Vendor Atbridal Expo...

Business By BatterUpCake Updated 22 Aug 2013 , 11:58am by scwright

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BatterUpCake Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 12:16am
post #1 of 21

Showbride.com is holding several bridal expos in my area over the next several months. A booth is $450. Is this reasonable? I have never been to one. I will probably go to the one in Nov to check it out and am considering vending in Jan or March for my cake stands. Do you think a lot of people purchase from these shows, or should I just have several displays and brochures? Also what colors are "in" for weddings and what colors should I have display stands in? I looked at the registration of some of their shows and did not see any cake stand vendors. Anyone who has been a vendor or attends these things, I would appreciate input from. How many brochures should I have printed?

20 replies
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DeliciousDesserts Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 1:22am
post #2 of 21

A$450 is very reasonable. The one here is $700-800.

Do brides purchase stands? In my many years, I have only ever had 2 brides not rent one of mine. Once, the father built one & once the bride used a family heirloom.

I could be wrong, but I would think a booth at ICES would be more beneficial.

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Elcee Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 1:32am
post #3 of 21

The bridal show I was in was around that but they also discount for bakers/decorators to compensate for having to do samples so it ended up being under $400. I agree with Delicious (no surprise there), your target is probably really cake decorators or (or maybe party rental places) as opposed to brides.

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scrumdiddlycakes Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 1:35am
post #4 of 21

I was going to say the same about targeting decorators, instead of brides for your stands.

Most brides are as naive about proper stands as they are about cakes, they don't realize there is a difference between the cute wobbly one from homesense, and a balanced wooden one, lol.
 

The vendor price sounds good to me though, I think the last one I did was $600.

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Smckinney07 Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 1:48am
post #5 of 21

AYou could show your stands to some wedding planners or DIY rental places, the ones in my area have stands, pillars, linens, the works.

The Bridal Show I did was around $250 plus a gift certificate (or something of $50 value) this was a smaller show though so I can see the price being higher. They gave me options of booth sizes and that made the price go up or down, I didn't need that big of a booth for my first show.

I had 250 brochures printed and 500 business cards. At the end they give you a list of all the brides and guests that signed in, I sent them all emails and I had my own raffle. I thought about giving people a discount that booked that day but went with a raffle instead-there would have been no way I could have booked with anyone, if I did it would have taken away meeting and greeting many people and they can be overwhelming. I put all my samples in ration cups (advice from CupADeeCakes) and that was really helpful, not having to cut and stand behind a table all day. I don't remember exactly how many orders I got from the show but it was well worth it. I got to meet other vendors that I still get referrals from.

Nobody actually sold anything there though, you could obviously use all your stands and advertise them as well but I don't know that getting a booth just for them would make you the money you'd like.

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BatterUpCake Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 1:55am
post #6 of 21

Well I don't really have an interest in doing wedding cakes. I really want o just showcase my stands. I checked with the event rental place's website that we used for my daughters wedding and they did not have stands listed. So I was wondering where brides usually rented stands from...the planner, baker or venue? I really don't want to get in the business of renting them myself....I just want someway to showcase them to the wedding industry.

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Smckinney07 Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 2:06am
post #7 of 21

AOh I see. Well a lot of the planners in my area have started carrying there own decorations and linens, I say have started because I always thought a wedding planner just hooked you up with different vendors and handled the technical details while micromanaging like on tv :) There are a few rental places in my area that carry wedding and party items (linens, cake stands-bounce houses). Typically, when I fill an order we chose a stand to go with or they have one in mind.

ScrumD made a really good point about regular people not realizing the value of a good stand, I know I didn't before I got into this business.

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BatterUpCake Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 2:18am
post #8 of 21

I will definitely start checking around to see who rents stands.I just didn't know where to start...the venue? bakers? planners? all of the above?? I am definitely marketing towards the pros rather than the individual. Although I have friends and although they are not getting married I am sure there are tons like them...that if they hear that something is "the thing" to have they must have it! Lol...even if they use it only once. Marketing is going to be my biggest challenge. Any advice from anyone who has had dealings with the wedding industry is welcome.

