I am new to this as well. I have had one tasting, and got the order, and in the process of scheduling another one. I know I was more nervous than they were. I had them come to my house, so of course I was cleaning psychotically before they got here. The bride and I had exchanged many many emails, and had already decided on a design, so all that was left was the tasting and the deposit. The bride isn't big on cake so she kinda picked at her piece, but the groom polished his off in about 30 seconds and then finished the brides piece. I just made a 2 layer 8 inch cake because I didn't want to have left over batter, and then took the leftover cake to work the next day. The thing I was most nervous about was that I tried a new cake recipe and I didn't have a chance to try it before they came over, so I was so afraid it was gonna taste like crap. But they loved it, I hope I relax more the more cakes I do. 
You will get it...hang in there.
I am still a pretty small shop and I pour off small cakes like 4,5, or 6 and use them for samples...
You prob should try out your recipes before you use as a sample! lol
good luck....you might search the threads I know indy has loaded pictures of her tastings....
Laura
I also designed a cake order form in Microsoft Word for people to fill out. I email it to them after we have established that I will more than likely be doing a cake for them. I did this, because I started having trouble keeping track of all the details of emails when dealing with multiple clients. Especially the brides who email me a year in advance about a wedding cake, like I'm going to remember all the details for a whole year. It seems to be working out nicely. 
I also designed a cake order form in Microsoft Word for people to fill out. I email it to them after we have established that I will more than likely be doing a cake for them. I did this, because I started having trouble keeping track of all the details of emails when dealing with multiple clients. Especially the brides who email me a year in advance about a wedding cake, like I'm going to remember all the details for a whole year. It seems to be working out nicely.
- I have a folder on my computer entitled "Bride Files".
- Inside that folder are folders titled "2008", "2009", "2010", etc.
- Inside those folders are folders for every bride and eveyr inquiry I get.
- Those folders are titled by date/name (i.e. 2009-07-18 Smith, Jane). By putting the date first, all files are in date order.
- I title all emails with bride name/date/detail.
--------- Example: Smith, Jane / 7-18-09 / 1st payment receipt
- All (!) emails are saved to these folders in my harddrive (NOT in my email system).
- All (!) conversations are documented via email, 'Per our conversation...."
- I don't have to worry about remembering anything because every email is filed in their own folder. By making the subject line in every email the same pattern (name/date/topoic), they are easy to find in my outgoing folder if they haven't been filed yet.
If you file your emails in a customer folder, you won't have to worry about remembering anything ... it's all there for you. 
To MessyBaker, I always buy something wherever I meet a client. I want to be welcome there, I think it would be very rude if I were to use another business as grounds for mine.
To MessyBaker, I always buy something wherever I meet a client. I want to be welcome there, I think it would be very rude if I were to use another business as grounds for mine.
Indydebi---
With your inspiration, viewpoints, thoughts, suggestions, and ideas, I smell a book in the writing...You could put your thoughts down in print for the rest of the world to read!
Paul
Indydebi---
With your inspiration, viewpoints, thoughts, suggestions, and ideas, I smell a book in the writing...You could put your thoughts down in print for the rest of the world to read!
Paul
Your crystal ball is working just fine! 
Indydebi---
With your inspiration, viewpoints, thoughts, suggestions, and ideas, I smell a book in the writing...You could put your thoughts down in print for the rest of the world to read!
Paul
Your crystal ball is working just fine!
Yaeyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!! Can't wait
That's awesome!!! Put us on the list for an advance copy!!!
Paul & Peter
That's awesome!!! Put us on the list for an advance copy!!!
Paul & Peter
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