I need help, I really hope this all makes sense... (kinda long too)

Ok, so I met with a bride/groom (referred to me by a friend) last week after they had seen my pictures of cakes I've done. I had talked to her over the phone and she was really excited and told me what she'd like. I told her I could do that. After discussing price, I ended up giving her a killer deal (one I will NEVER offer again).

When I met with them last week they had changed what they wanted. No problem. We went over pics and decided on fillings, frosting, design, etc., etc. I thought it was a done deal. I gave her the contract and she then asked if I had something they could taste. If I'd thought of it before I would have brought it with me. It's a fair question, and honestly I thought it was a good question.

So... I made some cupcakes with the different cake mixes she wanted, as well as the two different frostings. One was a basic chocolate, the other was bc. I had used the Wilton canned BC becuase I think it is smoother and tastes better than the kind I make myself (but I actually don't like BC at all).

Anyway, she received them last Friday. So Monday I call her and leave a voicemail making sure she received them okay and see if she had any questions (and I'm hoping to get the contract back now). She called back and left a voicemail saying that the cupcakes were really good and moist, but she was concerned about the frosting; apparently it wasn't the consistency she had in mind. I'm confused now. Buttercream is buttercream for the most part! So I call her back and have to leave voicemail and told her that I was confused about the frosting consistency, but that I'd be happy to work with her and figure out another type that she may like more. I offered to make up some more cupcakes for her to try out. She also said in the voicemail, that "I could call her back if I wanted to, or felt like it" which just seemed really strange to say. I mean, if she was still interested in me doing her cake, seems like she would have asked if there were other types I could use or something. But she kind of left it open-ended... it sounded more like she may have found someone else to do the cake and that was just a cop-out. If so, that's fine, I really won't have any bitter feelings! I just need to know what's going on. She hasn't emailed me, and hasn't called back, so I called and left another message today letting her know that I do have other recipes if she'd like to work on something else.

Basically, I just really want to know if she's interested still or not so I can clear that date. What should I do? This was all sort of a favor I was doing, and I offered her a killer deal, but I'm wondering if she's just miffed about my price (she had a VERY TINY budget, but I stayed within it - again, it was more of a favor!), or if it's really the frosting, or what. I obviously don't want to hound her, but I don't know how many times I should call or email either. I've called twice now, (last time was just a little while ago) - if she doesn't call back, do I wait until Friday and call again? When do I just drop it and assume she's not interested? How frustrating!!! Just tell me what's going on, you know?!

Any help or advice would be most appreciated!
THANK YOU!!!!

I think I would try one more time on Friday and leave her a message stating that if you don't hear from her by Monday afternoon, you will assume that she's going with a different baker. If that's not the case, she needs to let you know so that you don't book someone else for her date.

Once again....it's the budget bride!

I think you did the right thing by calling her back and letting her know that you have other frosting options available and that you are willing to work with her if she wants to taste something else. At this point I don't think there is much more that you can do. I say if you get another offer for the same day you take the one that gives you a deposit first. Most importantly don't take this personally, we all know how brides can be and have this happen to us eventually. Hope it helps and hope it works out - let us know.

Would you be OK asking your friend that referred her to you if she has heard from her? Don't have to tell her the whole story but just say you haven't been able to get a hold of her and need to talk to her about some decisions on the cake and see what she says.

I would also try one more time to get a hold of her but just try to be really causal about it. If she's gone with someone else, and your attitude is that it's okay, then there shouldn't be any problems. I agree with the idea of leaving her a message that if you don't hear from her then you'll have to assume she's gone with someone else. And don't be afraid to point out that you were unclear about her message to you. Could be just a lack of communication thing on her part, and she doesn't realize it. Good luck!

I agree, I would offer her a taste of a different frosting and then let her decide. If you get another wedding, then book it and if this bride calls back, tell her the date is already taken. If you don't get another wedding, and the bride calls back, you have a sale.

I wouldn't be calling the bride or friends or anything of that stuff. I have worked with brides my entire life (my mom was a wedding photographer and I did a lot of work for her) and brides have all these dreams, and the realities of how much these dreams are going to cost brings a lot of tension, for everyone. Let her respond to you and if you do book with her, you will have a better time and a better relationship. (as you know, even after you sign the contract, they still call with changes, nervousness about if you got the right design, if you will be there on time to set up, all those kinds of things!) Hope that helps!

Good Luck!!