I know what you mean Karen. The first christening cake I did was a pantomime. I had phone calls and emails morning, noon and night! Although the person who ordered it turned out to be a lovely woman who I’ve remained friends with ever since. But I had to put my foot down with everyone else and now I only do personal consultations with wedding clients. Anyone else can just phone or email me and I’ll get on with it and since they’re mostly friends and family they know how I operate. (If it’s a present, which a lot of them are, they get very little say at all! lol)
June makes a very good point about contacting the venue. Also make sure to ask if they have a cake stand and knife for the occasion otherwise it’s something else you should provide and charge for the hire of AND if you’re providing these make provision for a deposit which will be refundable only on the safe return of these items. I once did a cupcake tower for an old school friend and never saw the stand again! It was a tough lesson learned.
If the venue is close at hand do check it out, otherwise look up their web page and try to get a grasp of the distance you will have to carry the cake as this will have a bearing on whether you need someone to help with the delivery. I did my cousin’s wedding cake a couple of years ago and had to carry it (and it was a ton weight!) about three hundred yards, over a slippery stone flagged courtyard, up two flights of stairs, in through two doors which only opened outwards and to the very back room of the venue. I have arthritis so it was tough. I just about managed it but it taught me not to be a hero and to ask for help when I need it. x
