I’m going to start interviewing wedding cake bakeries and wanted to know what are some good questions to ask them prior to going in? So far my list includes:
How long have they been in business?
How many servings will you get from each size cake.
What does the baker charge for handmade decorations and are they cheaper than pre-made decorations.
Do you provide cake tops
What is their payment policy
What are the different types of icings and fillings they offer for their cakes.
Anyone got any other ideas or issues I should be concerned about, particularly pricing and extra charges?
thanks in advance
What is the charge for delivery and setup.
Is there an extra charge for cake stands ?
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These might help, along with a link from theknot.com:
Do you have a portfolio of previous wedding cakes you’ve made that we can look at?
Will you be having a tasting soon that we can attend and try various kinds of wedding cake and cake fillings??
Can you supply references?
Will you do a custom wedding cake, or are there a set number of designs for us to choose from?
How adaptable are wedding cake designs, especially due to budget concerns?
Do you have or can you rent items like cake toppers, stands, tiers, fountains, and cutters? Will we be billed extra?
If I want to use fresh flowers on my cake, will you coordinate with my florist, or will I have to manage getting the flowers to you?
What ingredients do you typically use? What kind of icing do you use?
(Better ingredients will cost more, but will make the cake taste better. Also, if you plan on having an outdoor wedding, the designer should not be using buttercream – it will MELT.)
How long before our wedding are the cakes prepared? How long does it take to make a cake?
(The closer to your wedding that the cake is prepared, the better it will taste. BUT, anyone who tells you that they can bake a wedding cake in a day is not telling you the truth, or isn’t being realistic. Due to the complicated nature of wedding cakes, they usually take between three and five days. )
Are your wedding cakes priced by the slice? Is there an extra cost for special fillings or details?
Will you charge extra for my design? Is there a price list I can take home with me to study?
Can you give me a written proposal I can take home?
Do you do deliver? How much does it cost? Will the delivery person be able to make emergency frosting or decoration repairs and arrange the cake table?
What is your back up plan in the event my cake is damaged during delivery?
you should give them an amount you are comfortable spending and ask what that will get you.
i wouldn’t ask how long they have been in business, what does it matter if they can do what you want
ask for samples and to see pictures of actual cakes they have made
ask to see a copy of their contract and make them explain in full detail anything you don’t understand or have issue with.
Ask for 3-5 references and about 3 people who weren’t satisfied. Call these people and ask them lots of questions about why they liked/disliked this baker. The baker will think you’re nuts for requesting unsatisfied customers but they’ll tell you like they saw it and you might get some good insight from them.
Ask if they are members of any professional organizations and if so what are they. Then check out the organization. Are they a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Check them out with the better business bureau.
Everybody else was giving you great ideas about what to ask for. I just thought I’d go a different route.
Ask what steps they take if (YIKES!) the cake should be dropped when they’re setting it up etc…..
Ask them if they prepare it in advance, freeze it, then re-thaw it by saturating it in sugar syrup.
This is the way that pastry chefs are taught in school that large bakeries use. GROSS!
Do they provide the cake stand? Is there an additional charge for the cake stand?
Will they provide cake samples for tasting?
Will they provide a box to put the top layer in to save for the bride and groom?
Will the baker be making/decorating the cake, or an assistant?
Can you see picture examples of their work?
Do they charge additional for mileage to deliver the cake, or is it figured into the cost?