator who pretends reknown, to do a half job like the one you described.
She turned it down for the reason I mentioned above. It was a wise move on her part.
Theresa  |
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kansaslaura
Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 15, 2006
Posts: 541
Location: Kansas
Birthday: Jul 11
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:43 pm |
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CakeRN
Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 26, 2006
Posts: 958
Location: Richmond, IN
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:44 pm |
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Truthfully....I would charge her the same as if you had baked the cakes considering they are giving you only a weeks notice to do this. This puts all of your plans ( if you have any) on hold to do this plus working 2 jobs besides. I am not sure off hand how many servings that is but I would charge no less than 4.00 per serving. Don't cheat yourself just because the cake is already baked. I mean YOU are doing them a favor by finishing this cake so they should pay for that privledge and pay well. Who else could they get on such short notice to do this....uh probably no one....So I would charge a minimum of a 1000.00 for this cake... jmo
Teri |
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ssunshine564
Regular Member
Joined: Jun 11, 2007
Posts: 156
Location: Texas
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:46 pm |
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spongemomsweatpants
Forum Addict
Joined: May 30, 2007
Posts: 694
Location: Lakes Region of New Hampshire
Gallery Supporter Member
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:50 pm |
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2 words... no...way
This has nightmare written allllllllllllll over it. If you do decide to do it I agree with charging the same price but honestly your name is on this thing, You have no idea where or under what conditons she cooked it or what ingredients she used, if everyone gets sick from it, it's on your head.
This to me is waaaaayyyy scary |
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melysa
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 3297
Birthday: Nov 11
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:51 pm |
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| kansaslaura wrote: | | Run Forrest Run! |
LOL..you say this often dont you?  |
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jsmith
Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 01, 2006
Posts: 557
Location: Louisiana
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:55 pm |
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How about if you tell her you won't be able to use her cakes but she can ice them and serve them if she wants but you will make a small two or three tiered cake for display? But I know some decorators don't like having another cake there since it still reflects on them if it's bad. How many buts was that? |
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leily
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 12, 2004
Posts: 5151
Location: Iowa
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:01 pm |
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| CakeRN wrote: | Truthfully....I would charge her the same as if you had baked the cakes considering they are giving you only a weeks notice to do this. This puts all of your plans ( if you have any) on hold to do this plus working 2 jobs besides. I am not sure off hand how many servings that is but I would charge no less than 4.00 per serving. Don't cheat yourself just because the cake is already baked. I mean YOU are doing them a favor by finishing this cake so they should pay for that privledge and pay well. Who else could they get on such short notice to do this....uh probably no one....So I would charge a minimum of a 1000.00 for this cake... jmo
Teri |
If you decide to do it, this was going to be my advice to... regular price per serving. And I definitely like the idea of seeing the cakes before you commit to the cake, shouldn't be hard since they are already baked... make sure you see ALL of the cakes incase they only show you the one or two best ones. |
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teamsterbabe
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 07, 2007
Posts: 51
Location: Republic of the Left Coast
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:02 pm |
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lsawyer
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Mar 01, 2006
Posts: 1161
Location: San Diego, CA
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Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:02 pm |
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If someone gets sick from the cake, or chokes on an egg shell in the cake, it's your reputation. And with one week's notice??? No way!!!
Run....run.....run!!!!!
Quote $5,000 to discourage them from USING you! |
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