I've been making cakes for about 1 year. I am currently in the process of creating a website and I will be advertising in our local yellow pages. Here's my question. I haven't done a wedding cake yet and I know once I start advertising as a cakery I will get calls for Wedding Cakes. What should I do? I have made several tiered cakes and I know I could do it, but I am a little nervous. A wedding is such a huge thing, I wouldn't want to screw it up. I was thinking of making some dummy cakes. Any thoughts or suggestions.? How would I respond to someone asking me to do a wedding cake? Is it ok to say I'm new at this. One plus is that my cakes would be much cheaper than some other local bakeries. Waht do you tink????

Hi amandasweetcakes,

I wouldn't tell clients you are new at - you need to project an aura of confidence, and if you start by apologising you are putting the clients in a frame of mind to be critical when they see the finished cake, even if it is a totally professional standard. Your idea of doing some dummy cakes is good - you could do some tiered ones, they needn't be full size because the technique in making smaller ones is the same, plus it is more economical. Also, when you have made one dummy wedding cake, you are no longer a wedding cake newbie.
If someone asks you to make a wedding cake, say that is fine and just ask the usual questions - do they want to reserve top tier, how many guests, is it for coffee cake or dessert. That will give an impression you have done it before.
I'm sure your wedding cakes will be great!

I agree with the prior Post. You really don't want them to know that it would be your first wedding cake. Though you say you've tiered cakes, and a wedding cake is usually tiered, so You have probably already done wedding cake Quality, and don't even realize it! Jump in with both feet, and give em your best shot! I think you might surprise yourself!

Hi amanda,

I wouldn't advertise that you are new at wedding cakes. Your cakes prove that you know what you are doing...you will be fine.

Good luck

Wow, thanks everyone. Really good advice. Still a bit nervous, but I'll pretend I'm not

Thanks again.

Congratulations!!!! I agree with the other members, don't say your new to cake decorating. I know how you feel and your cakes are WAY better than mine. You'll do fine.

I say that you should DEFINITELY make an investment in the dummy cakes, but ALSO make an average size wedding cake for practice so that you are sure how to set it up structurally with the weight of the cake (which is different than the weight of the dummy cakes). YOu can donate it to a homeless shelter or a church when you are done, but you should really practice at it with real cake. I did, had a lot of cake left over, but now I feel confident about it.

I agree with everyone here. Don't mention that you're a newbie and do invest in making a couple dummy cakes to show on your site. This will show your talents and abilities and no one will question whether you can handle the job.

I'm not sure what you do if they ask you about how long you've been making wedding cakes though! That's a question I myself would like the answer too!

Anyone?