LONG story but I have been working with this crazy bride who decided on a design months ago and within the last month decided she wanted something totally different. So, I spent more time redoing the sketch, emailing, talking on the phone.

The wedding is exactly 3 weeks away and we were to meet to finalize design (again) as well as balance to be paid in full. She put her deposit down months ago which clearly states in my contract as non-refundable.

I email her to set up a time and she emails back saying the wedding has been called off! No mention of wanting her deposit back which she would not get since its not an option. From day 1 she seemed VERY indecisive... I could totally see her calling the wedding back on in which she would not give me time to order what is needed to complete her cake.

Would it be in poor form to email her maybe a 1 1/2 week from now to make sure the status has not changed? Or should I just see what happens and if she emails/calls saying its back on make her compromise on the design. I would need at least a week to order supplies for her cake!

Here's a similar thread: bride cancels wedding then changes her mind...

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-723703-.html

HTH

personaly I wouldn't, you don't know the reason why it has been canceled, it's not your problem so why should you put yourself out and try and make a cake for her in such a short time when she has messed you around so much already.

I'd leave it, she is obviously someone thats not great to work with anyway. If she comes looking for a refund, show her in the contract where is clearly states that the deposit is non-refundable and wash your hands of it.

GOOD LUCK!

Yes. My reply: I'm sorry to hear. Please let me know if anything changes.

I do feel obligated to hold her date since she has paid the deposit. However, if something else comes up for that date I will book it. Especially if I've not heard anything different from her. First time in 4 yrs I've had this happen so I'm trying to be fair but still cover myself.

I think that was a good response.

I've never had that happen either...hopefully, it never will. lol

Well, another reader suggested another situation that was similiar. The only similiarites that I can see is that the brides both cancelled their weddings. The first bride called back and said that it was on it was just going to be rescheduled for May. I could not respond to that one, but I will say that the cake decorator wanted to charge an extra fee for the extra costs.

I do not see that she was wrong in doing this because #1, when the bride had originally scheduled her wedding and payed the deposit the costs were one amount. that was done some months before the change of costs. She saved herself money at that time. However, I do not see the cake decorator having to swallow the difference in costs just because the bride calls back in two days and says it has been moved up to 8 months later. #2, the cake decorator has lost business because she had planned on getting x amount of money for this wedding cake that was booked and now all she has is the deposit.

So even if her contract does not state that the deposit is non-refundable, she should keep that amount. That would be the loss of business costs. Then I would take the $62.50 amount and subract the deposit money from it(unless that is the bigger amount ) and add on the difference as the costs increase in the materials.

This second girl I think. I agree is a llttle indecisive. She should not back down on her contract. If the girl has not called back and you have another cake opportunity take it. If the girls calls back and the date is free, then you decide if you want to mess with it again. If you do, then sit down with her and make sure that she understands what the new contract means.

For me, when I get that call I send something to the effect of the following:

Per our phone conversation on XXX, we have canceled your wedding cake order for XXX. Per our contract, all deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. We wish you the best and look forward to working with you in the future.

And then you forget about them. There is no reason to continue to hold the date or contact her further unless she contacts you. It's a business.

I had that happen a few years ago, the couple selected and paid for their cake in full 4 months ahead of time, fast forward to the wedding day, 45 minutes until delivery I get a call from the crying bride telling me they had a huge argument and the wedding is off. I asked what I should do with the wedding cake, she said she didn't care, so here I sit staring at a 5 tier wedding cake wondering what to do. I get a call 15 minutes later from the groom telling me they made up and deliver the cake as planned. What a day that was!

KoryAk that is a great!

Definitely glad it happened now and not the day of the wedding! That is my biggest fear.