Does Anyone Else Just Not Want To Deal With Wedding Cakes?
Decorating By Galler Updated 1 Feb 2010 , 2:28am by Donnabugg
I have been a hobby cake decorator for a few years now doing cakes for family and friends at cost (or a little more). I have gotten to the point where word of mouth has spread and I have been getting real cake orders.
I have been asked to do several wedding cakes and I know to really make the big $$$ you have to do them...but I don't want to! Mainly cause I don't want to deal with the brides. People remember the dress and the cake right...I don't want to screw that up!
But after my kitchen rental and supplies it is getting expensive just to do celebration cakes without doing wedding cakes.
I guess I am just acting like a big stubborn baby dragging my heels...anyone else feel the same way?
I actually enjoy wedding cakes, I have only had one demanding bride, but it turned out well- And I love taking that check to the bank!
I do think it is a leap of faith to go into weddings as there is just that whole added element of 'wedding stress'...incidentally, I also think its why things cost a bit more for anything labelled 'wedding'. Whereas it might not be the end of the world if you get a few details wrong, or delivery a bit late, or whatever on a birthday or anniversary cake etc, there is an expectation from a LOT of brides and others that every detail must be perfect on their wedding day.
I provide more time and work for a wedding cake, including meetings as needed, emailing, sourcing images, ideas and materials, tastings, contracts and the whole delivery and hiring of stands etc...yes - for me at least its more work and more stress.
But because I am a perfectionist, I would rather do one wedding cake a week than 5, 10 or 20 small cakes...I love focusing on details and making the whole experience a lovely one for my brides and grooms.
If anything - I would love to focus solely on custom wedding cakes!
I think if you don't feel 'ready' yet to tackle weddings, give yourself a finite time where you will continue doing special occasion cakes, eg 6 months, and after that leave yourself open to a wedding cake coming onto the books. In the meantime get your ducks in a row about how you will manage all aspects of dealing with your potential wedding cake clients 
I find it truly the most rewarding work I do, on par with being given carte blanche to design a cake for someone.
Me too....I really don't like doing wedding cakes because of 2 reasons...
1. I can't deliver as I have small kids and a hubby who works weekends...
2. Just don't want anything to happen and have the wedding ruined if something should go wrong...
My Mom set up a wedding a few years ago at a really posh venue and setup the cake..and took pictures etc....about 2 hours later she gets a phone call from a very angry MOB saying the cake fell over...It turned out a member of the wait staff moved the cake table without any help or someone knowing and toppled the cake....I just don't want that responsibility.The stress would kill me...
Evoir, thanks for the advice! I am NOT ready yet. I am just not confident enough yet...maybe in 6 months I will feel better and start with something small.
Kiddiekakes, I have two small kids too and my husband is in Jordan for a "undetermined" amount of time...so I have to have someone watch my kids when I do deliveries...it is a bummer!
Galler - you're right; it makes it so much easier if you have generous help on the weekends. I am lucky my husband works weekdays only, and will help me with deliveries and photographing my cakes and also looking after our two young kids!
I know I would not have progressed into weddings had it not been for his support at home.
Good luck to you, sweetie...and all the best to your husband in Jordan. I have a lot of respect for families separated by the various conflicts around the world.
Evoir, thanks for the advice! I am NOT ready yet. I am just not confident enough yet...maybe in 6 months I will feel better and start with something small.
Kiddiekakes, I have two small kids too and my husband is in Jordan for a "undetermined" amount of time...so I have to have someone watch my kids when I do deliveries...it is a bummer!
Galler...Are you kidding me?! I looked at your pictures and your talent is amazing! I would so hire you to do a wedding cake for me! Good luck!
I also don't like wedding cakes. I have made 3 wedding cakes and they all turned out just fine. However, I hated doing every single one of them. For me, it is just too stressful. The wedding cakes I made were free for family and friends so I can't imagine how stressed I'd be getting paid to do one! Hats off to those of you who do it! I definitely admire your work!
Galler...Are you kidding me?! I looked at your pictures and your talent is amazing! I would so hire you to do a wedding cake for me! Good luck!
Thanks Donnabugg! Wow that was nice!
But, I just don't think I can take the stress of dealing with a bride right now! I guess cause I was a little crazy when I was getting married...ya know karma and all I am a kinda scared! 
BTW I looked at your photos and would have loved to make a comment but either you have the comment thing turned off or you don't want any comments...but you do wonderful work too!!! Added some of yours to my fav's
i think major planning is the key with brides, get all details set in stone with time before hand so you can reduce some of that stress
My Mom set up a wedding a few years ago at a really posh venue and setup the cake..and took pictures etc....about 2 hours later she gets a phone call from a very angry MOB saying the cake fell over...It turned out a member of the wait staff moved the cake table without any help or someone knowing and toppled the cake....I just don't want that responsibility.The stress would kill me...
First of all, it wouldn't be your "responsibility". These kinds of incidents are covered in your contract .... any damage done by a party not associated with My Business is not the responsibility of My Business. A mom can call and be upset all they want but it is NOT your responsibility if someone else knocked over the cake.
I saw one bakery had on their website that if they get called to fix a damaged cake, it was $100/hour, 2 hour minimum, payable by credit card before they even left the shop.
Second, I don't find doing a wedding cake any more or less stressful than any other cake. If the cake is not perfectly level, the the green leaves don't match the inside thread of the bridesmaid's inside seam, if the cake is 2" off center on the table .... the wedding is not "ruined". The wedding is "ruined" if the groom doesn't show up or if Uncle Henry pukes on the bride during the toast (and even that one is argumentabive as to whether it's "ruined" of if it just makes for a good family story years down the road).
Are you confident in your work? If yes, then doing a wedding cake is no differnt than doing a birthday cake. THe level of importance is the same to the client.
doing a wedding cake is no differnt than doing a birthday cake. THe level of importance is the same to the client.
Ain't that the truth! I seriously have had more grief and harassment from the mothers of 2 year olds over their little precious's $75 birthday cake than ANY of my brides (all of whom have paid $$$$ for their wedding cakes)!
similar topic with add'l responses: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6699398.html#6699398
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