Today I share a blog article by my friend Kara Buntin, owner of "A Cake to Remember" in Richmond, Virginia. A brief preview: she tells a true story of a box that held the wedding cake that was picked up from a table and just dropped on the floor .... with the cake still in it!..... and how the cake survived.
While this is definitely a rare event at a wedding, I share the story to prompt the question: How confident are you with your cake delivery? Whether you are the bride or the cake designer, it is a good question.
Cake designers should be confident in their cake assembly and delivery and be able to convey their confidence to their client/bride. Brides should feel confident the cake designer they have selected is more than competent in being able to get the cake to the event.
All of us are aware that "stuff happens" that is out of our control and I am in no way promoting that perfection in all things are possible. Stuff happens.
Kara's story is a good illustration of a professional who understands many of the "stuff happens" elements and how she went above and beyond to help make sure the cake was delivered intact. Her professional expertise helped derail what could have been one of those derailing accidents that could mar a bride's wedding day.
Good job, Kara!!
Photos of Kara's work can be seen on her website, acaketoremember.com .
My friend and wedding guru, Andy Ebon, writes a great column discussing "what is a wedding professional?" I am providing the link to this article because this topic comes up way too often in all fields of the wedding industry.
In the cake industry, there is debate on the licensed vs. unlicensed, home baker vs. commercial storefront, full time vs. part time (by choice or by circumstance).
In the above example, I am defining "home baker" as one who is permitted by their state laws to legally bake and sell baked goods from their home kitchen or one who has built a commercials, health department approved kitchen in their home. This is different from the baker who is working out of a home kitchen "under the radar".
My intent is not to debate the home vs. store, full vs. part time or any other aspect. My intent in sharing this is to get vendors and brides alike to think about the services being offered and being bought.
Vendors, what is it you offer that defines you as a wedding professional? Can you spell it out so your clients really get it? What is the value you add to your service that makes a client believe you are worth the few extra dollars?
Brides, are you shopping for the best professional or the best (lowest) price? While we all understand and can appreciate keeping costs in check for a wedding, there is certain knowledge, skills, licensing, inspections, equipment, etc., that costs more than the fly-by-night business person who may be offering an unbelievable low price.
Enjoy Andy's Article: "No Respect! Why So Many Wedding Businesses Don't Get Any"
