So here is my question....I was wondering first off if you have to start off with the first class? I have never taken any of them but I don't really consider myself a beginner. If you don't have to start at the beginning would it maybe be worth my while to do so anyway? I was more interested in learning to work with fondant, and I believe that is class 2 or 3. I just don't want to spend the money on Class 1 and not have it benefit me. What do you guys think? Also about how much do the classes run? Do they charge different prices for different areas? I'm located in the San Diego area. Any info or insight would be great! Thanks....
I'm new to this site and I just love it! Wish I would have found you sooner 
I had been decorating for a while before I took the Wilton courses. I too thought it would be pointless for me to take Course 1 but I was wrong, I really enjoyed the class and I did learn quite a bit. The classes were $25.00 per course and I think that is pretty standard anywhere you take them.
I took my class at Hobby Lobby and got it for $12.50(half off the reg. price). I'm not sure why it was lower, but it may have been because it was during the summer when people would be less likely to respond. 
I thought it was worth taking...but I am basicly a beginner. 
seems as though we have a spilt decision! Anybody else have any input. I guess I could have added also that I just started getting back into after about an 8 year break! Seems as though it's just like riding a bike though, once you know how you'll never forget. Just takes me a little longer!
Well, here are my two cents. I had been decorating for a while and I didn't thinkt that I was a beginer either but I decided to take course 1 anyway. It was great!! I think that you can learn alot regardless of what you already know. Hey you learn something new everyday. than I took corse 3 - that is the Fondant class. I loved it. I think that I have come a long way from my first cake a while back to the cake the I completed for class on Monday. It is funny but I ahve taken them all out of order, but now on MOnday I will be starting class 2, I have also been taking the "project classes" that they (Wilton) offers. I just finished taking Addvanced Fondant- that was an amazing class I learned soooo much it was incredible.
Oh- I have been takin the classes at my local MIchael's store and every month the have some kind of "special" going on to attract new students, for example, when I took the first class it was pay for your class get the student kit free. Than class three was, pay 1/2 price for the class which came out to $12.50. Now for class two I paid for the kit (which I was able to use my Michaels 40% coupon) and you get the class free. So I ended up pying $12.00 for class and supplies. As for the priject classes the range from $10.00 to $20.00. The reg classes are $25.00 ( at least out here in Massachusetts)
Hope I was of some help.
Vic
I've had students that were not new to decorating but took Course 1 and none of them ever said it was a waste of time. They all talked about learning something new or an easier way. The classes aren't just learning the techinques but also picking up tips and tricks as well.
As far as I know each type of store has the same prices/promotions, but the different stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore...) all have different promotions.
At Michaels October is by the kit get the class free. The Course 1 kit is $20. So you are getting a $25 class for free and you can use a coupon when buying the kit. 
Nov., Dec. and Jan. are 1/2 off. So for those it is $12.50 for the course.
Hi Jenn - I'm in San Diego County too!
I would recommend taking Course 1 anyway. If you take them at Michael's they really are pretty inexpensive. I took Course 1 about 3 years ago and am actually re-taking it now with a different instructor and it has been a huge help! I just found out last week that I've been doing my roses backwards this entire time! 
I don't know what part of San Diego you're in, but if you're up in the North County, I'd HIGHLY recommend taking the classes at the Michael's in Vista. The instructor there is amazing (Trish aka cakemaven). She is actually also the instructor in all the "Cake Decorating Made Easy" videos too.
Or if you're in more "central" San Diego, you could try to classes at Do It With Icing in Kearny Mesa. They have a variety of classes, including one just on fondant if that's what you want to learn. You can check out their website at www.doitwithicing.com. I think they have a schdule of classes online and they also hold the (free) monthly cake club meeting.
Good luck!
thanks everybody for your input it's very much appreciated. I think maybe I will just go ahead and start with clss 1. I thought that classes were more expensive then what they are! Good to know that they are affordable before I call to inquire with my hopes up then get a BIG surprise you know?
Thanks again everybody. Now I just have to find time to squeeze the classes in! Bewteen soccer, softball and work, I'm in the Navy, there's not much time left in my day! I will make time though! Must run now I'm off to play soccer! 
By the looks of your cakes I don't think you need to take the first class. Especially if time is a factor. I took the first class and am waiting for class 2 in October because no one was going on to the 2nd class in August. It's a nice time of year for baking again anyway so I am glad to be taking it now.
I worked in a supercenter bakery for 2 years and then left for a career change. I kept doing cakes from home and learning more and more online and through Cake Central. I had been aquiring a lot of cake tools along the way also.
A local hardware store had lost their instructor and then they were able to find another one for the area. So when they started classes again i had the same hesitation as you did, Was i going to be wasting my money b/c I already had a lot of the basics.
Well i took Course 1 and i would do it again! There were a lot of things I already knew, however I learned different ways of doing them. Expecially roses, between working in a bakery with 3 other decorators and learning on my own I now know how to make buttercream roses 5 different ways! so it all depends on the look I am going for.
I also met some GREAT people that didn't go on to course 2 or course 3.
I think the best thing I learned in Course 1 though was the consistancy of icing. Having worked in a supercenter bakery I only had one consistancy and I learned how to make it work for what I wanted to... but to learn different consitancies and when to use them I think has taken my decorating to a new level (or at least a lower frustration level!)
The other great thing was I already had everything in the course kit so I saved money on that. So the class was even less expensive.
Good luck and have fun!
Leily
I was self taught. When I went overseas with my husband people asked me to teach them. I did but did not feel right. I was teaching out of the Wilton workbooks sold there. But was not Wilton taught. So when we got back in the states my husband signed me up for all three classes. I did learn things that I did not know in course 1 that was not written down. Also when I went to work in a bakery setting I learned the "fast bakery" way. Not so bad but helped with my speed. I now teach at a Hobby Lobby. And I recommend all my students take C1 even if they know how. Cause in the learningfor them, I also teach tricks that will help with the baking and making of the pretty cakes. Noone that has taken the course from me has said that it was a waste of time.
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