Wedding Cake Questions

Lisa0008

I am currently thinking about wedding cake!
A number of cake makers have suggested coming for a consultation to see and taste their work. If i go for a consultation am I obliged to book? Would it be rude not to?

thanks!

RainbowDrops

Not at all, the point of the consultation is for them to show you what they do.#
They might give you a hard sell (eg give you an offer that is only valid for the day), but you can just tell them you are considering options.
You can always haggle back at them at a later date, remeber, they want your buisness!

trying_2_b_good

As RainbowDrops said, and at the end of the day you're going to be spending a lot of cash with them, so you're entitled to a free taste!

It'll be the same with visiting venues, different dress shops, photographers etc. You'll take an hour or so of their time, doesn't mean you have to part with your hard earned!!

Lisa0008

Thanks
A few people have asked for a fee to cover the cake they are making which they will then take off the price of the cake.

trying_2_b_good

My cake was a wedding present, so I didn't actually go through the process. BUT if they want the cost of a slice of cake at a coffee shop, then it may be worth it. If they want £30 then I wouldn't bother! What if they charge you that much then quote a cake at £2000 when you only want to spend £500? You've paid to try expensive cake for no reason!

sugarwalsh

Personally I would find a cake maker whose designs I like then approach them. I would discuss ideas and if I was happy with the service I would then suggest a meeting. They should offer a sample of their cake so you can decide on flavours etc. I wouldn't spend money with someone if they are not prepared to let you have some small samples. I certainly wouldn't pay for them!

Em88

I emailed several cake makers whose work I liked having viewed their website to get an idea of price. Then once I knew which ones we liked best we made appointments with 3 to go and talk to them, try some samples and then decided. We were honest with them all from the start, i.e. telling them we were visiting other cake makers too and they were fine with it. We didn't pay for the samples and wouldn't have done either. As others have said - they want your business.

RainbowDrops

Also, look into Waitrose / ASDA / M&S for cakes for a slightly cheaper option.
I had an M&S cake and it was about £100 for 160 portions. Had a mix of sponge & fruit and ordered duting a 3 for 2 offer.

Lisa0008

Thanks for all your help!
I had looked at M&S but a few people had put me off saying that the icing is very soft and when you cut it it becomes messy, we recently had an m+s cake for my dad's birthday as as yum as it was it was very difficult to cut and serve. How did you find it RainbowDrops?

nuttymummy

hey guys.
no you are not obliged to book.

As a cake decorator myself, I dont offer tastings. They look through all my pictures, I discuss their requirements. They can meet me if they like to show me designs or just have a chat to me about options. Then if they are happy they book me. (i also have lots of reviews for them to read!) then they pay a deposit to secure their date.
I dont offer tastings because it allows me to keep the cost of their wedding cake down, and they can see from my reviews what to expect

I know people who DO offer free tastings but have decided against it now as the customers never show up...leaving the tasting cake to go to waste.(hence why some will charge and then knock price off) But their cakes are more expensive than mine. Rather than go through all that messing I just let the couple decide by looking at my designs and speaking to me

You are under no obligation to buy at all. Its just like browsing in a shop x

sugarwalsh

Nutty mummy - could you not bake some samples, cut them up and freeze them? I know they will be a little effected by this, but it still gives the people who are looking something to try. I know a cake maker who offers samples, but then again she bakes all day every day. I think it is a shame whensomeone spends hunreds on getting a beautiful cake and the actual cake is dry or just awful (Not suggesting yours would be!). If I were looknig to buy a wedding cake I would be much more inclined to go with the person who offers samples.