I have never had a bride ask about having dummy cakes for a wedding. She wants one layer 12" and one 9" layer fake - and a 6" real for cutting. It's all fondant with swiss dots and one ribbon around each later. Her florist is supplying sumflowers for the cake. What do you all charge for the fake layers?? It's a pretty simple cake.
also - how do I get my posts on the main page so I get responses? I never post because they disappear into the forums and never get a response...usually I'm ok with that - but I don't want to be unfair to this bride - or to myself!! I usually just do this for cost - but how does one "cost out" a styrofoam cake...that you already own...I'm so confused! 
For dummy layers, I charge a flat rate per tier, like this:
Assuming basic decorations on each:
6" = $20.00
8" or 9" = $30.00
10" $40.00
12" = $50.00
14" = $60.00
They always think it's cheaper to do this and then order sheet cakes. It's not. I just priced a cake for a gal who wanted a cake like you describe and several sheet cakes. Turned out it was cheaper for me to make her a 3-tier ALL cake to serve her guests than to charge her for two fully-decorated dummies and two sheet cakes. She didn't call back, but whatever...I'm not doing those for free just "because they're not real."
To keep your post on the main page would be hard, as these forums move pretty quick. But every time you type a new answer to it, it takes it back to the main page for awhile until it is replaced by others.
Try typing "bump" in a "reply" post every so often; that will bring it to the top again.
Thanks! This gal said her dessert was included in her catering price...so she didn't want a bunch of cake that wasn't going to be eaten. I can see that! She wants to be able to cut the top layer for pictures. She seems super nice. But we know they all start out that way! LOLOL!! Well - I'll get back with her and let her know. It would be great exposure for me. It's at a big/nice resort in the town where I live. I've done a couple of small things, but not a wedding there yet. They did actually give her my name. So that was cool!
If you quote her the price and she goes 
"but they're not real", tell her the dummies aren't cheap, and she's still paying for icing AND the same exact amount of time to make the icing and decorate the dummies to match the rest of the cake.
They usually seem to understand this concept, but somehow, so far I haven't had anyone go through with the dummies--they just end up ordering all cake, a smaller cake, or...they disappear. Hmm, mysterious...LOL
I too usually do cakes for my cost until I get better. I did a three tier dummy cake last summer for friends of mine who were getting married and this was my gift to them. It was three tiers, ribbon around each tier. covered in fondant with fondant leaves stuck on. It was nice. THey supplied the cake top. This could be a great opportunity for you to get more orders. I wouldn't overcharge if I were you.
If you quote her the price and she goes
"but they're not real", tell her the dummies aren't cheap, and she's still paying for icing AND the same exact amount of time to make the icing and decorate the dummies to match the rest of the cake.....
I always like that response. ".....but you don't have to pay for the cake ingredients!" No, but I have to pay for the dummies! msmith mentioned above trying to price out dummies "that you already own". It's immaterial if you already own them or not. It's an expense to have them. Styrofoams wear out by general wear and tear and need replaced. Just because I didn't have to run out and buy the styrofoams for YOUR particular wedding, doesn't mean that YOUR use of them didn't contribute to the fact that I have to lay out money for new ones eventually.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%