Would you be willing to share with me your contracts for wedding cakes, and any other desserts.
My 3 biggest issues are:
(1) Handling of bad checks. My bank charges me $25. Would it be inappropriate to include a larger fee (say $35) as part of the contract?
(2) Rental fees for equiptment. I'm thinking about charging a $100 rental fee for most wedding cakes (including stands and any columns or similar things) with $50 refundable if I get ALL of my stuff back. Charging $200 fee when I do full setups (I have done a few tea parties and showers where I use a bunch of my platters) with either $50 or $100 refunded if I get everything back. And maybe a $50 fee with $25 refunded when I only have to leave small things as part of the set-up (for instance a mirror under a stacked cake)
(3) Changes to the original design. I'm thinking about putting in a 2 week cut-off for any changes. AND a clause that no matter what the changes, the price will not be decreased by more than 10% from the original contracted price.
Anything else I need to pay special attention to?
THANKS!
You must live in a very expensive city to get $100 for the use of a few platters. You also must be very, very good at cakes.
Well, I do live near Washington, DC...so that is a pretty expensive city.
I know that if I try to rent a nice stand (one stand, no columns, serving pieces, or other accessories), that costs $50-$60 and up. So I figured if I am going to charge a rental fee, it would be $50, but if I was going to have to replace the piece (as in, I dont get it back) it will cost me around $75+ to replace--which is where I came up with $100 fee, and $50 refundable if I get it all back.
The $200 fee (which would really be a $100 rental fee, and a $100 deposit--refunded if I get everything back) would be for events that I provide multiple tiered stands, serving pieces, punch bowls, and platters. I typically provide well over $ 1,000 worth of equiptment, and if I am not working the party, I come to pick it up later. I can (and have) lose a significant amount of money, not to mention the time it takes to find beautiful display pieces.
Mikasa,
I would put in the contract your policies on
Deposits to hold the date...refundable or non
Cancellations
Final Payment
I think you have a really good start on the other information you have for your contract. I don't think $35.00 for a cancelled check fee is inappropriate at all. I also think your prices for rental equipment are reasonable.
For where you live your rental fees don't sound out of line, especially since you return part of that with the return of your non-damaged items. I have a friend who lives near D.C. and when she found out prices for wedding stuff there, she is getting married here in Florida. That's better for me since now I can do their cake!!
BTW-glad to have you here! Welcome to CC!!
dori 
Also, everyone should check out the cake mikaza posted under "Price my Cake" It is stunning!!!
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