OK so I live in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere,WV. I got an inquiry about doing a wedding cake 
, SOOOO last night I go to meet with the bride, groom, and both of their families. I took my portfolio and 3-6inch rounds. Choc.cake raspberry filling
French vanilla with white choc./mini choc chip filling
White cake with BC filling
2 of the cakes were 1/2 crisco 1/2 butter and the white cake was all crisco.
Then I sat there for 1 hour and listened to them bash my cakes. 
She liked the taste of the 1/2 and 1/2 BC but wanted it all white.
What other options did she have and --no I don't want them either.
The cakes were ok--could I do anything else to them?
I tried all of the cakes (well cake tops) and was very impressed with myself (even if I do have to say so).
So where did I go wrong...was this my first encounter with a bridzilla? Do I need to get a thicker cake skin?
She did book the cake with me and it is in a very nice catering hall that I would love to get into, but should I pass on this one?
I really want to do a wedding cake
She must not have disliked it too badly if she booked you! There is just no pleasing some people! Don't feel bad - she's probably just playing the role (bridezilla that is). If you don't feel comfortable - don't make the cake.
Debbie
Good Luck to you on this one and Congratulations on your wedding cake order!
Well it sounds like the Bride herself can't make up her mind anyway!! I don't think there is anything wrong with your cakes...maybe she was expecting something more elaborate for flavors and fillings...You did mention she booked with you so I guess here is your chance to find out more of what she really wants!! Sorry I am really no help!! Some people are so fussy and hard to please.Keep up the good work!!
Yikes! If it were me, I'd pass until I found someone blissfully happy with my cakes. She sounds like a huge problem waiting to happen.
If you do take her on as a client I'd make a mini cake for her to approve. That last thing you want is her coming back later extremely unhappy bashing you to everyone she knows.
I think your cakes are beautiful and so do many others here. Don't let one princess get you down.
-Krissy
I get the feeling that you don't like the feeling you have about this bride. Now that your antennae are up, don't ignore them!
Given that she's "booked", what type of non-refundable deposit for cancelling do you have? Is it enough to cover ingredients if she cancels last minute? If she didn't give you a deposit at booking, please get back to her in a week or so and ask her for a decent deposit. Make sure that she has a full understanding--IN WRITING-- of what she's contracted for and don't budge unless she pays more--and even then, only if you're comfortable making any changes. If she tries to shame you into lowering your price because she's not all that happy with things, walk away as it will only get worse as the wedding approaches and she gets more antsy.
I know this sounds harsh, but if she really is a "bridezilla", you shouldn't be in her path when she starts stepping on vendors. The fact of the matter is, if the type of cake you bake isn't exactly what she wants for her wedding then you two shouldn't be partners in this marriage. This doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with your cake or icing, it simply means that her taste/desire is different than what you offer and it just isn't a good match.
I hope that this all turns out well and that you get to do a great cake for a grateful bride and that you'll both enjoy the experience. Please keep us posted!
All the best,
Rae
I had done a baby shower for her cousin last month and the whole family went on and on about how great my cakes were. Some of the older aunts had 2 pieces. Her cousin was very happy with me and called me the next day and told me to expect calls from her family because the cake was such a hit. So when this bride announce her engagement 3 aunts jumped up and said you have to get the girl who did the baby shower to do your cake.
I can't figure it out. This bride wasn't at the baby shower and that is why I fixed the 3 -6 inch rounds for her to try.
Again, I thought they were great....
I am working on a contract tonight. I already told her 1/2 now and 1/2 2 weeks prior to the wedding, which is in the middle of Feb. All she wants is 3 tier, square, off set, all white, with a ribbon around the bottom of each tier. It seemed simple enough for a first wedding cake.
Yes. Bottom Choc. with raspberry filling and other 2 white cake with buttercream filling. All cakes to be iced with 1/2 and 1/2 BC.
I saw something at AC Moore in the cake aisle by Wiltom that called "cake white" maybe?? It supposedly turns butter BC white, is this right? Maybe you can use that.
That being said I believe you should go with your gut and if you think she will flake further down the road maybe it would be best to not take the job?
Barbara
I have to say, it sounds like she's already got you all tensed up. As the big day approaches, she's not going to get any nicer! It may not be worth all the stress to do this one! Good luck though with whatever decision you make. I've looked at your cakes and they are all beautiful! 
Thanks for the support everyone! I have wished several times that you all could PM me a piece of cake. LOL They all look so good and I know they taste even better! Right now I wish I could PM you one just for the reassurance.
The Choc. one I used DH choc added 1 pack of choc pudding and made with choc milk instead of water.
The french vanilla was DH with french vanilla coffee creamer instead of water.
This was also the first evening the in-laws met. Maybe it was a show. We have talked several times and she has always assured me that what ever I did would be great--she would even settle for a twinkie. That is why I thought this would be a nice easy wedding cake for me to get my feet wet with.
Last night though sure seemed like a different story.
