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Can I do this?

post #1 of 39
8/3/12 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
My sister-in-law is getting married. She's looking into cake decorators. I'm debating if I should consider offering my services. She doesn't have a big cake budget. Here are the two cakes she's looking at doing. She'll be buying fresh flowers to put on the cake. My question is, do these look like cakes that I can do?

The first one, she likes better, but the baker was charging more than she wanted to pay (she would only have 3 tiers):

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufoyLecPGqU/TwvJ4_O1h_I/AAAAAAAACLU/4WSqO_7hnZ4/s1600/IMG_8263.jpg

This one was more in her price range, although she wants the stripes to go the other way:

http://www.sweetestscentsations.com/buttercreamwithorchidandgra.jpg

I would only have two days to put it together, since I don't live in the area. So, what do you think? And I'm just asking about skill level, not whether or not I should bake for in-laws. I'll have to weigh that one for myself. icon_smile.gif Also, the wedding is in 2 1/2 months, so I will have some time to practice, but not a lot.
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post #2 of 39
8/3/12 at 3:15pm
well, both of those seem pretty doable...they are BC! the first one is using the petal tip and just having the larger side against the cake and piping the line around the cake.

the second one is using buttercream and then you could just take a spoon around the cake to make those indents!

what makes you think you can't do them?
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #3 of 39
8/3/12 at 3:18pm
just curious...since i know both of these techniques. What area was your SIL pricing these cakes and what were the quotes?

after looking at your cakes i think you could do it...make a practice cake of each and I think you'll be surprised how easy they are
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #4 of 39
8/3/12 at 3:18pm
I would go with the first one. It looks like a petal tip was used. The hardest part will be keeping even pressure on your bag and holding it steady as you spin your turntable. Start at the bottom and work your way up, overlapping each "ruffle".You could use 1 cake over and over again for practice, and then you get to eat it!
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post #5 of 39
8/3/12 at 3:38pm
Neither one of them seem that difficult to do. Judging by the cakes I see in your gallery I don't see why you would not be able to do them.
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post #6 of 39
8/3/12 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 
I didn't think they looked that hard either, but I needed a little reassurance. icon_smile.gif The first one she was quoted around $500, including delivery. The second one she was quoted for around $200, including delivery. These were for different bakers, and for cakes the same size (about 75 servings). I was kind of floored that a decorator was only charging $200!

I think she's leaning toward the cheaper baker, but she isn't as happy with how her cakes taste. And I feel like she's settling on the design to save money. I think I could make a cake that she loves with the design she wants and save her money. I would, of course, make it as a gift. icon_smile.gif
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post #7 of 39
8/3/12 at 3:56pm
Seeing your gallerie I'm pretty sure you can do it!
Is the first cake decorated with tip 104?
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post #8 of 39
8/3/12 at 4:54pm
both cakes are buttercream...unless they were charging for the flowers I can't see the cake costing more than $300.
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #9 of 39
8/3/12 at 4:54pm
Thread Starter 
Does anyone else think the second baker is way undercharging, or is it just me? My sister-in-law is getting married in Utah.
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post #10 of 39
8/3/12 at 5:04pm
Thread Starter 
The more expensive baker apparently has a $400 minimum. I think part of the extra charge was she was pricing for three flavors of cake in each tier. It did seem a little high, but I figured if she was getting business to justify it, why not...
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post #11 of 39
8/3/12 at 5:14pm
well, the second cake is the easiest on the difficulty level...depending on that person's skill level I wouldn't say that $200 is under charging for that area. maybe they are new to the business?

BUT if she isn't happy with the way the cake tastes...then i wouldn't go with that 2nd baker. taste is a BIG deal for cake for me...and for the guests at the wedding
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #12 of 39
8/3/12 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by traci_doodle

The more expensive baker apparently has a $400 minimum. I think part of the extra charge was she was pricing for three flavors of cake in each tier. It did seem a little high, but I figured if she was getting business to justify it, why not...



actually, that minimum pricing is to weed out the brides that are NOT going to pay that price. I even started raising my prices when I was baking at home to cover more of my costs and time and to make it so that if I was doing cakes less I was still making a good amount of money. All the well known decorators on this sight use that business model.

but...upcharging for additional flavors is a little much. Whatever flavor the cake is it doesn't matter to me...but if there are separate specialty fillings and fondant work, the price goes up.

even if that first baker was charging the highest price per serving on the 1st cake...I think that $500 is WAY too much $$$
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #13 of 39
8/3/12 at 5:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by step0nmi

both cakes are buttercream...unless they were charging for the flowers I can't see the cake costing more than $300.




Both of those cakes could easily cost more than $300. All we know is she wants 3 tiers, even assuming they are three of the smallest 6-8-10, that is 74 1x2x4 servings. Depending on the area $5.00 per serving for basic butter cream would not be unreasonable. That puts the price at $370. Even $4 per serving puts the price just under $300 so if she is looking for more than 74 servings the price is over $300 easy. Again the decorator these prices are not unreasonable even for butter cream.
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post #14 of 39
8/3/12 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 
Well, if I feel brave enough to volunteer (which I kind of want to), any suggestions for cake stands? I'm guessing the event will be on the more formal side, knowing my SIL. I'd imagine that a cake plateau would be the most appropriate. What size would I need, assuming the bottom tier is 12"? I'd imagine I'd have it on a 14" cake drum, with a 16" plateau. Is that right, or would it depend on the size of the other tiers?
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post #15 of 39
8/3/12 at 6:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by traci_doodle

Well, if I feel brave enough to volunteer (which I kind of want to), any suggestions for cake stands? I'm guessing the event will be on the more formal side, knowing my SIL. I'd imagine that a cake plateau would be the most appropriate. What size would I need, assuming the bottom tier is 12"? I'd imagine I'd have it on a 14" cake drum, with a 16" plateau. Is that right, or would it depend on the size of the other tiers?



good for you! I think with a little practice you can do it. make sure, if you do the 1st one, that your base bc doesn't crust over before starting to use your petal tip ...just to ensure that everything sticks icon_smile.gif

yes, you could definitely do a 14" drum for the 12" cake and then that silver platter under neath.
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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