I Am So Depressed

Decorating By projectqueen Updated 5 Sep 2006 , 5:33am by projectqueen

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projectqueen Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:23am
post #1 of 66

I have been planning the small 2 tiered cake for my parents 50th anniversary party for about 2 months now. I'm still pretty new at this but I bought the cake pans, the rounds, the icing color, the tips to make the roses, etc. etc. I made the MMF pearls using Earlene's recipe. I researched the recipe for the cake and for the filling, even did some practice for the decorating.

I booked the restaurant (we are only having about 15 guests), gave the deposit and then today when I spoke to them about dessert I said I was bringing the cake. They said "oh no, you can't bring any food from the outside". icon_cry.gif I can't believe it. They told me the ONLY way I could bring a cake from outside was from a certified place and I would have to bring them the receipt. I'm so disappointed. This was going to be my present to my parents.

I mean I understand that they can't have everyone bringing their own food from home, but I'm certainly not going to do anything that would get anyone sick. When I called back to get info about buying the cake from them, the only thing they are going to give me is a round cake, one filled layer. What kind of a 50th wedding anniversary cake is that?????

Sorry, I'm just venting because I'm sad. I wonder if I could sneak it in icon_rolleyes.gif

65 replies
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mmdd Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:28am
post #2 of 66

Awww....you poor thing.

Would your parents possible want to do a celebration elsewhere, like their house or yours?

OR........maybe you could check and see if you could bring the cake, but no one be allowed to eat it??? I know that sounds really crazy, but atleast your work and your present could be there so everyone could see.

I just hate to hear that.

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smashcakes Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:30am
post #3 of 66

i wonder if you could too! or get a "dummy" receipt from somewhere icon_wink.gif i'm sorry, i probably shouldn't encourage things that aren't on the up and up, but if it's only 15 people, i'm going to assume it's close family and friends, and cake isn't high on the list of things that make you sick, especially if you're doing just bc icing and non-perishable fillings. i'm sad for you

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projectqueen Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:40am
post #4 of 66

I just knew I would be understood here!

When I told my husband my sad news, he said "good, now you don't have to do all that work" icon_cry.gif

DUH~ "All that work" is the fun part!

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Kitagrl Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:42am
post #5 of 66

Is it possible to change the plans? If there was no warning on any of the contract papers or deposit papers that you could not bring your own celebration cakes, maybe they would either give back your deposit or make an exception for you? Could you give them references for your work?

That's really too bad!

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mmdd Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:43am
post #6 of 66

You've already put so much time into it and researched this & that, etc., etc. and even bought pans, is that right?!?!

You still have to make it! Just have a mini-celebration with your Immediate family.

I still feel bad for you and I don't even know you, that's the odd part, lol!!!!

Please let us know what you end up doing and what happens.

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beany Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:45am
post #7 of 66

Have dinner at the restaurant and then go to your house for dessert?

I like smashcakes idea about getting a receipt from somewhere else.....

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Kitagrl Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:46am
post #8 of 66

Maybe you could make the cake, take a picture of it and have it enlarged to 8x10 (Walmart, last minute) and framed....and then put it in the center of the table after dinner! Then, go to your house and eat it!

???

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projectqueen Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 2:58am
post #9 of 66

I LOVE you guys!

I knew you would feel my pain! I have to admit that I thought about the dummy receipt but I'm not sure. They said "certified" so I don't know if they'd be looking for anything specific on the receipt. I don't even know if they would actually check, they might just say that to discourage people from bringing their own stuff. I mean, if it's in a cake box and looks like a professional cake.....

I also thought about having the party at my house but then I have to deal with feeding everyone which is a whole other project. And think about the fact that it's a 50th wedding anniversary. I'm going to have a bunch of 75-80 year olds and I don't want them driving all over the place - one place for dinner, another place for dessert. You know what I mean?

I guess I could make it anyway and then just bring it over to my parents' house, but I was going to make a 6" round on top of a 10" round, both 3" high cakes. That's an awful lot of cake for 2 people to eat, LOL!!! They'll be eating it until their 51st anniversary!

Hmmmm.....

Edited to add: Did I mention that I already made about 300 of Earlene's pearls????? (They came out great, btw)

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TERRYHORTON Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:00am
post #10 of 66

I would probably cancel dessert @ the restaurant in lieu of a dessert reception in some ones home.

PS...Its easier to ask forgivness than permission.....JMO

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Kitagrl Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:01am
post #11 of 66

What would happen if you just brought it anyway? Would they send you home? Or would they just say "Don't do it again"?

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TERRYHORTON Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:03am
post #12 of 66

Now thats more my line of thought Kitagrl.....hehehe

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Kitagrl Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:04am
post #13 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by TERRYHORTON

Now thats more my line of thought Kitagrl.....hehehe




LOL yeah I'd be too scared to fake out a receipt...that's too "dishonest" for me I guess....but I would be tempted to just bring it anyway and act blonde about it. haha. Surely they wouldn't say "Leave it outside"?

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Dale Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:15am
post #14 of 66

Go buy a crappy cake from Wal Mart. Take your cake to the restauraunt with you. Give them the Wal Mart receipt. They wont ask. You wont tell. If they ask...reply with a stony face "Exactly what are you implying?"
Open your coat to let them get the full view of the dynamite strapped to your chest. Caress the detonator...smile sweetly...enjoy your cake. Careful with lighting the candles.

