Hello Everyone!

Would anyone be willing to share their list of questions asked at a CONSULTATION for ORDERING a WEDDING CAKE? or said otherwise, other than the obvious questions such as # of servings, flavors, bc vs. fondant, flowers, colors etc., is there anything that is not so obvious that I should be asking???

As you can tell I am very new to the business so any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Who would be slicing the cake? Would you like diffent flavor cakes per layer? Fresh Flowers or Cake topper? Are just a few I could think of.

You should discuss deposit, delivery, return of any items such as cake plates, etc. Who'll decorate the table, get a name of someone at the reception site in case you have questions for that person. Can't think of much else outside the basics.

Mickig

will the wedding be inside or outside , is the reception area air conditioned if inside are some more to ask. Who is responsible for setting up the cake tables

If the cake is to be the main dessert (enough slices for everyone, maybe larger?) or as a dessert buffet item/later in the evening (2/3 to 3/4 of the number of slices req. to feed all guests, smaller slices)?

If they want to save the top tier for next year, or the kitchen staff may well cut it up?

Any allergies among the guests?

I'm always asked if I'll be providing cake boxes for them to take home their leftover cake or if the venue is responsible for that.

I do provide cake cutting diagrams for each tier of cake and an ingredients list for allergies. I also give them my cell phone number, in case they need to reach me while I'm delivering that day....or if they have any questions in the evening.

Cake server and knife are a biggie... if they ask you to provide make sure you charge a deposit on them as well as the plates pilers and anything else "construction" wise that needs to be returned.

Will there be a designated area pre-set up for the cake to sit or will you have to do that. If there is a deposit on the structual items you need to set a date and time to have them returned by and she needs to designate someone to do the returning if they are away on a honey moon.

You should have both the bride and grooms MOTHER's phone numbers and any cell numbers available incase of last minute emergencies.

Don't forget to take pictures AFTER you set up at the wedding

Oh, such sage advise from my wonderful CC'ers!

And, if she can't really "make up her mind," ask about her dress! If her dress is "frilly, ruffly, froo-froo" she's likely to want a more detailed cake...less detailed, more straight-lined type dress, less detailed cake, etc.

--Knox--

Thank you all so much. I will begin compiling a list of questions for the CONSULTATION based on your great responses. Thanks CC!

I got one suggestion. If you are adding anything that is colored to the cake such as flowers or decorating the cake stands with materal or such, ask that she bring you a sample of the colors she is using. I had a wedding here a while back and the ask if I could decorate the stand with materal and I said yes. Well they approved the color but when I got to the wedding the shade of red that I used didnt match the decorations in the reception area. The family was detured, to say the least, but I told them there wasnt anything I could do at that point. Just make sure everything color matches.

Nice post.

Another issue: if you are putting lights around the base of the cake (which I almost always do), OR will be using a fountain, the cake table needs to be near an electrical outlet. I also remind Brides that their cake table must be sturdy and I will refuse to set up on any table that I deem to be unacceptable. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked to do a wedding and the only table that was provided for the wedding cake was a card table.

When my Brides leave with their order form (which includes every detail about the wedding cake, including a sketch), I provide them with an envelope to keep it in. This envelope has size, flavors, colors listed. It has total cost, down payment, and balance due. It lists the date that final payment is expected. On the back, I have listed a bunch of "checkpoints" for the Bride (i.e., plates/forks/napkins needed _____________; final payment send on ________/check #________; style changes made ________________________ (date); cake knife/server; etc.). These provide for one last spot for the Bride to consider that she's had every opportunity to get her cake "right". Many of my Brides tell me they appreciate this service because it helps them make sure they are getting what they pay me for.

If you would like to see one, just PM me and maybe I'll take a picture and post it in the gallery.

Hope this helps you out,

Odessa