Family And Friends Pricing Problem-Solution? (Duff's Idea)
Decorating By emmascakes Updated 8 Mar 2007 , 1:43pm by adven68
I think I've finally solved the ever-present (ever-annoying) problem of priving cakes for family and friends! I have a secret internal list of people that I would make free wedding cakes for - people who I've been friends with for years, very close people who I might spend the kind of money one of my cakes would cost on a wedding present for them anyway.
Aside from these people there are a legion of friends who it kind of narks me when they ask if I would do them a cake for their wedding (thinking it will take me about an hour and cost me about £20) The fiancee of a friend of mine asked me if I'd make their cake for them (saying - "I was going to ask Mum to 'stick a few sponges on top of each other' but it would be nicer if you could make us one.") I got a bit cross about this as I barely know this girl and she obviously has no idea quite what a big 'ask' that would be.
I remember an episode of Ace of Cakes (that my great cake friend 7yyrt sent me from the States) where Duff says he does wedding cakes for friends for free if they have NO say on the design. So I replied to the fiancee saying that I would do a cake at the cost of £1 a person (about $2.00) providing she had NO say in the design apart from a colour suggestion. My cakes normally cost about £3 a person. I was a bit worried she'd get stroppy about this, but she was fine - she actually said she would give me £100 towards ingredients etc. even though she's only having 70-80 guests.
The best bit is that my friend's sister is married to a relatively famous tv presenter (I'm sure only known in the UK) so he'll be coming and I'm going to put business cards on the wedding cake table so maybe he'll pick one up and then I'll be cake designer to the stars! (OK, my imagination went a bit mad there!)
I'm happy now to say that this is the deal to all friends and family - I get enough money to cover my costs and get to go mad on the design - hooray! What do you think?
If you are comfortable with that price, then by all means, use that solution to your dilemma.
And as far as becoming the cake decorator to the stars goes, all I can say is what was once told to me -
If you are going to dream, you may as well dream big!
Theresa 
what a great way to not only get practice but to get exposure. so, will you forget us once you're famous?!?!?!
I'm only joking about becoming famous! You know how you fantasise about crazy things - mine is to write cake decorating books, make outrageous cakes to my own designs and quit work forever! Hooray! So sometimes my brain goes into overdrive, I don't think for a minute that this will actually happen - a gal can dream though!
Emma, when you are famous, you and your staff are not going to lurk in the background like the other famous decorators do, are you?
LOL!
Theresa
I love this idea. I don't charge for my cakes so I think I'm going to start saying I will do the cakes only if I get to pick the design. They can give me a theme if there is one but I get to do like I want. Plus they can pay for the supplies.
I have one friend who I did a cake for free since it was her birthday and now she wants me to do her daughters wedding cake. It's for over 200 people and she said "Can you do her cake? I don't want to buy a cake for $400 some place." I told her it would cost a lot more then $400 for a cake that serves over 200. I did say I would do it for costs and that meant she would have to buy the pans too as I don't have that kind.
She then asked me to do cookies as favors and I out right said NO WAY. I'm not some personal baker that people can use. What do people think?
I'm only joking about becoming famous! You know how you fantasise about crazy things - mine is to write cake decorating books, make outrageous cakes to my own designs and quit work forever! Hooray! So sometimes my brain goes into overdrive, I don't think for a minute that this will actually
One of my favorite quotes:
If you're going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big!
---Donald Trump
Emma,
Not only could you 100% be a famous cake decorator with celebrity clients, I wouldn't be surprised if you do. Your cakes are out of this world and you have the drive and the talent.
And you are doing the absolute right thing and I've wanted to copy Duff's attitude on that ever since I saw that and have only had one opportunity and it worked like a charm for me too.
Rachel
I have to admit that ever since I saw Duff say I've told me sisters that (no wedding cakes, but birthdays, baptisms and first communions).
Anyway, I let them choose the flavor and that's about it.
That's what I told my friend for her daughter's 13th birthday cake this weekend. She told me what flavors she liked and that was all of the input she was allowed to have. Now the daughter keeps bugging my daughter to tell her what it will look like, but I've changed my mind so many times.
It is a good policy - free cake = no input on design!
Emma ~ you changed your avatar and I didn't realize that was you until I looked at your pics. Girl ~ you ought to be famous with cakes like that 
. I remember someone a few months ago was trying to find cakes done by someone (from England) on this site who made beautiful cakes. I immediatedly responded "emmascakes". Turns out, you're the one she was looking for. You ought to be writing cake books 
That is such a good idea.
Emma your cakes are beautiful and I have no doubt that you will become famous in (past) due time.
Thank you Steady2hands - I'm blushing and smiling at the same time! I've had so many lovely PMs this week saying kind things about my work and my pipe dreams that I wanted to say out loud how grateful I am for everyone's support on belief in me. I'm overwhelmed really.
The tv presenter is Ben Shepherd who you can find out more about on:
http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=474
He really isn't going to be well known anywhere but the UK. In the article it mentions he's married to Annie - who is the sister of the person whose wedding cake I'll be doing.
I'm planning to do something like my golden pinnacle/Indian spice cake in a raspberry and gold colour theme. It's not until August though!
You're all wonderful and I still have to pinch myself that people who I have never met have taken the time out to say they like my work - thank you, I am humbled and lucky to be part of this community.
Emma ~ you changed your avatar and I didn't realize that was you until I looked at your pics. Girl ~ you ought to be famous with cakes like that
. I remember someone a few months ago was trying to find cakes done by someone (from England) on this site who made beautiful cakes. I immediatedly responded "emmascakes". Turns out, you're the one she was looking for. You ought to be writing cake books
Ditto!
emma,
on the subject of writing books....i have no doubt you could rank up there with margaret braun!
i believe it may have been you months ago who referred me to read her book (which by the way i love, and practically cried when i had to return it to the library - already a week past due)- one time recently a friend asked me the decorating style that i am interested in pursuing....guess what i did, i emailed her a link to margaret brauns website...and one to YOURS!!!!
dream big, and dont feel silly about it, because you are one of the most talented cake designers i have ever seen.
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