I got an email today from a bride-to-be asking if I would consider being a sponsor for her wedding. She says she doesn't have a budget for a wedding cake at all.
Of course this is a big "no" for me, but I don't know what to actually say in the email, without just saying "no way." 
I would just tell her that your charitable contributions for the year have already been allocated and that you wish her luck. I hate these requests.
Seriously, you need help saying "sorry, I don't give away free wedding cakes"?
Perhaps just hit the delete button, then.
No, I don't mind saying "I don't give freebies," but I just wondered if there was a better way to say it. I know you just have to be blunt sometimes, and I can do that. I've just never had to respond to one of these requests before, so I was wondering what everyone has said.
I never cease to be amazed at the nerve of some people. That is the tackiest thing ever.
I don't have any good suggestions about a response because I probably wouldn't be nice. I think I'd just delete it and not respond. Consider it spam like all the other unsolicited crap you get in your in box.
Send her the link to my blog on this VERY topic: http://cateritsimple.blogspot.com/search/label/sponsored
P.S. Be sure to read the comment someone posted on this blog article. It's hysterical!
HAHAHA! that's great Yeh, I'll email her back and tell her, "I'll sponsor it if everyone in the wedding party, including the officiant and parents of the bride and groom will wear t-shirts and trucker hats with my business logo for the duration of the event." 
"I would just tell her that your charitable contributions for the year have already been allocated...".
Well, since she IS begging, I would go one step further and suggest she contact her local food pantry to see if she can find a box of mix and a can of frosting, so she can bake it herself.
Geez.
I got an email today from a bride-to-be asking if I would consider being a sponsor for her wedding. She says she doesn't have a budget for a wedding cake at all.
Of course this is a big "no" for me, but I don't know what to actually say in the email, without just saying "no way."
My response...
Certainly! If you will reciprocate and sponsor my electric bill and rent
I think I'd be tempted to really explain things to her (rather than just say no or hit the delete key). Something like:
"Even though I enjoy my job and love making wedding cakes, this is not a hobby for me, it is a business. Ingredients and supplies cost money. Further, baking, decorating and delivery involves a great many hours, time that I would have to sacrifice for other money-making cakes.
Although I appreciate your need to minimize your costs, making a wedding cake is a costly and time consuming task and providing free wedding cakes does not pay my bills. Consequently, it is just not economically feasible for me to work for free. I trust you understand."
I usually just delete these kind of requests, but I really think that I should start sending them to indydebi's blog for all the answers! 
I think I'd be tempted to really explain things to her (rather than just say no or hit the delete key). Something like:
"Even though I enjoy my job and love making wedding cakes, this is not a hobby for me, it is a business. Ingredients and supplies cost money. Further, baking, decorating and delivery involves a great many hours, time that I would have to sacrifice for other money-making cakes.
Although I appreciate your need to minimize your costs, making a wedding cake is a costly and time consuming task and providing free wedding cakes does not pay my bills. Consequently, it is just not economically feasible for me to work for free. I trust you understand."
That's awfully nice. I just don't think it's necessary to explain to an adult that you don't get free things from a business. Give me a break. Who would really think this was an appropriate request? I just don't feel obligated to justify a "no". I don't think such requests even dignify a response.
Thank you for considering me to be a sponsor for your wedding but i will have to decline your offer. Good luck with all your wedding plans, I wish you the best on your new future together.
If someone can't afford a wedding, have they ever heard of getting married in city hall, and further down the line when they can afford to pay, they can make a big bash then??? or are they saving all their $$ for the honeymoon?
http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Sponsored_Weddings
http://trulyweddingfavors.com/articles/sponsored-weddings
http://weddings.ivillage.com/etiquette/weddingbudget/0,,3n7w,00.html
And the grand daddy vomit inducing one of all: http://www.tiptopwebsite.com/websites/index2.php?username=danelle
HOLY CRAP! No wonder these brides are acting like such idiots when these articles legitimize this. It's just so typical of what got this country into the fix it's in. Can't afford it? Either overspend anyway and worry about how to pay for it after the wedding, OR try to scam it off business owners. This stufff makes me insane.
Debi, your blog post absolutely has me in TEARS laughing over here! My husband thought I'd lost my mind sitting here with tears streaming down my face cackling at the computer!! Way to give it to them straight!!
...I think I'd have to go with a big fat "no" on that also. I'll bet the designer didn't "donate" her wedding gown!
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