What Do I Put A 3 Tier Cake On? Bride Wants To Move It.....
Decorating By kathik Updated 15 Jun 2007 , 3:53pm by kathik
outside for the reception.
First, this will be my first wedding cake. The tiers are 8", 10" and 12". Do you put a wedding cake on cake boards or plywood or something else?
The wedding is outside and they want to have the reception outside as well (August in North Carolina). I told them I didn't think the cake should be outside longer than 2-3 hours, so they want to be able to move it outside. I told them That I didn't suggest this amd they would be responsible for any damage due to moving it. They still want to do so. In fact, the wedding is 1 1/2 hours away from me and they want to know if they can have someone pick it up rather than pay the $125.00 I quoted them for delivery. Again, I told them the person would have to be authorized to sign for it and I could not be responsible for any damage or set up problems.
So, how would you do this? What base and box/packaging would you use?
Thanks,
Kathi
I would put it on a large piece of plywood, cut larger then the largest tier. Make sure you have in writing that you have warned them that moving a cake already set up could cause damage and that they would be responsible. I don't get some brides???
scarry!!! I would definitely put it on plywood - something very sturdy. My 3-tier first b-day cake was picked up and transported 4 hours away. I put it in a very sturdy plastic FLAT bottom tote with non skid shelf liner under the cake board. It made it there okay other than they let it get in the sun and one side sort of started to slide on the bottom layer - but they were okay with that since it was the back (luckily they didn't blame me for it) Only thing cake was too tall for a lid but was protected pretty much - hey if you ever watch Ace of Cakes - they never show delivering with the cake in a box.
I'd be sure to have them sign that they are totally responsible for the cake after it leaves your door and who ever picks it up is to sign that it was exactly what they wanted at the very instant before removing from the premises.
I would use plyboard also. However, I would not let them pick the cake up and wouldn't let them move it either, even with a waiver. If something
happens, the guest are not going to know that they signed a waiver and it is going to reflect poorly upon you, even though it is no fault of yours.
Sometimes people want something that we know is not going to work and we just need to put our foot down!
Stephanie
I would just put it on a cake drum. The kind Wilton sells is fine. Then I would dowel the heck out of it.
When I do my cakes I put dowels in the bottom cake (4) plastic ones to hold up the next tier. Then on the 2nd tier I put four more plastic dowels to hold the top layer and I take a wooden dowel, sharpen it and drive it through the middle of the two tiers all the way into the cake drum. Then I put on the top layer and put three more wooden dowels all the way through all three tiers into the cake drum. Trust me those cakes won't move! I've never had a problem with any of my cakes and I always deliver them fully put together.
I also do not use a box to deliver my cakes. However, I make sure my car/SUV is super clean and I cover the back with a towel and then no slip so the cake doesn't move. I also drive with the A/C on as cold as it will get.
GET IT IN WRITING!!! Personally, I think the bride is nuts for 1. Giving someone else this responsibility (if the cake doesn't make it you can bet the bride will look for someone to blame) 2. Putting this cake outside in August! 3. Wanting to MOVE any stacked or tiered cake is just asking for trouble!! Is the bride going to have a fix-it person there to repair the damages??? That is why you are important to the day as far as transport and any touch-ups that need to be made!! I think $125 is a small price to pay for peace of mind on the most important day of a woman's life!!
Okay, folks, you have to understand. ANYONE who wants to be outside, in August, in North Carolina, is a complete fruitcake, anyway!!! I mean, has she even lived here through a summer??? And what's going to happen to her beautiful outside wedding when, HELLO!!!! A hurricane moves through?!?!?!
Get her to sign a waiver, complete with a recommended temperature for the cake (75 degrees or so), and take pictures of the cake from all angels before it leaves your sight, just so you have backup in case she starts screaming when it wilts outside.
Good luck!!!
PS ~ You are right down the road from me, KathiK! I live in Smithfield, NC!
Yes, I plan to get everything in writing!!! And lots of pictures!
I feel kind of stuck. I don't want to put my foot down and tell her she just can't do these things, because I am the only kosher baker available in a 3 hour range. I made it very clear that I thought these were all bad ideas, but she is determined. What do you do when they are determined to do things that you think are stupid?
