Dispelling a myth

Wow...busy summer! I haven't posted here in awhile. Between the busy wedding season and spending way too much time trying to move my blog to wordpress- which was a nightmare - I've been tied up but.....now I'm back.

Today I'd like to discuss a concern that I've had for awhile and really noticed quite a bit at the Central Virginia Bridal Guides 13th annual show which was held Saturday November 13th at the Kirkley in Lynchburg. It was our great pleasure to attend as always but the abundant misinformation that is hurled at brides was quite apparent and I'd like to dispel a myth that seems to be really taking roots.

The question that I get from brides is - "Do you charge by the slice or by the cake". And when I say that I charge by the slice they behave as if I'm trying to rip them off. Somewhere someone has started the marketing scheme that charging by the cake is more fair and less expensive. To which I say that if anyone is charging more for a larger cake than a smaller one .....then they are charging by the slice too! If they charge $300 for a three tiered cake that serves 100 - and I charge $3.00 per slice - WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? The cake costs the same either way! They are both $3.00 per serving but I'm just upfront about the per serving price and they are not.

I know one baker whom I adore and trust who sells her cake by a range of servings. She charges xxx.xx for a cake that she says will serve between xx and xx. That's fair to say. It's fair to warn customers that although I say my cake serves 100 (based on an industry standard size) if you cut it in larger or smaller slices you will get more or less servings - It's a good point that I always point out to my customers as well. BUT if someone charges like that and they charge $300 for a cake that serves between 90 and 110 servings, and I charge $3.00 per serving for 100 servings WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? The cake costs the same either way!

If I was selling eggs and charged 10 cents per egg or a dozen for $1.20 would you be getting a better deal to buy the dozen? No. There is nothing wrong with doing it either way, but it does get confusing for brides who are trying to compare.

You should always break down every cake to the per serving price so you are comparing apples to apples and are not actually paying more because you buy into the "per cake price is better" myth.

So why does anyone buy into the myth that charging by the cake is better? Is it just because someone tells you that with an air of confidence? Listen to what they are saying and not just how they are saying it. Just don't believe everything you hear or read. You're smart - think about it.

All in all - it was a fabulous show and I hope all of you who attended got lots of information to help you with your wedding planning. Congratulations to Wendy Hurt who won our free key lime cake and 16 oz. Coffey Cakes mug.

Have a great day folks! :)

Whirlwind of events!

There aren't quite as many weddings the first few months of the year as there are from April through October, but these months are always crazy busy with lots of other fun stuff to do. All the the recently engaged young couples are busy planning right now so we're having lots of meetings about making their wedding cakes. This is also the time for lots and lots of bridal events. On February 12th we attended West Manor Events open house at the beautiful West Manor Ballroom in Forest. What a magical evening and a wonderful opportunity for brides to see different flower arrangements,table settings, cakes and delicious food in an actual wedding setting. It really brings it all to life and of course the West Manor team really know how to throw a party! With three venues - West Manor Ballroom, The Trivium and City View the West Manor team will certainly have a space that suits your taste! Check them out at www.westmanorevents.com Thank you West Manor for sharing this evening with us!

On February 20th the Central Virginia Bridal Guide's Bride of the Year Luncheon was held at The Trivium in Forest. We were so pleased to be there again this year and meet many of the beautiful brides planning their weddings for this year and next. The winner, Whitney Bowers, received a honeymoon from Travelbugs as well as lots of other prizes and an article about her wedding in the next Central Virginia Bridal Guide. Check out Central Virginia Bridal Guide's website for info about up coming events. www.vabridal.com

Last night (February 24th) we were honored to attend Tresca on 8th's Debut and Reception at the wonderful Tresca ballroom at 8th and Commerce Street in downtown Lynchburg. Leecy and Tara have done a wonderful job getting this beautiful space ready for the upcoming wedding season. The beautiful decor and lighting last night really highlighted this unique venue. We wish our friends much prosperity with this fabulous site. I know they will make lots of dreams come true there. We are looking forward to delivering lots of wedding cakes there. Check them out at trescaon8th.com.

Coming up

March 14, 2010 -The Lynchburg Bridal Expo at the Holiday Inn Express downtown on Main Street. This is going to be a huge event, and if you are planning a wedding in the next couple of years you must come! Lots of great vendors, samples, doorprizes. Lots of great ideas. You have to be there. :) Visit www.lynchburgbridalexpo.com for more information. You can also see more on March 4, 2010 on "Living in the Heart of Virginia" with Tab O'Neil, whose guest will be the Bridal Expo event coordinator and owner of Capture it Photography, Kim Jennings.

April 17th - YWCA Church Street Bridal's open house at 626 Church Street in Lynchburg. Visit them at Church Street Bridal for more details.

April 18th - Central Virginia Bridal Guides Garden Party at the beautiful Babcock House Bed and Breakfast in Appomattox. Pick up a copy of the Bridal Guide for more info or visit www.vabridal.com or The Babcock House.

There are more events that I will post as they get close. Happy Wedding Planning!

Join my facebook fan page or create a fan badge for your profile or website

I'm so happy to have over 250 fans on my facebook fan page. If you would like to join please go to www.facebook.com/coffeycakes and if you would like to show your support with a new fan badge for your profile or website you can go here to create it - http://www.facebook.com/facebook-widgets/fanbadges.php

Wendy Ballowe Coffey is a fan of

Coffey Cakes

Create your Fan Badge

We're so honored!

Thank you to our past brides and grooms who voted for us to win this award. We are thrilled!