I just got back from delivering a stacked birthday cake, and when I went to get it out of the car... it was a mangled mess. I am not sure what happened. Each tier was doweled, and a center dowel running through the middle of the whole thing. I think it was probably the weather it is 98 degrees + here and the humidity is awful!! I think I will invest in the stress free support system or carry unassembled. It was bound to happen sooner or later, the customer was so nice, and I went and bought her another cake (yuck) from Harris Teeter and I am mailing her a gift certificate for her and her husband to go out to dinner for a stress free evening. She said this party has been a nightmare from the beginning, but hopefully her husband will still be surprised. I am going to open up a bottle of vodka and let her rip!!!!

I always use the wilton hidden pillars instead of dowels and have had no problems. (I'm knocking on wood right now.) What a nightmare! At least she was sweet about it... enjoy your drunkeness!!!

I am so sorry to hear that !!!!!!!!! {{{{hugs}}}}}It's all of our worst fears! I just delivered my first wedding cake today and my heart was racing the entire way to the brides' house (it was an outside wedding). When I finally arrived, they had a gravel driveway and I had to walk about a mile (or so it seemed) with a cake that felt like it weighted 100 lbs. to where the cake table was (under a tent).

I kept praying that I wouldn't open my trunk to find the cake in shambles. Luckily it arrived fine. How many tiers (and what size) were you transporting, just out of curiosity? I actually was crazy enough to drive with a 8, 12 and 16 inch stacked together. I put the final layer, a 6 inch round, on the cake when I set it up.

Take a deep breath and try to relax! At least the woman was nice about it and you handled it very professionally!!!!

ooh that is horrible That cake was soo cute too! Did you show her the picture? Try not to stress too much over it (I know, easier said than done); I feel for you!

This was a 6,8 and 10 inch stacked. I don't know what happened. I have put 4 tiers together and not had a problem. It is just so hot here. Well I guess out of 200 cakes or so it was bound to happen sometime. I was so upset, I could not even write on the cake I went and got them.

Momof4luvscakes, I'm so sorry this happened to you today! I live in Smithfield, just down the road, and it was beastly hot today! I had 2 small cakes to do, but luckily they aren't to be delivered until tomorrow morning (in the air conditioned car). Enjoy your relaxation tonight!

HOLY CRAP! That is my worst nightmare. I am really happy that you had an understanding client. It could have been worse.

Soooo sorry this happened to you. Don't beat yourself up too much. You handled it really well.

Yah I think the weather was a major play in it. I hear about cake disasters all the time just because everything is just so soft from the humidity.
You did what you could and was professional. Just take a deep breath, know that it wasnt you and the lady was cool about it so you didnt lose any business over it. And bottoms up! Have a few sips on me!!!

So sorry to hear about the tragedy. I always worry about that happening to me. At least your client was cool about the situation!

Awwww, I'm so sorry! Back in April I had a 3-tier wedding cake collapse on me on the way to the reception. It wasn't hot, it wasn't a long drive. It was thoroughly dowelled on each tier and I had TWO dowels running down the center just to be safe! I think it was perhaps because each tier was filled with lemon curd, which is *very* heavy, and it was just so heavy that when I turned, the momentum pulled it over to the side. It was such a perfect cake when I left, too

I decided to not travel with them stacked any more, and to use the wilton hidden pillars for large heavy cakes like wedding cakes.

Have a margarita and a long hot bath! I'm glad your customer was understanding.

what are hidden pillars? are these the pillars used in the course 3 kit for the final cake? why are these better than dowels?

aww!
Have a rum n coke and a smile and thank heavens for understanding customers!
::HUGS!::