from someone I work with. Her nephew is getting married this Saturday. I knew about that but didn't know until she called me that the bride is making her own cake.
OMG, the conversation went like this
her: "Can you just put the bottom cake on a piece of cardboard?"
me: "...well, how big is the cake?"
her: "well, the bottom tier is 16" in diameter."
...
me: "Well, if you're trying to use those Wilton cake circles, you'll want to put at least 3 or 4 together so they're thick. A better option is to use a square of plywood, if you have it, and cover that with the wrap."
her: "wrap? What kind of wrap do you use? Where can I get that? Do you have any extra cake circles?"
me: "well, you can go to Michael's and get gold or silver wrap for it and you can even get the thicker cake bases so you don't have to put circles together. The biggest ones I have on hand right now are the 12" circles"
her: "ok, well it looks like we'll be taking a trip to Michaels for a cake base and some wrap"
Now, I'm sure I left something out but you get the idea. Anyway...I started thinking, why?? If you've never done anything like this, why? why? why would you ever think to do your own wedding cake?? I would never have attempted my own wedding cake. I knew nothing at the time about cakes and apparently neither does this girl.
OK, then I started thinking more and it got me worried about this cake...if she doesn't know anything about cake bases...one of the most basic things...surely she doesn't know about a support system 
So I called her back:
me: "I was just thinking about that cake and was wondering, are you using any type of supports in it?"
her: "well, she isn't using pillars or anything. You know, I don't think she's even thought about that."
OMG
me: "How many tiers is this cake? Is it homemade or boxed?"
her: "well, it's 3 tiers and she's making homemade"
me: "so it'll be a pretty big cake: 8/12/16?"
her: "yeah, that sounds about right"
WoW! I'm glad I called about that! I went on to explain to her about doweling and then decided to tell her just to get the hidden pillars because that would be easier and they probably have directions on the package.
It'll be interesting to hear the story of this cake next week! They should have asked me to do the cake 
my god is she crazy?
good luck to her and keep us posted with the results.
my god is she crazy?
good luck to her and keep us posted with the results.
I don't know. She must be! Apparently, she didn't even do a trial run! I wonder what the decorations will be
I won't know about the results probably until wednesday but yeah, I'll let ya know 
i wonder if she is using the instructions from that DIY site that was circulation around a couple months back. Hopefully not....
God knows...but who knows what else she hasn't thought of??
People must really think that cake decorators are ripping them off or something to think that they can just make a cake real quick for their wedding...We have invested alot of time in money in having the right supplies, experience and know-how to do the cake right.
I think you will have a customer for life once this is all done and they see just how much work actually goes into it. They're attempting a 16" bottom tier? I would LUV to be there when they try to flip it for cooling and putting the 2 layers together!! 
I helped a co-worker with her baby's 1st birthday. I loaned her over $50 worth of equipment (pan, baking strips, leveler, etc) and all of the advice she wanted. Hubby was worried that I was creating my own competition. I knew better. Sure enough, once she did that cake, her attitude was "I am NEVER doing that again!" 
OMG...that is crazy!!!! Well after this, she'll find out how hard we work won't she?!?!?! Holy cow, I can't believe someone would even have a thought of making their own wedding cake if they don't know whay they're doing!!!
I can't wait to see what how it turns out!!
She is going to have an education for sure.
I have had many co-workers tell me that they can do what I do with no problem. I let them have the bag and nail and told them to go right ahead. It doesn't take them long to admit they where wrong and hand everything back.
You will definitly have a customer for life after next week.
If only everyone would try at least once to make their own seriously decorated cakes.
That way, when they come to REAL cake decorators, they won't balk at the price they're charged because they know it's a learned skill that is acquired with time and experience.
That is the truth. I did a wedding cake this last weekend and when I told him that 50.00 wouldn't pay for a grooms cake and a 2 tiered cake he looked at me like I was nuts. His mouth dropped open when I told him how much he was going to need.
50?? what an insult!
She is going to have an education for sure.
I have had many co-workers tell me that they can do what I do with no problem. I let them have the bag and nail and told them to go right ahead. It doesn't take them long to admit they where wrong and hand everything back.
You will definitly have a customer for life after next week.
well, the girl I work with is a customer of mine. She has bought cookies and pie and never batted an eye at my prices and always "rounds up" when she pays but her nephew's new wife will sure know it's not so easy I'm not sure she knew about me or not before
Your co-worker will tell her about you. If she hasn't already.
and Yes 50 was an insult. I have posted the cakes in the gallery. I not as high as everyone else. I am not the greatest but I know that I am not bad.
Some of the cakes on here are gorgous. Maybe one day I will be that good.
Oh boy, I hope you get pictures of this cake.
I can't believe that was just yesterday and she hadn't even gotten any type of support or base for the cakes. If you hadn't called back, that cake would be on the floor on saturday.
I wonder what kind of icing she's using?
I wonder what kind of icing she's using?
If she hasn't learned the basics of dowels and other supports, I bet she is using canned icing from the grocery store.
that was my thought also.
Oh boy, I hope you get pictures of this cake.
I can't believe that was just yesterday and she hadn't even gotten any type of support or base for the cakes. If you hadn't called back, that cake would be on the floor on saturday.
I wonder what kind of icing she's using?
I don't think I'll have any pics of this cake. I probably won't even see them myself because I don't know the girl. I just know her aunt...but wow, I really want to see the pics
I was thinking the same - canned. And I bet you she doesn't even buy enough.
That poor thing is going to be up all night tonight. I bet you get phone calls today and tomorrow.
yeah, I told the lady I work with that if they have any questions they could call me and I didn't mind. I thought about offering to come help but I don't want to get involved I really don't want anyone to think it's my work 
not only will she probably be up all night, she'll probably have spent almost as much on this cake as she would have if she'd have bought a cake. She's going to be buying who knows how many cans of frosting and then the cake mixes...she'll probably have to re-make cakes lol. I wonder if she's every tried baking a 16" cake before (maybe will fall in the middle? ) and then if she has to buy seperator plates and circles...oh boy, I wonder if she thought of that!!
AFTER she tells you how tired she is, send her this article... a reporter does a comparison to see if it IS really cheaper to do it yourself!
http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/29324.html
I actually feel sorry for the poor thing! She will be a mess on her wedding day and that is just not right!! I knew diddly squat about cakes when I took on the task of making my DD's wedding cake over 7 years ago but bring OCD I did my research and it actually turned out great. Cake mixes and Wilton's boxed whipped icing were all I knew I could handle!! It was a 14,10,6 stacked, sprinkled with fresh rose petals. My DD loved it but I was a stressed out wreck. I'm glad you are sympathetic enough to help this bride out!
Bless her heart. I feel bad for her.Quote by @%username% on %date%
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