Frequently Asked Questions
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| Q: When should i order my cake? Since i only take on a limited number of orders per week i recommend you contact me at least a month in advance to make sure I can fit your cake into my schedule. I generally cannot accommodate last minute orders. Q: What kind of cake should i order? This will all depend on your budget. The most economical and easy to serve option is a sheet cake ($), that's one layer of cake, split with a filling inside and a design on the top. Next are layer cakes, ($$), two cakes, baked with a filling in between and placed on top of each other. Servings are now 'slices' cut into a rectangle shape. Tiered cakes ($$$). This is layer cakes stacked on top of each other, either directly on top or on top of support pillars. Again servings are slices. Lastly are Topsy turvey and Sculpted cakes, ($$$$). These cost the most due to the amount of work and time involved in creating these custom cakes. Servings are slices but estimated due to the unusual shapes. Q: How much does a cake cost? A: The price of your cake will depend on the number of servings, the choice of cake flavour, filling, icing coat and the decoration detail. My minimum order is $45 for a sheet cake Q: My budget is $1 to $1.50 per serving, can you do my cake? Our cakes start at $3 a serving and average around $4 for a wedding or tiered cake. A sheet cake averages $2 a serving. Q: Do you do cake consultations? Yes, if you are planning a large event where your cake needs will be over 75 servings then you can book a consultation. It will take about an hour to discuss the size, flavour, design and elements of your cake. Please bring any pictures, fabric samples and ideas you have collected. Due to my schedule I will arrange a time that suits us both. Q What are your payment terms on wedding or large event cakes? I require a $100 non-refundable, non - transferable deposit to hold the date for your event. This will be applied towards your cake total. 21 days before the event the balance is due. This can be paid over time in installments or all at once as long as it is paid by the due date. Q: How do I pay for my cake? If far enough in advance i will take a personal check. I can also send you an invoice through Paypal to make an online payment. All cakes must be paid for before pickup or delivery. Q: How many servings does a cake have? The servings a cake contains is based on a 1" x 2" x 4" slice for layer cake (ie a wedding or tiered cake) and a 2 "x 2 "x 2" piece for sheet cakes. If you plan on serving larger pieces then you will need to order a larger cake. Regardless of your serving size, I base all my cake prices on these serving sizes. Q: Do you have a minimum order size? 20 Servings or a minimum charge is $45 for a cake, $150 for a sculpted cake and a minimum of 24 cupcakes or decorated cookies. Q: How do I transport my cake? When you pick up your cake it is very important that it sits level. That the car is air conditioned, especially in the summer, that the cake is kept out of direct sunlight and that you drive carefully. This is important especially if the cake is tiered or sculpted. The driver needs to take corners slowly and don't accelerate fast or brake hard. The car seat is not a good place to sit your cake! Once the cake leaves my kitchen my responsibility for it ends. I can not be held liable for damages caused in transit, or if the cake is moved once I set it up on location. Q: Do you deliver? Delivery can be arranged for cakes over $100, a delivery fee is applicable. To find out what my delivery charge would be please send me the address i would be driving to. Q: Why do you charge an equipment deposit? On tiered cakes over 3 tiers tall I use the 'Stress Free Support System'. This system is no fail. It contains metal rings where the legs screw on, that I push into the layers to support the tiers above. Its so strong that the woman who developed it actually stands on it to show its strength. Needless to say this system was an investment, therefore when I use it in one of my tiered cakes I do charge a substantial refundable deposit, ensuring its return. If you prefer not to place a deposit i will use a disposable system which is an additional $5 a tier. Q: Do you have any tips on serving the cake? When you serve your cake keep the blade of the knife clean. I recommend using 2 knifes keeping one in a jug of hot water and switching out when the blade gets caked up. A serving guide can be attached to your cake order by request. Q: How do I store my cake? I try to use ingredients that do not need refrigeration. Otherwise you would have to clear off a whole shelf in your refrigerator and that's not practical. Store any uneaten cake in the box it comes in on your kitchen counter. It will be fine for several days. If it needs refrigeration i will let you know. Q: Can I order more than one flavour? Of course. But you need to consider this... When offering different flavours there is a chance that your guests will want to try more then one piece. In which case there is a possibility that you could run out of cake before everyone has had a piece. To overcome this you could order a larger cake or combine the flavours in each tier. Q: I need a cake for tomorrow, can you do this for me? As much as i would like to make your special occasion cake, i cannot generally accommodate last minute orders. Mainly because i do not keep baked cakes on hand to be used for an order, and secondly because i don't like to rush things. Designing a cake from baking it to making the icing and then the decoration process all takes, surprisingly, more then a couple of hours. Some say, 'but its just cake' that may be true to some, But not to me. I can spend 6hr or more on a special cake. Thats including, designing it, calculating the ingredients needs, to the actual making of it. When you order a cake through Sweet Expressions you will receive 'more than just a cake' Please place your order in advance. I prefer at least 7 days. Q: What's the difference between a dessert cake and a special cake? Dessert cakes are just that. Normally made from a 8" or 9" round cake, iced and may have a top and bottom border, no decoration or writing. They are served in wedged shape slices. Special occasion cakes are any size and decorated with flowers, or a design and the servings are cut differently as noted above. Special occasion cakes have a higher price due to the extra work involved. Q: Do you offer a plating service? If your wedding is being catered by a company that is not on-site then please be aware that they will not provide the plates and forks for the cake. For a small additional fee i can provide the plates and forks for the number of servings your cake will provide. ie, if your cake serves 126 then i will provide 126 plates and forks. Another thing i have noted while serving wedding cakes is that guests like a plate each for the wedding cake and grooms cake, so don't forget to order plates for the grooms cake serving numbers too. Be sure to check with me at your consultation on the fee for this service. Q How do i contact you, i don't see a phone number? I would prefer if you use the contact us link on the home page. That will send an email directly to me that i will reply to within 24 hrs. Answering the phone in the middle of a cake is time consuming and a lot of the time its just not possible. So email me first at cakes@wedesigncakes.com. I do prefer to correspond through email for all cakes except wedding cakes, when a consultation is recommended. It is very important that on the day your cake is due that you arrive at the time that is agreed on for pick up. I try to schedule all pick ups of cake orders within one hour, 9am and 10am, that way i can schedule the rest of my day or make my deliveries on time. Unfortunately i cannot wait around 2 -3 hours after your scheduled pick up for you to arrive. So please respect my time and arrive when scheduled. Should your check be returned for NSF or for Stop Payment I will do all that is necessary to collect payment from you. Your cake will also not be made until you have paid in full, no later then 4 days before the event, not including weddings. You will be responsible for the check amount, bank fees and a $10 collection fee. |