Against my better judgement I let me cousin talk me into making the wedding and groom cake for her best friend. The wedding cake is four tiers with silk roses between the tiers. Yes, silk. The mother is a nurse and was worried about pesticides and not willing to pay for gumpaste. The groom's cake is my first three tier topsy turvy cake. I'm really nervous about the groom's cake. I've got my base made with a wood dowel screwed into it and cake boards with holes to drop the cakes over the dowel. I'm just very afraid the cakes is going to fall over. Normally I wouldn't be this nervous except the groom's parents are very demanding and spending a fortune on this wedding (the most expensive hotel in town, $20K on photos, etc...). I don't know why they didn't use a "name" baker for this. I know my cakes are nice but I'm still afraid these people are going to try and cause trouble. Combined with my natural nervousness, my cousin informs me that the bride is planning on making a "stand" against both mothers on her wedding day because they are changing things with vendors behind her back. So I know going in that the mothers are going to be mad.
Anybody have and words of wisdom to calm me down? Any advice on transporting or make the topsy turvy cake?? Thanks for letting me vent
Determine who your client is ..... the bride or the mothers? THAT'S who you take your final direction from. Any changes made will be confirmed via email TO THE CLIENT (so assuming the bride is the Client .... if mom tries to make a change behind the bride's back, you have put them on notice that the bride WILL be notified).
I could share stories for days regarding weddings in which the budget was blown on the reception site, or on the photos, or on the dress, so when there was no money left, they had to do everything else "on the cheap".
In anticipation of the problems coming up, be sure you have what they want in writing, and then deliver what's written down.
Well, you obviously have a talent that made someone want you and not a "name" baker to do the work 
Sometimes when I'm doing a cake and get that nervous attitude, I psych myself into thinking I'm doing it for a good friend, husband, co-workers,etc.
I also think planning is the key.
Transporting: ?? I've not done a 3-tiered cake yet. Would it not be like transporting a 2-tiered? Especially if you doweled it?
Good luck and please post your pictures!!!
Take your time....plan ahead.....DRIVE SLOWLY!
I hope you have a contract for these people to sign. It can "save your bacon" with people like this!
Make sure and take a pic with the date and time stamp and have someone "sign off" after it is set up at the venue.
It will be fine. Don't let your nerves get the best of you!
Beth in KY
Yikes! If it were me, I'd try to back out if it's not too late. It sounds like a disaster in the making. The bride changing plans behind the backs of the mothers, who I will assume are footing the bill of this event. Hopefully she doesn't come and ask you to do things differently and then the moms end up wanting their money back when they don't get what "they" ordered. Plus, if they end up unhappy, how will things reflect on your friend who referred you to them? Things could get tense, in my opinion. I think your cakes are beautiful, but I wouldn't touch this event with a ten foot poll!!!
Have you talked to the bride yet?? That would be the first thing I would do. Get her opinion as to what she wants. It's her day, and if the MOB decides to show up and contradict the Bride, you have what the bride wants already and that should be the end of that. It's not the mother's wedding it's the brides. Gawd people like that make me mad. It's not their special day. If they didn't get the day they wanted when they got married they should renew their own vows and do it that way and leave the poor kid alone. K. that vent out of the way.
I saw your cakes hun and you shouldn't have any probs with making these cakes. You should do ok. As for the "silk" flowers, o well, one less thing for you to worry bout. You can concentrate on the grooms cake that way. I personally haven't made a wonkie cake yet, but if you have a good set of instructions you should be able to accomplish it. There ain't nuttin like a challenge to bring out the best in each of us. (or the worst, LOL).
If these cakes turn out anything like that chocolate wedding cake you did-you will be just fine!! As far as the topsy turvy cake (I haven't done one but want to so I've been reading a bit on them!) it's more about the illusion of being off kilter than actual off kilterness (is that a word lol) Check out the article on here about constructing topsy turvey cake. Pm members that have made these cakes and ask if they will share hints. adven68 makes beautiful turvey cakes.
As far as this bride ruining her wedding day to "make a stand"-craziness! That is not the time or place!! If she really feels the need to do that, do it a week before the wedding or heck do it now!!! That way the air has time to clear and she will remember her wedding as beautiful (and crazy expensive!).
And great advice indydebi!
Oh, honey! You are so brave. I would have run screaming from this one.
All I can say is cross your fingers, say your prayers and do your best. I think your cake will be fine. That's not the part I'm worried about for you. I'm worried about the family aspect. I think they will make you nuts if you let them.
There's a really good tutorial on topsy turvy cakes on this site. I'd follow that pretty carefully and I really think everything with the cakes will be just fine. You do lovely work. But as far as the family dynamics go, try to relax and deal only with the one who hired you, never getting into anything with ANYBODY else. If someone else tries to engage you, tell them firmly but politely that any and all questions/changes will have to come from your client.
Good luck to you, please post pictures, and keep us updated, ok?
Thanks to everyone for their words or wisdom. I do have a signed contract for the cakes. And I'm going in early to set up, take pictures, and get out. I would love to back out of this but don't feel like I can because of the family aspect also the wedding is on Friday. I just found out about all the drama on Christmas.
Also, the bride really likes the cakes. When we were doing the consult I made sure she got the cake she wanted and I called her later and offered to pearlize it for free. I've personalized the groom's cake enough that the groom was in love with when he left. My only fear is the groom's mother deciding she doesn't like them. I guess if I'm not there she can't yell at me and thank God for caller ID.
You ladies are the best. I'm feeling much better! Thanks.
Sounds like you've got your wits about you. I'm sure you'll do fine. Just do what you've been contracted to do and try to make the bride happy!
Got the cakes done with only a slight mishap. I had to do some repair work on the groom's cake at the site. This wouldn't have been so bad but the bride's mother's best friend was there when I brought in the cake and started freaking out. I talked her into not calling the mother until I'd finished the repair. Luckily, it was an easy fix and she left for the wedding calling me a "Miracle Worker".
For all that asked, pictures are the tall bride's cake with red roses and whimsical grooms cake.
Thanks for all the support last week!
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