I didn't know where else to post this except in general questions.
I am doing a rather large wedding cake for October 3rd. The biggest I've done. I have not required a deposit before now, to save the date or help with cost. However she is wanting a cake stand that I will be buying myself for her to borrow for this cake. The cost of the cake is looking to be between 190 and 225. Wondered if there was a fair way to determine the fee I should charge for a deposit??? thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I require a deposit to save the date and a full rental fee for any equipment used. I always require the amount that it would cost me to replace any damaged or non-returned items.
What's to keep them from not giving it back?

My suggestion is... you should charge a "deposit" of at least $75-$100 NOW
The balance of the payment should be due not later than 2 weeks before the event. Make sure this is a firm commitment.

As to the stand
When I use something that is to be returned to me, by the customer, I will ask for a deposit that is equal to the price of the item. Asking for a check can be iffy, so usually I will ask for cash, or if they insist on giving a check, I will cash it right away. The money goes in an envelope and when the item is returned, the cash is refunded to the customer. If the item is NOT RETURNED, I keep the money to replace the item.

One last thing, if you are purchasing the stand specifically for this event, make sure it can be returned, if you need to do that, in case of a cancellation. (Unless you want to keep it for future use)

Another option with the stand would be to talk to the people at the venue directly and make arrangements to pick up the stand, yourself, the day or two after the wedding.

Uh, NO! You need to charge a non-refundable deposit of 50% total. Also, you need a money order or cash deposit of the total value of the cake stand your ordering including any shipping cost and a rental fee for the use of the stand. Nothing is free.

Oh yeah, they need to return that stand to you by a certain date or they lose that security deposit. You should not have to take time out of your schedule or waist you gas picking up anything.

Not sure if you have a wedding cake contract yet, but if not you need to get one and have the bride sign it. I'll attach mine (got it from cake boss, and then tweaked it to my own needs) to give you some ideas.

I require either $50.00 or 10% of total cake order as a deposit to "book" the date

Then the balance is due 2 weeks before the event.
I charge a rental fee for plates/pillars/stands, that is usually about 10% of the cost of the item, plus a deposit that is 100% the cost of the item. It is due back 1 week after the wedding, after that I replace the item.
I charge a rental fee to account for normal wear and tear on the items, eventually you'll have to replace them, and this will cover that cost in the future.

Hope this helps

well, it won't let me attach it because it has a .doc extension on it......if you want to see it, just shoot me an email and I'll send it to you

[email protected]


edited to say: ok, I just posted it so you can see if you'd like

Go here http://www.freewebs.com/khalstead/weddingcakecontract.htm

Thanks so much for the quick responses...I do charge a fee of $20 if they want me to cut the cake at the event,and they want this option. So I will be there to ensure the stand comes back with me.

I recently got Cake Boss, I didn't know it had a contract, lol, so thanks KHalstead for that.

Thanks again, I don't post a lot, but am so happy to be a part of this community. When I need the help, someone is always here

So I just have to ask. How does your fee work? Cause if someone wanted me to a cut a cake, I would, at the rate of $25 per hr, paid in advance for the 6 hrs. I'll be sitting there reading a book, doing NOTHING, until cake cutting time. And I would still have a rental fee for my cake stand. Wear & tear needs to be covered.

I'll be setting up the cake during the wedding ceremony. So won't be waiting long, site is only 20 minutes away. I live in a very small town 856 people, so I kind of just tagged a flat rate for cutting onto my fee's.
I have already had the 1st consult with the bride about the cake. When she asked if I could get the stand, I said I could but would have to charge a fee, she understood and offered to pay a deposit.
I just didn't know how much the cake was going to be, the flowers, ingredients, labor etc., so I told her I would let her know this week what I needed as deposit.
I am to do a tasting also as she has a almond cream cheese recipe she wants on the cake, however I wasn't sure how well it would go between and on outer layers of red velvet and chocolate choc. chip. So I will have vanilla BC also to try with it.
I will ask her though how long into reception the cake will be cut, so I know the amount of time.
Thanks again

Well at the very least, your gonna have to wait for everyone to come in, get situated, possible wait for the first dance/bridal party annoucements, they have to eat dinner, and if your lucky, they cut the cake. Most times though, they eat dinner, first dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, throw bouquet/ throw garter, a lot of mingling, and then they cut the cake, cut and plate, which takes time. Either way, you'll be there more then an hour. $20 is just not enough. I hope it works out for you.

i charge $50.00/hr. and my cakes are cheap! lol $20.00 as a flat rate isn't enough to cut an 8" round if you gotta wait around 3 hrs. first

$50?? Oh heeeeeeeellll no. Half of the cost of the wedding cake.

thanks so much for all the responses