ok I just can't come up with a figure for this upcoming wedding cake(3weeks) and my SIL would like to know how much(it's her gift to her close friend whom I don't know),so I don't want to over charge or go steep,family ya know it's costing me very close to 100$ to make and that doesn;t include all the practice expense. wedding was asked to feed 85-90 people,but what I am making will serve approx.115 party servings.so I figure it's fair to charge for 90 not 115..any agreements with me so I can't figure to charge cost/time wise or simpley per slice.both my figures are preety close to each other..I'm thinking about 190$-225$ range.????? PLEASE throw some thoughts my way,you are ALL so on-the-ball with things

Well, I am making a wedding cake that my BIL is gifting to a co-worker of his and I've charged him $300! It's a cake for 125-150 people! He's getting a really great deal because it's a three tier with only two of the tiers being served and covered in fondant with royal icing roses. That's $2.00 a slice! It's undercharged I know but he is family and he considered me for the cake instead of going to a local bakery in Seattle where he lives! I am thankful for the opportunity that's for sure! He was still shocked at the price though. He was figuring around $125! NOT!!!!!!

I would charge $225! There is a lot of time and technique in doing a wedding cake! I wouldn't go any lower than that!!



Amy

if it is costing you a hundred dollars to make it, then I think it would be fair to double your costs to cover your time. I don't know how big the cake is or anything. You said about 115 servings, so if you charge 1.50 a slice, but for the 90 servings you want that would come out to be 135 dollars, I don't think that is fair to you, so say 2.0 a slice that is 180 dollars. At 2.50 it is 225. So I am really not being any help. LOL.....how much do you normally charge?

well the first to wedding cakes i did were for gifts to sister and then my niece...so no charge there! I got my first paid wedding cake last summer for a co worker and i can not for the life of me remember how i figured that price out but I got like 150-175$ for it,it's the 3 tier swags with roses and fountain in my pics.I would lose my head if it weren't on my shoulders
cakemommy....I was just reading one of the other posts mix vs. scratch,you say you lower your temp for big scratch cakes..I never thought of that,my pound cakes come out not cooked in the middle( just tiny bit though), do you think this could help me
thanks for the cost inputs girls

I suggest you call around to some bakeries in your area who do wedding cakes and get their prices for the same size cake as you will be doing. I think you will find out that you should charge your SIL more than you think you should, because the bakeries will be a LOT higher. Don't undervalue yourself. Personally, I would probably charge between $200 and $225 for that cake for a family member. You never told us if it is stacked or tiered or fondant or gumpaste flowers or whatever...so that figure could change depending on what you will do to make it special.

Good Luck!

good idea,thanks.
its a 4 tier sq. stack,ea.2layers filled and all buttercream with fondant accents and sm grooms all fondant.

small groms (cake???) then $225 is not too much to ask. I agree with calling around to bakeries just to see how much she would pay elsewhere. Sure I'd give her a family discount, not half off. This way you could also let her know how you came up with the price if she questioned you on it.

cakemommy....I was just reading one of the other posts mix vs. scratch,you say you lower your temp for big scratch cakes..I never thought of that,my pound cakes come out not cooked in the middle( just tiny bit though), do you think this could help me Thumbs Up!
thanks for the cost inputs girls


I find it easier to manage the baking process if I have a lower temp. I bake at 325-330 instead of 350! That way I can ensure my cake is cooked evenly instead of well done on the edges and barely done in the middle! It takes longer yes, my 12x18 takes approx 55-60 minutes, (I start checking at 40), but I am guaranteed a done right and moist cake! I also use wet paper towels around the edges of my cake pan for even baking! (No the paper towels don't burn up)


Amy

Remember, It's her gift to the Bride.....Not yours. But it would be good to discuss with her before it is agreed that you would make the cake. I'd hate to tell someone that I would gift them a place setting of china they registered for only to find out that it's $250 when I was thinking more like 100. But it would be my responsibility to find out before I promised.

This 3rd party cake contracting never seems to work out smoothly. But it's always the decorator who gets all the agravation.

Your SIL and the Bride have put a lot of trust in you. Take it as a compliment and get duly compensated. You're worth it!

I just had a conversation with someone about this...about people undercharging for their services. (except lawyers , I guess)... Do check caterers and bakeries for their pricing. Wedding cakes can go as low as 2 and over 6 dollars a slice. Your pricing may be lower if you are baking at home and do not have the same overhead as bakeries like insurance etc. Give your price based exactly what your cake will serve. If your cake serves 115 Then charge for 115 slices. The bride does not want to come short on the cakes slices, right?Then you can give your SIL a discount. That way everyone knows how much value the cake is and what savings they are getting. Also have an agreement/understanding on what the cake design is before you give the price that way everyone is on the same page. Also factor if you are going to deliver the cake, pilars, etcc...etc... I recently collected 125.00 for a 4 yr olds birthday cake.

wow, what adeal for a 4yr old bday!! it must have been great.I can not inquire anymore about this cake,I have and mySIL just "whatever"or "it doesn't matter".she's been to my house when I have ideas and pans stacked and pics out and says"what are you doing misty?" I say figuring out the wedding cake,and she'll be like "what wedding cake?"then I shoot her a look and she's like "oh"and walks off.the other day she said just let me know how much and when you give me the cake,give me some of your (calling)cards.WAIT A SECOND......when I GIVE her the cake? I still have to talk about this with her,cause I have to deliver it..she would never manage sorry but I am about ready to scream she is not stingey(spell)with her $ though,she kinda throws it around and says its just money!!!!!!!so I am not to to to scared to tell her about 225 or so.sorry for the rant