I am just not sure how to handle this situation, contacted just a couple days ago by a family member requesting I do wedding cupcakes for friends of hers. married on the beach a few months back.. and are now having a home reception. I called this couple they need 350 cupcakes on July 28th... I can do that! problem is, I sent approximately 20 different ideas and beach/tropical themes( gumpaste, fondant, molded chocolates,buttercream)...and they got on-line and chose a design that I can't live with. It looks like something a six year old would do.. it does not represent my abilities, (just a hand smeared icing with paper umbrella's!!! Yuk. I would be so horribly embarrased to have anyone even think that I did these. I would actually have to work at making them look bad. I have explained that the "home brew" spatula smear teqnuiqe is not goint to be less expensive than a nice piped design with tropical royal flowers for example...but I am at my wits end...too late to back out..as I KNOW that they will not be able to afford, nor get them done at this late date elsewhere. HOW do I persuade them to do something classier..or gracefully bow out without straining family relationships...just dont know how to handle...PLEASE..what would you do?
Maybe you could do a couple doz. in the way you think would be nice, and the way they had picked. Do it as a freeby to seewhat they prefer. If they still pick the cheap looking way, so be it, it's their dime. I've done a few goofy cakes, per request.
Happy 4th! 
Looks like you may have to do it the way she ordered it--after all, it is her reception. One thing you could do is make one like she wants and one like you want it to look and let her see the difference. She may decide to do it your way--and she may not. The final decision will ultimately be up to her. Sad--but true.
A) are you doing this at full price? or at discount?
full price -- go w/ a dipped pour fondant (upgrade)
http://www.cakejournal.com/2007/06/how-to-cover-cupcakes-with-poured.html
discount or (horrors) free --> Duff Goldman's (Ace of Cakes) policy: I control the design -- not you.
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and W E L C O M E !!!!!
(be warned -- this place is addicting!)
Welcome to CC. Unfortunately people like what they think they like. I have had to do a wedding cake before that I couldn't stand but there was no budging from the bride. They loved it when all I wanted to do is hide in the corner and not let anyone know who made it. At least it tasted good! 
Maybe you can talk them into using their umbrellas (which may be the part they want the most) with something nice under it. I hope it works out!
If they are paying, do what she wants. If not, do like Duff and say they don't have a choice, they get what you want them to have!! Maybe you could do some cupcakes and a sheet cake. I'm doing 200 cupcakes for a reception in August and not thrilled with the design either. They want plain cupcakes with fondant circles on top. Uggghhhh! But they are paying (well), so they get what they want.
maybe make the umbrella ones but do a few "sample cupcakes with different designs.... pipe the icng dif, maybe do some sand... if its for family i'm sure they will let u be a little creative. if u show them the not so nice ones compared to some really cool and clever ones how can they say no?
You said that at this late date, you know that they won't be able to afford or even get anyone else - are they paying for these cupcakes?
This reminds me of the disclaimer found at the bottom of menus..."The chef is not responsible for the quality of well done steaks"
Honestly, this is the couple's special day. It's all about what they want and their tastes. We all have done cakes, cookies, etc in a way we'd have rather not because we think our idea or skills would be better showcased in another way.
Make a couple of samples. Let her see. Then if she still wants her original design. Please her. Word of mouth is the best advertising you can't buy.
Make it surround around her... not you. It's difficult at times, but she is the customer. 
I did a cake for a bride a few weeks ago and I hated(!!!!!!!!!!!) the design, but she was paying and she was in love with it (!!!!!!!!!) and so in turn - so was I. I tried to suggest different placements etc etc, but she had a picture in her mind and so I made it come true. And I got paid for it - I don't know about you but I have a stack of bills at all times!
Remember you are making someone's wedding dreams come true!!!! I know they are already married, but this sounds like the real celebration!!! Just make them!!! Make them fab!!!! Make them TASTE WONDERFUL!!! Most people will remember the taste!! And - anyone who is there who has seen your cakes will say, "oh - you should see what she can REALLY do...." Free advertising!!!
I agree with the PPs on this. If she's paying you, give her what she wants. Even if she's not paying, than I think you should still respect her wishes. If you want to do a bunch of free ones (if she is payint) to show off the quality of your work then do so, but it's her wedding and if her tastes are different than yours, so be it.
Just remember to make them the best tasting cupcakes anyone's ever had! 
WOW..Thank you for the quick and helpful responses! yes they are paying. I couldn't quote until we were settled on a design, but now...and I had no idea that it would be such a cheesy horrible design. Trust me, what they want looks horrible!.. my husband laughed, said "Baby you wouldn't even dream of bringing something like that to a family backyard BBQ!!" not even sure what to quote as it would require each cupcake to be hand spatula'd with blue looking waves, then again with brown...She mentioned just brown sugar (no way) to represent sand. and then she said maybe Candy Sprinkles!!! OMG
wow, looks like we all replied at the same time - I've noticed that people will say, "oh, I just want something simple" and then because they don't do what we do or know what's possible, will then suggest something horrific (kind of like my suggesting using firecrackers to launch a shuttle to someone at NASA). I agree with the others: if they're paying for it and you haven't already done a sample, show them your version of beautiful beachy cupcakes
Many of the "beach" themed cakes on this site have brown sugar and or ground up cookies/graham crackers used for sand. I don't understand why you wouldn't want to do that. I do understand that you want to do something a lot fancier, but this is her big day.
If you go to this site: http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20042118_20041107,00.html which mypastrychef was nice enough to let us know about in a post not too long ago, there's a column or article all about the ugliest bridesmaids gowns. These women hated these dresses but put up with the indignity of wearing them to please the bride. And they had to pay for these ugly dresses! They didn't get paid for wearing them. At least you'll be making a good tasting dessert and getting paid for it even if it's something you wouldn't bring to your own family event. Give the bride what she wants at such a late date and try not to sweat it.
*stifling laughter here*
Maybe you should be thankful she didn't pick this design.... Yes, those are pretzel sticks with kiwi slices on top!!
Hey kansaslaura ---- you can't appreciate a cupcake with a pretzel stick and a kiwi???!!!! (wink! wink!) I get orders for this design ALL THE TIME!!
laughing laughing laughing laughing ....................................
I'd love to see the the picture of what she wants.
Find as many pictures of beautiful Seascape cupcake displays as you can find. Or link her here to CC'c cupcake gallery. If they see how pretty they can be done they may be willing to choose another design or let you have free license to design them.
maybe you can show her this page, it still has the paper umbrella... hth... http://www.crazyaboutcupcakes.com/tiki.htm
Charge her MORE for the crappy design! If she still wants it, at least you get paid for it.
Seriously:
You said you will need to frost them twice and then put 'sand' on them AND add an umbrella(which you need to charge for)... they WILL be more expensive if you are honest with figuring out ALL your expenses.
you all asked to see what she wants(its really what the husband wants)...this was the example she used. Go to the link below and look for the surfboard cupcakes..she wants like that ...but without the surfboard.
I sincerely hope I dont offend the person who owns this site...
http://www.beaucoupcupcakes.com/cupcake_gallery.html
It's a very casual look, and from the description of the reception they'll fit in fine I really think you're stressing way too much on this. Give them what they want and they'll be so happy! Happy customers = more business.
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