Pricing My First Wedding Cake!

Decorating By bonnster Updated 5 Mar 2010 , 7:19am by bonnster

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bonnster Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 5:43pm
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I worked in a grocery store bakery years ago and learned a little more than a tad about decorating cakes. I recently did an adorable cake for a friends baby shower for free (which by the way, I will never do again) and everyone loved it! Just by posting a picture of it on my Twitter page one of my friends friend has asked me to do her wedding cakes, yes plural...

Anyway, I'm going to meet with her in the next few weeks for a tasting and to talk details. I have two questions:
1. What kind of questions should I ask her to be prepared?
2. As a beginner I quoted her $3.50 per serving...is that too much or too little?...she seemed to think it was a steal!

Thanks, I really appreciate all the help I can get!

Have a tasty day!

Bonnie icon_smile.gif

7 replies
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leah_s Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 6:37pm
post #2 of 8

Since you're posting in the business forum, we're going to assume that your inspected, licensed and insured, correct?

That said, $3.50 per serving is my mid range price. I don't know what's normal for Tacoma.

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bonnster Posted 4 Mar 2010 , 5:18pm
post #3 of 8

Thank you for your insight Leah. I'm thinking I posted my question to the wrong forum though icon_redface.gif
I'm not licensed or anything....I'm just kind of starting out with the idea. I wanted to get my feet wet to see if this is really something I want to do, I've always loved making and decorating cakes.
Anyway, if this goes well I will look into what it takes to be a licensed professional, but I wouldn't know where to start. I will come back to this forum when the time comes. In the mean time I'll peruse the rest of this forum and other areas as I work up to my ultimate goal.

Thanks again!

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flourpowerMN Posted 4 Mar 2010 , 7:04pm
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Bonnie, since you're not licensed, I would have your bride check with the venue that the reception will be held at to see if you need to be a licensed food provider in order to bring in food. I'd hate to have you find that out on the day of delivery! icon_smile.gif

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bonnster Posted 4 Mar 2010 , 8:46pm
post #5 of 8

Tammy, Thank you SO much for that hint! I really appreciate it icon_smile.gif

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cakiemommie Posted 5 Mar 2010 , 4:19am
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yes.. it's cool that you're doing the cake and i wish you all the luck. it'll be fun! but yeah, since you're not a licensed business, you will definitely need to check with the venue and make sure she can bring your cake in. there are venues that will not allow you to bring food in unless they see that you are licensed/insured... not a majority i don't think. but some. so make sure first!

since you are just starting out, i think it's fine that you're doing a cake for a friend and she's gonna pay you for it. but if you're gonna want to advertise and start doing this "for real" then yes, please check the laws in your state concerning home bakeries.

good luck! $3.50 sound reasonable.. just depends on what the going rate in your area is. if everyone else is charging $5 then you should probably up it.. or rather, you "could" up it.

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JanH Posted 5 Mar 2010 , 5:19am
post #7 of 8

..moving from the Business forum. icon_smile.gif

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bonnster Posted 5 Mar 2010 , 7:19am
post #8 of 8

thank you!

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