Can You Cut The Cake?

Business By jlsheik Updated 26 Jan 2009 , 5:19am by Butterpatty

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jlsheik Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 9:43pm
post #1 of 33

My college daughter and her boyfriend have been friends with a couple that now live about 2 hours away... they went to highshoool together. They are getting married and have been planning the wedding, she knows that I am a cake decorator. When the bride to be asked if I could make the cake I said I could...then she launched in to how the prices are just so high in the city. I live in a very rural area, and I am comfortable with my prices, so I let it go.
Skip to today....the mother of the bride e-mails me today and gently added we were also wondering if you could CUT the cake for us.

Do people think we sprinkle fairy dust to make a wedding cake appear!!?

I quickly responded with.... after working on your daughters cake for 2 days, up early the morning of the wedding working on it all day, packing half my kitchen...in case there would be a disaster, transporting it 2 hours, setting it up and making sure it is perfect. And then making myself presentable for the wedding, attending the wedding.
I am not sure I will have the energy to cut the cake.

Am I just rude? I just pushed the send button and I have not heard back from her.
Do you agree to cut the cake friend or no friends? What are your thoughts?

32 replies
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cakesdivine Posted 23 Jan 2009 , 10:02pm
post #2 of 33

I actually love cutting cakes I make. My cakes are super moist and in an unskilled cake cutters hands can easily become a pile of cake instead of a slice of cake...LOL! Also, everyone always comes up to me telling my how wonderful the cake was and usually asks for my card. Which I keep handy in my apron pocket.

I did a former dance student's HUGE 350 serving wedding cake & 3d sculpted fire truck cake, hauled my "cookies" 200 miles for the wedding. Was there for the wedding and the reception and cut the cakes for her. I didn't have a problem with it. But if she hadn't been a former student of mine there would have been an additional cake cutting charge of $150 for 3 hours minimum...eases the pain of all the hours for that day.

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jlsheik Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 12:35am
post #3 of 33

How you completely turned that around to be about you is really beyond me.....yada yada yada cakesdivine we all know you are wonderful!!!!

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paulstonia Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 12:46am
post #4 of 33

Ok, i must be missing something here. Personal issues?

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indydebi Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 12:51am
post #5 of 33

I also love cutting cakes, but I've pretty much narrowed it down to only cutting the cake if I'm also doing the catering ... because I"m there anyway.

Feel free to refer her to my website page on "How to Cut a Wedding Cake" that has step by step photos on how to do it. They can find a family member, print out this page for them, and it will be super easy for them. Here's the link: http://cateritsimple.com/_wsn/page10.html

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ThreeDGirlie Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 12:55am
post #6 of 33

jlsheik - Step back and take a breath.

1. I see nothing wrong with a family friend aking you to cut the cake when you will be at the wedding anyway. I also don't think there is anything wrong with you saying "no, I would rather not". That said, if your e-mail was anything like your first post, you were rude to say the least.

2. Your reply to CakesDevine was un-called for. She replied that she LIKES to cut the cake and told us why. You didn't need to jump down her throat because she doesn't agree with you.

<deep breath in> <let it out>

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newmansmom2004 Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 12:58am
post #7 of 33

I would cut the cake ONLY if it had been arranged ahead of time and for a fee...especially for a large wedding of like 350 - that's a lot of time standing there cutting cake. However...like Indydebi said, if I were catering the wedding then I think I'd throw in the cutting if the bride wanted me to cut the cake for her, but I'd also want to know ahead of time simply as a time management issue.

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indydebi Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:02am
post #8 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by newmansmom2004

.... but I'd also want to know ahead of time simply as a time management issue.


Oh absolutely, because if I have more than one catering in a day, I have to know to send someone on THAT catering who knows how to cut a wedding cake!

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jibbies Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:02am
post #9 of 33

I like cutting the cake even for people I don't know. I don't charge extra for it. I like meeting the people and when they come through the line and comment on the cake I get to say "thank you" and I have even gotten future orders because I was there.

Jibbies

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doughdough Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:04am
post #10 of 33

I prefer to cut my own cakes also, ESPECIALLY if I'm going to be there anyway! Watching someone who has obviously never cut a cake before doing a hack-job on my beautiful cake just makes me cringe.

I'll be doing my cousin's wedding cake in May, and I'll be shocked if they DON'T ask me to cut it!

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dailey Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:05am
post #11 of 33

i HATE cutting the cake. i would have simply said that i only know how to make them, not cut them. which is totally true, i make a mess out if it every time...

oh, and i wanted to add that i would have been annoyed too. jeeze, if you're a guest you should not be asked to cut the cake.

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sgauta Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:11am
post #12 of 33

I also prefer cutting my own cakes if I'm going to be staying for the event -- like some of the PP's have said, I'd rather do it myself than see someone hacking away at it that doesn't know what he/she is doing. I put it together, I know best how to take it apart!

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mommyle Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:16am
post #13 of 33

I just CAN'T cut my own cakes. I hate it. Especially belly cakes. UGH!!! Morbid!!! I'll have to cut a couple of wedding cakes this summer, and yes, I'd rather do it myself than watch someone else do a hack-job (that is, if I'm still sober!!!) HOWEVER, if I'm not invited to the wedding, I sure am not staying to cut the cake for free. I have many other things that I'd rather be doing. Here is your chart. And if you still insist that I stay, you will be paying me dearly.

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paulstonia Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:21am
post #14 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThreeDGirlie

jlsheik - Step back and take a breath.


2. Your reply to CakesDevine was un-called for. She replied that she LIKES to cut the cake and told us why. You didn't need to jump down her throat because she doesn't agree with you.

