I was approached by my cousin at her wedding in SC with a surprising question. "You being a cake decorator - what would you do in my shoes. Our wedding cake that we just cut into was the wrong one!" I was shocked when she told me. They had a signed contract for a 3 tiered chocolate-kahlua cake with chocolate fudge filling. When they cut into it they were surprised to see it was a white cake with bavarian creme and raspberry fillings. NOT what they wanted and she was devastated. It was decorated correctly - but the wrong cake. It ruined the rest of her evening. What should she do - what should she demand from the decorator? I think she should get a bulk of her money back. She is also now stuck with an anniversary top part that isn't hers and doesn't want to be reminded of the big mistake from her wedding when they go to eat it a year from now. Opinions please so I can pass them on to her!
First of all, your cousin needs to get some perspective. The wrong flavor cake should not ruin her wedding reception. If she had a nice wedding and she is married to a wonderful man, she should not allow this one mistake to color her memories. Can you tell I'm a big Judge Judy fan?
Second of all, it was a mistake, and clearly a big one which the cake decorator is responsible for. She should approach the cake decorator politely and remind him/her of the contract (or if she is doing it by mail, send a copy of the contract). In my opinion, this warrants at least a 50% refund of the cake. The decorator may be horrified (as many of us would be) and offer a full refund. But your cousin did have a cake which was, I assume, beautiful enough to take photographs of, have a ceremonial cutting, and feed to her guests. It's not the end of the world.
Brandonsmommy Regular Member
Joined: May 09, 2007
Posts: 185
Location: Tennessee
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:08 pm
I would have her address it to the bakery since it was not what she ordered just if nothing else an FYI, for them to pay closer attention.
As far as it spoiling her reception. I can understand her being upset that all was not perfect in her eyes but as a bride that had MANY disappointing moments at her reception, 14 years ago, It's all in how it was handled. I didnt' have to handle it. Our Best Man and Maid of Hornor did. It's all a distant memory (except I still have the MIL and she was part of the problem).
Have her contact Bakery and see what they can work out.
Sorry she had this to deal w/.
GenGen Forum Addict
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 758
Location: Northern Idaho
Birthday: Dec 16
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:29 pm
in my humble opinion yes she's entitled to a discount due to the mistake and its extent- but IT did not ruin her wedding/reception.. she left it ruin her mood/ and the occassion. maybe as part of the discount as for a new anniversary cake to be made up - in the flavors contracted and already paid for?
sorry ladies if i sound out of line. Not trying to honest.
Well, I'll tell you right now if that was me or my daughters cake I would be having a hissy fit and you can better bet there would be a refund of at least 50%. Sorry, but as a cake decorator I/me/we should know how critical the cake is to a wedding. It is the centerpiece for all to view at the reception--- one of the biggest moments for the bride and groom is cutting the cake and feeding it to each other---what if one or both of them or a close family member hates white cake and couldn't eat any of the cake?
Ya know, I understand that it is a cake but disagree completely that she has her perspective wrong here.....this bride has every reason to be upset and expect a refund. Putting things into perspective on your wedding day puts the cake right up there at the top IMO. No, it should not ruin her wedding reception by any means but I can see where it could justifiably put an unforgettable snaffoo in it.
She by all means needs to address the decorator with a kind and honest approach. No need to take someones head off when nothing can be changed, but, a definite right to be upset and let that be known.
Sorry guys but I am one of those people that has little, if any, tolerance for these kinds of mistakes. They are all to important for that one person on her most special day.
beachcakes Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 12, 2005
Posts: 3068
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Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:36 pm
I agree with previous posters that she is entitled to a discount b/c of the wrong flavor. BUT she did have a nice cake to serve that was in the design they agreed on. Chances are, very few people even knew there was a mistake.
Just my opinion, but I can't understand how the wrong cake flavor can ruin someone's wedding day. It's not about the cake/flowers/weather/dress... it's about marrying the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. All the rest is just window dressing.
jibbies Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 1124
Location: Macon, Georgia
Birthday: Nov 06 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:37 pm
The only way the wrong flavored cake could ruin your wedding reception if if you let it. I'm guessing it was beautiful (no mention of it not being) how much are the bride and groom going to eat anyway. The ceremonial piece and maybe one more, then its served to the guests. Unless its listed in the menu or there is a flavor directory on the cake table the guest aren't going to know any difference.
I agree the bakery should be notified and I hope someone took pictures of the inside otherwise its her word against the bakery. As a decorator I would be mortified and would want to know, so I could offer a partial refund. I hope the bride chooses to not let this devastate her.
