I had an event planner approach me about my cakes, but have never done business with anyone like that before? She wants me to be her exclusive cake decorator, but I dont know what to do about the money part... do they get a cut?? How do you do it?
Please advise. Thanks! Amy/Meancat
They usually don't get a cut. They make their money from the fee paid by the bride. The bride is paying the fee for the planner to, among other things, direct her to the best and/or most cost effective vendors for her wedding. The bride doesn't have time to research all of the cake bakers in the area, so she depends on the expertise of the planner.
When you say "exclusive", does that mean she uses you only or does she mean you make cakes for her only? On which side is the "exclusivity"?
Well, I am an event planner and I don't get any money from the vendors I recommend to my clients. Everything I've ever learned basically says that if your vendors pay you, you kind of lose credibility. So I would say, like Debbie said, have her define what she means by exclusive.
No offense to any event planners but...
I usually try to steer clear of them. I don't like to deal with a middle man when it comes to something as important as a wedding. Not to mention the ones I've had to deal with are generally injecting themselves into decision making areas they shouldn't be. It's my understanding they help in the coordinating of venders, scheduling of events and generally making sure that everything runs smoothing and as it's supposed to. You don't want to be attached to one event planner and get snubbed by his/her competition. Definately keep on good terms with any other venders you deal with, but it's always questionable if you want to be "exclusive" with anyone!
-Lori
No offense to any event planners but...
I usually try to steer clear of them. I don't like to deal with a middle man when it comes to something as important as a wedding.
I like a bride who has a professional wedding planner .... at least I know one person knows something about weddings! 
But I do not accept orders from any middleman. I deal directly with the bride. The planner is more than welcome to come with the bride to the sampling and I will happily include her in any emails so she is kept in the loop as far as the reception goes.
Not to mention the ones I've had to deal with are generally injecting themselves into decision making areas they shouldn't be.
The only time I ran into "arrogant" planners was when it was a non-profesional planner..... the famous "friend of the bride" who thought she knew everything about planning a wedding since she's been a bridesmaid or two.
This becomes a simple case of not allowing someone else to run your business. They decide we are going to do something that is not in line with proper food handling rules? Guess what, babycakes, we're not doing it! They decide the reception will be run on a schedule that causes my crew to have to stay longer and cost me more in payroll that they don't plan on paying? Guess again, toots ... we're not doing it. Unless you're writing that big check for Add'l Labor Fees.
I am very flexible when working with brides (and planners). But when someone starts making decisions about food when they obviously have no knowledge about making those decisions, I stop them cold.
(Yes, I did have one of those .... and yes, I spent quite a bit of time "educating" her on why her "suggestions" would not work due to food safety and general safety issues. SHe was a ditz and a half! And this poor bride had given her control of her wedding! Oh. My. God.)
I work with several of them and to tell you the truth I wouldn be in business without them, all they do is refer there brides to me I pay them nothing and they have nothing to with the cake order thats between me and the bride. I have at least 4+ wedding cakes per weekend. Now I have my own shop I'm so busy.
Thank you for all the help (on both sides) That helps alot. I'm going to be meeting w/ her later this weekend, so I will let you all know what she says. I think when she meant by being exclusive, just that she would only be using me for any cakes needed, but we will find out for sure. 
I have been decorating for a long time, but am just now thinking about getting into the business side of things.
I only work with professional event planners and wedding consultants. I have a networking of business' that we all work together to help each other. We do not take "cuts" from each other. I will not do exclusives, that limits your business unless of course this person could guarantee me enough work to keep me in business, which is doubtful. Now, exclusive may mean to her that you would be the only one doing her wedding cakes, which is alright. I have several facilities that use me regularly, but I have told them they need to have a back-up in case Iam not able to do their wedding. I also have several business' that offer catering and party rooms, that allow me to put my portfolio of cakes in their place, it is a real cheap form of advertising, and they call me with the customer request, I make and deliver the cakes, they pay me for what I want for the cake and then they charge the customer when they have their event there. Works out pretty good. I designed special cake order forms for them so they know how to properly take the order. If there is anything they are not sure about they give me the number and I call the customer. Several ways of getting business, and it enlarges my demographic areas.
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