My sister-in-law is getting married. She's looking into cake decorators. I'm debating if I should consider offering my services. She doesn't have a big cake budget. Here are the two cakes she's looking at doing. She'll be buying fresh flowers to put on the cake. My question is, do these look like cakes that I can do?

The first one, she likes better, but the baker was charging more than she wanted to pay (she would only have 3 tiers):

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufoyLecPGqU/TwvJ4_O1h_I/AAAAAAAACLU/4WSqO_7hnZ4/s1600/IMG_8263.jpg

This one was more in her price range, although she wants the stripes to go the other way:

http://www.sweetestscentsations.com/buttercreamwithorchidandgra.jpg

I would only have two days to put it together, since I don't live in the area. So, what do you think? And I'm just asking about skill level, not whether or not I should bake for in-laws. I'll have to weigh that one for myself. Also, the wedding is in 2 1/2 months, so I will have some time to practice, but not a lot.

well, both of those seem pretty doable...they are BC! the first one is using the petal tip and just having the larger side against the cake and piping the line around the cake.

the second one is using buttercream and then you could just take a spoon around the cake to make those indents!

what makes you think you can't do them?

just curious...since i know both of these techniques. What area was your SIL pricing these cakes and what were the quotes?

after looking at your cakes i think you could do it...make a practice cake of each and I think you'll be surprised how easy they are

I would go with the first one. It looks like a petal tip was used. The hardest part will be keeping even pressure on your bag and holding it steady as you spin your turntable. Start at the bottom and work your way up, overlapping each "ruffle".You could use 1 cake over and over again for practice, and then you get to eat it!

Neither one of them seem that difficult to do. Judging by the cakes I see in your gallery I don't see why you would not be able to do them.

I didn't think they looked that hard either, but I needed a little reassurance. The first one she was quoted around $500, including delivery. The second one she was quoted for around $200, including delivery. These were for different bakers, and for cakes the same size (about 75 servings). I was kind of floored that a decorator was only charging $200!

I think she's leaning toward the cheaper baker, but she isn't as happy with how her cakes taste. And I feel like she's settling on the design to save money. I think I could make a cake that she loves with the design she wants and save her money. I would, of course, make it as a gift.

Seeing your gallerie I'm pretty sure you can do it!
Is the first cake decorated with tip 104?

both cakes are buttercream...unless they were charging for the flowers I can't see the cake costing more than $300.

Does anyone else think the second baker is way undercharging, or is it just me? My sister-in-law is getting married in Utah.

The more expensive baker apparently has a $400 minimum. I think part of the extra charge was she was pricing for three flavors of cake in each tier. It did seem a little high, but I figured if she was getting business to justify it, why not...

well, the second cake is the easiest on the difficulty level...depending on that person's skill level I wouldn't say that $200 is under charging for that area. maybe they are new to the business?

BUT if she isn't happy with the way the cake tastes...then i wouldn't go with that 2nd baker. taste is a BIG deal for cake for me...and for the guests at the wedding

Well, if I feel brave enough to volunteer (which I kind of want to), any suggestions for cake stands? I'm guessing the event will be on the more formal side, knowing my SIL. I'd imagine that a cake plateau would be the most appropriate. What size would I need, assuming the bottom tier is 12"? I'd imagine I'd have it on a 14" cake drum, with a 16" plateau. Is that right, or would it depend on the size of the other tiers?

Well, I'll have to run my willingness to make the cake through a few filters before I totally commit (hubby, MIL, and then SIL), but it would be fun if I could do it! I've always wanted to do a wedding cake. I really think I could, but the thought of ruining someone's wedding kind of freaks me out a bit...

Checking out your gallery, I think you can make either one.

Thanks for the encouragement!

You can

Not knowing your sister-in-law to be, I'd have to make a suggestion...IF you decide to volunteer to do this. Make is absolutely clear what you are willing to do.
Too many stories have been posted about relatives, that once they get the 'gift' line, go looney and enlarge the cake beyond the size originally looking at and upping the cost with detailed designs and special flavors.
Some decorators ended up cakes that far exceeded their expectations of time and cost." I don't have an extra $200 to spend on a wedding 'gift'."
Might have been much easier to buy the couple a coffeemaker. (wink

Write up a proposal including the style, size and flavors so there is no misunderstanding and then hard feelings.

Any by the way, according to your gallery, you are way able to make this cake.


mommachris

mommachris--that's a good idea to write up each of our expectations. I think I'll definitely do that, if we go for it. However, I will say, this SIL is not the type to take advantage. I think she'd be very understanding and not ask too much. I have great in-laws.

So, I ran the idea past my hubby last night---he totally shot it down, lol. So much for that. He thinks his sister is too picky and would be a stressful first wedding "customer". Oh, well. I'm pretty sure it would have cost me more in supplies than the less expensive baker was charging anyway, since I don't have larger cake pans yet, and I don't have a nice cake stand to put it on! I hope someday I get to do a wedding cake!

awww...but if you did the whole mock contract thing there shouldn't be an issue really. tell her you are going by the photos and that's what your gift is. I think your hubby should really think about it and give it a chance. if you don't do a wedding cake for a family member how are you going to get over the first hump?

I think he's worried that even if I make it according to the picture, she won't like it somehow and it will cause drama (which is possible).

We have several other siblings between the two of us that might get married in the next few years, who aren't quite as picky. One has even promised I can make her wedding cake! However, she's 33, and never even had a boyfriend, so...

I think I'll have a chance eventually. In the meantime, I could probably use practice making bigger cakes and delivering them. The biggest cake I've ever made was 8-6-4, and I've never driven with a fully assembled cakes. Most of my cakes have been for neighbors, and I walked them to their house!

I'm sure you can do it! But, I know exactly what you mean. I'm a hobby baker myself and have turned down many requests to make a wedding cake...just the thought of running into a 'bridezilla' makes me cringe LOL --I've read many horror stories in here---

On a side note *** my original plan WAS to wait till one of my kids gets engaged and then I'll start planning my grand debut! LOL so far, they all say they're gonna elope and marry in Vegas cuz a wedding is too expensive ----aggghhhhhh what is this world coming to when a mother can not plan her own kid's wedding cake!!....

I have a question about the first cake. Several of you said to use tip 104 with the fat tip towards the cake. Is the fat tip facing the bottom? can you guys please explain. thank you. btw Your cakes are lovely. You can def do either of the cakes. I would suggest you not do it even before the husband said so. It would be too much stress to make a cake in that short of time specially if you are not in your house. just me though.

I've never done it before, but I'd imagine that the part touching the cake would be at the top, allowing the lines of buttercream to be downward.

I tried the technique used on the first cake that was linked. It was pretty easy! I had to make a dummy cake in a hurry for a cake tasting at work.
I used a petal tip 32, I think. Had the fat end facing up, and started at the bottom of the tier and worked my way up.

I tried to post an image, but it didn't work! So, I will try to post a link instead.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2378886/pink-and-chocolate[url][/url]

That looks great! Did you do it one continuous motion? I'm also curious how long it took.