Ok I think it has been quite a while since I vented. Been pretty lucky with my customers, but my luck ran out apparently.

Last Sat I had a bride that I did a wedding cake for (in my pics, blue ribbon, and magnolia flower). She knows my aunt and cousin and they recommended me for the cake. So she tells me she has no idea what she wants just something nice and her color are white and turquoise. Ok she want a simple cake. So I cut a deal and did her cake for $150 to help her out. She hates fondant, wants none on the cake, simple cake...easy enough.

So I was going to the mtns to do a wedding up there this past weekend so I dropped the cake off Friday afternoon at the venue. My mom calls today to tell me the girl was very upset with the cake. Ok...why? She tells me that the bride says it was not what she asked for, that her flowers were hydrangeas (like I can read her mind on that). So she rips the magnolia off which I paid like $15 for to get a nice quality artificial one..remember no fondant/gumpaste. Then she runs off and gets some fake hydrangeas from Family Dollar and puts on it. Momma said she seemed ok then but at the reception she apparently went to cut the cake and thought the ribbon was fondant. (again...she didn't want fondant on it) apparently it upset her that the ribbon was satin and she takes the knife and hacks up the ribbon! (groom better watch out..my opinion). So I am told I can expect a phone call from her after her honeymoon! I am thinking WOW! What in the H*ll am I in for when she calls!?!

My second vent. I did a cake for my brother in laws wedding this past weekend as well. The peach, ivory and gold in my pics. We left the reception a little early. I find out later that the brides sister and the bride get into it because the bride used a song in her wedding that the sister has decided is her and her husbands song (did ya follow that lol). Anyway the sister of the brides son gets the bottom tier of the wedding cake I was up until 3 am the night before getting right and goes behind my brother in law and her new bride and smashes it in the back of their heads! Hello! Are they crazy!?! First of all there are wooden dowls in that thing! Secondly...I was up all night making it! I am so glad I wasn't there...that was definitely been a Jerry Springer moment for me! LOL

Do I understand this correctly? The brother smashes the bottom tier (!!!) in the neck of the bride and groom? Is that the new trend in being funny?
If I where that bride I would be so !!!

It isn't the brother. It is the brides nephew. And no it wasn't to be funny at all. They were made because of a song played at the wedding during the ceremony. The brides sister said it was her and her husbands song (apparently they like the song) and she got really mad. It was the sister of the bride's son (brides nephew) that smashed the cake in their heads. He was mad about the song as well. I know it is confusing but I am still livid about it. I worked hard on the cake and it was a gift at that so I don't feel like well they paid for it so what does it matter. NO one paid for it but me and then I find this out after I leave. I just think people have lost their minds.

Yep! I completely agree, people have lost their collective minds!! Family can be the worst!! But your wacky, no details whatsoever bride is off her rocker and I certainly hope you don't cave and giver her a refund!! Did you save her e-mails with the lack of info. to show her when she asks for her $150 back?? Does she know what a deal you cut her? She practically stole that cake!

When I give a discount, I always write up a bill for what the price would have been. I feel like they are less likely to balk later...

I haven't heard from the bride yet. I may not, and really hope not. I don't want to deal with her on this since apparently she's nuts. But no..she won't get a penny from me. I have her message to me telling me that she doesn't have a design preference and her colors. She got a heck of a deal and if she starts wanting some money back I will tell her to pay me full retail on that cake then we will talk about how much she deserves back (which is nothing).

Minstrelmiss what a great idea on writing on the invoice the original price. I love this! People take it for granted that we will come down on our prices. I feel like I am inexpensive enough without negotiating a discount!! This is a great way for people to realize the value of our services!!

patticakesnc- I'm so sorry that these people put you through all that stress and hurt.

I'm just a hobby baker and don't have to deal with customers- family and friends just love a good cake.

