After nearly a month, I'm finally getting around to posting this and I know it's going to be long. Here goes...

I had an order for a wedding cake and a groom's cake and everything went extremely smooth. The wedding cake is my favorite one that I've made so far...4 tiers covered in white fondant, real black ribbon, buttercream swirls on the side and a fondant monogram. I was really proud of it, loaded the car and headed off to the wedding...over an hour away. I gave myself plenty of time to get there, unload, stack it up and leave.

When I was about half way there, I got a call from the bride's father asking where I was. I said I would be there shortly and he said, "Well, the lady that's decorating the cake is waiting on you to get here." I politely asked him what he was talking about because the cake was already finished. He said he didn't know and that he was just as confused as I was. A million things started to run through my head and I was sick at the thought of someone else "decorating" one of my cakes. In usual fashion, I freaked out and called my dad. I was worried that she might want to put flowers on it, that they most likely wouldn't be organic and I didn't even have flower picks with me. He said, oh I bet she just wants to decorate around the cake. I agreed and convinced myself that's what she was going to do.

I arrived at the fellowship hall and walked in with my cake lifter and toolbox to scope out the area. I sat my things on another table and this terribly old woman looks at me and says rather rudely, "The cake goes over there! (points to what is obviously the cake table) and she's been WAITING ON YOU ALL DAY!" (...keep in mind this is still well over an hour before the reception starts and I have no more decorating to do.)

As I begin to stack the tiers, this lady bursts in saying, "I've got to get this cake decorated, I've got to get this cake decorated." At that point, I see that she's got a bunch of flowers. I began to get irritated and decided to take my time putting on the monogram. The maid of honor (I know her, too) comes out and says that there was some confusion and they ended up with two monograms (she meant cake toppers). She looked at mine and says, oh definitely use that, the bride will love it. I told her that I didn't know there were going to be flowers on the cake, so I didn't prepare the cake that way. I said that if they're not organic, they could have pesticides on them and I don't want to be responsible, should anyone get sick. She turns and asks the flower lady if they're organic and she says, "NO. But the nothing will be touching the cake. All of the stems will be wrapped."

After I put the monogram on, the lady with the flowers says, "Did the bride ask you to put that W on top?" Seriously...did she really ask me that? I left with my fingers crossed that she was a florist and would be decent flower arranger.

I could go on and on about this all day but here's the end result. The first picture is what I left at the reception. The second is how the cake looked when the bride and groom cut it. I just wish I would have known she wanted flowers and I could have done it.

OMG, Where did the monogram go? Guess somebody changed their mind. Well, at least YOU did a beautiful cake.

See, now I would have refused to let her touch it, and demanded that the bride or whoever was in charge come out and clear this up. What a ridiculous situation!!! If she wanted flowers it should have been in your contract. I'm angry for you, I'd have been spittin' mad if it had been me.

That's weird! I think I would have told her not to touch my cake until someone in charge <who ever was footing the bill for cake> could sign a release releasing me from any damage due to flowers or any thing else being put on my cake. And until it is signed for and paid for it is your cake.
In the future deff ask if anything is to be added to cake after set up and by who and have them sign a release for your protection and for the protection of your reputation too.

Your cake was beautiful before the flowers. Honestly I don't like how she arranged the flowers. The single flowers stuck in the side look like she was throwing darts or something. Good thing you got a picture of it before she got her impatient little hands on it.

OMG how gawdy looking is that! It looked great the way you had it, a little plainer then what the "florist" did to it but if that's what the bride and groom ordered that's what they got.

I would also let the future customers know this is not how things will work from now on... and if this bride calls you for any reason with any complaints I would also let her know this is not how things work... if she wanted flowers on it she should've told you prior to you getting there. I know alot of people do get a florist to do the flowers on the cake but normally the flowers are provided by a florist of the brides choosing and sent/taken directly to the cake decorator.... this makes no sense what so ever! and it's ugly!... and "Nothing will be touching the cake" it looks like they're touching the cake to me!

I think the cake looks great without all of the flowers. it detracts from the simple beauty of it.

Wow how frusterating! Sorry you had to go through that. The flowers on the table actually looked quite pretty but the random couple flowers here and there poked in the cake looked goofy. Your monogram topper was much classier and very elegant. Didn't like the flowers there.

As for the bride, maybe she didn't know that the flowers on a cake are arranged by the cake decorator not a florist. Why would she order a topper and make you go through all that work for nothing though? Regardless, you did a beautiful job and be proud. In the end, what the bride wants the bride gets I guess....

Good luck on your next cake!

First off what a beautiful cake!!! I personally like the cake the way is before the flowers were added....with the flowers it is pretty, but it kinda reminds me of....like a christmans tree or a wreath b/c of the greenery she used....before the flowers were added it (and the monogram was taken off) looks very elegant, i prefer it that way...but then again it wasn't my wedding cake so whatever. But i do agree with 2sdae about having them sign something stating that you aren't responsible if anything were to happen b/c of the flowers she put on there....

OMG!!!...could the flowers be any bigger!
Your (untouched!) cake was simply elegant. I don't know what to say about granny's end results... maybe if she just put flowers at the bottom....
Who knows why you were not told about the flowers.
People are weird.

What a waste of your time & a beautiful cake! The flowers around the base of the cake would have looked OK, but why destroy the elegance of your cake with the ugly (IMO) placement of those flowers on the sides & top?! I agree that your topper looked MUCH nicer! I would be tempted to send the bride your picture so she could see how lovely her cake was untouched!