As for the person picking it up, originally she was thinking of someone else, but now it would actually be her and her fiance. They need to come to Raleigh the night before the wedding and she wants to know if they could pick up themselves.
JoanneK, what is a cake drum? I couldn't find it on the Wilton site. Do you know where I can buy these?
Thanks,
Kathi
P.S. Hi Starkie!
... What do you do when they are determined to do things that you think are stupid?
The "same-but-different" type of thing: We've established a "Add'l Labor Fee" when the reception is held in a non-vendor friendly facility. Outdoor weddings qualify as non-vendor friendly. $275 minimum ADD'L charge.
Our logic? If the bride is going to hold her reception in a stupid place, then she is going to pay for it.
Kathik- sorry to bring this up so late, but what kind of vehicle are they planning on driving? I have transported a two tier stacked cake that I didn't make for someone, but I have minivan. They don't sound like the brightest bulbs in the house, and they could show up in a sports car. They may think it's no problem to put it in the trunk.
I actually had someone pick up a cake and cupcakes (Miss Spider cake/cupcakes in my photo) in a little Mustang sports car. I had to help her clean out the back seat to get the cupcakes back there! And Miss Spider wouldn't fit into a cake box, so it had to ride on the front seat, unprotected. I swear, some people just don't think! Make sure your bride has a large vehicle, or maybe she doesn't mind a ruined wedding and having to dry-clean buttercream out of her carpet???
Oh Lord have mercy! Outdoor wedding in August and transporting their own wedding cake! They obviously have no clue - they probably think it is "just cake". And think of their poor guests-swealtering(sp?) in the heat!
I agree with all of the above........pictures before they leave, signed waiver, etc......
I do add though: getting a confirmation from the bride in writing that
A. she understands that you will not be responsible for any damage incurred after the cake leaves your kitchen.
B. understands that she will need a larger size car for transport-preferably an SUV since it the cake will be rather large and the car must be air-conditioned
C. you will provide a non-slip mat for transport but that will be an additional charge (you can buy cheap at Big Lots but charge at least double for your time/effort)
D. she understands that the cake must remain in a temperature controlled environment at 68-70 degrees until the time of the wedding
If you're so inclined, you might even add that if something happens to the cake in transport, you will repair it to the best of your ability but there will be a $45.00/hr (at least) charge that starts when you leave your house, .45/mile, and other expenses (lunch).
Let's see, they will be driving a minivan and they are aware that the entire back area must be clean and available. They have changed their plans and will be having the reception indoors!!! Hooray! In addition, thanks to all the wonderful advice here I have included the following in the contract (which she has signed):
"Upon either pickup of items or placement of the cake in the requested location, PARVE PLEASURES AND MORE is no longer responsible for the cake (or other items). Any unlevel surfaces are the responsibility of the responsible party ordering the cake, as are the weather conditions. All icings are susceptible to heat and/or moisture and should the weather be such that icing(s) on the cake cannot withstand the conditions in which the cake is placed are not the responsibility of PARVE PLEASURES AND MORE."
If you choose to PICK UP YOUR WEDDING CAKE you should make sure that you have a clean, flat surface to set your cake on while driving. VANS, SPORTS UTILITY AND ANY VEHICLE IN WHICH THE BACK SEAT FOLDS DOWN ALLOWING AIR TO REACH THE CAKE ARE YOUR BEST CHOICES. You should never have any one hold any part of the cake on their lap. Speed is usually not the issue, it is stopping and turning corners. PLEASE DO NOT SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND TAKE CORNERS SLOWLY."
And, finally, since she has agreed to pick up the cake, I have chosen that I will not be available on her wedding day. It is 2 hours away and I told her that if she chose to pick up the cake I would not be reserving that day for her because that would prevent me from taking another order. I do not plan on sitting around waiting for her to call me to drive 2 hours away to fix a problem that could have been prevented by her hiring me to deliver and setup the cake.
Thanks for the thoughts. I do think they are a little flighty!
Kathi
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