I have had a Bride call and give me the whole "no money" sob story. I am trying to stick to my guns, but it doesn't always add up in my head.
If I charge $25 for a three layer, from scratch, 9" cake for say a dinner party and saying it serves 20; why I'm I charging $2 per serving for a "Wedding Cake" which would bring that same 9" up to $62 because Wilton says it will feed 32 at a wedding? Does that make since? Part of my business brain has told me I have to charge for more stress because I am baking more than one cake at a time. More carefully decorated and usually better buttercream, IMBC. More time and effort with construction, but what about seperate tiers on a stand.
UUUggg! I hate when I debate with myself about what to charge. What do ya'll think?
be strong!
do you stress as much over a dinner party cake as you do over a wedding cake? do you put in as much work? are the expectations of perfection as high?
personally, if it was my wedding, i would go into the whole thing with the expectation of paying more... it's a WEDDING, not a dinner party. it's something that is going to be photographed extensively. it's something that could make (or ruin) the best day of my life.
just my $0.02... i know it's easy for me to say... i've never done a wedding cake! 
I have to be suspicious of a brides "sob story"!! Some will do anything to cut costs on the cake but then spend literally thousands on reception food, flowers and honeymoon or spend a couple of thousand on her dress!! It's a matter of priorities and for some reason the cake is often at the bottom of the totem pole!! Also, some brides feel that if you are a SAHB, you are starved for business and will do just about anything to get an order!! Stick to your guns!! If she wants a cheap cake, let her go to Costco or Wal-mart or even better, bake it herself!!
Yep, stick to 'em. Wedding cakes just cost more...!!!
I have never made a wedding cake. But what comes to my mind is - how many hours does it take you to do a simple cake for a dinner party. Then how many hours to do a wedding cake. (My guess is that it would be much higher). Subtract the cost of ingredients from what you charge them and then divide up the rest of the money by the amount of hours it takes you to make it. How much are you making per hour. Take a look at that. Are you satisfied with the number? Only you can decide what is right for you.
Thanks guys, I need to stick to my guns...
If she comes to me with the idea of just having several cakes at the reception, do I just explain that it is still harder for me to put out that many cakes at one time, and I still won't be able to charge her the $25 a cake? What is the protocol for that situation?
She was to call today to let me know either way about if she was going to use me. I haven't heard yet...perhaps it is a good thing. 350 invitations are going out and she believes about 200 will attend. Thats a lot of cake for someone to be backing off $400 so fast.
I tell them "Dear, you'll have to pay, whereever you go." Hey, it's the truth!! Let her try that on some fancy bakery in town! Stick to your guns, you're worth every bit as much as the fancy bakeries. 
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