Maybe she is one of those people that will try to get what she wants for free by complaining. Maybe she really does like your cakes (why else would she book you) but wants to be able to come after you after the wedding and get some of her money back. People can be very conniving. Making a wedding cake should be fun and if its already got you this stressed it definitely won't be any fun to make. You don't want to have to worry about it being absolutely 100% perfect (which is impossible for even the greatest cake decorator) so she doesn't throw a fit. I quess if it were me I'd tell her that you are passing on making her cake because of the reaction you received at the tasting. Just tell her that she should get a cake she absolutely loves, make it sound like you doing it for her so it still makes you look good.
Good luck and keep us posted,
Heather
Well, I just got a call from the bride. She has done a complete flip/flop on her attitude. She was going on and on how good the cake was and how she had to have left overs for breakfast, Even though they were just iced in BC with no decoration that it was the smoothest icing she had seen. Her girlfriends at work had some too and they loved it.
I am going to caulk last night up to nerves. (in-laws meeting for the first time)
I gave her a quote of $400.00 for a 196 serving cake. She agreed and said she thought I was underpricing myself. I should receive the check this coming week for the full amount. (Just one more thing off her mind)
WISH ME LUCK
Congrats and Good Luck! I agree, using the "white-white" helps a bit but it wont be pure white... closer than with out though.
New to decorating..
I think you went above and beyond the call of duty to make 3, 6" cakes..wow....that's a lot of free cake to be giving away!
I agree with Blakes Cake...
How about this for a compromise...you make the cake with the all crisco recipe...but use butter flavor?
Will that solve the dilema of an "ALL WHITE CAKE"?
What Great News! 
Sounds like the leopard changed her spots. Maybe the reassurance of her co-worker helped her see the error of her ways... No matter, with a booking and a full payment YOUR'E THE ONE IN CHARGE!
Hope this takes a load off of your mind and lets you have fun with the process--Enjoy!
Rae
Can I make a suggestion that a truly professional culinary chef made to me in regards to "test-tasting" cake samples? She said that she books a consultation, and then sends home test samples for the bride and groom, boxed and ready to go. They don't sample the cake in front of her. That way, they could try the cakes, feel at ease to say what they wish, and then they could call back if they have questions about the flavors and fillings. I think I am going to do that myself when I start a consultation. I would probably feel bashed too if I were you. I'm sure your cakes are wonderful; people just get obnoxiously picky sometimes.
Yes that was the conclusion I have come to as well. Being new to all of this and being in a small rural town in WV, nothing like this is done around here. I thought it seemed like a good way to get my name around. Next time, less cake, dropped at the door, and call me later with your thoughts. If nothing else this was a learning experience, and I can use all the extra knowledge I can get!
When I took a sales seminar we learned that some potential buyers (of just about any product) will gripe about this or that - because they want to get across the impression that they are not push-overs. Silly, I know, but we were taught that they are trying to lay the groundwork for the lowest possible price.
Here is a technique I learned. Never answer a gripe the first time. They may be talking just to hear themselves. Don't address it. For instance, if they say, "Gee...this is really kind of sweet..." Smile and show them another design - or ask them something unrelated. If they mention it again, however, they really have a concern - address it at that point.
Many of the negative comments will be quickly forgotten if you treat them that way.
Hi NEWTOCAKEDECORATING,
Big congratulations on your first wedding cake.
Glad to hear that your other contacts with the bride turned out well.
Maybe she was trying to send out a message to the in-laws. lol
Good luck...can't wait to see pictures.
I just have one suggestion. Even though she paid in full, make sure she understands that part of that was a non-refundable deposit. You don't want her coming back at you to get the full amount. Make sure that it spells it out in the contract. That way you're protected if she backs out.
stephanie214-
Thank you! I actually have been in contact with the bride 2 more times and she is much more relaxed now. I am feeling much better about this. I am excited also because my DH is a band director and his winter concert is coming up and I am going to do a practice wedding cake for the concerts reception. I will change the design of course but the main idea (4 teir square stack, each off set) will remain the same. I hope it will give me the confidence needed to do my first wedding cake without - well lets just say- getting sick! LOL
people try to lay the seed that they dont want to go with you so that they can get a lower price. stick to your guns your stuff is great and you know it!
Always remember why you do this...decorate cakes that is...and if working with her goes against why you started this to begin with then you don't need to accept her as a client. You have the luxury of being your own boss, which gives you the luxury of picking your own clients. If you worked for someone else and she decided to hire your bakery, you would be stuck with her regardless of your feelings.
I am just starting my baking business, but I have owned my other company (I manage projects and plan events for non-profits) for almost 10 years now and one of the hardest lessons I had to learn in the beginning was that it was ok to refuse to accept someone as a client. No money, or experience, is worth doing business with someone you don't feel comfortable with and who doesn't feel comfortable with you. In the end, you will part ways anyway and it usually will not be on good terms.
Just my 2 cents...
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