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projectqueen Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:17am
post #15 of 66

I thought about that, too. But I'm afraid if I don't order a cake from them and then they won't serve mine, we'll have no cake at all!

Now THAT would really be a shame on a 50th anniversary!

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projectqueen Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:21am
post #16 of 66

LOL, my reply turned up right after Dale's post. I was answering Kitagirl.

Now people are going to think I meant that I had the idea of buying a walmart cake and then strapping dynamite to my chest, LOL!

I said I was depressed, not INSANE! icon_wink.gif

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DiscoLady Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:24am
post #17 of 66

Have dinner there and go to your home afterward for dessert...you can enjoy the party longer that way too icon_smile.gif
Congratulations to your parents...how wonderful!
You are so lucky to still have them!

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smashcakes Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:24am
post #18 of 66

HA HA HA, DALE. I like the idea of the dynamite. maybe she could be brandishing a spatula of frosting while she's at it icon_lol.gif
I too doubt they would actually ask for a receipt. also, is this just a restaurant where you'll be in a little room by yourself. they probably won't even notice you have a cake. but, just have that wal-mart receipt (or sam's club, etc) icon_razz.gif i'm sure their motives have a lot more to do with $$$. Just give your server a good tip

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Susecita Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:32am
post #19 of 66

In my world there are no rules that cannot be broken. Maybe I should not be typing this out. Yikes. I actually had this happen to me once. The cake was bought from one of our fave bakeries. We went to the top people managers, owners and to be honest flirted our way into letting us have the cake. We ended up having to pay a bit more to have the cake there (you have to understand the reason they do this is because they want you to eat THEIR stuff) but we did it. I also, as an attorney's lawyer spend my life fighting battles like this and here is what my mom the big lawyer would do: Tell them that you are having the party elsewhere if you cant have the cake as you were not notified of this before.


-S

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projectqueen Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:52am
post #20 of 66

Yes, it is always about money. Or potential lawsuits and, therefore, money!

They want to charge me $2.00 pp extra for their crappy flat cake or $1.50 pp cutting charge to cut and serve the bakery cake. They will let me bring one from a bakery, but they want it to be a certified place. They will also offer me a tiered cake for an additional $150! For 15 people! icon_surprised.gif I don't think so.

It's not a small place, it's a big restaurant that also has some individual party rooms and my parents love it there. I don't want to ruin their whole party over a cake, KWIM? And my DH is being no help whatsoever with my scheming....he's just happy I'm not going to make a mess in the kitchen! UGH!!!!!!!!!

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smashcakes Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:54am
post #21 of 66

i guess i'm just suprised (shouldn't be though) that for that small of a party, they're even worrying about cutting and serving it themselves. i would think you could handle that

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mmdd Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 3:58am
post #22 of 66

I've heard of some places or people signing a waiver. Is this a possibility???

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projectqueen Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 4:00am
post #23 of 66

I forgot to mention....we went over the menu on the phone first. Choices of dinners, etc. She mentioned dessert choices (Apple Struedel, etc.) and I said I didn't need the dessert because I was going to have a cake since it was an anniversary party.

I guess I assumed I could bring it and she assumed I was buying hers.

After we agreed on the menu and the party room, etc. she said she needed the deposit to guarantee the room and would mail me the contract. I gave her my credit card number she sent out the contract. Now that I look at it, the contract does say no outside food. But, as I said, my parents love this place and I had already given her the deposit. I don't think I could legally get them to allow me to bring my own cake. I think my best bet would just be playing dumb or doing the wal-mart thing. Does anyone on this site actually own a bakery in the ny metro area and want to sell me my own cake? icon_razz.gif

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ge978 Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 4:07am
post #24 of 66

Maybe you could call & talk to the manager & let them know how important it is that you have this cake & that you'd hate to have to cancel your reservation because you can't bring it. If there is 15 people spending at least $25/person...thats $375 or more that they would be losing. I would think they would have to see how silly it is to lose all that money for a cake. Let us know what you decide to do.

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crisseyann Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 8:50am
post #25 of 66

OMG, Dale!! Too flipping funny! LMAO

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dky Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 11:34am
post #26 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by beany

Have dinner at the restaurant and then go to your house for dessert?




Thats what I would suggest also

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padawn71 Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 11:38am
post #27 of 66

How about a cake from a favorite bakery? just tell them to ice the cake and thats all you want..then, u bring it home and decorate your cake as you want? then you have your receipt. and, you are still giving your parents a beautiful gift icon_biggrin.gif

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carrielynnfields Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 12:04pm
post #28 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by padawn71

How about a cake from a favorite bakery? just tell them to ice the cake and thats all you want..then, u bring it home and decorate your cake as you want? then you have your receipt. and, you are still giving your parents a beautiful gift icon_biggrin.gif




That is a great idea, pleases DH (less mess), pleases you (still get to do the artsy stuff and decorate to your hearts content), pleases reteraunt (certified reciept) and pleases Mom and Dad (beautiful artwork done by daughter) I vote for this idea.

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Susecita Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 12:05pm
post #29 of 66

Ugh and NY metro area of all places. That's where this happened to me too. I would still talk to the manager, the owner. I would take it to the highest courts and if not then I would definitely buy a crappy cake from Walmart.


-S

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sofiasmami Posted 21 Mar 2006 , 12:21pm
post #30 of 66

I like the idea of getting a cheap cake from walmart and giving them the receipt ... I don't think that they are going to be calling the FBI to check it out once you are there

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