I was asked by a friend to do a wedding cake for her cousin's wedding. The cousin contacted me and stated that she wants to buy all the ingredients and everything needed to make the cake and she just wants me to bake and decorate it. I am doing this all for free, so my question is should I do it that way or should I ask her to allow me to buy everything and just give her receipts?

I've done this before, and I just sent them to the store with an ingredient list and a brand specification for anything that I want specifically. It turned out a-ok for me.

If you're going to purchase the ingredients and just give her the receipts for reimbursement, I would be prepared to eat that expense if she chooses not to pay you back for one reason or another. Not to say she would do that at all, but that is a chance you take when putting out your own money up front.

You might get an estimate for ingredients before hand and ask for the money up front, giving her any change back, or go shopping with her.

I think this depends on brand pickiness. If I gave her the list and she bought everything I needed including brands I specified then I wouldn't mind but you run the risk of them buying the wrong stuff.

I only use name brand powdered sugar for example and coffee mate creamers for my BC. Don't forget to still charge her for the supports, boards etc if she's supposed to cover your cost. Also make sure she gets you the stuff in advance. I make my BC the week before and freeze it.

If she is willing I would let her buy everything this way she will see how much cost goes into making a cake and saves you gas in the long run. Give her a list of what you need. When I purchase supplies I always try to get the best deal a lot of people I know won't even bother taking the time so they end up spending more.

Thanks ladies for your input. I think I will have to sit down and make a full list of all my needed supplies, brand names and all and specify that I need exactly what is on my list. This was just a weird request and it kinda threw me for a loop.

I would do it FOR her and get all of it yourself..You know your products well and there is no chancing wrong things are picked up in first place plus if she DOES get something wrong..you'll end up getting it yourself anyways because you will feel badly enough to make her correct it..plus, she is the bride..brides are busy and deserve a little spoilness..so knowing me, I would go get it myself and collect receipts.

I would go shopping with her and make sure you get what you want.

I would send her a list with specifics and tell her that brand names have to be the ones selected or her cake may not be up to par BEFORE she goes out to purchase the items.

It's for a friend's cousin and you are doing it for free so get your stuff before hand and make sure you get enough that you wont have to kick in from your own private stash... she is getting a free wedding cake service after all. Sorry but I am a jaded, used-often hobby baker and have been told on several occasions "O yeah just get the stuff and I will pay you back and come help you bake/clean up" only to be left holding a receipt that was NEVER reimbursed for and doing it solo because they ran out of time (yeah >insert sarcasm< cause time is in endless supply at my house).

Blessed are the Volunteers, Givers, and Free-Hearted, as they are the first ones to be members of the UACC (Used, Abused and Confused Club) ~~ signed a Charter Member.

As long as she understands NO substitutions are allowed it is less work for you to have her bring you the items. Esp. since it is free.

And make sure ahe gets you more than enough rather than less than enough. You don't want to be running out of something and then having to run to the store yourself. That defeats the object!

Set up a day and go shopping WITH her. Let her flip the bill right then and there so you don't get stuck with the tab. She's a Bride to be and should JUMP on all things concerning her cake. Have fun!!

I too have been stuck holding many a receipt, never to be paid! I now send a specific list and will send the person back to the store if something isn't correct! And I also don't ever count on anyone helping when they say they will. Sounds jaded, I know. But this is how I don't end up upset, in a messy kitchen, with my own supplies tapped into, and a receipt in hand!! After all.... You are donating your time and skills for FREE! Look at it as a marketing tool for your cakes. Good luck!

Send her with a list!
How many of us have friends who forget their wallets...don't have enough money to cover whats on the list...argue with you in the store...think they know better...
I could go on!
Stay away on shopping day!

I have not answered her yet becuz I was waiting to get some opinions on here. Great replies from everyone. She is now sending me pictures of grand and glorious cakes and it makes me want to tell her no. This is stressing me out already and the wedding is 9 months away.