AHi,

Baking the cake is not the problem here.

I have no idea about the process of doing a wedding cake. I mean signing a contract, and other formalities. The bride wants to know my per hour charge and the ceremony is said to be four hours. Do they expect me to be there and serve the cake? What else should I know?

Please help me!

Thanks in advance,

Jan

I don't stay to serve the cake and I don't know anyone else who does. The per hour charge makes no sense...Tell her that you charge per serving or however it is that you figure out the cost of the cake.

If you don't have a cake contract, are you legal to sell cakes? Some venues require a license if you bring food in from outside, and some don't. You might want to check. If you're working under a cottage food law you'll have to work that out with them if they do require a business license.

Don't take any money from the bride unless you get a contract in place first. She should sign a contract and give it to you with the retainer, that way she can't say that she didn't know this or that about your policies. You should get a contract screened through an attorney, every state has different things that are and aren't legal in contracts. There are some that you can find online but make sure you have someone check it out before you have the bride sign it.

It shouldn't take too long to get a contract and get someone to look at it. In the meantime, ask the bride if she's thinking that you're going to stay to serve the cake...I wouldn't do it unless someone was going to pay me a lot, and they'd have to pay me from the time I set the cake up before the reception started to when it was served, if they expected me to sit there and wait. Usually the people at the venue or the caterer will cut and serve the cake.

It is normal for a contract to include such details as who will deliver, where and when.  It also requires a deposit up front, final payment before delivery, and a clear description of which forms of payment you accept. Also a statement of how close to the wedding you will consider changes to the design.

Many people have a delivery charge for anything outside their normal area.  This has to be written out before you sign the contract.

DO NOT accept cheques (checks) unless you are interested in collecting fees plus other expenses for stopped payment or insufficient funds.

The venue probably has rules about who serves the cake, or the bride will make arrangements with her caterer. You need to ask her these details to write your contract. 

There is no reason at all to plan to serve the cake, or to discuss your per-hour charges at all.  That is NOT her business. If the bride gets snarky about finding out your hourly rate, ask her to tell you first what  SHE earns per hour...she will get the message.

AThank you so much for replying! I'm a bit nervous right now :)

I'm from Ohio and when checked with the department they said I don't need a contract. But, I will meet a lawyer and get a contract done as soon as possible. She said she wants to pay me first and then sign the contract. I didn't encourage that. (Luckily)...

Thanks again...If there's anything I should know please let me know..

AI will keep all these in mind. thank you so much...You all are so kind... I feel lucky to have people like you around to get advice when needed.... I asked further info from the client and I didn't get a reply still. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Where in Ohio are you located?  I am in Kent, oh.

AI'm from Columbus,. :)