I'm curious to know what ya'll do when you deliver a cake to a reception or other event? I've seen some great cakes here, but wonder who is providing the elaborate cake stands, fabric, extra leaves, and so on that I see surrounding and enhancing those cakes? Do you charge extra for that, or is it considered part of the cake?

Also, when you deliver a cake are you coordinating w/ the person cutting the cake so they don't cut the peices too big? I just need some direction on all this as I have a cake coming up that will need these questions answered!

Thanks so much for any advice,

With the cakes I have done I offer to serve so that I cut the pieces exactly right...I do charge per hour but not more than about $25......as far as all the extra decor...most weddings have the table cloths already set up and if you ask you can probably get extra flowers from the florist to go on the table.
And for the cake stand....I bought mine at Home Depot...seriously...just a huge, 2 inches in thickness, white, round, piece of plastic...very convenient and heavy duty. Love it!

I have several cake stands that I've purchased online and at antique auctions, and I rent them to brides who want to use them for their wedding cakes. The brides usually provide any fabric that will go under or around the cake. I've never coordinated the cake cutting with the caterer at a reception site, and I've never had any complaints from brides about there being too much or not enough cake, so I guess the cutting has been done right on the wedding cakes I've done. When a bride has flowers on/around the cake, the florist almost always leaves extra flowers/greenery for me to use around and underneath the cake.

Hope this helps!

I also charge for cutting, however if they want someone else to cut I always provide them with a cutting chart so they know how to cut it.

I provide the stands and charge the couple a rental fee to use them. All those other little decorations that go around it I expect the family Im working with to provide. The last wedding cake I did all the flowers and ribbon were given to me by the bride and grooms mothers. Otherwise all that would have gone on the cake was the bead border. They knew the stand they chose had candle holders on it so they were responsible for bringing the candles and they forgot. So I used some extra flowers and ribbon to fill in the holes.

I dont set up tables nor do I decorate them (Im soooooo not talented in that area, they wouldnt want me doing it anyways) so the table needs to be ready for me. And anything they may want around the cake (flower petals, tulle, candles etc) they are responsible for.

I do train the designated cake cutter before I go. I have yet to do a cake for an event that was catered so there is always a family member cutting the cake. I bring along a photocopy of the cutting guide for the shape of their cake and leave it with the person doing the cutting. The only problem Ive ever run into is that no matter how many times I tell the cutter to only cut one or two slices at a time they dont listen. They go through and cut up a whole bunch of slices and of course they start to fall over and off the tier which I warned them would happen if they did that lol.

It all depends on the wedding. Most weddings, the tables are all set up and pretty with cloth and matching decor and such. I bought those bags of rose petals at oriental trading company for like nothing and keep a bag in my emergency kit that matches the event . If the table looks really bare, I will add some of those to the table. (One of those bags goes a LONG way!) If it is a wedding where there is no caterer, but they are doing everythign themselves, I give them a cutting chart with thier contract and bring another with me. I then give whoever is cutting lessons. If there is already a pro there, I will ask them if they want a cutting chart! (I had one lady say to me Yes, I want to show my partner that she is cutting the cakes all wrong, and I had to settle their arugment they have been having for years on how to cut a wedding cake! hahaha) I do ask the bride at the consultation if she wants a special stand or anything, and offer to rent it. This should all be settled way ahead of time!

It depends on the venue and what the bride wants.

I visit the venue if possible. I check out where the cake will be displayed,what kind of table it will be on, the lighting and ask them to show me the linens they will use. That way I can get an idea of what the setting will be like and can make suggestions to the bride for table decorations.

I rent my plateaus to the bride.

I always provide a cutting chart to both the venue and the bride.
If I stay to cut the cake I charge $25.00 per hour.

I make it very clear that I provide the cake and the cake only. Linens and such are the responsibility of the customer. But I have a few stands that I rent out.

I sell my wedding cakes in a package that includes the cake, punch, punch bowl OR 3-tiered silver fountain, plates, forks, cups, mints, nuts, tablelinens and I stay and cut the cake. If the venue provides tablelinens, I make a deduction on my part so they are not double-paying for the linens (less work for me, too).

My contract states "Bride to provide one 8ft table". Any "above and beyond" table decor is up to them and they provide any florals for the cake, if they are wanting silk or real (as opposed to icing roses that I would do of course). I explain the reason they provide the florals is so they are assured the cake flowers match their wedding flowers as these florals usually come from their florist.