Wedding orders - deposits vs balance due

I am just a small home baker, I do a few weddings a year, maybe 10. I personally ask for a deposit of half and it depends on what I need to do for the prep work/ordering supplies to how far in advance I ask for it. There is a wedding in Oct that I have to order dummy cakes for so I asked for the deposit in Aug. but if it is a cake that I source everything locally and it is a simple order I ask for a week or two in advance just so I can cover the cost of my supplies.

Depending on the time frame in which it is cancelled I would most likely give a refund, I have yet to have this happen. But if it was the day before or something I would be hesitant to refund the deposit unless it was something tragic like a death or something. But like I said I am no expert, just a beginner home baker =)
Good luck!

-- Tara, Nova Scotia, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Valleys-kool-cakes/131353476890032

There is all kind of software out there on the www where I am sure you could find templates for contacts. Check out CakeBoss software…..NOT the tv baker. I also am just a hobby baker. I ask for 50% down about 2-3 months before. Full payment one week before. As far as a refund…..very good question. Guessing it would have to be extraorinary circumstances. If wedding is cancelled, for sure you keep down payment. Beyond that…...???? Each situation could warrant a different decision.
Another tip…write EVERYTHING down. Make sure your customer/bride understands what the final cake will look like. I had a customer give me a picture and wanted the cake EXACTLY like it. But the cake was pink bc, she wanted white fondant….etc., etc. That was a learning experience!!! I don’t like to “copy” exactly…a few changes to make it my own. I make note specifically what they want, colour. style, cake flavor, type…etc…and have them SIGN/INITIAL. This way there are no misunderstandings. You thought chocolate, they said mocha…..you get the picture.
Hope this helps. Best of luck
June ( jchuck ) Burlington, On., Canada

I do a non-refundable deposit to reserve the date with payment in full due 2 weeks before the date. I have a really in depth terms and conditions on my website, feel free to check it out! I did a lot of research on it and like that it’s worded like a contract to protect myself. I provide an invoice and refer clients to that page on my website to familiarize themselves with it before they make a deposit. Http://caymancake.weebly.com

Hope that helps!

-- Sunny Smiles from the Cayman Isles!, http://www.facebook.com/caymancake or http://caymancake.wordpress.com

Make sure you price your cakes properly, including all the time spent shopping and cooking too. Ask for a deposit and prior to delivery of a wedding cake ensure that the balance is paid. You will struggle to find a person to pay you on the wedding day as everyone is so busy. So ensure that you have the balance of your money prior to big day. I would also get the customer to sign an order form saying they agreed to the order as well as getting some terms and conditions in place too. Hope that helps.

-- Karen MacFadyen - London UK - http://www.facebook.com/cakecoachonline http://www.cakecoachonline.com