I'm debating here about beginning to do wedding cakes. I've done a dozen or so in the past for family and friends (even a couple paid ones from family/friend referrals).
What is the best way to start out? I really would only like to do it to help "compensate" my addiction to decorating. Maybe five or six a year. Decorating gives me some "me" time and is a great outlet for my creative side. I am constantly dreaming up different cakes. And I truly believe if I spent ANY time practicing, I could become pretty good at it. I use to find it fun to do wedding cakes. I wouldn't want to do birthday cakes (like my kids) just because I spend too much money on them and could never make any profit!! LOL I spend ALOT of time planning out my kids cakes (I have 5 children). I buy lots of new "tools" and love to try out new things. However, I get little time to practice (because of those precious 5 kids
So, my plan is to spend the next year practicing as much as I can to see if this is a good fit for me. But, what I would really like is to have some "guinea pigs" to do wedding cakes for. Just simply for the cost of supplies and perhaps a small wage (just to get to buy more tools So my question is, how do I find these guinea pig bride and grooms and is this a good plan or not???? I'd love nothing more than to practice for real. But, at the same time would want the bride and groom to know that I have limited experience. They in turn get a good deal on their cake (which definitely would be delicous ~ without a doubt), and I get the practice in.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!!
ps. By the way, my dh and I own a party store that has all the commercial ovens, vents, stainless steel tables, sinks, mixers and coolers. We are licensed by the HD for food preparation and sale. (In fact our last 3 inspections we scored 100%!!!!) So the actual facilities are in place ~ though I don't know that I want my practice couples to be regular customers ~
I envy you having all the set up there.
My suggestion would be to just jump in if you are going to do it. Word of mouth travels quickly, especially if you have a good product and a good price. You might try doing dummy cakes and put them in bridal, floral or jewelry shops to drum up the "guinea pigs".
Stephanie
What about using the kid's occaisions as your opportunity to try out wedding style cakes! I have a friend (best girlfried) who LOVES a lavish cake and has me do one for her dd each year. I use that as my opportunity to try out anythin new, including larger cakes. They may have a bunch left over but they split it in the family! I don't ming doing it for her and she really apprecialtes it. (I have 4 kids of my own that I make cakes for also)
You could try posting an advertisement at a college. There's always brides and grooms there.
I'd give my arm for a nice set up like you described. lol.....
I have one small convection oven and one single door cooler plus a couple of tables and trying to run a full serve bakery.
Just go for it...........jump in feet first.........I did, and I don't regret a bit of it.
bec
Friends & family are your best bet. Ask them for referrals- co-workers, neighbors, classmates, friends, etc- if they know ANYone who is getting married, to offer them your services.
After that, I would think like a bride on a tight budget. She will be on Craig's List or other websites like this, looking for a bargain. She will be looking at party stores and shops that provide wholesale or discount items. Look at bridal websites for "weddings on a tight budget" articles and see what ideas are given. That's where you should try to advertise yourself as a "student baker/decorator."
I like that you've set a limit on the number of "guinea pig" cakes and a timeframe for it, too. Let people know that after that, your prices will go UP, so they are not shocked and disappointed when that happens.
Wow, such great ideas everyone! Thank you so much!! I'm really excited at the idea. It would be nice to be paid for something I enjoy doing. And at the same time ~ have something for myself besides being mommy. (Don't get me wrong, LOVE the mommy part!)
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