Okay, I have a wedding in 2 weeks, the oral agreement was that the florist and I would work together to put the flowers on the cake, it is a very plain cake, the flowers are the decoration. So I was supposed to hear from the florist, never happened. Today the bride told me that I could just drop off the cake at the venue, and the florist would take over and do the flowers. I have never had a florist take over, so I wondered if this was a normal occurence. It is very hard for me to give up control of a cake that I work my butt off making perfect, and I want pictures of the final piece! I am also afraid that the florist will mess it up while putting the flowers on. So is this something I should be concerned about or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? TIA for any opinions!

I wouldn't do it...from what I've read, lots of cake decorators know a lot more about what flowers are safe to go on food, and I would hate the idea of someone just poking stems into my cake. Also, I agree, what if it gets messed up? And yes, you need a picture of your finished cake.

Dear Bride,

Thank you for your suggestion about having the florist put the flowers on the cake. I take great pride in my cakes and want to make sure it is perfect for your special day. I would not feel comfortable leaving the cake to be decorated with the flowers, and not seeing the end result. I would be happy to coordinate with the florist if you could give me her contact info.

Thanks,

Your Baker

Nope be concerned , i would, i would not leave my cake there until it was finished then take a picture of it, just for your peace of mind , What if the florist doesnt even show?? I would tell the bride no way . Just my opionion

Absolutely not.....It is not ok for the florist to take over. It is ok if the florist wants to be there with you, and the two of you work together in getting the flowers on the cake. And...while this is happening, the florist is not the person in charge! This is your cake order, not theirs....What would they think if you told them to just leave the flowers for the tables, and you would take care of setting them up, after you got the cake done?? Fat chance...Brownie

I agree I wouldnt let the flourist take over... like Browne said if the florist wants to be there with you and you can work together, I would be okay with that.

This does happen quite often. Its not unusual, simply because the florist usually goes to the church or ceremony venue first and doesn't make it to the reception venue until later in the afternoon.
Call the florist and coordinate the time. Then just deliver shortly before she'll arrive so that you can be there to monitor and get a picture.

I usually have the brides get me their cake flowers and I do it myself. Even if they are already arranged, the brides know that no one touches my cake but me until they are ready to cut it.

has anyone ask if the florist if they did this before, a florist would know better if what is not posion to human as far as the flowers , as the baker your entitle to be there to see the ending results, but this is a two people project and some how both parties have to come to an agreement , the bride asked if u can drop off the cake , she never said drop and leave, and the florist was probably been ever busy and lost track of time to get with you . ( this is my opinion on things ) so if i sound negative dont take it personally its just an opinion , good luck





IMPORTANT KEY IN LIFE IS COMMUNICATION

Nobody touches my cakes but me. Period. In the Towering Inferno cake (in my pix) they had orchids flown in from Bogota and God only knows what they sprayed on them... I told the girl doing the flowers that she could hand them to me and I would put them on the cake. (In that cake because of the potential health risk the top tier was a dummy.) I also made it very clear to the bride that this is the way it has to be or I don't do the cake (and no, you don't get your deposit back either!) She agreed when I heartily expressed my concern over the potential health hazard.

There was another story floating around a while back about some stupid florist who knew everything and came up to the cake and started plunging poinsettias RIGHT INTO THE CAKE!! The cake designer saw it and immediately informed the bridal party that the cake was no longer fit for human consumption -- as the florist has just POISONED it!!

Now really, do you want to take that chance??? (Not to mention the fact that if she screws up your border or your buttercream SHE won't fix it -- and you'll look like a fool who doesn't know how to do a cake.) Just some things to think about...

bobwonderbuns- that is my fear, and I have already informed the bride that I need the florists contact information so we can coordinate a time to meet at the venue and do it together.

creations-same thing, I was definitely not leaving until it was done, and have already expressed my concerns to the bride, we will see what she says!

I was also thinking of drawing up a form (even while I am hovering) for the florist to sign saying that when he recieved it, it was in perfect condition, and any damage incurred are his fault- sound good? Yes I am going to be there, but this way maybe I can cover my butt twice...

Definitely! I have all that spelled out in my contract. I make doubly sure they understand it too!

I suggest adding a provision in your contract that all real flowers are adhered to the cake by only you. Also, educate the client about the food safe reasons during consult so that he/she understands that some flowers are not safe for human consumption as well as just for overall food safe compliance. Good luck!

Is there a guide somewhere about what flowers are not food safe? I know not to stick the stems into the cake itself, but which flowers do you need to put some type of barrier between them and the cake?

I would also inform the bride that because she is placing real flowers on the cake, you cannot be held responsible if someone becomes ill.
Even if the flowers are "organic" and considered "safe" or non poisonous, they could have been sprayed with something like pesticides and once they touch the cake, the cake becomes contaminated.

Just my two cents.
If she insists that the florist do everything, make sure she signs off that you are no longer responsible for anything about the cake, not even the appearance of it.

http://cakecentral.com/articles/78/list-of-non-toxic-flowers-for-garnishing-your-cake