OK, tomorrow is my first meeting with a bride and i think i have everything i need
1) previous emails printed out (we've had contact via email so far)
2) estimate of cake she FIRST requested (we're now working on a "fun" cake too)
3) contract
4) pictures/ideas for "fun" cake
5) pictures of my work
6) pen
7) paper
my business cards
9) wedding cake data chart (wilsons, for serving size/tier)
is there anything else i should bring with me?
we're meeting at a cafe in the art gallery since i don't have a store front.
i appreciate any advice you can give me too...
thanks in advance!
congratulations on your first meeting! I just had one this week! It may be too late, but i found bonjovibabe's "cake slices" very helpful to have. http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_88648.html DH cut them from wood and i painted them like hers.
I made cupcakes in a few flavors/few fillings with a swirl of BC to give her to take home and try there. Colored pencils are useful also for doing sketches and a ruler or tape measure. Styrofoam dummies were helpful in determining design.
Oh, whoops! I see your meeting was today...
How did it go?
the meeting went very well
she booked and made a deposit
yes, i need to make some of those blocks - i've seen them before, just haven't had time!
i don't do tastings, so no need for the cupcakes, but it is cute!
coloured pencils will be added to the case - we already had preliminary design ideas underway before the meeting though...i'm finding a lot of brides have their ideas in their head already, so it's just a matter of clarifying etc.
thanks, if anyone has anymore tips, i'll take them!
If you don't do tastings how do they try you cakes? I hope you don't mind the question. If you do just ignore me 
If you don't do tastings how do they try you cakes? I hope you don't mind the question. If you do just ignore me
not to sound "uppity" - but i know my cakes taste good, that's the essence of my business - why would i want to serve something that tastes terrible and risk loosing everything i've worked so hard for
i refuse to freeze my cakes, and since i only book one cake a week, there isn't much point to making my scratch mixes for one tasting...
i figure if you're just out to taste cake and waste my time then no thanks, if you want to make your booking then ask for a tasting - i have absolutely no problem with that
i know some others do a "pay to taste" and some do "twice a year" tastings etc...and i may very well do that in the future - just for me, right now, it's not worth it
Thank you everyone for your advice on this post; it helped me successfully book my first "real" cake last Sunday!!
Because of all the wonderful advice I've been reading in all the CC posts, I knew to 1) have a written cake contract; 2) require a 25% non-refundable deposit; 3) charge at least $4 per serving without apology; and 4) explain to the customer that she's not buying a $600 cake, but rather, she's ordering a gourmet dessert for 150 guests.
Thanks, again, to everyone for sharing your invaluable advice.
--Marianne
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