Just got an email from a bride.. kinda raised my eyebrows.
In the email, she mentions that she wants "just a small cake for her and her groom" and that she'll be buying sheet cakes (very vague as to if she means from me or elsewhere) for all her guests.. but then tells me how she wants the whole thing "classy and elegant".
I emailled her back, haven't heard since.. just wondering how you'd respond? Is she really talking about like a 4" cake? I get the feeling this is a money saving measure, and I've heard of brides being told to get a small tiered for just the bridal party or a small number of guests and SUPPLEMENTING with a sheet cake..
If she IS talking about just a 2 person cake.. how on earth do you charge for that?
This whole thing may end up being a moot point - I've got a 100 serving minimum, so if she's figuring 2 servings from me, and the rest from a grocery store, I'll be running pretty quick!
I'd email her your information on your minimums and guidelines ... 100 person minium and no outside cakes. Then see what she says.
Sounds like she's trying to do it "on the cheap" but wants "classy and elegant"? 
I hit the 'delete' key when I got an inquiry from a bride with a very tight budget but a VERY detailed menu that included "...some kick-a$$ apple pie!" It just sent up a red flag to me.
Just last week I had a bride who asked about the "small wedding cake with sheet cakes" because "...I heard that was cheaper?" and I had to explain to her why it's not cheaper.
Well, it doesn't sound very "classy and elegant" to me from the get go.
I would be leery about that simply because if you make the cake that looks and tastes WONDERFUL, and then people are eating the dry generic sheet cakes from the grocery store, then they might think that is YOUR baking instead of knowing that the cakes that were served were actually from somewhere else.
I just have a bad feeling about this from the start. I wouldn't accpet unless she agrees to what indydebi said - 100 person min. and no outside cakes.
I forgot to mention.. she's having 250+ people and is even renting chair covers.. but a 2 person cake? Ewuh?
I actually have "no outside cakes" in my Terms on my website, as a quality control measure. Same with minimums.
I mentioned that the pricing on my sheets and tiers is the same, and that there are many ways we can bring her theme into her cake, but that I'm having a hard time visualizing any of them on a 4" cake. Asked if she's planning to have a cake cutting, as well.
I'm sure cutting a 4" cake will make for some wonderful photos?
I have had a couple brides imply that it's "cheaper" to go the sheet cake route. One bride just didn't want a "huge" cake. But when I sat down and explained that she could still have a nice cake that want's 7 tiers high, she went with that idea. I broke it down that getting sheet cakes isn't going to be any cheaper. I charge what I would charge for wedding cake prices if the bride asks for sheet cakes.
Sometimes they just "think" that because they can get a full sheet cake from Sams Club, for $XX, then it should be the same for going with a baker.
Erdica, you're right .... sometimes it's just an education process.
A bride wanted a tiered cake for 100 and sheet cake for 50. I use 14/10/6 for 100 and 16/12/8 for 150. So I explained how it took me no more time to bake a 16/12 than it did to bake a 14/10. But with the 14/10, she was wanting me to ALSO bake a sheet cake on the side. That's actually more work for me ..... so she's suppose to get it cheaper why?
Plus my sheet cake pricing does not include delivery, which is why wedding sheets are the same as wedding cakes.
And I've never had to do a wedding sheet.
I blame the evil bridal magazines for the "get a small tiered and sheet cakes to save money" thing. I've seen that listed as a cost saving measure in more than a few mags.
I may have a bit of a chip on my shoulder against them anyway, they're awful when it comes to florists, too. Loads of encouraging people to DIY with flowers.. but I notice they don't encourage people to make their own wedding gowns to save money. Hm. I'm sure that has nothing to do with their ad revenues, though, right?
Oh, FlowerGirlMN, don't EVEN get me started on the bridal magazines that are nothing but big catalogs for the dress mfgr's!!!! I can't tell you how much money I've wasted on those magz just to find out there is not ONE pic of a wedding cake in the entire magz!!!!!!! 
