I am thinking of doing a wedding cake this spring and trying to figure out how to price it. So, I know you charge $x.xx/slice but what about the top tier the bride usually keeps for her first anniversary?
For this wedding there is 100 people.
So if I do a 6"(bride keeps), 8",10" & 12", this is suppose to feed 118 people (not counting top tier). Do I times 118 by $x.xx or do I include the 6" which I'm not sure I think it feeds 12 more people. That would be 130 x $x.xx?
Appreciate the help! 
I offer my brides two choices: 1) They can keep the top tier of their wedding cake for their first anniversary and it will be free; or 2) They can take a coupon for a free, fresh 6" cake on their first anniversary.
If they choose #1, I don't include the servings in the top tier in the total serving count that they pay for. They're responsible for properly packaging and storing the cake.
If they choose #2, I provide them with their coupon when they make their final payment. The coupon states on it an expiration date and that they have to call X weeks prior to their anniversary to place an order for this cake.
Most of the brides I've booked with have chosen the free coupon. They prefer the fresh cake rather than hassling with storing the top tier.
Hope this helps!
I charge for all my work.
With the wedding cake I deliver a 4" cake boxed ready for the freezer--my gift to the couple--easy to pluck out a tad of batter or cut some cake scraps for a matching 4 incher.
Then it's a selling point to the bride so she can serve all her cake too.
I charge for all my work.
With the wedding cake I deliver a 4" cake boxed ready for the freezer--my gift to the couple--easy to pluck out a tad of batter or cut some cake scraps for a matching 4 incher.
Then it's a selling point to the bride so she can serve all her cake too.
When you deliver a cake ready to be frozen, what does that consist of? Wrapped in saran wrap, then in foil, and then placed in a regular cake box?
Naw, too much work there! 
It's the 4 inch cake in a 6 inch box ready to be wrapped up and slid into a plastic bag--I mean I could do all the wrapping but I would think they would want to peak at it so I let them do the wrapping.
It's more ready for the freezer than leftover wedding cake or something. I guess it's by comparison 'readier for the freezer' than just the top tier.
I would price it as 130 servings X $$$. If they don't want to pay for that, then nix one of the tiers and charge what's closest to the 100 servings. Just be sure they know that the entire cake will be served.
I also offer a coupon for a 5 or 6" free 1yr anniversary cake. Lately that's what the couples are all going with instead of freezing their top tier.
I make a simple white, yellow or chocolate cake with bc filling and icing and a few simple roses/flowers saying Happy 1 yr Anniversary! Takes about 10 minutes to put together.
Naw, too much work there!
It's the 4 inch cake in a 6 inch box ready to be wrapped up and slid into a plastic bag--I mean I could do all the wrapping but I would think they would want to peak at it so I let them do the wrapping.
It's more ready for the freezer than leftover wedding cake or something. I guess it's by comparison 'readier for the freezer' than just the top tier.
Thanks for the clarification! I was thinking they would probably want to peek at it, too! I know I would! But I'm just nosey! lol
k8, I really like your idea! Thanks!
Cool. Then let me tell you the rest of it. I actually do two 4-inch cakes.
One for the anniversary and one for the honeymoon. Often our newlyweds have gotten the one bite for the picture and that's it. So I've gotten in the habit of doing both.
It's only the price of two 6-inch boxes and boards. All the other stuff is leftovers. It makes for great customer service.
I like the coupon idea but I also like no strings attached--get it all done in one fell swoop. Signed sealed delivered. I'm outa here.
The other thing is, if anyone pisses me off or pays late or whatever, I have an automatic pressure valve there because it is marketed as my gift to them--it's written down no where.
Only used it once for that purpose. No anniversary cake for you!
The honeymoon cake is a great idea! I know I barely got a bite of my own wedding cake! Would have been nice to try the flavors it took me forever to decide on! (Yeah I was one of those. Knew exactly how I wanted my cake to LOOK< but not a clue on the flavors! lol)
I always give my top tier to the couple as a gift, no charge. Its a nice little gesture that keeps them coming back for more. its usually only an 6" or 8" anyway... no biggy. and I seem to always have alittle batter left over, so I make little cakes for this and baby smash cakes. I just throw them in the freezer with a date on them.
Naw, too much work there!
It's the 4 inch cake in a 6 inch box ready to be wrapped up and slid into a plastic bag--I mean I could do all the wrapping but I would think they would want to peak at it so I let them do the wrapping.
It's more ready for the freezer than leftover wedding cake or something. I guess it's by comparison 'readier for the freezer' than just the top tier.
