you need to put a deposit in however this needs to be determined by how busy you are. If you have clients calling you a year ahead trying to book you and the phone is ringing off the hook then go ahead and charge 50 percent down. Honestly if that not that case then 50% is too much. You will scare people off trust me been there done that. We charge 25 percent non refundable and require the cake is paid in full two weeks prior to the event.
Make it a piont to keep up with client even if its just a quick email saying we are excited to make your wedding cake. The fact of the matter is things happen weddings fall through or budgets have to get cut. It happens. Asking a bride to put down half of wedding cake is a lot of money. You can always increase this deposit requirement later if its not working for you. Better to start smaller and increase then the other way around.
Sorry I don't agree. I have never had anyone balk at my deposit requirements. It is the industry standard in most parts of my state, and all the caterers in the area also charge 50% down as well, as do the florists, the dress maker/bridal shop, decor vendor, bartenders if not included in the catering package, and the list of vendors goes on! Oh invitations are generally 100% up front and you wait months to get them.
you need to put a deposit in however this needs to be determined by how busy you are. If you have clients calling you a year ahead trying to book you and the phone is ringing off the hook then go ahead and charge 50 percent down. Honestly if that not that case then 50% is too much. You will scare people off trust me been there done that. We charge 25 percent non refundable and require the cake is paid in full two weeks prior to the event.
Make it a piont to keep up with client even if its just a quick email saying we are excited to make your wedding cake. The fact of the matter is things happen weddings fall through or budgets have to get cut. It happens. Asking a bride to put down half of wedding cake is a lot of money. You can always increase this deposit requirement later if its not working for you. Better to start smaller and increase then the other way around.
Huh?
I charge 50% deposit on all cakes, any size and price point, not just wedding cakes
Heck any cake order under $400 has to pay in full at time they place the order, if it is under $100 then you must place your order from my website and pay through paypal. Over $400 it is $300 down with balance due 2 weeks before event. anything over $600 requires 50% down with balance due 2 weeks before event. No refunds on funds paid in period.
Same here...all the other vendors demand the same and as a coordinator,not only the baker, I deal with many vendors along the line and every single one of them demands 50% up front at time of booking and has an "escape" clause for up to 30 days before the event. Some don't allow that much time. As a coordinator, 25% down at time of booking, 25% 6 mos out (so if the wedding is already only 6 mos out then the booking deposit is 50%). After that they can only get a refund of the second 25% if the wedding is cancelled. This is why I suggest to my clients, and why many places demand, event insurance that includes a cancellation clause. Just smart business.
Sorry rachpizano, but that policy is nuts. Caterers require 25% - 50% down, non-refundable and that's ALWAYS more money than a cake. Brides and other customers do it every day of the week.
Agree. As a caterer, I had a 50% down policy and we're talking at least a couple of thousand, non-refundable dollars. Never had a problem. As was mentioned above, it's industry standard.
If you're going to play ball with the big boys, you better have a real bat and ball, and know the rules of the game. 
Is this a serious post? 
I think there's another thread somewhere about deposits, so it must be a real response that was put in the wrong place.
I require a 33% non refundable deposit at the time of order no matter how far in advance of the wedding or event. I am considering 50% because I am getting more and more business so by extension I would be turning away more business once a date is taken.
No deposit, no cake and your date goes to someone else period.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%