Hi everyone,

I just got a call about doing a wedding cake...yepee, my first one

Mother just called and wants to meet sometime today when her daughter gets in to look at pictures and get some prices. They are expecting 250 guest...wedding in July.

Since I have not done a wedding cake, I need a starting range and alot of information on what to ask and expect...only use to doing character etc cakes and this is completely out of my field.

I am so excited and need to calm down

Help please !!!!

Stephanie your cakes are fantastic so I would see what bakeries in your area charge and use that as a guide because your cake would be equal or most likely better!!! Congrats and good luck!

I'm just beginning in the wedding cake arena too. I've set a base price per serving for both buttercream and for fondant which includes "basic" piping/design, flavors and fillings. If they want something very elaborate or with flowers, etc - the price goes up from there. I also asked a local cake shop for their rental prices for fountains and stands so I know what to charge for the rental of these items. I figured that might be a good place to start. The rest i'll have to figure out as things come up.

Good Luck!
Debbie

I paid 2.00 per slice for the cake and it was .50 extra per person for filling. I had no flowers , I think it was done all in cornerlli lace. It was four tiers with two hearts on the side with it. So make sure you charge accordingly

Thanks so much.

For the first meeting, what type of questions should I ask, how many books should I show etc.?

I usually set a base price of $3/person for a basic (chocolate, yellow, lemon) cake with a basic buttercream (chocolate, vanilla, lemon)

I charge $5/person for anything with fondant or with an extra filling (lemon curd, ganache) as well as more expensive cakes (carrot) or more expensive frostings (cream cheese)

Then I ask people to send me pictures of what they have in mind BEFORE our first meeting...that way I have an idea of what they are expecting, and whether I can reasonably accomplish it...and also start to figure out if I need to add anything to the base price because of an intricate design, or difficulty transporting/setting up...I probably should have more standard pricing for that stuff, but I honestly just try to think about the time it is going to take me and the amount of money I need to make to make it worth my time...

And something else to consider when you are starting out with wedding cakes - some locations are very strict about allowing cakes in from a diffferent venue, or they will allow the cake but not the decorator to set it up or they will charge a huge plating fee to the bride and groom for serving your cake in an effort to discourage them from purchasing outside of the venue. It could be called a plating fee or a serving or cutting fee. Not your problem, I know, should be the bride and groom's concern but you would not believe how many don't check this out or are not aware. So at the last minute you have problems. Also make certain that the bride and groom make arrangements if you are going to do the set-up and confirm this as the day draws nearer.
I bring this up when discussing wedding cakes with potential customers. I have just heard too many horror stories when people were unaware.
Hugs Squirrelly

Well,
I can't comment on the pricing thing or the questions to ask but to address the trepidation most decorators get with their first wedding cake; Just think of it this way, you are only decorating ONE cake at a time (I think each tier as a seperate cake). That way it doesn't seem quite as daunting a task to undertake. Cause we think "wedding cake" we have a tendency to go "OMG" but we don't have any probs with decorating a coupla cakes for a weekend party.
Just partition your tasks into small sections and go one step at a time. How do we eat cake ladies (and dudes)? One bite at a time.
Same with decorating.

Well.....how did it go??? Great bride, bridezilla, mother in law from h&*l, money is no object cake!?! Tell us, tell us!!

Thanks everyone, really do appreciate your help.

I don't know why, but I really don't feel like a decorator until I get that first wedding cake behind me

This is my BIL's family and I know them pretty well...went to school with the mom and she was kinda on the stuck-up side...thank goodness she has changed Believe it or not, mom was married to my cousin so the bride-to-be is my cousin

You know how family can be, will go to someone else rather than you. Bet if I call them and say that I will do it for half price they will come

I'm waiting to hear back from them...just my luck that they won't call

Oh well, on to my next cake due for this Friday

I am doing my first wedding cake in March for a girl that I used to work with. I kept it pretty simple for my first cake and charged $2/serving. Teh wedding cake itself will be small and feed 35 servings then I am doing a sheet cake to feed 120+ people so that is easy enough. Even though I am doing a easy cake, I am still nervous as I am going to work with gumpaste for the flowers and I have never worked with it before. I am going to get it this week and practice making the tulips.
Good luck, I LOVE all your cakes BTW

Well, they are silly geese if they don't use you!!

Shayla,

Your cakes are amazing and congratulations on your first wedding cake...you will do fine