Pricing Per Type Of Event?

Business By AmyJoPearson Updated 14 Mar 2012 , 6:54pm by AZCouture

AmyJoPearson Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AmyJoPearson Posted 13 Mar 2012 , 5:30pm
post #1 of 10

I was just wondering if anyone prices their cupcakes differently for different events. For instance for a wedding we price per serving for cake/per cupcake. But for a graduation I would just price a cake depending on size and complexity. Should I price less for cupcakes for birthdays, graduations, showers? Usually those are less complex then a wedding. Thoughts please? icon_smile.gif

9 replies
kakeladi Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
kakeladi Posted 13 Mar 2012 , 5:47pm
post #2 of 10

Really what difference does the event make?? It is still the same amount of work, ingredients, & thought that goes into them. I don't see why there should be a difference in price.
If there is more decorating then up the basic price a bit - other wise no. Just my personal feelings.

ChefAngie Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ChefAngie Posted 13 Mar 2012 , 5:58pm
post #3 of 10

Cupcakes:
are individual cakes (cupcake liners)
time consuming (decorations for each one)
packaging for transportation (do not fall over)
GAS for delivery (expensive)
I start at 2.50 per cupcake
Happy Baking and Decorating,
Chef Angie

jason_kraft Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jason_kraft Posted 13 Mar 2012 , 6:38pm
post #4 of 10

The event doesn't really matter, if an order is less complex it will be priced lower. We use per-serving pricing for multi-tier cakes (for weddings or other events, starting at $5/serving) and flat rate pricing for single tier cakes (from $44 for a basic 8" round up to $150+ for half sheets).

TexasSugar Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
TexasSugar Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 3:43pm
post #5 of 10

Doesn't matter the occasion to me. A cake is a cake and it it still requires time and work. All my cakes are priced per serving using the Wilton Wedding Guide.

I've only done three wedding cakes, and let me say they were almost easier than some of the other cakes I have done. I cake doesn't have to be a wedding cake to have alot of details and work involved.

AZCouture Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AZCouture Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 4:52pm
post #6 of 10

Cake is cake. The only justifiable reason a cake should ever cost more (in my opinion) is solely determined by the work involved and obvious factors such as delivery, yada yada. The priciest projects I've worked on were definitely not weddings.

You know those horrid wedding advice columns that pop up on the internet that recommed stupid things like "tell your baker it's for a birthday and it will cost less?" Well...they didn't make that up. It has to have truth somewhere with some decorators. icon_sad.gif

AZCouture Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AZCouture Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 4:53pm
post #7 of 10

But again, my opinion.

vgcea Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
vgcea Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 5:03pm
post #8 of 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by AZCouture

Cake is cake. The only justifiable reason a cake should ever cost more (in my opinion) is solely determined by the work involved and obvious factors such as delivery, yada yada. The priciest projects I've worked on were definitely not weddings.

You know those horrid wedding advice columns that pop up on the internet that recommed stupid things like "tell your baker it's for a birthday and it will cost less?" Well...they didn't make that up. It has to have truth somewhere with some decorators. icon_sad.gif




I just got through setting my prices and had to go back and forth between party vs wedding servings. I suspect that some bakers have one set price per serving so that when they apply that to the # of servings based on party vs wedding they end up with different prices. For example, if the baker says his price is $2 per serving then an 8 inch 'party' cake would have 20 servings = $40 whereas an 8 inch 'wedding' cake would be $48. Never mind that it is the same cake

icon_rolleyes.gif

1234me Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
1234me Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 5:19pm
post #9 of 10

I used to think like some of the others - cake is cake so why charge more for weddings?

But then I started doing more weddings.

I offer free tastings for my brides - which is time and ingredients.

I spend more time emailing and going over things with brides which is my time.

So I do charge a little more for wedding cakes than I do for regular party cakes because I do not offer tastings for those (unless they feed more than 100) and I don't spend alot of time corresponding with party cake customers.

Of course, I also charge delivery for wedding cakes or anything over two tiers. I do not deliver two tiers - customers pick those up!

AZCouture Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AZCouture Posted 14 Mar 2012 , 6:54pm
post #10 of 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1234me

I used to think like some of the others - cake is cake so why charge more for weddings?

But then I started doing more weddings.

I offer free tastings for my brides - which is time and ingredients.

I spend more time emailing and going over things with brides which is my time.

So I do charge a little more for wedding cakes than I do for regular party cakes because I do not offer tastings for those (unless they feed more than 100) and I don't spend alot of time corresponding with party cake customers.

Of course, I also charge delivery for wedding cakes or anything over two tiers. I do not deliver two tiers - customers pick those up!


And there's where it gets tricky and obviously up tot he discretion of the individual baker. I can pick every one of your examples apart and show where for me, it doesn't matter and how I have priced myself to compensate for all of that if it needs to or if it even becomes an issue. But really, what I was talknig about was across the board upcharging simply because it's a wedding. For example: a three tiered plain white cake with ribbon wrapped around the tiers. One price simply for it being a birthday cake; and another just because it's a wedding cake. Let's say there isn't any more communication needed, no tasting involved; just because it's a wedding cake period. That's what I mean. I think that's silly.

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%