Okay, so I got a call from a wedding photographer who worked a wedding I made the cake for back in May. She had a sort of business proposition for me and I don't really know what I think about it. I would love to hear everyone's opinion. Here is her idea:

When her clients pick up their proofs, she always has a bottle of champaigne to give them. She wants to start giving them a little cake (made by me). The only catch is, I am not getting paid for them. It would just be to get my name out there. The business card would be attached to the box. They would be a 6in cake but only 2 inches high, torted and filled, so basically it would be half the height of a normal sized 6 in. cake. She thinks this would bring me business. I do my cakes out of my home, and I work full time, so what I was thinking is that I could do it for a couple months (maybe like a trial) and see if it gets me any business. I am hoping it would get me wedding cakes, and in that case would be worth it, but I don't really know.

Now for legal matters: Since I do this out of my home kitchen, can I get into big trouble for this if it gets to be big. I realize that if this brought me a lot of wedding cake orders, I may eventually be able to have that separate kitchen in my basement or something. But it would really have to bring me a LOT of money, otherwise, I couldn't afford it. Basically, I will be working out of my home kitchen for a while and I dont want to get into trouble.

SO, what would you do? Would you take the opportunity and make cakes for free? And what are your thoughts on how much business I could possibly get? Please tell me your opinions.

No, I would not do them for free. If this photographer wanted to give out photo albumm as a complimentary gift, he'd have to buy them.

He's wanting to do a promo that makes him look great but costs him nothing.

If you wanted to work out something like a price that covers the cost of ingredients, then at least you are not really out anything. But I would still hesitate.

If you and he want to do some kind of promotional gift certificate (free 6" cake with purchase of wedding cake), then at least you know you are getting something out of it.

He gives away the champagne when they pick up their proofs, so evidently they have already spent some money with him. While I understand the value of "advertising", you can get the same kind of advertising without going to all the work and cost of making a cake. He's got his money from the client ..... you have no guarantee you are getting any money from the same client.

It's too one-sided. I'm sure there is some kind of arrangement that can be a win-win, but this isn't it.

I just had a thought...........What do brides usually do first? Get the photographer or the cake designer? HMMMM........

I ran off an eloped, so I never dealt with that question.

Do you know the photographer very well? Why would they be concerned about bringing you more business? Now, I do realize there are still some good, caring people left in the world, and this may be the case.

You could carry sample cakes to doctor offices, hair salons and many other places, and when you want to. If you start this, won't you be obligated to provide your services on the photographer's demand? If they start giving away cakes with consultations, I'm sure they want everyone to get it.

I'm sure it would probally bring more business your way. As for the legal thing..........NO COMMENT!

Bizarre : I don't see any business ops here ... these people have already had their wedding cake.

I don't really get it either. You provide the free cake to an already married couple and the photographer gets the credit? Also, yes, if home baking is not allowed in your state or county, you could be subject to a big "cease and desist" letter and fines if your cake or business card falls into the wrong hands.

Don't most brides get their portraits made before the wedding? Maybe it's when they look at these proofs? Not sure, but the more I think about it, the more it sounds like a bad idea for you, but a great idea for the photographer!