Have you ever had someone want a cake that you just knew was going to look terrible, but they insisted that this was the way they wanted it? Whether it be colors, decoration, shapes or sizes, did you do anything to try to discourage the choices? How did you handle the situation?

My experience involved a bride wanting her wedding cake to be sort of golden yellow and teal (almost green). She said that she wanted the cakes iced in yellow with the teal accents. She also wanted white stairways and white pillar separations. YUCK! I suggested using white for the base icing and accent with both colors, but she didn't like the idea. I made a sample cake with the colors and she loved it saying that was definitely what she wanted. She said that she wanted to be different, and this was definitely different!

Well, reluctantly, I made the cake and groaned the whole time. I was embarrassed delivering and setting it up. I also refused to leave anything with my name on it (cards, brochures) behind. I took pictures and keep them in my "don't ever do this" file.

And to add to the mess, when I arrived to set up the cake, the decorations were all in gold and forest green! She told me teal and even gave me a sample color!.... Where did the forest green come from???

i agree....eewwwww!

certainly no accounting for taste, now is there?!

...repeat after me..."The Customer is Always Right".......LOLOLOL

NOT!!!! (but your work is nice

While your work is impeccable, of course, I cringe with you on the color combo!! YUUUUCCCCKKKYYY! lol But in the end, she is the bride and if she was happy I guess you should be too...lol.??? Don't blame you for not leaving any trace as to who made the cake! hehehehe Good move!

I'm sorry but I have to agree. It is... well Momma said if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all. I'll just leave quietly. But other than the color (that the Bride wanted) you did a fantastic job

The bride did happen to call me 2 months later to tell me that she got rave reviews on the cake . I'm assuming it was more for taste than looks. LOL

Yes, I kept chanting to myself "I'm getting paid for this, I'm getting paid for this". LOL

Well, I guess if the bride was happy...!
These are definitely unusual colors for a wedding, and I don't think I would have chosen the white to go with it, but what are you gonna' do but what they ask for! You did a great job on the cakes! Janice

Ugly color ...fantastic decorating

You made the customer happy and that is the main thing

You guys are so funny.

was she color blind? Nice other than the colors

The colors remind me of my great aunt's living room furniture.

I had a similar experience with a purple (not lavender) cake. I made up my mind in future to refuse anything that would embarass me. If I can't be proud of my work, then I just don't want to deal with it. The money isn't worth it.

You did a GREAT job with a difficult situation!

I would love to see how this couple decorated their home. Can you even imagine?

I was asked a couple weeks ago to make a birthday cake that I didn't think would be pretty--I refused. I figured that I do this because it's something I enjoy, and if I'm not going to like doing it, forget it.

I guess they got their "different" cake alright! The guests were probably astounded to find it tasted delicious!

My very first year decorating, I had a customer order a hidious cake. I also didn't even take a picture of it, didn't want anyone to see me even set up!!!!! I offered some suggestions, customer wasn't having it!!!! I was embarrased for her!!!!

It looks like some of the wedding cakes done in the Wilton yearbooks from many years ago!

You handled the situation perfectly...you did just as the bride requested and that is what matters. Your cake decorations are flawless!

What lovely colors...where do the batteries go?.

One day, many years from now, when the bride is flipping through her wedding pictures, she is going to say, "What was I thinking?!?!" It'll be a "dah" moment for her.

Anyway, you did a beautiful job on the cake!

Can anyone say "Has Money but No Taste???"

And my Dad just came in, saw the cake and said: what a lovely color combination !!! Maybe I should send him to an eye specialist ...

But I really like the piping on the cake and the rest of the design. You did a good job, especially as you had the bad feelings about it.

My DH doesn't know the difference between blue and green! We argue all the time about it! And, when he says, "blue-ish, green", it drives me crazy!

I know DH would love these colors. His bedroom at home, before we married, was done in these exact colors! I'm talking about the walls and trim, not his furnishings. He called it, Lemom-Lime.

That should've been a clue for me!?!

If she'd just left off the white staircases and topper....oh, well.

You did a beautiful job though!!

VA I was wondering if it was a ethnic wedding or someone who of a colorful nationality

Getting past the horrific colors.....The cake is great! How did you do the piping that stands above the top of the cake? I have never seen that done before. It really looks wonderful. I also like the shape of the tiers. Aside from the colors, it really is a beautiful cake. Hey, you could always make a black and white or sepia toned copy of it for your portfolio! That way people can see your beautiful work without being blinded by the colors!
Heather

rave reviews??? the party must have been for the "horrible taste club" ... you did a great job but the colors were a definite YUCK!!!!

Dale - LMAO, thanks for the comment, I needed a good laugh today!

Kaecakes - As far as I know, the wedding was not particularly ethnic, just a normal wedding.

HeatherMari - The piping above the cakes is royal icing. The design is out of a Wilton wedding book. The book calls for piping royal icing on plastic scrolls, but I just copied the scroll pattern on paper and piped royal icing on waxed paper taped over the pattern. When they were dry, I turned them over and piped them on the other side so that there were no flat spots. I just attached them to the cake with a little buttercream.