OK, my first wedding cake is next week. The bride is one of my oldest friends and I am doing the whole thing for cost. I'm so close to just throwing in the towel right now I could scream. I have to rant and get it all off my chest before I can even think about working.
First it took her like two weeks to get back to me about whether or not she even wanted me to do the cake. Not a big deal, she's flighty. Then she starts spouting off all these unusual things she wants. Time consuming things. Still, not a problem. She's a good friend and she deserves to get what she wants. Then I start asking her for details, you know little things like flavors, colors, etc... Well, she just got back to me LAST WEEK about those things, and just ok'd the design yesterday. There have been numerous other little crazy things in the last couple months but I don't remember them all. Anyway, I called and talked to her mom last night about getting my hands on some of the flowers and she said she'd get back to me. She called me this morning and gave me the name of the person doing the floral arrangements and said I needed to talk to her. Then she starts asking all these questions. "Are you really going to do the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet on the top tier?" I'm going to try. "Is [name withheld] going to help you since you don't have any experience?" Uhm...if I get desperate I'll call her, but she just happens to be my exes mom and I'd rather not go there if I didn't have to. "I'm excited to see how this turns out...well excited isn't the word." Thanks for the vote of confidence. Then she asks me about money and I say I told the bride I'd do it for cost, and that my time was my wedding gift. So she says "That's nice of you, but you're not getting her anything else?" 
Are you kidding me? Ya know what, on second thought, maybe I'll charge her the 500 bucks for the cake and get her a crappy 20 dollar present. I'm so mad. It's all I can do to not call her and say, you know what? Call [name withheld] and see if she'll do it for 150 dollars, cuz I'm sick of this.
On top of it all I did a cake a week and a half ago that was a TOTAL DISASTER! I know what was wrong and everything, but my confidence is still pretty well shot, now I get this crap. And my repetitive stress injuries in my right hand are choosing now to flare up. This is the wedding cake from hell!
Anyway, sorry this was so long, I just had to rant.
UGH!!
Don't worry about what your friend's mom said. If it is necessary then get your friend a card and write down the number of hours that you spent working on the cake!
Go and make a quick practice cake of something fun. After a disaster cake I usually need a boost to the self esteem.
Rant away! Based on what you just said, I can see why.
What's up with the gift thing?!? Talk about being greedy (not to mention tacky). I think a lot of times, it's just because people don't know how much time, effort, sweat, tears, and money go into making a cake.
I'm sure it'll turn out beautifully. My confidence was shaken recently too, but you just have to get back in there and keep going.
Hats off to you, and hang in there! 
Edit to add quote:
Go and make a quick practice cake of something fun. After a disaster cake I usually need a boost to the self esteem.
This is a fantastic idea!
I know what you mean about something being a disaster, and totally knowing what you did wrong! And I have problems with CTS, as well, and I hate it when it flares up, because I can't decorate cakes, I can't type, which is my day job, and all that jazz. Just ignore the mother; her opinion doesn't matter. You chose to do this for your friend; stick with that, and just look at it as practice. Don't overshoot what you can't do; decide a plan before you start, and HAVE FUN!!
If she's a really good & true friend, she'll appreciate whatever you give her, and if she already agreed to that, well...it's not her mother's place to say anything.
I would have told the mother that the bride is ok with everything. If the mother doesn't think you can do it, ask for her help! Even if it's just washing dishes or something, then she'll see how much work you're giving as a gift.
Good Luck to you! And, don't worry, you'll get it!
My grandma always stated there is No, No, No excuse for poor manners! What her mom asked you is beyond poor manners and I would really have to rethink my involvement if it were me. Having a public wedding is a celebration of a union and getting the community to support the new couple. Whats not appropriate is asking for gifts of any sort and is considered very bad wedding gift etiquette.
Offering to create a $500 wedding cake is a beautiful gift beyond measure and should be appreciated as such.
Totally brush off the "mom" thing... just stick to what you know and you know how to do cakes. I agree w/ Kimanalynn, don't overshoot it and stick w/ what you know. Look at it as a cake for your portfolio and do your best work - psych yourself out, and don't focus on the "drama". If you get into a situation decorating that you can't handle - modify and simplify. If it comes out beautiful, no one will know the difference! Have a glass of wine tonight, and try not to think about it. Hit it hard tomorrow!
Hang in there you are going to do GREAT! If anything do this for your satifaction. Can you out do your other cakes???? YES YOU CAN! every cake you do gets better and better.
Ignore the mom she is a dope.... You don't have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. You needed that other disaster cake so you could get it out of the way and not have problems with the wedding cake.
Good Luck and have fun.... YOU remember fun right It's the whole reason we decorate cakes.
Hang in there buddy.
It sounds like the mom is totally out of line- to expect a gift is one thing, but to say the things she said.......well, unacceptable. Your cakes are great and have confidence that this will be your best yet! Don't sweat the small stuff- remember that this is for a dear friend and that is what counts! It will be even sweeter if the mom overhears everyone at the reception talking of how wonderful the cake is! Good Luck and post pics!!!!!! 
You will do GREAT, and remember, at least she's not YOUR mom!!! 
AMEN to that, Newcakelady! And Kerri is right too; you will feel so giddy when you hear everyone ooh and aah over it, after she showed her true colors!! And as great as it will turn out, she may still not be happy with it!! Don't let her bring you down~
you poor thing!I would be fed up.her moms got ALOT of nerve asking if you are getting her daughter a gift!I did my nieces wedding cake,and told her that was her gift,cause I couldn't afford to make her cake and buy a gift also.she was just fine with that,she was happy she didn't have to buy a cake!It cost me over 100$ to make the cake plus my time,and that should be enough for anybody to be grateful for.I think alot of people do not realize the cost of doing what we do or the time.well good luck to you and try to remain calm so the nerves dont get to your cake!I,ve done that before!
Try thinking: "someday, this will make me laugh and be a great story to tell!" 
lol makes ya wanna tell her where she can put that balcony huh....lol You are a great friend to her and a wonderful baker, you will do jsut fine, I think making a fun cake is a great idea to get ur confidence back up,,,,, rant all ya like dear thats what we are here for
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