I have recieved my first inquiry about a wedding cake. The bride is asking for a tier cake and then possibly cupcakes for her wedding. The problem is I haven't actually had the opportunity to do a wedding cake before (although I have done tiered cakes) and the bride is asking for pictures of wedding cakes I have done. I know that I could do a wedding cake. Esp a small one like this and feel like it would be a great start to the wedding cake world..lol. I have been wanting to do some "fake cakes" to take pictures off but have actaually been so busy with real orders I havent had the chance to do that. The inquiry cam to me thru my website so i know she has seen my work and is atleast interested. How can I respond to her without loosing the order before I have a chance to get it? Thanks to all

The picture of your avatar looks like a tiered cake and I can't tell if it's a wedding cake or a birthday cake. I would show her pictures of all your tiered cakes. A tiered birthday cake is made the same way as a tiered wedding cake.

I think the best thing to do would just be honest and to tell her exactly what you just wrote here....

"I haven't actually had the opportunity to do a wedding cake before (although I have done tiered cakes) I know that I could do a wedding cake...and feel like it would be a great start to the wedding cake world"

If she has obviously seen your work and liked it enough to enquire about her wedding cake I think thats a good sign. If it came down to it and you are worried about losing her maybe you could offer a discount if she would be willing to be your first? Reinforce the fact that because it would be your first you would be working extra hard to ensure perfection.

Whatever you decide to tell her, the worst thing that can happen is she goes somewhere else. Then you will have time to do a dummy cake and show her you could have done it, and done an amazing job at that!

I sent her a couple pictures of tiered cakes that I have done and simply stated that I did not have pictures of wedding cakes per say but that here are some of the tiered cakes I have done. I then gave her a base price for a cake the size she is asking about ( I am already lower than even some of the other home bakers in my area) and told her I would love the opportunity to talk with her more about her dream cake and looked forward to hearing back from her soon. All I can do is hope that she is willing to atleast to talk more and then maybe I can seal the deal. I definatly want to do the dummy cakes- even if only one or two to show along with the tiered cakes I have done. Thanks to both of you for your responses.

I have very few pictures because wedding cakes are not a big part of my business. But I do get inquiries based on what I can do, simpler cakes baked from scratch.

So you can start your business with a few pictures like I did. But.... if this is your main line, start scrambling to get some pictures by doing some cakes for practice.

We all start with a few pictures except those who pay their dues and decorate for the pictures. It's a choice.

I have a bunch of pictures but they are all for birthdays and special events- not weddings. From the small to the big. Im sure she liked what she did see but I was just afraid that coming right out and saying Ive never done one would be an immediate turn off for her. However, have no intentions in anyway of lying to her. Either way I responded and if I hear back from her great! In the mean time it looks like I may have a small break coming up from orders (so far nothing orderd for next week) so Im going to atleast try to make a couple three tier dummy cakes to take some pictures off. That way Im prepared next time. I havent really advertised for wedding cakes yet since I havent had time to do the dummy cakes so I was surprised when I even got the inquiry. All i can do is see what happens and move on. Thanks again to all of you!

I agree with the previous posters. If you are confident in your ability to do tiered cakes, then you can make a wedding cake! I have turned down wedding cakes in the past because the design wanted was not in my skill set. Don't hesitate to pass up an opportunity if you aren't comfortable with being able to execute it well. Wedding cakes are a HUGE deal in my book. I constantly tell myself that the cake will be in someones album forever, and I put alot of pressure on myself to make it perfect. You can do it!!