I Really Need Some Advice On This!

[Retrochic]

'm in a predicament and really don't know how to address it. We were at my nephews engagement party and they had a lovely cake which I commented on and they told me the same person was going to do the wedding cake. In a rash moment I offered to buy the wedding cake as a wedding present and they were delighted. Anyway I've just been informed by my nephew that his fiance has decided to go with a different cake designer and they have chosen the cake and its going to cost - wait for it- £450! I'd budgeted at around £250 for the cake and although I could pay it, I feel its grossly extravagant for a cake -its just two layers of sponge! I feel I've been taken advantage of. What do I do? Gulp and pay the £450 or say something and offer to pay towards the cake -but what can I say that will not sound mean?

[B00]

How on earth can a coupla lumps of cake cost that much?

couple of sponge cakes- £2.00 max

leggy things to plonk em on...what a pound each?

Icing, again a coupla quid

Arty farty flowery things and bride/groom ornament thingy for top- £5.00?

No more than £20.00...sorted!

[Slapshot]

Mazie, my wife baked for a 21st a couple of years back, now the young man in question is autistic so it was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed, a local superstar baker made his cake as a gift but my bosslady did things like toadstools made oompa loompas various wee things. She was offered £500 to do another childs birthday party a few weeks later, cale and lots of little bits round whatever then theme was.... if you are in a wealthy area Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire.... money is no limits

[Retrochic]

Boo can I book you for my daughters wedding? lol! I do bake and worked out the ingredients plus icing would probably come to around £30. Labour at £15 and hour around 8 hours work that's £120, delivery (25 miles) and setting up another £25-£50 so there is an very nice profit margin in it.

[pips1]

It is like everything else, whether it be a cake or flowers or photos or whatever, as soon as it is mentioned that it is for a wedding they just stick a nought on the end of the figure and everyone seems to accept it. All I hear is people saying how much weddings cost and how the average is now roughly £18,000 - but it does NOT have to be, it is ridiculous.

[mazie]

Talented wife you have slappy..And, as you say, some folk have more money than sense ! Back to your original question Retro, just explain to the happy couple that you offered thinking it would be about the same price and that you can't stretch to £450

[Retrochic]

Maizie, I've paid for the cake. Its not like I couldn't afford the money it was the shock that anyone could buy a cake for that price. Following research I've realised its about the average for a three tier designer cake. Lesson learnt,from now on no more 'offering' to pay for anything, I shall offer a 'contribution towards'.

[mazie]

Phew, well that's sorted then Retro... I still think it's madness, but hey-ho... Iv'e been married 3 times and never had a wedding cake.... So next time Retro, I'll know where to come ;o)

[Svejk]

just as well, mazie. You'll get fat if you have cake every time you get married.

[mazie]

I know Svejk... that's why I never had one, or 3

[Svejk]

;o)

[boxtops]

Even if it was a shock, I do think it's lovely when people pay for different parts of a wedding rather than giving a present to the B&G that they don't really want/need.

For our wedding, a family member paid the registrar, someone else bought the wine for the reception, my niece paid for our cake - etc - it was lovely and we really appreciated it, and the contributors felt they'd had a hand in the organisation.

[Slapshot]

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb6/Slapshot_3/127CFB4F-069D-4F4F-803B-52D1544D4579.jpg
£120 for these.....

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb6/Slapshot_3/A996E49B-4113-45EE-A19D-FE2C9F31582C.jpg

...and £200 for the princess..... Mental!!

[horseshoes]

Just a thought here, but are you or a friend, able to make the cake yourself? My son's mother in law made their wedding cake, fruit cake and FULL of alcohol, and then I paid to get it decorated. A chef from the University decorated it for me. That was 10 years ago and cost me about £60 as I remember it, that was for three tiers!