Do any of you follow up with customers a day or two after their event? I was thinking of coming up with a standard e-mail to send out to see if the customer was happy with their cake and to thank them for their order. Anyone else do this? If so, how do you word your follow-up...what things do you include? (Also, do you think this would just be opening up a big can of worms giving every customer an open floor to complain?)
Thanks!

I always call to see how everything went. Sometimes it is hard to get a hold of the couple with Honeymoons and such.

I always send out a card thanking them for their business and to keep me in mind for any future needs. Found these great cards that look like a bakery case with cakes in them and send these out.

I designed a form in word where all they need to do is tick a few boxes. I email this out 2-3 days after each delivery and get about a 80% return. Its a great way to see if they were happy with everything.

I send an email with a photo of the cake - my 'best' photo saying that I thought they might like it as I know how hard it is to get a good picture. I don't fish for compliments or feedback, I just leave it at that. That way the door is open to reply with some feedback, but they don't feel they have to. It also means they have the picture by email and often email this to friends etc. to see the cake - great advertising for me as the cake has my web-address on the watermark. I'd love to know how to send an e-card with a picture of my cake on!

Okay, these are great ideas. Thanks for the feedback. I figured I should do something, but I wasn't sure what would be considered appropriate when dealing with actual customers and not just family and friends. Thanks!

Since I stay and serve the cake and/or buffet, I get feedback the day of the event, but periodically (honestly, just when time allows) I send an email thanking them for "...allowing me to be a part of their very special day...." and just a short "let me know if I can be of any add'l help in the future." It gives them an opening to respond, if they want to. I post most responses on my website and use them as references.