What Would You Charge For This Cake??
Decorating By DesignerCakes Updated 21 Feb 2007 , 4:31am by DesignerCakes
I have been asked to price the following cake. How much would you charge for this fondant covered cake as shown - for 100 servings? Lets assume it's a basic vanilla or chocolate cake with flavored IMBC.
It was designed by a local baker for the Today Show Hometown Wedding Contest last year. It was the first choice of the bride and groom but the public chose something different.
HELP! I am new to cake decorating but think I can pull this off! I love working with fondant and am confident I can do this well. I am also taking advanced fondant classes with Nick Lodge, two classes with Colette and yet another fondant class all in the next month. The cake is for August. I just don't have a clue about pricing. I was going to quote her $3.50 per serving, plus additional for the bow (for basic flavors). Is that too high, too low?
For 100 servings w/ fondant $300 to $350 seems reasonable
That's a lot of cake for 100 servings! Just using 6-8-10-12 tiers you're looking at 150 + servings. As for pricing - you'll need to come up with a price per serving for fondant and a price for the loopy bow that you feel comfortable with and take it from there. Sorry i'm not much help.
Debbie
Well, I would have to disagree simply because that looks like a lot of work. If you aren't doing the "beaded" look than maybe that would be okay but the part above the ribbon the tiers looks beaded. I'm not sure what it is. Also, I would add extra cost for the bow. If you are doing the beading, I would think $4-$5 a serving would be sufficient. That would be very time consuming. I could be wrong, but that is just my opinion.
HTH,
HeatherMari
That's a very striking cake. If I understand correctly, you want to serve 100 people, but have it covered in fondant, correct? For me, a 100-serving cake would be $221.75, but that is without fondant. For 100 servings (without serving the top tier), you will only need 3 tiers (4-1/2", 8", 12") to make 104 servings. I would add an extra $75 to my base price for the fondant, and probably $15 for the gum paste bow, bringing the grand total to $311.75 excluding delivery (in my area I would deliver most wedding cakes nearby for free, but if a delivery charge is warranted due to distance, etc., I would add it here).
HTH,
Odessa
Well, I would have to disagree simply because that looks like a lot of work. If you aren't doing the "beaded" look than maybe that would be okay but the part above the ribbon the tiers looks beaded. I'm not sure what it is. Also, I would add extra cost for the bow. If you are doing the beading, I would think $4-$5 a serving would be sufficient. That would be very time consuming. I could be wrong, but that is just my opinion.
HTH,
HeatherMari
I agree with HeatherMari. I did a 2 tiered Xmas cake with pearl beading aligning ribbon and it took me a good chunk of time. And my beading wasn't a continous thread and was only on one of the tiers. I think $4.00 per serving is reasonable. Fondant is more time consuming to make or if you buy it, more expensive than buttercream, you'll have to make or buy the pearls, unless you use a beading mold. As to size, if the couple wants this exact look you can always use dummies, but you'll still have to charge for decorating those.
I find that it isn't too helpful to ask about cake pricing on a forum because it really depends on where you live, what bakeries charge in your area, whether your clients are willing to pay extra for fondant, bows, flowers etc. If you know what cakes sell for in your area per serving I think that is the way to go. Then consider in any extras such as the bows and ribbons, flowers etc. Cakes here start at $6.50 per serving, other places could be as low as $1.50 per serving. If you are in Manhattan, maybe $15.00 per serving.
off the topic of price... What is on the fondant? Is it some type of sparkle dust or it sanding sugar?.... It looks shiny...
Wow, great suggestions!! In my area, most bakeries are not using fondant. They can do it, but it is not the norm. Buttercream goes for an average of $3.50 per serving. Fondant ranges from $4.00 to $5.50 a slice. Down the road in Washington, DC, prices are triple and quadruple the price. What a difference 40 miles makes.
jmt1714, I am taking the fondant class at Nick Lodge's school in Norcross. It's a 3 day class and just about covers everything, including bows, drapes, etc. Then I am taking another one locally - one day only - small class with only 5 students. I figure whatever I don't master at the Nick Lodge school, I can focus on during the next class (which is a few days later). No idea what the topics are for the two Colette classes, but I figure I can't go wrong, right? I was just happy I got a spot!
Shirley, you are dead on about pricing. Like I said, 40 miles down the road, prices are completely different.
missnnaction, it looks like some kind of sparkle dust, although the picture that the bride sent doesn't show it on there, but it could just be the photo. She sent me a smaller pic from a magazine featuring the cake. The pic I posted (same cake) came from the baker's actual website.
I figure I will quote her around $300 for the cake plus additional for the bow. I would definitely charge more for speciality flavors, though. I would not charge a delivery fee since it's local.
Thank you so very much for all your input. This places makes such a huge difference in my day to day 'cake life'. I just don't know what I'd do without all your help. Thanks again!!!
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