A300 guest wedding
3 tier wedding cake (8, 10, 12) Two double layer 1/2 sheets One 9x13 double layer cake 6 inch anniversary cake 6 inch sugar-free cake
All simple decorating, vanilla with buttercream.
I charged $500 all said and done (delivery included).
I'm so nervous about over-charging, but my husband thinks I usually don't charge enough for my time and supplies. I suspect he might be right.
What are everyone's thoughts?
Thank you!
Warmly, Amy
I agree with IAmPamCakes... you are WAY undercharging. I would say at least $1000.. at very least..
Have you calculated how much you will spend on ingredients and supplies (boxes, cake boards, dowels..etc) ?
AWow! Thank you for your replies! I'm shocked, actually. I do put my heart into my cakes because I hate to display something tragic, but I cringe when i'm giving the price (something I clearly have to get over). I remember paying less than half that for my wedding cake (17 years ago! Haha!), so it never ceases to surprise me how expensive things are now. I don't want to undercut others' businesses, so I'll be making some price changes in a hurry.
ABaking Me Crazy: no...I haven't really! I know that sounds irresponsible but I've really just fallen into this business and never gave it much thought. We run a resort where I cook the meals, and special birthday and anniversary cakes have always been "included" in the all-inclusive price (and including special cakes?? that's going to disappear with rising prices of supplies, food,, and labor!!) so, now the business expanded outside of the resort and I've flapped around a bit in confusion!
AMy husband is saying "I told you so." Thanks for all your help!!
I too was undercharging until I sat down and figured out how much I was spending on supplies and ingredients per cake. It will take time and may get a little frustrating, but its necessary. Don't sell yourself short. Us cakers put too much work, effort and heart into our creations to undercharge.
ASo true!! Meh...a little math is in the future for me.
A
Original message sent by CWR41
$500. divided by 388 servings = 1.29 per serving ('80s prices!).
Ok...ugh! When you put it that way it's downright wrong what I charged! LOL! Lesson learned! I was so concerned about over-charging that I did myself and others a disservice! I am really the only one around here besides grocery stores that will weddings, so I didn't have any businesses to compare with. This helps immensely. Thanks you!
A
Original message sent by vgcea
Thanks for catching that. I went by the 300 in the OP, but it appears that was an underestimate. OP are you using party servings?
A
Original message sent by Norasmom
You undercharged, but now you have learned about how to price. I have done the same thing. Sometimes I underestimate how much to charge, but then the next time I have learned. Still learning and still having fun at the same time...
Like!!!
Some things I try to remind myself, when I doubt my price:
A pedicure costs $20+tip and I have never heard of anyone negotiating the price.
A specialty coffee from Starbucks can cost $5 or more, no one complains.
A customer chose me because they WANT what I'm offering, not because they want a favor. My work has value to them.
If a customer sees me as the professional or expert then that's what I am. Diminishing myself by cutting my price or apologizing in some other way is an insult to my customer and what they need from me.
You don't have to be arrogant, just be sure you're delivering what you offer and you do your best work.
Jen
I agree with all the comments here and have felt exactly as you do, down to the same conversation with my hubby also telling me I'm under pricing. For some reason, I too would cringe and be afraid to give a higher price. But then it hit me. As I was giving low prices, it was starting to take my joy away from what I love to do and on top of that I was afraid of being known as "the cheap cake lady" --- which is what I was becoming. I couldn't do that to myself, my business or my family. Giving low prices seems ok at first and that's probably because you love cakes and you're happy to do it, but you can't sustain low prices in the long run. Trust me it takes some time to get out of the "under pricing" cycle, but once you're out, you'll feel free and confident to give the same prices as your competitors.
Some things I try to remind myself, when I doubt my price:
A pedicure costs $20+tip and I have never heard of anyone negotiating the price.
A specialty coffee from Starbucks can cost $5 or more, no one complains.
A customer chose me because they WANT what I'm offering, not because they want a favor. My work has value to them.
If a customer sees me as the professional or expert then that's what I am. Diminishing myself by cutting my price or apologizing in some other way is an insult to my customer and what they need from me.
You don't have to be arrogant, just be sure you're delivering what you offer and you do your best work.
Jen
Darn tooting!!
A
Original message sent by therealmrsriley
I agree with all the comments here and have felt exactly as you do, down to the same conversation with my hubby also telling me I'm under pricing. For some reason, I too would cringe and be afraid to give a higher price. But then it hit me. As I was giving low prices, it was starting to take my joy away from what I love to do and on top of that I was afraid of being known as "the cheap cake lady" --- which is what I was becoming. I couldn't do that to myself, my business or my family. Giving low prices seems ok at first and that's probably because you love cakes and you're happy to do it, but you can't sustain low prices in the long run. Trust me it takes some time to get out of the "under pricing" cycle, but once you're out, you'll feel free and confident to give the same prices as your competitors.
Yes! What you said!! ;). And where's the "like" button?? Lol!
A
Original message sent by ellavanilla
Some things I try to remind myself, when I doubt my price:
A pedicure costs $20+tip and I have never heard of anyone negotiating the price.
A specialty coffee from Starbucks can cost $5 or more, no one complains.
A customer chose me because they WANT what I'm offering, not because they want a favor. My work has value to them.
If a customer sees me as the professional or expert then that's what I am. Diminishing myself by cutting my price or apologizing in some other way is an insult to my customer and what they need from me.
You don't have to be arrogant, just be sure you're delivering what you offer and you do your best work.
Jen
And what you said, too! So much wisdom! So glad I joined! Thx for all the advice ladies! ;)
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