One word of warning, have a minimum order $ for consultations! If they inquire about a cake and pay you the $20, let's say, for the consultation....then end up ordering a $60 cake and you apply that $20 to it, you're losing $ big time.
Thanks for the warning. It is only for cakes with 75 servings or more. For cakes less than that I will sell them a tasting package for $15 but it does not go toward the cake price and we don't meet. They just pick it up.
I am new in the wedding cake market so I am just wondering..... does a charge for consultation deter customers?? Right now, I do not charge for consultations. I offer 2 cake flavors (about size of 1 1/2 cupcakes) with 5 fillings to sample - plus bottled water!! 
Any thoughts???
I just checked out your FAQ page so I could see the tasting pictures. I love your setup! I'm not a professional, but I know I would love to attend one of your tastings! Everything looks beautiful and so professional. Are those little mounds of frosting that look like ice cream scoops? They're really cute!
ladybug, it is an industry standard to charge for consultations.
Not in my area is isn't! It depends where you're located. One bride flipped out and posted on the local Knot board that someone was going to charge her for a consult, it just isn't done around here.
Yeah, in my target market tastings aren't even the norm! I've had so many people surprised that they actually get a tasting consultation and such personalized attention.
This definitely works in my favor. Since they are not the norm, people don't know what to expect and when comparing me to someone else I come out ahead.
I agree that it does depend on where you are from as to if you can charge for a consult. If you do charge for consults and you have a bride complaining about it, I would let her know the fee is for your time, and your time is valuable. If she does not like it, well she can go somewhere else.
To me a decorators time is valuable whether your decorating a cake or consulting.
Jenn2179, I also checked out your set up, looks great but on your pricing page, it still says the consult is free
Great set up, was just going to say in your pricing page it says the consultation is free 
Just a little heads up
Many people charge to deter people from just wanting free cake. There are people out there who just want the experience of a cake tasting without actually needing a cake. (this isn't the only reason, I'm sure, but it its part of it)
Funny story, I had a bride sample my cakes at a show, emailed me tell me she definitely wants to book with us but fiance insists on a tasting 'cause he's been waiting for this part of planning process! Not a big prob for me, but thought it fit with the thread 
I offer free consultations for 80 servings or more and if it's less than that then I charge $25.00 which is applied to their cake order.
Most consults in my area are free. It would weed out who is definitely serious and who is just wanting to have that tasting "experience". The last couple of brides I have met with have seemed to just be meeting with everyone!
Thanks for the warning. It is only for cakes with 75 servings or more. For cakes less than that I will sell them a tasting package for $15 but it does not go toward the cake price and we don't meet. They just pick it up.
The fact that the tasting package does not go towards the cake price is not clear from your web page. You should clarify that to save yourself repeated explanations and frustrated customers who think the cost of the tasting package should work the same as the cost of the consultation.
HTH
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