Ya know! I don't know why brides think this way! If I were to tell someone it would be...let's say $2 per serving..THAT'S WHAT IT IS!! I know the bakeries here though don't charge that way. I had someone who wanted a cake from me but, I kinda knew she couldn't afford me. She went with the bakery cause they just did their regular sheet cake price. I DON"T THINK SO! NOT FOR ME! That's why I decided not to do wedding cakes!
Don't do her cake if she is trying to be cheap. There will just be problems in the end!
I'm sort of working under the assumption that it's just a case of her having bad information, and that a little "education" goes a long way. Maybe she thinks it'll be a lot cheaper for sheet cakes, but actually would prefer a tiered, and could be happy to hear that tiers will cost the same as sheets? That she could get a much more substantial wedding cake for the money than she was planning?
Or she could just end up pissed that I don't charge less for sheet. I don't know. I've learned long ago that I'll never understand the way brides think sometimes! Crossing my fingers that she's a good one, I'd love to do her cake for this venue, and with this particular theme.
I did see in the magazines about "how a bride can save money in her wedding cake".... is amazing... and people is going to SAMS and ordening two or three big sheet cake, only in white buttercream, and sometimes they have a dummy cake for the reception, not a real cake.... and when is time for cut the cake, they using the cake from SAMS...
Last night, I watched Bridezilla. I was slightly annoyed at first(I soothed myself with a few under-my-breath comments).
She was choosing her cake. She told the decorator that she wanted simple, just a couple of simple simple cakes...
it flashes to a scene with the b2b alone and she's saying, "when people know you're getting married, they see the word sucker written all across your forehead". (or something pretty dang close to that). no one told her to go to that place for a cake.
I think that a lot of b2bs think that just 'cause they're getting married, people should drop everything and cater to them and their budgets.
I don't know what I'd do if I were in your situation...it just depends on how it strikes me at the time...today, I'd probably tell her to find her way to the nearest deal she could find. Tomorrow, I might tell her...ooooooooooh, I completely understand.
Just curious to know, how do you guys control the "no outside cake" thing??? I'd think the bride has the right to put any type of food out that she wants if she's paying for it. I'm not saying this in a smart-ass way, I just wonder how do you keep a bride from bringing in cakes that she paid for?? My first thought as a bride would be, "I'm paying you for the wedding cake, but if I want to surround it with Chips Ahoy cookies then I'll do that." I guess I figured that the only ones who can control what food comes in is the kitchen or reception hall. Am I misunderstanding what you guys are saying?
Mickig
I think sometimes we do have to break it down for people. Before I ever began doing cakes seriously I wouldn't have known what they were worth. I am the do it yourself-er type who would have tried to read up as much as possible and made my own wedding cake....and maybe regretted it. But I would have thought WOW thats a lot of money for cake if I went to order one as I am used to the more you buy the cheaper something gets ( buy things in bulk..lol!)
I didnt know anything about them and when I was young was broke and didnt really have options . I did bake but didnt realize the artistry and skill and equipment that wedding cakes require. I have had friends who did simple weddings and had simple sheetcakes served from the kitchen and it was a sweet wedding. Their family did the cakes. But they knew what was important to them. It wasn't very elegant, but was all they could comfortably do. They wanted to spend more on their honeymoon since they were paying for everything themselves. But it was some of the best food I ever tasted..yup...a potluck kinda reception. It suited them neither is a very ritzy type..and they even changed to casual clothes before the reception.
I hate it when kids want champagne on beer ( or tap water ) money! I'm sorry I know everyone wants a nice wedding..but life isnt gonna hand em a house if all they can afford is an apartment. I didnt have wealthy parents to pay for an elaborate wedding either....but I sure am glad some of todays kids have em...lol (it pays me) but the ones who dont have that (like myself) just gotta accept it. and be happy with what they can afford..and shouldnt expect professionals to adjust their biz practices just for them. 
Just curious to know, how do you guys control the "no outside cake" thing??? I'd think the bride has the right to put any type of food out that she wants if she's paying for it. I'm not saying this in a smart-ass way, I just wonder how do you keep a bride from bringing in cakes that she paid for?? My first thought as a bride would be, "I'm paying you for the wedding cake, but if I want to surround it with Chips Ahoy cookies then I'll do that." I guess I figured that the only ones who can control what food comes in is the kitchen or reception hall. Am I misunderstanding what you guys are saying?