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scrumdiddlycakes Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 2:31am
post #9 of 21

I would suggest seeing about getting some 'glamour' shots of your stands with fancy cakes on them too. I always want something so much more if there is a pinterest worthy picture of it :)

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JWinslow Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 2:43am
post #10 of 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by BatterUpCake 

I will definitely start checking around to see who rents stands.I just didn't know where to start...the venue? bakers? planners? all of the above?? I am definitely marketing towards the pros rather than the individual. Although I have friends and although they are not getting married I am sure there are tons like them...that if they hear that something is "the thing" to have they must have it! Lol...even if they use it only once. Marketing is going to be my biggest challenge. Any advice from anyone who has had dealings with the wedding industry is welcome.


You might consider a separate site and linked FB page for your stands.  Before you started this I would do a google search for what I was looking for.  I noticed that many sites are partnered with Amazon but have no clue how that works.  Also,  Etsy came up a lot but most times it was sold already.

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BatterUpCake Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 2:47am
post #11 of 21

well, The folks that have ordered have promised me pics with their cakes/dummies for my portfolio. I was thinking about having one of the pro photographers I associate with getting  some pics when I have a few on hand. That is a great idea. I want to do some cake dummies but I am soooo busy. I appreciate the input.

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Annabakescakes Posted 20 Aug 2013 , 4:45am
post #12 of 21

I do 2 shows a year, one for $675, the other for $995, so I think that is a hell of deal ;-) And brides but the Sarah stands all the time. Read the comments about them. If one of my brides wanted one, she would have to, because I am not coughing up the dough to buy one myself.

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Viccoria Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 5:34am
post #13 of 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smckinney07 

You could show your stands to some wedding planners or DIY rental places, the ones in my area have stands, pillars, linens, the works.

The Bridal Show I did was around $250 plus a gift certificate (or something of $50 value) this was a smaller show though so I can see the price being higher. They gave me options of booth sizes and that made the price go up or down, I didn't need that big of a booth for my first show.

I had 250 brochures printed and 500 business cards. At the end they give you a list of all the brides and guests that signed in, I sent them all emails and I had my own raffle. I thought about giving people a discount that booked that day but went with a raffle instead-there would have been no way I could have booked with anyone, if I did it would have taken away meeting and greeting many people and they can be overwhelming. I put all my samples in ration cups (advice from CupADeeCakes) and that was really helpful, not having to cut and stand behind a table all day. I don't remember exactly how many orders I got from the show but it was well worth it. I got to meet other vendors that I still get referrals from.

Nobody actually sold anything there though, you could obviously use all your stands and advertise them as well but I don't know that getting a booth just for them would make you the money you'd like.

 

Hey! Question.. you said put all the samples in a cup (with a lid) with is a GREAT idea.. but when you are at a show, how would u display how a decorated cupcake looks? and how they are displayed on a stand and/or table. You wouldn't put the containers there right?. How could you make it look appealing other than if you have a lookbook. Or would you still need extra cupcakes to fill a stand and table?

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Nadiaa Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 5:46am
post #14 of 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by scrumdiddlycakes 

I would suggest seeing about getting some 'glamour' shots of your stands with fancy cakes on them too. I always want something so much more if there is a pinterest worthy picture of it :)

Hahahaha, that is SO true!

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ApplegumPam Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 5:50am
post #15 of 21

Not sure how things work over there - but here in Australia, most decoraters purchase their own stands - whether it be cupcake stands or cake stands.

 

They charge a hire fee and a deposit equal to the replacement fee of the stand.  It CAN be a real PITA to get them returned so most factor in a pick-up fee into the 'hire charge'

I know you are only new on to the cake stand scene and you say you were not aiming to compete with the Sarahs Stands......   purely as a 'prospective purchaser' I think your stands would have to be significantly cheaper if you hope to snag the same client base.... I know I would rather pay an extra $80 to somebody with a 'reputation' for producing quality goods.
 