The first bride, who gave so little information for the design of her cake, doesn't deserve a refund as far as I'm concerned. Were they happy with the taste of the cake? Did they serve it and eat it? If it wasn't the style, color, or decorated with the right flowers- then it was due to a lack of communication. If I'm ordering anything that I have to pay for - I give specifics on what I want to make sure that they have it and I can afford it.
If she didn't take the time to make sure that you could create what she wanted, then she has to bear some of the responsibility. It sounds like you complied with her wishes to the best of your ability. You probably won't take that chance again.

The second incident was really over the top. First off, it's the bride and groom's day! If they hired a DJ, they had every right to ask for any songs that he had available. I believe that the DJs pay for the rights to play an artists' music. The song is the intellectual property of the artist. The bride's sister doesn't own the song no matter what she thinks. Getting into an argument, at a wedding, over something so trivial, is ridiculous. The nephew had no right to do what he did. He took your gift, a token of your friendship, which was meant to feed the guests and had a monetary value, and trashed it and the bridal couple. His behavior reflected poorly on himself and on his parents. They didn't do themselves proud either.

I think it's possible that there are far too many nasty "reality" shows that are sending the message that this type of behavior is entertaining and acceptable. I don't know if they're Bridezilla wannabes or not. I just sounds like many people were hurt and embarrassed for no good reason.

So.... when's you're next wedding??? These two would probably put me off for quite awhile. I hope that you get past it and keep on enjoying your cakes.

OMG.. really? the nephew did that... It's kinda funny yet very upsetting at the same time... really... it's just a song... this is something you would definitely see on TV

I am with you 100% that people are crazy when it comes to cakes. I had a similar experience last week with a wedding cake referral. First of all, I couldn't get a straight answer out of the bride as to exactly what she wanted. First of all they said that they didn't really want to serve the cake. Then they wanted to serve a portion of the cake, but didn't know how many servings they needed. Then they wanted to serve some of the cake AND have the top tier to save for their first anniversary.

Keep in mind that they wanted the cake for this coming weekend, on the 25th. So I felt as though I was being generous to accept the job at all.

I asked them to send me a picture of what they would like the cake to look like. It was a very stunning cake, and I thought it would be fun, but time consuming to make. I asked what their budget was, and I about fell on the floor when they said that their budget was $150.00. The cake photo that they had sent was at least an $800.00 cake. Keep in mind that I wouldn't charge them that much because they are distantly related.

I stressed about how I was going to come up with something remotely close, and within the $150.00 price range. So, I came up with a few different suggestions for them, none of which they liked...

They finally let me know that they had decided to go with a wedding cake from Macey's, a local grocery store chain. I wished them the best of luck. In the end, I am happier making cakes for people who truly appreciate the art, and the amount of time and effort I put into each of my cakes. It isn't worth my time to try and please someone who will be perfectly satisfied with a grocery store cake.

patticakes, where in Catawba are you from? I grew up in the Bandys/Sherill's Ford area.. I really hope I don't know any of the insane people you're talking about.. umm, or be related to.. lol

wow...what nutbars! I've heard weddings bring out the best and worst in people-I guess it's true
I think it's funny that we give discounts to 'distantly related' family members. I think we should think of them all as customers unless it's immediate family or just as close. Lately around here it's like every one and their Uncle wants a cake for free.
Atleast you got amazing photos of your cakes-great work!

I would love to talk to your first bride. She better be sitting down when she calls you because she doesn't have a leg to stand on. (corny, I know)

The second one was probably sibling rivalry. The sisters probably talked about songs since they were both getting married and when the one decided to use the other's song, she got mad. No different than people complaining about a friend using their future child's name. Although, the wedding wasn't the best place to handle the situation.

For family, I decided that cakes are free up to a certain amount, after that they are responsible for all other costs. I have found this keeps them from requesting extremely elaborate, detailed cakes.

No it wasn't that on the song. The one who got mad has been married for quite a while and this was a new country song. I think they just drank too much shine and ate too much bear stew (yes that is what they had at the reception...I ate a roll and waited til I got back to the cabin we rented to eat). I think it is crazy though...I swear they need to be on Jerry Springer. My husband is nothing like his family....thank goodness.