I am fairly new to pricing wedding cakes. Do you charge for the top tier that will not be served? If you do, do you charge the same price per serving as you do for the rest of the cake? I was told that you do not charge for it and I need other's input.

Who told you not to charge for it? Absolutely charge for it! Same price per serving as rest of cake.

you need to do your research, including the impact on your business of which route you choose to take.
i have seen people who do it free, a guesture of good will/ advertising!
i have seen people who do it 'free' but build the cost into the rest of the cake.
i have seen people who charge the standard price (that would be me, and most people i think - also, i dont think so many people save the top teir now, as usually, its not fruit, and there are no plans for a baby - the christening being when its traditionally eaten, at least in the uk).
i have seen people charge standard price, but do a free/ discounted cake for the aniversary.
xx

It's a tier that I have to mix, bake, ice, and decorate. I absolutely charge for it, and I price it the same way I price my other tiers.

I too charge for it!

Yes, you charge for it. You spend your time and money to make it.

I know where you're coming from with this question.

Years ago tradition was that the top tier was frozen and eaten on the 1 yr Anniversary.

My top tier was "gifted" to us and we did freeze and attempt to eat it on our 1 yr Anniversary, but it was gross.....we didn't wrap it well enough.

I think over time this tradition has faded out a bit.

I include the top tier in my total # of servings needed and charge the same amount as the rest of the tiers.

I offer my couples a free 6" basic 2 layer (untorted) buttercream filled and iced white or chocolate cake on their Anniversary.

If they would rather freeze their top tier and it's a 6" then I gift that tier to them and they don't get the free cake on their Anniversary.

I charge for the top tier, but I charge a flat fee for it, which is a slightly discounted price compared to charging per serving for it. Most people in my area still choose to keep and freeze the top tier of the cake. I know of people who do not charge for it, and my mentor did this when she did wedding cakes, but I agree that you should get paid for it since you are making and decorating it.

I agree with brincess, one way or another it should be built into the price of the cake! Good luck!

I do charge for it but as a courtesy I offer a small box so it can be boxed up for the Bride and Groom.