Stands at the bigger Wedding Expos here cost a bomb !!   smaller local 'Open Days' for specific venues are cheaper but still ... I am not sure that they snag that much more business - for the time you have to spend there and the fee they charge you

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Smckinney07 Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 5:52am
post #16 of 21

ANo, I just had labels in front of each tier of the stand to show their flavors and fillings.

I had dummy (styrofoam) cakes that were decorated to show examples of my work and they make cupcakes out of styrofoam too that I stuck in a cup and decorated. I had a fake cupcake tower with a cutting cake on display as well as a display of fake cupcakes (all with fondant toppers or some sort of decoration). Most of my display were the dummy cakes though. I also had a plug in digital photo frame running a slide show of many real cakes I had done (I had to be sure to ask for a booth by an outlet-they don't always have these available for every booth) I'd like an alternative to this for next time since the screen wasn't that big. Dee, from Cup A Dee Cakes blogspot (also a CC member) suggested staying away from the typical binders of photos because people will crowd around a certain spot to look through all your pictures (as they did in the other cake decorators booths!) and you want as many brides to be able to come through your booth, that your able to meet and great, they can't do that if you have people huddled around a binder!

I'd definitely suggest checking out her blog, she helped me so much (unknowingly lol) get ready for my show. www.**********.com is a great supplier for styrofoam cake dummies to decorate for your display cakes, they have the best prices I've seen and they are also willing to take requests for special pieces and sizes.

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cakefat Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 6:02am
post #17 of 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by BatterUpCake 

well, The folks that have ordered have promised me pics with their cakes/dummies for my portfolio. I was thinking about having one of the pro photographers I associate with getting  some pics when I have a few on hand. That is a great idea. I want to do some cake dummies but I am soooo busy. I appreciate the input.

 

Unless they actually know how to take a photo, then I would not count on these photos at all. 90% of the photos out there of cakes are so sad, out of focus, terrible lighting and forget about contrast, proper framing of the subject....etc. It makes me wonder if most of these photos- the people are blind or just have really low standards. Not saying any of these photos you've been promised will be like this..but chances are probably pretty good.

 

I saw recently on FB, a lady who was making really nice cake stands..and she had partnered up with a popular cake decorator on FB..and they were doing one of those "like" my page and you can win raffles that go on. I forget the name of her cake stands...Annie or Anne, maybe? But that's an idea..to partner with someone like this and do a little joint venture of sorts. 

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cakefat Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 6:34am
post #18 of 21

Ps- I'd go for the professional photos- for your product! That is what I was trying to say. 

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ApplegumPam Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 7:19am
post #19 of 21

Moderators.....

Don't want to cause a fuss.... BUT   how is this thread and others by Batterup (where she is trying to sell her cakes stands or her cake leveller) any LESS

advertising than somebody trying to sell Cake Decorating Classes

http://cakecentral.com/t/754609/paul-bradford-classes
 

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morganchampagne Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 9:26am
post #20 of 21

A

Original message sent by ApplegumPam

Moderators.....

Don't want to cause a fuss.... BUT   how is this thread and others by Batterup (where she is trying to sell her cakes stands or her cake leveller) any LESS advertising than somebody trying to sell Cake Decorating Classes

[URL=http://cakecentral.com/t/754609/paul-bradford-classes]http://cakecentral.com/t/754609/paul-bradford-classes[/URL]

 

She's stated several times that she prefers not to discuss it on here as its against the rules. In those other threads she was just sharing her ideas. She's not taking orders on this website.

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scwright Posted 22 Aug 2013 , 11:58am
post #21 of 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by ApplegumPam 

Moderators.....

Don't want to cause a fuss.... BUT   how is this thread and others by Batterup (where she is trying to sell her cakes stands or her cake leveller) any LESS

advertising than somebody trying to sell Cake Decorating Classes

http://cakecentral.com/t/754609/paul-bradford-classes
 

 

You do want to cause a fuss because you wouldn't be asking otherwise you would simply ignore any "advertisements" from her which by the way I haven't seen her advertise her stands, in most of her post she was asking for suggestions on the look of her stands etc. not selling and there have been some who are interested in purchasing which she directs them to email her.

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