Need Help W/ideas For A 40Th Birthday Cake To Feed 200!!!

Decorating By Heavenlydelights107 Updated 12 Jan 2010 , 12:47pm by artscallion

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 7:54pm
post #1 of 44

So my husbands cousin has asked me to make a cake for her friends 40th birthday. the cake needs to feed 200 people and they have no ideas/themes/colors etc.

So, I am st arting from scratch with this.

I am thinking something tiered. Maybe just gift boxes, square. My first thought was girly, like jewelry, etc. Not sure if they would want to pay for that much detail.

So gift boxes would be much easier/less detailed.

What would you charge for something this large?

Thanks!

43 replies
LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 8:20pm
post #2 of 44

WOW! That cake is gonna be huge. Just curious, what's the budget for that cake? The details your talking sound beautiful...and pricey. It sounds like fondant is the way to go and for 200 people, not incudiing all the details your talking, my BASIC fondant would be $4 a serving for a grand total of $800, and that's not including all the work your talking about, which will probably put this cake around $1000. I see your cousin is ordering it for a friend. I give family discounts of 10%, so about $900. That is a very generous gift for a friend, that's why I was curious about budget.

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 8:34pm
post #3 of 44

I just text her to find out the budget for me. It better not be $200 lol!
I am doing a cake for my husbands cousins daughter (a nice 3 tier asian theme w/cherry blossoms and asian fans for $150 because she is family), but sheesh!

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 8:41pm
post #4 of 44

icon_lol.gif I know that's right! It better not be $200. icon_lol.gif Ya gotta ask for budget's big time now a days. People see them cake shows, and want one of thos cakes, but then they don't get to see the price tag that goes with that type of cake. And you are very generous in-law to make that Asian cake at such a low price.

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 8:43pm
post #5 of 44

Thanks! I had said $200 at first, and then his cousin (who is the aunt of the girl, not the parent) said since she had to pay for the cake, she just could not do it. So she said she was comfortable with $150.

DeeDelightful Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
DeeDelightful Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 8:49pm
post #6 of 44

Can't wait to hear what the budget is.

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:26pm
post #7 of 44

So as of right now, she said he wants nothing fancy, whatever is cheapest. Oh boy, I hate when people do this!

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:31pm
post #8 of 44

Well whatever is cheapest is buttercream with a VERY simple design. That starts at $600 for me ($3 a serving for basic buttercream), SO, let her know what that is for you and ask again.

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:38pm
post #9 of 44

She just text me and said $200! WTF! Sorry for the WTF but really? I know we are in a tough economy but damn. I am willing to work with budgets, I do nice work for cheap since I do it from home, but damn.

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:45pm
post #10 of 44

LOLOLOL! Okay, not funny, but didn't we just discuss it better not be $200. I don't know how you can make that happen for 200 people. If they are planning on throwing a shin dig that big, give me a break! ANd don't apologize for the WTF, caue I know we are all thinking it. By the way, I WORK FROM HOME, I don't do cheap, EVER!

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:50pm
post #11 of 44

Well just told her that was a cheap starting price, no filling, white cake, no design etc. She asked me what else I had in mind?

God Help me!

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:53pm
post #12 of 44

I think you need to tell her what your base price per serving is and let her know for 200 people, $200 is not going to get a cake from ANYONE!

this-mama-rocks Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
this-mama-rocks Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:53pm
post #13 of 44

"So as of right now, she said he wants nothing fancy, whatever is cheapest."

(ring, ring) "Hello WalMart?"

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:55pm
post #14 of 44

should I tell her Walmart!! LOL! We just got asuper walmart here! LOL!

this-mama-rocks Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
this-mama-rocks Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 9:57pm
post #15 of 44

Repeat after me:

"I'm so sorry, but it's just not possible for me to do that"

unless you want to lose $$$$$$ on this deal, yes, tell her WalMart!!

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 10:00pm
post #16 of 44

LOL @ This mama rocks! I am such a sucker sometimes. I love a challenge but DAMN!

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 10:01pm
post #17 of 44

Uh, yeah! Exactly what This-Mama-Rocks says. There is no way you can do a 200 person cake for $200. We do "custom" cakes. Thats what they pay for. You don't want to pay custom prices, I understand, but then that means you go to Wal-Mart.

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 10:03pm
post #18 of 44

I just sent her a message s aying that I really can't even begin to do a cake that size for that budget. It will cost me a ton in supplies/time etc.