Your finished cake was so very elegent, absolutely beautiful!

The flowers look ridiculous, what a shame that they ruined your cake with them, but you know you did a wonderful job.

I loved your monogram. I would send the bride a photo of your cake in the original state so she can see how really beautiful it was before the hideous flowers.

OMG what was that woman thinking!! She ruined your cake. I would have told her no way untill I talked to who ever was in charge . Your cake was perfect I hope I'm that good someday.

OMG how could she do that to your cake????

It looked so much better the way you did it, and the flowers I am sorry to say look REALLY REALLY BAD on that cake. They hide a lot of your hard work. The nerve of people!!!!

ARRRRGGGG.... Ohhh my.....

The flowers around the bottom is ok.... But on the sides and the top...... arrrggg.... where is your topper????


I'd be sooooooo mad......

its pretty with the flowers but i personaly like it better w/o the flowers. I prefer the simplicity and elegance before it was CHANGED!

Okay, first off, you cake is BEAUTIFUL!! I put it in my favs!!

Second; who puts an ENTIRE floral bouquet on top of a cake!! That was not cute at all!! The only thing the lady did that was decent, was the arrangement at the bottom of the cake!!

Your version is much nicer! Maybe a couple "smaller" flowers would of been ok - but geesh! I would send the bride a picture of what you left with a note (or email) stating you were unaware of this situation and wanted to make sure that you left what you thought she wanted. I would then add that you could of done some flower arrangement on the cake for her.

*Just wanted to say that those large single roses sticking out the side look horrible! Would of been better without those! The topper on top is way too big!*

I'm very sad for you. I hope the bride didn't think YOU did that to the cake. Your cake was very elegant. I love it (before it was attacked by the pink flower brigade!)

Your cake is beautiful and it needed nothing added!! I agree with others that the flowers at the bottom look nice but she ruined the look of the cake sticking those flowers in the sides. I also do not like those big flowers on top. Why on earth would someone stick flowers in the side of an already beautifully decorated cake???

You'd think that someone would have mentioned something to you about it. How rude of this lady to be so pushy! I love your cake, it's gorgeous - and with the flowers, it's nice, however, totally overdone in my opinion. I'm not sure why some florists do that - the topper is just too much, the cake was much prettier with the monogram. Just know that your cake is outstanding, and forget that rude florist- not to mention the old lady yelling at you - seriously people!

Your cake was much, much better without the flowers. As soon as that woman said "did the bride ask you.." I would have said "well the bride didn't say anything to me about you so you can't touch the cake". I'm so angry at this woman for being such a b***h! Your cake was awesome and the woman probably convince the bride at the last moment to add flowers and to have her do it. Otherwise she would have told you to be there earlier. Oh, I'm just so mad at some ppl!!!!

I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who thought this whole thing was weird. Thanks for all of the kind words; I knew my fellow cake decorators would understand!

Actually, I did hear from the bride the day she got back from her honeymoon. She called to say that she heard her wedding coordinator (flower lady) was hateful toward me and that she wanted to apologize.

The worst part is that there were four other engaged couples at that wedding and I don't want them to think those flowers were my work. I'm at that age where all of my friends are getting married and I don't want to miss out on an order because of that wedding.

Wow your cake looked very elegant! After the florist attacked it...yikes!! Maybe the flowers around the cake plate if they wanted flowers but as far as all of the rest...yikes!

I had almost the same thing happen a couple of years ago, except the flowers were added by the florist after I left the reception hall. As is normal, we were all setting up at the same time and he(the florist) commented on how gorgeous the cake was and how much the bride and groom would love it. I took my photos and left. I later received a photo of the bride and groom with the cake and flowers had been added. When I spoke to the bride later, she thought I had a hand in this, but I let her know that I did not. I now let everyone know that if flowers are to be added, that I will do it. I know exactly how you feel, and it's not good. Be sure to let the bride know that you were not aware of this and that you hope she was satisfied with the cake. You did a beautiful job on the cake so just be proud!!!

Oh my giddy aunt,
I would show the bride a picture of YOUR final version of the cake and let her know that you will not take responsibility if she is unsatisfied with the final product becausde the final product that YOU delivered was tampered with. Also, if anyone gets sick from the flowers, it's on the woman's head, not yours.

Wow-you need to call that bride and clear this up. That is your name on that cake and you really should get to the bottom of it! Please don't take this the wrong way, but why has it been a month? Call her and clear it up...let us know how it works out. Your cake was beautiful. The flowers are just ugly. And furthermore, the way they treated you and singled you out that day was completly wrong and unprofessional!

IMO...this lady over killed with the flower topper and flowers sticking here and there, the flowers around the base looks good and that was all she needed to add. The monogram is for sure better looking then the big blob of flowers as the topper.

Your cake was very beautiful and I love the look & design of it.....and the flower lady has no eye for decorating a cake with flowers, thank goodness she stop adding flowers or no one would have ever guess that there was a cake under the flower bouquet centerpeice.

I also agree with what 2sdae posted.

God Bless,
Sharon

I am so sorry your cake was messed with! She MESSED IT UP!!! WTF?? That was just plain rude! I would NOt have let her touch the cake! I am so upset for you! You should definitely clear it up with the bride that you did NOT do the flowers and that the monogram was on there! UGggh! I would want to kill that lady! (not a good time of the month for me if ya know what I mean! she would've got it! LOL)