I don't know what I should do

Hopefully those with more experience will also respond but here is what I would say to you.  Your gift to the bride and groom is their wedding cake and that is a huge gift.  They have almost doubled the number of guests that they originally thought they would invite.  Couldn't you suggest that for the wedding cake you go with the original 150 count and they buy a full sheet cake from Sam's or Costco?  When the wedding cake is taken to the back to be cut the sheet cake would also be cut making sure there is enough cake for all.  It may even be that with this suggestion they will realize the additional cost and offer to pay for all of ingredients and materials used to make the cake.  Your time to make the wedding cake is still a huge gift.

Urg............that is a sticky spot. I would keep my word, especially if I never set any limits on my offer. They don't understand your costs and time involved.........so they don't realize that is a big increase and a burden to you. In the future I'd try to educate this friend about how much effort and cost does go into all of your work.

Last of all, I wouldn't worry about the numbers until you are getting a final count. You never know, that number can change drastically. When they find out what the cost increase is from all their other vendors they might go back down to their original count.

Do whatever is in your heart to do!! It sounds like the people have been very good to your family.  Good luck and hope everything turns out for you. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaPeps 

Personally I would ask them for payment for the difference in servings or pay for the ingredients. Just say that you agreed to do the 150 servings but the 250 is almost double what you expected and you won't be able to cover the ingredient costs for the bigger cake. The only thing they can say to that is either yes I'll pay, no ill have the smaller cake or they could try and barter with you which would be very rude IMO, and that will show you what type of couple they are. They're not going to cancel with you cos they're getting a free cake.

This.  It is always difficult when you offer a gift and the gift requested winds up being more than you can afford to give.  But, it is a gift and any other guest at the wedding will get to choose the gift they can afford to give, it should be not different for you.  If you were going to give a gift worth $500-$600 (at 150 servings), that is extremely generous.  I would let them know that although you wish you could afford the time and cost involved in giving more, you are not able to.  Let them know that you can do a cake up to $xxx in value and if they want/need more, you can let them know the price difference and they can decide whether they would like to pay the difference or graciously accept what you have offered.

A cake needs to be budgeted for in a wedding, just because it is a gift, does not mean there is no budget, whether it be yours, theirs, or a combination.  There needs to be a limit or you will wind up resentful.  I've learned this one the hard way, then had to remind myself as I was working on the cake, that though I felt taken advantage of, the fault was entirely mine. I didn't speak up or set limits and, not being a cake designer, how could I expect they understand the time and cost involved.

The gift you offered was 150 servings of cake.  I think it's very reasonable to have them pay for the additional 100 servings. 

If they had told you that they had a double bed and you planned to buy them a sheet set at $XX and then they said they had gotten a king bed--and now the sheet set would be 2X the cost of the double--you might be inclined to choose another gift that  was closer in price to $XX.

As far as buying kitchen cakes from another source, I personally won't supply any cake if a product from another baker/bakery will be present.  I don't want anyone to confuse an inferior product with my cake. 

Rae

Is your concern the additional cost of supplies or actually preparing the additional servings?  If it is the cost, when you meet tomorrow, simply tell them you were offering 150 servings and the additional servings would cost xyz.  If it is actually making them, is there a way that it would work for you?  Some simply iced two  layer sheet cakes to supplement the original 150 servings would probably be easiest if you could handle it.  Just be honest with them and it will be fine.  If you aren't honest it won't be as fun for you and you will probably eventually resent it.  Just let them know tomorrow.  The same goes with designs.  You have a lot of time to practice and learn new techniques but if they want something you just aren't comfortable with let them know so you can come up with something you are comfortable with and that they will also like.  For example if you prefer buttercream and they are talking fondant, work with them so it is a buttercream design.
 

That's great news! So nice to see that some people can step up to the plate before being asked to do so.

Rae

Great news to hear!!!! Make sure you post pictures of the cake!!/Mary

great news. I know you must have been nervous!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KoryAK 

HOORAY! Reasonable and thoughtful people still exist!

I agree, KoryAK. 

Lenagc~~What may have been a worrisome issue has turned into a gracious exchange between friends that will be remembered long after the cake has been eaten.   Thank you so much for letting us all know how this lovely couple responded.