Cake Question-$$

[auberge]

My sister and I are throwing our Mom a surprise birthday. ::I say my sister and I are throwing it but I'm doing most of work::

Anyway, do you think $300 is reasonable to pay for a cake for 35 and 20 cake pops? The cake is two tiered smooth buttercream with a black band of fondant and big open sugar flower.


Well, I think it's reasonable and my sister just about fainted when I told her. WTF? It's our Mother's 60th and I didn't want a cheap sheet cake.

[Deleted]

Wait, why are you getting cake for 35 people but only 20 cake pops? With the cake pops I'd either have one for everyone, or none.

[auberge]

Because I have other mini desserts. It was a suggestion by the bakery actually.

[karinothing]

I don't think there is a need for cake AND cake pops personally.

How much is just the cake? I am not sure I would want to pay over $5 a slice for cake . . .

[auberge]

The cake is $260ish.

[kellbell191]

We did cake for 50 people, cake pops for 50 people for our wedding reception with 85 guests and there was left over of both.

I don't think its unreasonable...what did you guys agree on as to budget in the beginning? Is she just being cheap or actually can't swing it?

[auberge]

Sept 25, 2012 11:51:43 GMT -5 @cookiemonster03 said:

IMO no. I'd get the cake pops and a cheaper cake or cupcakes. but I'm kind of cheap. and don't like fondant.

It's buttercream with just a band of fondant.

[karinothing]

Ok I think that $260 for a cake for $35 is okay. $6.50 a slice isn't horrible, although as mentioned I would prefer to pay $5 or under a slice.

But $40 for 20 cakepops sounds crazy to me.

[auberge]

Sept 25, 2012 11:52:12 GMT -5 kellbell191 said:

We did cake for 50 people, cake pops for 50 people for our wedding reception with 85 guests and there was left over of both.

I don't think its unreasonable...what did you guys agree on as to budget in the beginning? Is she just being cheap or actually can't swing it?

She's just cheap. We "agreed" we would split the party but the chances of me getting any money is very small. We intially said we would both pay $600-$800. I'm prepared to pay for the party.

[papie]

I see why your sister had a heart attack.

[auberge]

Sept 25, 2012 11:53:23 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Ok I think that $260 for a cake for $35 is okay. $6.50 a slice isn't horrible, although as mentioned I would prefer to pay $5 or under a slice.

But $40 for 20 cakepops sounds crazy to me.

$2 each sounds crazy? hmmm

[Deleted]

The price sounds right/reasonable to me.

[karinothing]

Sept 25, 2012 11:57:23 GMT -5 auberge said:

Sept 25, 2012 11:53:23 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Ok I think that $260 for a cake for $35 is okay. $6.50 a slice isn't horrible, although as mentioned I would prefer to pay $5 or under a slice.

But $40 for 20 cakepops sounds crazy to me.

$2 each sounds crazy? hmmm

I guess I have no idea how much cake pops costs but there is so little cake to them! It seems silly that they cost $2 a pop ha ha.

[ssmjlm]

Given your COL too, I would say the pricing seems ok to me.

I would be mad at your sister though, pay up if you said you would.

[mrssandro]

I think the price of the cake pops is high. You can make them for like less than $10 dollars. It makes about 3 dozen per a normal sheet cake.

That said the cake price looks semi expensive but it's probably worth it if it's going to be BEAUTIFUL!

[womet]

Do you live near Wan? Have you thought about hiring her?

[karinothing]

ALSO now i really want cake.

[Deleted]

I think that price for the cake and pops is high. I also wouldn't do pops+cake+other desserts. I would save more money on cake and buy better liquor/beer/wine.

[sa]

I think that is a lot.

I'd also try to keep it under $5 a slice.

I know you're in a HCOL area, but I still find the price of that cake high.

[Deleted]

$2 per cake pop isn't unreasonable and I'd charge $3/slice for BC but charge $30 extra for the fondant and flower. But your cake doesn't really just serve 35 people so you are more than likely paying for more slices as well for all that extra cake. High for a birthday (for me at least especially with the other desserts) but not completely unreasonable for what you are buying.

[UnderProtest]

The price of the cake strikes me as fairly high, but the price for the cake pops isn't terribly bad. I just paid $70 for a 10x10 decorated cake (I can't remember how many it serves, but I think between 20-30). I know I'm in a lower col than you, so I would think $150-175 for the cake. But if it's gorgeous and yummy, I'd still pay that amount. I love cake (and now want some).

If you don't expect your sister to actually give you any money, just do whatever you want.

[SKP82]

The cake for my wedding of 75 people was $300, so I'd say that is way too much.

[Deleted]

Is this going to be one awesome cake?

If so, just go with the cake. No need for pops.

[winecat]

Sept 25, 2012 11:53:23 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Ok I think that $260 for a cake for $35 is okay. $6.50 a slice isn't horrible, although as mentioned I would prefer to pay $5 or under a slice.

But $40 for 20 cakepops sounds crazy to me.

I own a cupcake shop and we charge $3 per cake pop. They are a ton of work.

I think those prices are totally reasonable. You could probably cut the price of the cake down by going with a single tier to feed 35 instead of a tiered cake. There is a lot more labor in a tiered cake.

[winecat]

Sept 25, 2012 12:23:36 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

$2 per cake pop isn't unreasonable and I'd charge $3/slice for BC but charge $30 extra for the fondant and flower. But your cake doesn't really just serve 35 people so you are more than likely paying for more slices as well for all that extra cake. High for a birthday (for me at least especially with the other desserts) but not completely unreasonable for what you are buying.

Ditto the amount of cake. I bet you're going to get way more cake than you need. What size are the tiers?

[karinothing]

Sept 25, 2012 12:51:11 GMT -5 winecat said:

Sept 25, 2012 11:53:23 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Ok I think that $260 for a cake for $35 is okay. $6.50 a slice isn't horrible, although as mentioned I would prefer to pay $5 or under a slice.

But $40 for 20 cakepops sounds crazy to me.

I own a cupcake shop and we charge $3 per cake pop. They are a ton of work.

I think those prices are totally reasonable. You could probably cut the price of the cake down by going with a single tier to feed 35 instead of a tiered cake. There is a lot more labor in a tiered cake.

Interseting, I had no idea cake pops were so pricy!

[Deleted]

It sounds high to me for what underneath is a basic buttercream cake, but how intricate is the design?

[sratsey]

The price for cake pops sounds reasonable. The price for the cake though, sounds like a lot. And this is coming from someone who has had "fancy" tiered cakes at almost all my kids' birthday parties. My daughter's first birthday cake was 3 tiers and was 1/2 that. HCOL area. If you told me the cake was going to have intricate details and designs...maybe I'd reconsider. But a band of black fondant on smooth buttercream...no way.

[Deleted]

That would be way too high for where I live.

[auberge]

Sorry had to go to a meeting. I'm so surpised that some think it's too much. The design is similar to this but buttercream, red rose and a happy birthday banner: