Last month a bride and I signed a contract for a cake order of 50 individually boxed 4" round cakes as wedding favors in lieu of a tiered cake. The cakes are to be yellow with strawberry jam and in their own boxes. As soon as she paid her deposit I ordered the 5" silver cake boards from Sugarcraft (if anyone knows where I can find them somewhere else, let me know, because I might not get them in time, it says allow 3-4 weeks for delivery!!!!) The wedding is October 22, so coming up here. I charged $6 each, they are simply iced, double bead border, and a gold monogram on top.
Last week the bride wants to ask if she can add more cakes. Well I already ordered my boards, 50 of them, and will be lucky to get them on time let alone extras. So I said it would be ok but I would have to charge $2 more a cake because unless I find another source for 5" boards I'll have to cut them down and wrap them.
Then today she wants to know if she can change the filling to lemon. I already bought all the strawberry!!!! Her wedding is next weekend!!!! She paid the deposit last month and her balance is due the 15th.
I went ahead and told her if she wants lemon, to add a dollar per cake (so $60 more) and am waiting for her reply.
Did I do the right thing? Any advice if this should happen again?
And again, if anyone knows where I can find silver or gold 5" boards PLEASE let me know, I do know that after 2 weeks my others have not yet been shipped. Thanks!
I think you did the right thing and were MORE than accomodating and fair. If they want to start making all kinds of changes that close to the date, then they should be prepared to pay for it. I don't do wedding cakes, but if someone wants to change their order 1 week or less before the date then they pay extra - sometimes it's just a flat fee but in cases where ingredients change, such as yours, I charge accordingly but no less than $25...and that's just for party/occasion cakes.
I would say that you should stick to your guns and include a clause in your future contracts with brides about no more changes after a specific date. You did right though by charging with every change that she came to you with.
As for your cake boards, try www.papermart.com alot of people here recommend them and they seem reasonable. I'll try to find something else for you as well.
Good Luck!
http://www.novacartusa.com/board.html
says they have 5 1/2" boards, but doesn't list the price.
Having a contract can eliminate alot of changes. Once they sign & give the deposit, the only thing I allow for a change, is how many people.
change your contract...my contract doesnt allow changes 2 weeks before the wedding...these brides are nuts!!
Are you kidding? She should be kissing your feet that she is getting them at auch a low price!
I'd say it is too late to change, she signed a contract, there must be someone out there who knows how to put it nicely - but you meet with the bride ahead for a reason!
I don't think you did the wrong thing at all - very nice of you.
Learning experience, eh?
The only thing I may have suggested was doing half the cakes in strawberry and half in lemon. Not everyone likes lemon or strawberry, ya know?
Make sure that all changes are done within a month of the date. Any changes after that would be subject to an extra fee (as you've done) and to your discretion.
Bridezillas. 
Learning experience, eh?
The only thing I may have suggested was doing half the cakes in strawberry and half in lemon. Not everyone likes lemon or strawberry, ya know?
Make sure that all changes are done within a month of the date. Any changes after that would be subject to an extra fee (as you've done) and to your discretion.
Bridezillas.
LOL the entire order was made only a month before the date. haha.
She still hasn't returned my email. I assume I'll find out what she has decided when I see her pay the total in two days.
I was at a local cake supply shop and saw that they had some small round cake boards in stock. If you can't find them elsewhere, send me a message and I'll give you their phone number.
I think you could also just go get foam core and cut it in appropriate sized squares. They'd fit perfectly in the boxes, and I think they'd look just fine. Cover them if you'd like. It would be more work, but with this little time left, you've gotta do what you've gotta do!
Thanks!
The 6" ones really do look small...but I need 5" ones to fit the box.
Sugarcraft claims that I should get them in time. I hope so. I am not much for their customer service but that's another topic. haha.
If nothing else, dh is going to help me cut some boards with a large paper cutter.
any changes she makes that incur any extra cost should be charged to cover the ENTIRE cost of the new filling AND the old filling (you already bought it).
It will, thanks. 
The strawberry was just huge jars of Polaner preserves which were half off, I spent only $10 on that. The lemon filling will probably cost under $20 if she chooses that...yet I charged $1/person more for the last minute change which will be $60.
Of course I still have no idea what she wants. Wish she were more prompt with her responses!
Well if she changes her mind again, just make pan cakes for her..
Pan cakes with fondant or buttercream. 
Sounds like you are a very considerate and patient person..and she should be thankful for that.
[quote="tporbz"]
Well if she changes her mind again, just make pan cakes for her..
Pan cakes with fondant or buttercream.
That's too funny when you imagine all these guests sitting there wondering why they've got pancakes in their cake boxes!
LOL!
"Hey, I ordered waffles!"
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