Nightmare/disaster/worst Thing You Can Imagine .........
Decorating By midialjoje Updated 11 Apr 2007 , 11:30pm by midialjoje
I got home from delivering and setting up the last cake in my photos a 4 tiered wedding cake. turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. Groom was there prior to my leaving, got pictures etc.
then............the nightmare. 5:58--call from bride--cake is leaning, looks like it is going to fall over--"I need you back here right away". 
Heart sank--no car (new driver in the family at the mall). borrowed my neighbor's car and ran back--good thing it was close.
well, it was falling all right. they had been trying to prop it up by putting plates underneath the back, but it was going. the bride said, if you can't fix it, just take the top three layers off so you can save at least that. Well, I transferred the top 3 tiers to a platter the restaurant gave me, had them take the bottom tier to the kitchen and proceeded to reapply the bottom ribbon and border and other areas that needed to be fixed. Oh, and did I say the reception started at 6, so I had an audience. 
It was all I could do not to break down and cry. I couldn't even look at anyone, so I don't know if they were looking on in pity or disgust. I finished and pulled the bride aside as I was leaving and said I'll get you your money back--I am so sorry. I hope this didn't ruin your evening. She could tell how upset I was and was very gracious, but I just apologized again and left.
Now I'm going to be scared to death to do any more wedding cakes (have about 8 more booked already). I can't imagine much that could be worse.
thanks for listening to this very long vent.
Well I haven't done tiered wedding cakes yet, but I'm so sorry for you. You must feel terrible, is it the cake in your photos, it's beautiful. Was it doweled with lots of dowels, was the table level? How hot was it in the room? I'd probably start by buying a level, just to make sure the table is straight. You cant do much about heat or people bumping against the table, except warn everyone. But the cakes you do look beautiful, you just have to go on, next time use more dowels, make sure the table is level. With 8 weddings bookes your cakes must taste fantastic, so take heart in the beauty and taste of your work. Offer the bride an anniversary or birthday cake on the house, that will do a lot of good for the both of you and get right back on the cycle that you fell off today. You can do it, otherwise no 9 brides would have booked you in the first place
That cake is absolutely beautiful. It looks straight and doesn't look like it would ever have a problem. Maybe someone accidentally bumped it? Maybe someone tried moving it? Maybe it's not your fault at all. I know someone asked this question and I'll ask again-was the cake dowelled? It's just beautiful. And yes you do have talent with cakes. And no you shouldn't quit. Things happen that just can't be helped. Hang in there until you hear back from the bride.
Please, please, just stop and look at this like a problem that needs to be solved. Your cakes are absolutely wonderful and you just must find the problem and solve it. I don't want this to sound like a commercial but I think cakes stacked like this must have a support system not just dowels and plates, something that keeps the dowels from moving. There is just too much weight on the bottom layer. I purchased a ring system with legs that screw into the rings so they can't move.
I am so sorry you had such a bad experience, your cakes are stunning. Just look at this like a opportunity to fix a problem, and then say to yourself, "I am not going to dwell on this any longer!"
thanks all for your feedback. I posted this in another forum early on when I wasn't getting much feedback, so my follow up was listed there. in order to not be redundant, here's the link. I think it has a very good outcome, believe it or not. And yes, I learned a lot, both about using different support system, but maybe more importantly, where to NOT set up your cake!!
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-212771.html
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