Lets see what she says. I understand people trying to get something for cheap, I am the same way, but like you said LaBellaflor, these are custom cakes, not sheet cakes with plastic figures.

I mold figures from fondant, hand draw or decorate.

this-mama-rocks Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
this-mama-rocks Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 10:05pm
post #19 of 44

Sure, a challenge stretches your talent, your skills, and your imagination.

This size cake for $200 will kill your patience, your passion for cakes, your spirit, and probably your will to live for a few days.

"I'm sorry, but it's just not possible for me to do that."

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 10:06pm
post #20 of 44

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!! I think that is the attitude all custom cakers need. You gotta charge apropriately. When you don't, not only are you hurting yourself, you hurt ALL of us. Custom cakes, baby, custom cakes. (Can you tell I believe in what we do? icon_wink.gif )

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 10:08pm
post #21 of 44

LOL!! Thanks for the support ladies! Some people just don't understand the time that goes into this.

I work full time, am the mom of a toddler,and stay up way too late doing these cakes!

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 10:09pm
post #22 of 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by this-mama-rocks

Sure, a challenge stretches your talent, your skills, and your imagination.

This size cake for $200 will kill your patience, your passion for cakes, your spirit, and probably your will to live for a few days.

"I'm sorry, but it's just not possible for me to do that."




I will be using your quote as my new signature! SO TRUE!

cownsj Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cownsj Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 10:18pm
post #23 of 44

Heck yeah I'd tell her to call Walmart. She probably won't even get a cake from them for the price. Just to make yourself feel better, sit down and figure out how much a basic, nothing, sheet cake would cost you to make that would serve 200. Don't forget to add for cake boards, boxes, etc., etc. Every expense you have for the cake. Then start to see if you think it's any way a reasonable budget for you to be bothered with doing the cake. You'd end up resenting it so much if you took this on for that price. Plus, with it being just a basic nothing cake, that is what you'll be advertising to everyone who is at that party that you make Walmart style cakes. You don't want them thinking that either.

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 11:06pm
post #24 of 44

So when I messaged her back, she told me her friend now wants something for 250 people! LOL!

Ok, I am going to sit down, get some ideas and a real doable cost tonight!

If I take the order, I might end up doing two cakes because I hate delivering and assembling super tall cakes! LOL!

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 11:11pm
post #25 of 44

If she has a $200 budget, and now has upped the number, what can you come up with for $200 for 250 people? Has she SERIOUSLY upped the budget to $1400? I would really like to see how you break down the cost and your salary.

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 11:21pm
post #26 of 44

I don't know that I can. Ahhhh...... Most people are fine with my prices, some haggle, I understand that.

I even know who the person who the cake is for now that she told me. This is nuts. Letes see!

cownsj Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cownsj Posted 1 Dec 2009 , 11:25pm
post #27 of 44

And just how much of a budget does she have to feed people? Does she think she's going to do that for the same type of money? I seriously doubt it, but they seem to think that the cake is a simple throw together item that costs next to nothing. [/b]

Heavenlydelights107 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Heavenlydelights107 Posted 2 Dec 2009 , 12:00am
post #28 of 44

I think the next idea I will throw at her is cupcakes and a smaller cake. I can do cc's alot cheaper than a whole decorated cake.

This mama rocks mentioned cake balls, but honestly, I don't think that they would like that. I love them though and they are a huge hit!

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 2 Dec 2009 , 12:05am
post #29 of 44

Cupcakes with a basic buttercream swirl average $3 x 250 = $750. Wasn't sure if you knew average cupcake cost.

Icing2009 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Icing2009 Posted 9 Dec 2009 , 6:41am
post #30 of 44

lol the walmart comment was funny!! If they want to go that cheap then I would make them cupcakes (I'm sorry but that's about as cheap as you can get with some piped icing on top). I don't know about the prices every where else but they are a little but cheaper here by a couple of bucks. I did a nice 2 layer red velvet with piping on it and 200 cupcakes for $150 and subtract the supplies I made about $100 off the deal which seems like a alot but it isn't for the time that I put in to it. I helped them out a little since I knew them but you can't keep taking hits like that when you work hard on it. My husband thought it didn't take much to make cakes until he was home when I did that order and my last 3 orders, boy he found out differently he tells everybody how hard I worked on it since it's time consuming and he's a man who doesn't know much about that stuff, lol. If they want something that bad for that price then make cupcakes or they can go up in budget. Let us know how it goes!

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%