Mickig
the bride does have the right to choose whatever food she wants. and if she chooses me, she has to agree that my cake is the only one there! its in the contract, and she legally has to abide by that agreement with me. if i show up to a venue and find out there's walmart sheet cakes there, i will turn around and take my cake with me. i have the right to do that, as per my contract. now if she's sneaky, and brings in sheet cakes after i've left, obviously i can't control that. but i bring that up when we go over the contract before signing, and so far everything has gone smoothly.
Just curious to know, how do you guys control the "no outside cake" thing??? I'd think the bride has the right to put any type of food out that she wants if she's paying for it. I'm not saying this in a smart-ass way, I just wonder how do you keep a bride from bringing in cakes that she paid for?? My first thought as a bride would be, "I'm paying you for the wedding cake, but if I want to surround it with Chips Ahoy cookies then I'll do that." I guess I figured that the only ones who can control what food comes in is the kitchen or reception hall. Am I misunderstanding what you guys are saying?
Mickig
The same way photographers protect their work by restricting the bride from having other pro photographers there (or really, even just "uncle bob" shooting over the photog's shoulder!) - putting it in the contract.
If a bride wants to surround her cake with chips ahoy, that's one thing. If she gets a cheapo grocery store cake and someone gets sick "from eating cake at the reception", it's my butt on the line too! Nevermind the fact that it's important that no one mistake cheapo sheet cakes for my work, when I advertise the fact that I do "gourmet" cakes, ya know?
I can't tell you how much money I've wasted on those magz just to find out there is not ONE pic of a wedding cake in the entire magz!!!!!!!
Debi have you seen the magazine "Wedding Cakes" which is a UK publication? It comes out quarterly and I buy it at Borders for $12. It is awesome! I just picked up one called "Contemporary Wedding Cakes" and it is awesome, too.
http://www.squires-group.co.uk/home/index.php?option=com_squires&id=10&Itemid=1
Becca,
I understand now. I just couldn't imagine how you could do it, but I see what you're saying. I totally understand about not wanting your cake confused with a cheap, grocery store cake. I just didn't know how you could enforce it. Thanks for the insight.
Mickig 
I can't tell you how much money I've wasted on those magz just to find out there is not ONE pic of a wedding cake in the entire magz!!!!!!!
Debi have you seen the magazine "Wedding Cakes" which is a UK publication? It comes out quarterly and I buy it at Borders for $12. It is awesome! I just picked up one called "Contemporary Wedding Cakes" and it is awesome, too.
http://www.squires-group.co.uk/home/index.php?option=com_squires&id=10&Itemid=1
I subscribe to it! 
Just curious to know, how do you guys control the "no outside cake" thing??? I'd think the bride has the right to put any type of food out that she wants if she's paying for it. I'm not saying this in a smart-ass way, I just wonder how do you keep a bride from bringing in cakes that she paid for?? My first thought as a bride would be, "I'm paying you for the wedding cake, but if I want to surround it with Chips Ahoy cookies then I'll do that." I guess I figured that the only ones who can control what food comes in is the kitchen or reception hall. Am I misunderstanding what you guys are saying?
Mickig
I also explain it's a liability issue and explain if someone gets sick on cake, how do we know if it's Aunt Sally's cake or my cake, and how it really doesn't matter because they won't sue poor Aunt Sally, but they'll have no qualms about suing ME!
I love "Wedding Cakes"!
It's cake porn!
Cake porn? 
It is an education thing - some of us can get away with being a little "sassier" than others, still it's all laid out in black and white. I had an MOB call me today to do a wedding cake for NEXT SUNDAY. I explained to her that we require 30 days notice. She persisted, and I proceeded to.. "educate" her as to the fact that there were not 30 days between now and next Sunday - therefore we would not be doing her cake. People that push you around once - will always do it. Sticking to your guns is not always about being a smart a$$ - but covering your a$$ and your reputation - 'cause in these parts - that's all you've got.
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