There are many more important things in life than getting upset over a cake flavor
Jibbies
sarahnichole975 Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 27, 2006
Posts: 794
Location: Down in South Louisiana
Birthday: Sep 21 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:41 pm
I've got to agree with those who've said, this shouldn't ruin her wedding day. Perhaps she had other issues as well and this was that icing on that proverbial cake. I get the disappointment and do feel she should get a refund, but NO WAY a cake would ruin the day I married the man I loved so much. I think it stinks, she should definitely address the situation, but she should remember what the day was all about to begin with. You didn't say, but it doesn't sound like it was poorly decorated, which is a bonus. At least she had a pretty cake to take pictures of. Trust me, a year from now when she's (hopefully) still in that marital bliss and celebrating that first big anniversary, they won't be worrying that the cake was wrong, they'll be laughing and just happy to be together.
homecook Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 11, 2006
Posts: 1503
Location: At my desk, in the garden, or in the kitchen
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:44 pm
wow. If it was decorated correctly, then that's good, right? I was mortified at first, thinking that another decorator baked and decorated the entirely wrong cake. I've had nightmares about that, myself--what if I show up to a red and black Friday wedding with the pool blue and canary yellow cake for Saturday?!
First thing that comes to mind is that if there was a difference is price per serving for the cake she ordered and the cake she got, she's definitely owed a refund there. Beyond that...no idea.
I'm sitting here thinking, if this was me, I'm pretty laid back, and if the cake was decorated correctly and tasted great anyway, matched the wedding, and we ate it, I'd have been like *shrug* whatever, then let the bakery know, and asked for the difference back if there was a pricing difference. To have let white cake instead of chocolate cake ruin her entire wedding day is, well, a bit dramatic...Most people I know would have let that go down as a "Let me tell you a funny story about our reception" story and left it at that.
Then I got thinking, Of course, on the other hand, if you went to a fine gourmet restaurant (or catered function) and ordered a gourmet meal (or catered menu), only to be served something entirely different (however delicious), what would your response be? And how would the restaurant (or caterer) be expected to fix the error? Free food? Full refund? Forty lashes and a public apology? hmm
I'll be interested to see what the rest of everyone has to say on this one...especially caterer/decorators
MichelleM77 Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 06, 2005
Posts: 2998
Location: near Akron, Ohio
Birthday: Jun 01
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:45 pm
Maybe the baker would be willing to recreate an anniversary cake for free on their anniversary. That way they get a fresh cake to enjoy.
I agree with previous posters that she is entitled to a discount b/c of the wrong flavor. BUT she did have a nice cake to serve that was in the design they agreed on. Chances are, very few people even knew there was a mistake.
Just my opinion, but I can't understand how the wrong cake flavor can ruin someone's wedding day. It's not about the cake/flowers/weather/dress... it's about marrying the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. All the rest is just window dressing.
Doesn't every little girl grow up wanting that fairytale wedding? And for those few lucky enough to have a nice wedding don't you think they want their dream to come true and be as perfect as hoped for? As the cake decorator I would be totally devastated if I was the one thing that kept the brides day from being totally perfect.
It doesn't matter what everyone else at the wedding knew and didn't know..........it was HER wedding, not theirs.
GenGen Forum Addict
Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 758
Location: Northern Idaho
Birthday: Dec 16
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:51 pm
true but to let a cake flavor ruin something as special as a wedding? she stated the cake was decorated as asked; but the flavor was mistaken. yes i'd be unhappy but i'd not let it ruin the festivities. unless it was something the bride or groom was allergic to- then yes- yes yes a fit would be thrown.
indydebi Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jul 07, 2006
Posts: 15102
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:54 pm
I've done that.
I was ready to show the bride and groom how to do their first cut, like I always do, and she said,"The bottom is white and the middle is chocolate, right?" I was mortified to tell her, "omg, I made it all white!" She was very nice and said not to worry about it and the wedding reception went on.
However, I sent her an email (that she read during her honeymoon) that even tho she said it was "ok", it was not ok with me. She didn't get what she ordered and it would make me feel better if she would accept a partial refund from me. She replied how very nice she thought that was and when she got back from the honeymoon, she popped over and I gave her a check.
But "ruined the wedding"? I dont' think so. Thank you, "Bridezilla TV Show", for making melodramatic the norm!
Cakenicing4u Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 22, 2006
Posts: 363
Location: PA
Birthday: Nov 05
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:55 pm
and to think that I get all stressed out over the ivory/cream/off-white/white mix-ups that I have had! Flavor is much worse an offense than using white instead of cream for the color........
lionladydi Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jun 04, 2005
Posts: 1471
Location: Willow Spgs, MO
Birthday: Jul 12
Posted:
Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:04 pm
I have mulled this over in my mind and tried looking at both sides of the situation. Worse things could have happened that would have really put a damper on the wedding but if I were in her shoes, I would be upset also. When you go through all there is to go through for a beautiful wedding, that might be the final straw of things that didn't go just according to plans.
I would definitely contact the decorator and she should be more than happy to refund part of the money and offer to do another anniversary cake. I, too, wonder what happened to the chocolate cake.
If they sat down to dinner expecting lobster and got pork chops, all hell would have broken loose with the caterer. Shouldn't be any different with the cake decorator.
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and she was part of the problem).
