Let me start by saying I don't do weddings,   I feel like weddings are a different beast that I don't want to release until I'm ready! It's not the size of the cakes, it's all the "stuff" that goes with it..set-up, tastings, bridezillas...and their mothers...

I had an acquaintance approach me to do her daughters wedding cake this summer, and I told her I didn't do weddings. About a month later, she asked if I would do the groom's cake. I checked my calendar and told her I was open on that day. So I get an email today requesting a tasting for the groom's cake...wha?

Maybe I'm clueless because I don't do weddings but since when are there tastings for groom's cakes?

A lot of people base their tasting on number of servings, not the type of cake.  For example if it is a wedding cake for 40, no tasting.  But a birthday cake for 150, tasting allowed.  So how many servings do they want in the grooms cake?

AThat makes sense. They just want a 12" round themed cake, that's what surprises me. It's a small cake so I was thrown when she requested a tasting. I haven't replied yet, how would you handle it?

AIt sounds like they just want the tasting experience no matter what cake its for. Now its up to you if you Even agree to do it at all. If it were me I would make a small 6 inch cake in the flavor that the grooms cake is gonna be and slice it into severings than let them take it in a to go bag, that's what I would do if I even agreed to do it at all.

ASome people just assume you get a tasting with all cakes, thanks to our friends in tv land.

AFor small cakes if they insist on a sample, I tell them they can either buy a small cake to go (I do 4 or 5 in. sample cakes) or they can stop by and pick up some cake crowns or scraps of what I'm baking that week, for free. But with that, no presentation, no choice of flavors, just take it and go.

I don't sell but I think you really need to set some sort of minimum serving size or order price or it can really be taken advantage of.  If you have enough time you could offer an extra something from the next time you bake, whatever you have going, not a special baking.  Like what Debby suggested.  If you offer to make a 6 inch cake just for them, what with the leftovers from you cake and icing?  Not very cost effective unless you are baking for another reason.  If you had a regular stream of tastings you could keep a supply on hand, but for a one off?  I think I would be tempted to just say no.  Or charge them accordingly for a small cake that you are willing to make.  But if you agree, be prepared for them to then ask for a variety of flavors, they want to taste your different flavors of course.  So even if you offer to make a small cake for them, they might just ask for more flavors, etc, etc.  You also could do a some and charge for a tasting and if they book it is deducted from their order price.  Just throwing some other thoughts out there.

You know, if you want to stay out of the wedding stuff because of the drama, the simplest thing is to say that you don't offer tastings unless they will be ordering 100 servings or more.  Period.  Then you could offer to sell them whatever is your smallest cake at the usual price.  Not a tasting but they can just buy a cake.

Just tell them it tastes good.  

ATurn the tasting into a profit center -- put together a to-go tasting package and charge for it (at a price where you make a profit), just like you would for any other order.