Would you be willing to share with me your contracts for wedding cakes, and any other desserts.

My 3 biggest issues are:

(1) Handling of bad checks. My bank charges me $25. Would it be inappropriate to include a larger fee (say $35) as part of the contract?
(2) Rental fees for equiptment. I'm thinking about charging a $100 rental fee for most wedding cakes (including stands and any columns or similar things) with $50 refundable if I get ALL of my stuff back. Charging $200 fee when I do full setups (I have done a few tea parties and showers where I use a bunch of my platters) with either $50 or $100 refunded if I get everything back. And maybe a $50 fee with $25 refunded when I only have to leave small things as part of the set-up (for instance a mirror under a stacked cake)
(3) Changes to the original design. I'm thinking about putting in a 2 week cut-off for any changes. AND a clause that no matter what the changes, the price will not be decreased by more than 10% from the original contracted price.

Anything else I need to pay special attention to?

THANKS!

You must live in a very expensive city to get $100 for the use of a few platters. You also must be very, very good at cakes.

Well, I do live near Washington, DC...so that is a pretty expensive city.

I know that if I try to rent a nice stand (one stand, no columns, serving pieces, or other accessories), that costs $50-$60 and up. So I figured if I am going to charge a rental fee, it would be $50, but if I was going to have to replace the piece (as in, I dont get it back) it will cost me around $75+ to replace--which is where I came up with $100 fee, and $50 refundable if I get it all back.

The $200 fee (which would really be a $100 rental fee, and a $100 deposit--refunded if I get everything back) would be for events that I provide multiple tiered stands, serving pieces, punch bowls, and platters. I typically provide well over $ 1,000 worth of equiptment, and if I am not working the party, I come to pick it up later. I can (and have) lose a significant amount of money, not to mention the time it takes to find beautiful display pieces.

Mikasa,
I would put in the contract your policies on

Deposits to hold the date...refundable or non
Cancellations
Final Payment

I think you have a really good start on the other information you have for your contract. I don't think $35.00 for a cancelled check fee is inappropriate at all. I also think your prices for rental equipment are reasonable.

Mikasa--
You can only charge whatever is the maximum rate for returned check in your state. The maximum allowed here in Texas is $30.00. So stores here charge $25 or $30.

For where you live your rental fees don't sound out of line, especially since you return part of that with the return of your non-damaged items. I have a friend who lives near D.C. and when she found out prices for wedding stuff there, she is getting married here in Florida. That's better for me since now I can do their cake!!

BTW-glad to have you here! Welcome to CC!!

dori

Also, everyone should check out the cake mikaza posted under "Price my Cake" It is stunning!!!