Thanks for the clarification! I was thinking they would probably want to peek at it, too! I know I would! But I'm just nosey! lol
Great minds 'n all that~~High Five!!!
The honeymoon cake is a great idea! I know I barely got a bite of my own wedding cake! Would have been nice to try the flavors it took me forever to decide on! (Yeah I was one of those. Knew exactly how I wanted my cake to LOOK< but not a clue on the flavors! lol)
Yay!!
I'm doing a small wedding cake soon, and have been trying to decide weather or not I should throw in a 4" anniversary cake. They want to serve the whole cake, and are not concerned about having the top tier to keep. Hmmmmm.....
Yeah, I like the idea of a gift certificate for them to have a fresh cake, BUT, I don't think I want to take my time in one years time and do it for nothing 
. That's why I like k8's idea. Get it done!!! 
K8, do you torte the 4" cakes?
Honey moon cake is great idea as well. I know I would have liked that on my wedding considering I was so nervous at the wedding/reception & dance, I couldn't eat a thing. I would have enjoyed that piece of cake later at the hotel!
What if they don't go on a honeymoon, do you give them that extra cake anyway? 
Oh and K8, do you tell them that you will be doing this ahead of time or do you surprise them?
Yeah, I like the idea of a gift certificate for them to have a fresh cake, BUT, I don't think I want to take my time in one years time and do it for nothing
. That's why I like k8's idea. Get it done!!! K8, do you torte the 4" cakes?
Honey moon cake is great idea as well. I know I would have liked that on my wedding considering I was so nervous at the wedding/reception & dance, I couldn't eat a thing. I would have enjoyed that piece of cake later at the hotel!
What if they don't go on a honeymoon, do you give them that extra cake anyway?
I bake one little fat 4 inch cake and yes I slice it in half & fill it. I don't even slice off the crown--holds up a little rose or something nicely.
If I gather up 'crowns' from other tiers and cut them into a four inch cake yes I can make it look 'torted'. I mean three little layers and you're cake is almost taller than it is around kwim?--lol So it doesn't take much.
Yes even if they don't go away for a proper honeymoon I give them the cake. Because I just call it honeymoon, they of course can eat it anytime they want.
Oh and K8, do you tell them that you will be doing this ahead of time or do you surprise them?
I do tell them that my gift is the anniversary cake so they can use all their servings. But generally not mention the honeymoon cake till the wedding. At least once someone asked me about it at the consult so I said y'know, I sure do provide that.
Lots of caterers prepare food for the couple for afterward so the honeymoon cake fits in nicely. That's probably where I got the idea.
And people really appreciate a coupla boxes for leftovers, just a thought.
I offer my brides two choices: 1) They can keep the top tier of their wedding cake for their first anniversary and it will be free; or 2) They can take a coupon for a free, fresh 6" cake on their first anniversary.
If they choose #1, I don't include the servings in the top tier in the total serving count that they pay for. They're responsible for properly packaging and storing the cake.
If they choose #2, I provide them with their coupon when they make their final payment. The coupon states on it an expiration date and that they have to call X weeks prior to their anniversary to place an order for this cake.
Most of the brides I've booked with have chosen the free coupon. They prefer the fresh cake rather than hassling with storing the top tier.
Hope this helps!
This is EXACTLY how I do it and the coupon is a big hit (Thanks, CC'ers, for the great idea!). I deal with a lot of military couples, and with the way they move around, the coupon is SO much easier for them.
I offer my brides two choices: 1) They can keep the top tier of their wedding cake for their first anniversary and it will be free; or 2) They can take a coupon for a free, fresh 6" cake on their first anniversary.
If they choose #1, I don't include the servings in the top tier in the total serving count that they pay for. They're responsible for properly packaging and storing the cake.
If they choose #2, I provide them with their coupon when they make their final payment. The coupon states on it an expiration date and that they have to call X weeks prior to their anniversary to place an order for this cake.
Most of the brides I've booked with have chosen the free coupon. They prefer the fresh cake rather than hassling with storing the top tier.
Hope this helps!
This is EXACTLY how I do it and the coupon is a big hit (Thanks, CC'ers, for the great idea!). I deal with a lot of military couples, and with the way they move around, the coupon is SO much easier for them.
So they move away and never redeem it??? Great idea!!! Me likie!!
Yeah, that's what I was wondering about the coupon idea as well!
I've had a few that didn't redeem the coupon for whatever reason, maybe they moved or whatever I'm not sure......but most of them do redeem it and become repeat customers.
I thought about sending an e-mail a couple of weeks before their anniversary to remind them, but I haven't done anything further with that thought. 
I'm thinking "why make more work for myself, ya know?"
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