<deep breath in> <let it out>



no kidding!

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jlsheik Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:24am
post #15 of 33

I just viewed it as one more thing added to the list that day......and it will be a long day.
Thanks for letting me see both sides.

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havingfun Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:38am
post #16 of 33

indydebi,
I did print out the chart and carry it to a wedding this past weekend!! LOL!!! The lady seemed insulted to say the least. "I have cut many cakes - your cake is just too tall. I will cut it the way I cut and then just cut the slice in half". ummmmm, That would mean the guest would not get the icing that is in the middle. (all that torting, filling, leveling ..). I watched from the side and saw her cut the cake in oddly shaped sizes and just butcher the cake. Oh well, I had many compliments on the cake and the taste. And no, it was not too tall.

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Deb_ Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:59am
post #17 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlsheik

When the bride to be asked if I could make the cake I said I could...then she launched in to how the prices are just so high in the city. I live in a very rural area, and I am comfortable with my prices, so I let it go.



No, you didn't let it go and it showed in your e-mail.




Am I just rude? I just pushed the send button and I have not heard back from her.




Yes you were rude. Sorry but you asked. Now you have to face this lady at the wedding, you better put your "forgive me I'm PMS'ing face on, and fast". icon_redface.gif Now cut the damn cake and have a good time! icon_razz.gif

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indydebi Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:59am
post #18 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by havingfun

"I have cut many cakes - your cake is just too tall.




Geesh! icon_lol.gif In my best "kiss my a$$" voice, I probably would have told her, "My cakes are NOT too tall ... IF you KNOW how to cut a cake, that is!" I probably would have found a way to comment on "what a hatchet cutting job!" was being done by the cutter, while I just HAPPENED to be standing close to the cake ... oh gosh, was that out loud? icon_surprised.gif

But remember ... I tend to take the smart a$$ approach to things! icon_lol.gificon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

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havingfun Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:04am
post #19 of 33

indydebi, too funny!! The wedding was at my church, so my typical attitude was being held in TIGHT check!!!! LOL!!

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Ruth0209 Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:17am
post #20 of 33

Wow, sounds like someone missed her nap today...

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bethola Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:17am
post #21 of 33

I like cutting the cake too! Well, sometimes...I even cut the cake if I don't make it! LOL Because I'm the "expert"! LOL If it's not my cake and they comment how wonderful it is I say "Isn't it? I just LOVE it when a wedding cake is beautiful AND tastes good!" It's a social thing for me.

Beth in KY

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indydebi Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:18am
post #22 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by havingfun

indydebi, too funny!! The wedding was at my church, so my typical attitude was being held in TIGHT check!!!! LOL!!




ah, MAN! That takes the fun outta everything! icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

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jammjenks Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:35am
post #23 of 33

Yeah-I'll cut the cake for them for about $15/hour. I don't offer, but if they ask.....

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LaBellaFlor Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:37am
post #24 of 33

Caterers have cake cutting fees so I don't see why you should feel you should have to cut the cake if you don't feel like it. Your not being rude at all, plus your a guest.

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indydebi Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 2:44am
post #25 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by LaBellaFlor

Caterers have cake cutting fees so I don't see why you should feel you should have to cut the cake if you don't feel like it. Your not being rude at all, plus your a guest.



If the caterer will cut the cake ... and not all do (I know one who refuses).

If the cake cutting is done early in the festivities ... like before the caterer is packed up and gone, if it's an off-site caterer.

If it's arranged ahead of time so the caterer can plan staffing, timing, and add any cake service fee to the invoice.

Never assume.

Signed,
Debi,
The Caterer icon_biggrin.gif

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SpoonfulofSugar Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 1:01pm
post #26 of 33

I always ask during my consults.."do you have a friend or will the caterer cut the cake" with it just being me and my hubby there is no way I could fit that in my day. If I commit to one cutting then I can only do that one cake for the day. Plus....I HATE attention...I'm shy and would rather not have all those people watching me cut the cake. I will do it thought for family if I'm going to be there anyway...and it's not so bad

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OhMyGanache Posted 24 Jan 2009 , 4:09pm
post #27 of 33

I would respond on topic, except I am far too cheesed at the OP's gall! WTF?!?

*walking away from the keyboard before I say something equally rude*

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cakesdivine Posted 25 Jan 2009 , 3:30pm
post #28 of 33

Wow, I hadn't even looked at this thread since I posted...Had no idea my response would cause such a personal attack icon_sad.gif

My response in no way was intended to upset or upstage the OP. I just like cutting cake, and if it isn't a family member or friend I do charge to do it.

Don't know what issues were weighing heavy on your mind that day, but I hope things become more harmonious for you, and you find some joy in today. icon_smile.gif

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Deb_ Posted 25 Jan 2009 , 4:39pm
post #29 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakesdivine

Wow, I hadn't even looked at this thread since I posted...Had no idea my response would cause such a personal attack icon_sad.gif

My response in no way was intended to upset or upstage the OP. I just like cutting cake, and if it isn't a family member or friend I do charge to do it.

Don't know what issues were weighing heavy on your mind that day, but I hope things become more harmonious for you, and you find some joy in today. icon_smile.gif




I think we can assume it was a bad case of PMS icon_lol.gif

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jlsheik Posted 25 Jan 2009 , 5:39pm
post #30 of 33

PMS....maybe!

I am sorry for being bitchy...I was not rude in the e-mail to the brides mother. and I have contacted her and let her know whatever she needs from me I will gladly do.

Again thanks for letting me see both sides of things.

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