Birthday Cake V. Wedding Cake - Price
Business By cheekymonkey06 Updated 30 May 2009 , 1:43pm by Sweet_Guys
Do you charge differently for your birthday cakes v. wedding cakes? I have a request for a two tiered cake for a 3 year old's birthday party (6x3 and 10x4) with fondant and scroll piping on both. The calculation I come up with is around $62.50 for a cake that size, but that sounds high to me... I should mention I am REALLY new to this - this is only my third cake order.
most people dont charge differently, because cake is cake. and generally, most people just charge more the fancier it gets, regardless of the event.
your cake will feed a lot of people, 50 by wiltons wedding chart, 40 by the party one. so per serving, your price is actually a low one (well, depending where you are etc etc) - $1.24 or $1.55.
xx
I am just starting out too and the pricing is my BIGGEST struggle. I charge the same right now for serving sizes per cake but wedding cakes have more serving sizes so they would cost more per cake than a party cake of the same size...if that makes sense?
...party serving size for me is 2x2x4 and wedding is 1x2x4 or there about.
i have two prices, one for sheet cake (single layers, no torting, no filling) and then my "normal prices" for two layer. wedding, party, stacked, tiered, etc. The reason my sheet cakes are a little cheaper is because they require less time and supplies (i don't need a suport system. no filling, etc...). on both i charge extra depending on art work, time and stuff like that.
Lisaa1996-
actually the cakes servings are different, not the same.
If you have a 6x6 square it will feed 9 2x2x2 (sheet), or 9 2x2x4 (2 layer), or 18 1x2x4 (2 layer)
most party cakes are one layer there for are based on the 2x2x2 serving
most wedding cakes are two layers and are based on a 1x2x4 serving
a 2x2x4 is a HUGE peice of cake that would be the same as a 4x4x2 peice of single layer sheet cake!
How do you guys figure pricing?? I have made some cakes and sold them but pretty much only charged for the supplies..
many people sell all cakes by the wilton wedding size, as that is a fair bit of cake. if your client wants bigger servings, they can buy more cake, and cut it differently themselves.
to figure out ur pricing, figure out the cost of al the materials, the little things you use like kitchen roll, gas to get to the shops, and then things like elctricity, gas and water you dont really think about. and then think about putting a value on your time - at least minimum wage, but probably more!!!!! and compare other bakeries doing similar cakes in your area. that should all help you get your price.
xx
These tips are very helpful! Thank you! I just need to grow some confidence and charge a little more. People will pay, otherwise this website wouldn't exist, right?
I charge a flat serving rate, whether for wedding or any other occasion cake. If the client wants to have larger slices of cake for a birthday party, they'll just need to purchase more cake. This eliminates the "why do you charge different amounts?" question. The more complicated a cake is decorated is where I'll start charging extra for things. As of now I don't have a system in place that lays out what is "more complicated" in black and white. I need to work on that.
As to what you said, cheekymonkey, about people paying, yes they will. However, in my experience (and lots of people will disagree with me) it's better to start out too low than too high. You can raise your prices eventually, after you've built a solid customer base, but if you start out too high, you won't get people to come to you. Remember, the bakeries in your area already have a steady customer base. You have to build yours.
call it wedding, call it birthday, call it kiss-my-butt-at-8th-and-Main .... I don't really care.
It says right on my website: If it looks like a wedding cake, then it's priced like a wedding cake.
Which means it's all one price no matter what you call it.
Lisaa1996-
actually the cakes servings are different, not the same.
If you have a 6x6 square it will feed 9 2x2x2 (sheet), or 9 2x2x4 (2 layer), or 18 1x2x4 (2 layer)
most party cakes are one layer there for are based on the 2x2x2 serving
most wedding cakes are two layers and are based on a 1x2x4 serving
a 2x2x4 is a HUGE peice of cake that would be the same as a 4x4x2 peice of single layer sheet cake!
oops 1x2x4 and 2x2x2 are the same volume (8 cubic inches, the standard wedding serving according to Wilton)
2x2x3 (or however you like to divvy it up) is 12 cubic inches which is the standard party serving.
There are really sound reasons WHY a wedding cake can cost more per serving than a party cake.
This is what a bride gets with my wedding cake price:
1. Private consultation and a tasting and design
2. I am available to answer any questions and help in any way that I can.
3. Stacked cake
4. Delivery and set up at the venue
5. Meet with bride representative to get back stress free
Party cake is slightly less because:
1. I do not do a tasting or private consultation. Design is strictly over the internet/phone.
2. I will answer questions.
3. Stacked cake but not on stress free
4. No delivery or set up
5. No meeting after for equipment.
There is less time involved in a party cake so they do get a slightly lower price but if someone wants a wedding cake design that is 3 tiers or smaller and are going to pick it up more power to them. I will do it IF I don't have a wedding cake!
call it wedding, call it birthday, call it kiss-my-butt-at-8th-and-Main .... I don't really care.
It says right on my website: If it looks like a wedding cake, then it's priced like a wedding cake.
Which means it's all one price no matter what you call it.
ARGREED!!!!!!!
I have price points for single cakes (ie 10" round) and then a base price for serving for anything tiered. That keeps the everyday bday cakes more affordable.
So it costs you less to bake them also?
I understand that a tiered cake has supports, but I charge extra for that.
My serving prices are "tiered" based on construction of the cake:
1 layer (sheet)
2 layer (with filling)
2 layer but tiered
Torted & Tiered (my "wedding cake)
Like KoryAK, this keeps everyday cakes more affordable and lets me charge more for wedding cakes.
I quote people a set price for "party" cakes giving them the range of servings depending on size but the price is based on the 1X2X4 size.
Weddings I quote them the price per serving
I have price points for single cakes (ie 10" round) and then a base price for serving for anything tiered. That keeps the everyday bday cakes more affordable.
So it costs you less to bake them also?
I understand that a tiered cake has supports, but I charge extra for that.
I don't charge extra for the supports (as a separate line item anyway) but they get all the bonuses as a pp indicated, consults, tasting, delivery, lots more of my time, etc... I have an open shop so the lights are on and cakes are being produced whether there are special orders or not. Keeping the prices a little lower (I don't think even ppl in AK would pay $72.50 for a 10 serving 8x2" round plainly decorated) - and I do still have a $75 minimum order - keeps the orders flowing.
Like Debi said, cake is cake.
However, you could always bake half as much cake by making 2" tiers rather than 4" tiers and charge half as much.
We price cakes for 2" tiers, 3" tiers, and 4" tiers. For weddings, we're following the traditional 4" method. But, then again, what's traditional anymore?! LOL
Paul & Peter
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