Hi there,
i know a while back there were several threads discussing budget cakes options for wedding: only couple of flavors to choose from and basic designs. Anyone has a link to those? And if not, and you are offering budget cakes, do you mind sharing your experience and your offerings?
Thanks in advance, P

Here are a couple:
http://cakecentral.com/modules.....0&&start=0
http://cakecentral.com/cake-de.....48404.html

Those links do not seem to work

I offered a special last year. Advertised it starting a month before. It ran for 3 months....could choose one of several designs (could alter colors), in two different cake flavors with basic buttercream...to anyone getting married before 12/31/09 that booked and paid, in full, before the special's end date...3 tier cake-12/8/6 for $99....LOL! One bride (actually ordered by a distant family member...bride knew nothing about it) from it.

I got, "hmmmm uh...." like something was amok with 'em or somethin'. So, after it was done it was done. I thought about doing another one but couldn't decide what I wanted to do...I think this year will go without one of any kind.

Oh, thats strange, not working for me now either but I checked them before I posted them . If you go to the Search button on the PURPLE tool bar, (not the bluey coloured button at the top), and type -budget AND wedding-, ask it to search in the Cake Decorating Business forum, you should find a thread where KansasLaura was asking. I got the two links from there

oh yeah...and they got no consultation and no tasting either...email or by phone...done.

do you by any chance have pics of your design choices for that special?

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1310303

One similar to this
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1699756

I'm trying to upload the others

I'll try again...

okay, so there's issues.

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1774901

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1774904

These were made using the same dummy (note the evidence of another design)

Here's what I did... I offered the budget bride option... *I* design the cake using their details (they needed to provide a color swatch, invitation, photo of the bride's gown or designer info), for $2.50/slice compared to my normal $4/slice starting... It's a good hook, but in the end, no one wants to give up the control so it hooked them in for the consult but most decided to go with something they designed...

The thing to remember with discounts like this is that you've got to have a sound contract that they're not to outsource other desserts/cake to the event and the consequences of such...

Mine was created more for my sanity than anything else (I seen that with my 20/20 hindsight). I was really wanting a break from the consultations, the I want this and this and this and oh, are you sure you can do that, and the tastings, and the hype and pretention that has been pumped into ordering a cake. Not one has ordered anything out of the ordinary as far as flavors go and they've all been "safe" designs...just figured it'd make both sides happy...I wouldn't have to consult, it'd be a basic cake order, no tastings...I want this in this flavor, with these colors at this time and place....done.

Here is the link to my econoline cakes.
www.cakes-divine.com/99dollarcollection.html

I have only sold 1. They do draw in interest, but all but one of the brides that called me in regard to the econoline cakes ended up getting a custom cake at regular prices. So personally I have done well with the line since it actually led to higher priced cakes

cakesdivine, I love your order page! I want one of those!

Oh my goodness....love this idea and am definitely going to offer something like this for brides on a budget! cakesdivine....love the ease of ordering/reserving a cake like these on your website!

Thanks. I use Yahoo Sitebuilder and built the orderforms on my site myself, heck built the whole site myself...LOL! I love being able to update things quickly as needed instead of having to call some IT person to do it for me and then wait until they have time to fit me in their schedule to make the changes I need.

cambo, is it my imagination (or lack thereof), or have you been MIA for a while???

Cakesdivine, I really like your basic, economy cakes idea! but then, my taste runs toward simple designs, clean lines, etc. Or maybe that's because I'm such a beginner at tiered cakes, and simple is all I can do myself!

Actually, I'm surprised more brides don't take you up on this offer, given the economy. But I'm so glad it's lead to higher priced cakes for you!

Cakesdivine, I just spent some time exploring your site.......wow! really nicely organized. Oh, and I am in awe of all the beautiful cakes, pies, pastries you offer. You are quite a pastry chef!! Are you self-taught or did you go to pastry school?

Thank you cakeythings1961. I did not go to pastry school. So I would not even be bold enough to give myself that monacre. I learned from my best friend's mom growing up, Wilton, a few master pastry chefs & cake artists, and on the job in privately owned bakeries and grocery stores. I have toyed with the idea of pastry school, but they are so expensive, and due to my other jobs (administrator at a church and dance educator at my & my husband's dance studio) I just can't see fitting it into the schedule anytime soon. Generally, if I want to learn how to do something, the internet is a wonderful source to figure it out. Plus, I do alot of experimenting.

littlecake has a line of budget cakes. I have this one in my favorites.
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1333436
Here are a few others in her line.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1333438
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1333441
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1333444
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1333446