Serving Wedding Cake At Reception.
Business By mommicakes Updated 12 Sep 2007 , 2:20am by cakesbycombs
OKAY please no one yell at me!!! I know this has been discussed not that long ago, but I can't find the original thread.
I would like input for what to charge when I have been requested to cut and serve the cake after the original contract has been signed. And like 5 days before the event??????
Any help would be appreciated. I am rewriting my contract and would like to include this in it as well as having another one as an addition in case this happens again I will be ready.
Thanks everyone in advance.
In this instance - charge by the hour for your time, with a minimum of $50. Do these people think you have no life beyond making cakes?!
I believe someone said 25.00 an hour to stay. But since it was not wanted before, and it is 5 days ahead of time, I would charge at least 30.00 an hour for the short notice. That's just me, hope this helps!
unless you really want the money, or really like this person, i would say no. but then, i hate cutting cake! i did it for my friends wedding, because ya know, she was a friend. but i hated it, and its now in my contract that i do NOT cut and serve. i would tell them that you'd be happy to instruct someone on how to do it, but they need to ask a friend or relative.
Thanks everyone. I knew I could count on the answer!! You all are life savers you know. Glad to be part of subh a wonderful family!!!! 
It seems a little weird to me that she doesn't have a friend or family member. That's what I thought you did with your aunts and cousins that weren't actually IN the wedding, but are still close.
And what about the caterer? Don't the caterers sometimes cut the cake?
Charge $50 more than whatever the caterers are planning on charging her. They probably did a final consult with the caterer and came across the "cake cutting fee." This includes the plates and utensils and extras that the caterer has to dish out. Make sure if you will have to provide these things or if the caterer will do so. Then double check with the caterer yourself. She's probalby thinking you will do it for less. Don't.
I agree with FrostinGal... But at the same time I'd keep it competitive with the caterer if she's just trying to "cheap out" on the caterer. OTOH, I know caterers around here who strictly WILL NOT cut the cake even if the couple offers to pay for it and many find out shortly before the wedding when they go to go over the final details.
I charge a minimum to have me show up, then hourly from there because you never know how long it's going to take or if they want you to sit around for the whole evening so they can get a few guests to stick around a little later. Also I state that I will only serve buffet style because it's just me, I don't have a staff to run cake out to all of the tables in a timely way and request that they make it known to the tables that they may go get a slice when they are ready.
Also find out if you need to provide forks, plates, and napkins for the cake serving and charge accordingly. Sam's charges $12 per 70 nicer plastic plates and another $12 for 300 nicer plastic forks..
Finally, bring your own knives, gloves, and such for doing the cutting. That way you're familiar with your equipment and you know you won't be using the cheapie set that the bride and groom purchased for 12x what they're worth for the photos.
I charge a minimum to have me show up, then hourly from there because you never know how long it's going to take or if they want you to sit around for the whole evening so they can get a few guests to stick around a little later. Also I state that I will only serve buffet style because it's just me, I don't have a staff to run cake out to all of the tables in a timely way and request that they make it known to the tables that they may go get a slice when they are ready.
Excellent point! Some weddings, you think the B&G will NEVER get around to the cake! That's the whole point of the wedding, isn't it?!?!? 
I have a wedding cake package that is cake only and then I have a package that is a "catered" package that includes plates, forks, cup, mints and nuts, punch, coffee, table decorations and I stay to help cut the cake (I also make sure they have 3 other girls to help) and clean up that way I know what gets clean and I get all my stuff back in the same condition in which I take it in. I charge more per serving for this package so my time is already paid for.
I would tell you what that price was but I don't think it would help you, I live in a VERY rural area and compared to the rest of you I'm DIRT cheap, but around here people complain that I'm too high. Go figure!!
Missy
I have a wedding cake package that is cake only and then I have a package that is a "catered" package that includes plates, forks, cup, mints and nuts, punch, coffee, table decorations and I stay to help cut the cake (I also make sure they have 3 other girls to help) and clean up that way I know what gets clean and I get all my stuff back in the same condition in which I take it in. I charge more per serving for this package so my time is already paid for.
I would tell you what that price was but I don't think it would help you, I live in a VERY rural area and compared to the rest of you I'm DIRT cheap, but around here people complain that I'm too high. Go figure!!
Missy
This is EXACTLY what I do also. It is a good idea to stipulate "buffet" style, as stated in an above post.
When I cut other people's cakes, I also stipulate that they need to do the cake-cutting picture as soon as they arrive and prior to the meal being served. Reasons are:
(1) this eliminates the B&G having to keep checking their watch to see where they need to be next
(2) when the cake-cutting ceremony (and it IS a 'ceremony'!) is done early, this prevents the photographer from going into potential overtime
(3) most guests will not stay until the very end and to delay the cutting of the cake until most of them are gone is not only rude, but a big waste of money
(4) when I see that the guests are done eating, I can immediately cut and serve their dessert to them.
If they are also buying a buffet from me, I will cut the other person's cake at no charge ONLY IF they do the cake-cutting ceremony immediately. If I have to hang around longer (after putting in a 10-12 hour day), then it's $50/hour, 4 hour min. and that does NOT include plates and forks. Or I will happily show any family member how to cut the cake.
My cakes are $3.00/serving a la carte and $6.00/serving as a package.
i charge $1.50 per serving to cut and serve. this price is additional to the price of cake
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