Prices for Atlanta GA wedding cake? - Page 2

This one is a tough one. Were you invited to the wedding or expected to go even before the cake request? If the answer is yes, than just avoiding this situation and not going is not really an option. If it is a really good friend, you really don't want to miss a wedding either, do you? But I know how it feels, sometimes our friends ask things of us that we don't think they should, but most of the time it's just because they don't really know how much it may "cost" us rather than that they simply don't care. So you have to figure out how to make it work without stressing yourself out and still enjoying your time with your friend. Come up with some other options, talk to your friend. It is not feasible for you to bake and decorate a big cake there, just shipment of all equipment (pans, spatulas, tools, etc.) will be an impossible task. How about ingredients that you normally use and that are not readily available from regular grocery stores? I know you would have loved nothing more than to do this for her, but the distance prevents you from making it happen. Tell her, give her some other options. Go with a larger dummie you decorate at home and then ship safe and sound. Offer to make a smaller cake for cutting just like you planned, and then they can supplement with sheetcakes from somewhere else. Offer to do a cupcake tower instead with a small cake for cutting. You have severe limitations to what you can do on location, so far away from your shop, supplies, tools, and equipment. Just take a breath and see what you can come up with that can make both of you happy in this situation. Making relationship tense over this will have a lasting effect. And whatever you decide on, do it--talk to her asap. The longer you dwell on it and longer situation is unresolved, the more miserable you are making yourself.
Good Luck, P

Okay, they are in the South. I don't know too many Southeners that won't travel for a wedding. They are assuming they won't come. She doesn't know yet. I agree with what another poster said, about you would be doing your friend a bigger favor by saying no. Your work is beautiful. I don't blame her for wanting a cake from you.

I really like the idea of purchasing or helping to purchase the wedding cake from someone local. This IS a hot mess, and to get out of it gracefully would be your best hope.
I would call around or at least google it, and find a couple of bakers that would work for their needs and either offer to purchase part, half or all of the cake for them. You could even say, "I'll do $300, and if you want more cake than that you'll have to decide how to spend it." They can order a small tiered cake and sheets if they really can't do more.
In the end, this wedding is NOT your responsibility, and the fact that they are over budget is also NOT your problem. They can get married at a courthouse or in church without a big "to-do." In the end it is much more important that they are married than they had a fabulous cake or great food. I know we all want to have a tv wedding, but not always getting what we want is part of marriage, right?
You should feel NO guilt!!!!!!

I feel like she is taking advantage of your generosity. A wedding cake is a VERY expensive gift to give someone. It would be one thing if it were local, but you have to travel, miss time off work, and work in unfamiliar and uncomfortable circumstances. I would never ask someone to do that for me, nor would I expect that. I think it's her problem and if I were you I would either try to get out of it as gracefully as possible, or if you do decide to bake her one, do a small tiered cake for them to cut for the pictures and have the mom get some Costco kitchen cakes to supplement. That's what happens when the cake is an afterthought!

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Wow...I'm just in shock.

Here's the bottom line - they are planning a wedding they can't afford. Its not your responsiblity to bail them out. It woudl be nice to help out if you lived closer. But there are just too many obstacles. I can't believe she asked considering where you live but hopefully she'll understand why you just can't do it. And if she doesn't, well...I'm not sure how much of a friend she is then.

Good for you, this is a bad idea through and through for all the reasons you have identified. Her lack of proper budgeting is not your problem. Don't let her talk you into something you aren't comfortable with, determine what you are willing to do and stick with it. I had a friend ask me to do her wedding cake, no problem. Then I realized she wanted it organic, supplies from the whole foods coop, etc. I decided it was just getting to be too complicated and let her know that. She found a health foods place to make it for her. Win-win for us both. Just politely stick with your guns and hopefully she will move on and find another option. Remember, it isn't your problem to get her a cake, baker, etc. It is hers and the brides.

Let us know what happens.

"so I feel really bad now about sticking her with no cake"...

No, you aren't sticking her without a cake. She should have budgeted for it. If she truly was a friend, she wouldn't be laying a guilt trip on you. Don't feel bad if you can't do it.

Just a side note on expenses I seriously doubt you can get a RT ticket from Calif to Atlanta for $300 either.
You are not obligated to pay anymore for a cake than a regular wedding gift . Like others said her lack of budgeting is not your problem .Dont let her put a guilt trip on you . If she does what kind of friend is that .

If you BARELY know her daughter that makes it worse in my opinion. This seems like a bad idea all together...

Oh AND you do AMAZING work, btw!

First I have to say that I read every post and I have to say that you are a GREAT person to even stress yourself out because of your friends mistake.

Second, a true friend would never: a) expect you to be a hero or guilt you into taking care of their responsibilities.
b) Ask you to spend that much money on them as a "favor"
c) make you feel uneasy about saying no to them.

I know how you feel and it sucks so bad, but this lady is not really your friend. I have plenty of people that i've known my entire life and my true friends are the ones that know the answers to my questions before I ask them, the ones who understand what i'm feeling when I don't know how to express it in words, and the ones who don't try to take advantage of me because i'm good at something they need.

If this affects your friendship the way you feel it will, then you were more of a friend to her than she was to you. If she was asking to borrow the money it would be another story. I can picture her face when you told her to order a cake and you could decorate it. I've seen that face and all I could do was walk away and say goodbye. It hurt because I thought we were close but I have a family and I can't give away anything above $100 unless it's for charity and a wedding is not charity. As someone previously posted they could go down to the courthouse and get married.

And your flight wont cost $300 unless you purchased it wayyy in advance. I feel so bad hearing your story. Sorry you are going through this. Hopefully you can work it out.


Edited to add: I appologize if it sounds like I have an attitude, I promise it's not towards you. Your situation just takes me back to mine and it still bothers me.

*Hugs* You did the right thing! Just remember, the hardest part is over now! If she gets a little bit bitter, just chalk it up to her inner Momzilla, and once the wedding has passed she'll come to her senses. I think the box of seashells for the cake sounds awesome. It's the personal touches that makes a cake special, so they're still getting a wonderful gift!