You all have such great responses. Especially for a newby to the biz like me. I am trying to create an "interview" list for the bride and groom to be during the initial phone inquiry.
Questions I know are relevent are: # of people attending the ceremony, wedding colors, and special requests. Can you help me out with more "need to know" questions?

i always ask how formal their wedding is or if they have a theme so that i have an idea of what to show them when i give the consultation.

Here are a few additional questions for the intitial interview and/or face to face consultation:

-When is the wedding (you can talk about seasonal themes and colors)
-Will they provide or want a topper
-Where will it be (you can calculate delivery and set up costs then)
-Does she have pictures of cakes/has she been looking at (can narrow down style preference)
-Do they want an anniversary cake (explain what that is)
-Have they selected a florist? (get contact name)
-Have they selected a caterer? (get contact name)
-Do they have a wedding coordinator/planner (get contact name)
-Will they have a dessert table as well (will help determine cake servings and flavors)
-Will they be edible favors at the table (same as above)

Hope that helps a bit.

Thank you! I will start compiling a list. You have been very helpful.

another question i would be asking is how the place is set up for the cake? if it is hot out, does the place have air conditioning? you wouldn't want the cake to melt!!!

I always ask how many invitations will be sent out? Its amazing how many brides figure the people by one invitation and not that there might be 2 or 3 from each invitation. I always ask if they will order a grooms cake, as I give a special rate if they order both? Also I find out if they are serving food, and liquor. By knowing this a cake and punch only reception will usually need more cake, whereas a food and liquor reception may not need as much. People do not seem to eat alot of cake after eating and drinking. I always ask if the bride has a theme. Anything that I can find out about helps me in the preparation of the cake, besides it also gives you a little insight to the bride herself.

Very Important question:

What is your budget?

does she usually tell you her budget? I would think that is on the personal side....although you need to show her what she can afford. no since showing her all the bells and whistles if she can only afford a sheet cake. I get that, just wondering if brides openly say, "my budget is x amount"
or do you ask what the cake budget is? sometimes they don't have a clue the cake is going to cost as much as it does.

thanks for your help btw...trying to figure this out myself also.


melody

rezzycakes,

I was wondering why you would need the caterer, florists names and about the edible favors.

I guess the edible favors is also to figure out cake servings but is there a reason you need the names of the florist and caterer?

Not being sarcastic, just needing to know the purpose of knowing and why.

Do we contact them for something or what questions or answers do we need to know for the catere and florist?

Hope this makes since what I am asking.

TIA

Hi Crystalscakes5,

Sometimes you need to work with the florist, especially if the bride wants fresh flowers on the cake or on/around the cake table. It will help with your table set up/design.

By the caterer, I mean the place where the reception will take place. Can you set up the cake? If you are not licensed, will there be liability issues? Will they allow your cake on the premises? (that can be an issue despite the brides wishes). You can ask about how they set up the room so you'll know what to expect for your table set up. Also if it's feasible, you may want to arrange to see the premises. This will make delivery/set up smooth.

You may not need to know all of that information. It depends on how elaborate of a cake the bride wants. But having the contact names helps, so you won't have to keep calling the BTB. She has enough to think about! Also, this is only why you would want the contact names. You don't need to say all of this on the initial call!!

If she asks why you need this information, just tell her that you may have some questions about delivery and table set up.

Rezzy

Ok thanks. That makes alot of sense.

Does the reception facility require a certificate of insurance from you? If so, what is the name/phone number of the contact person so you can find out exactly how the certificate needs filled out and the fax number where it needs to be sent. Are there any time restrictions on when you can set up?

Also a little detail that I didn't see in any of the lists above: The Wedding Date???