Cake Tastings/ re-introduction

alexilyse

Hello All,
I posted a few times a while back, but have taken a few months off from wedding planning (busy with work, plus the holidays).  I just started planning again for my 8/22/10 wedding. 

Right now, I am looking for a florist and a bakery for our cake.  I have come across a few places that charge for cake tastings and floral consultations.  Is this normal?  Should I expect to pay $25/tasting?  Please let me know if you have come across this in your planning?

Thanks!
-Alex

sgylling

Ours is $25 too. We are using Rolf's Patisserie bc it is included in our package, we haven't done our tasting yet, but will soon. Our florist is Kio Kreations, she is great so far, so nice to work with. GL!

girlinchicago

I only came across one place that wanted to charge us for a cake tasting (Sarah's Pastries.)  Knowing that we wanted to set up tastings with a few other places, we opted not to schedule a tasting until after the "first round."  We ended up loving Vanille Patisserie so we booked with them and never ended up having to pay for a tasting. 

As for flowers, I can't help there.  I didn't do a consultation as I'm only getting a bouquet for myself and my florist and I just communicated our ideas through email. 

Golfer09

I also went with Vanille and was not charged for cake tastings - we did TWO...one to initially sign and then another closer to our wedding date (we booked Vanille almost a year out).  I was able to choose 4 different cakes and Keli made 4 mini-cakes and I was able to take it home to taste when convenient.  I highly recommend Vanille...we got so many compliments on how good the cake tasted, and it was a fondant cake too!  Keli was also willing to provide a sheet cake with another flavor for my wedding...guests never knew that we had sheet cake!

For florists, I used Kloeckner and also was not charged for a consultation OR for a sample when I requested one to take to the rental companies so I could see how my centerpiece would look on the table setting.  When I offered to return the centerpiece, Mark just asked for the vase back but I was really happy with how flexible and accommodating Mark was. 

I should warn that though Kloeckner is in Chicago, it's kinda a hike since it's near Midway airport.  I think that's why their prices are so good since they don't have to pay high rent for a store front downtown.

ErinC85

I never came across a charge for a consultation. 

I am using Morning Glory florists. They are so great and have locations in Wilmette and Glenview. She even asked us to come see a few mock ups before she even quoted us, so we could make sure we really understood each other. 

We are also using Rolf's because it was included in our package, but we didn't have to pay for anything unlike Sglylling's experience. weird. BUT WOAH SO YUMMY! We decided to get five layers because I went into fat kid mode and wanted to many different combindations! Haha. 

jbll326

IDK about cake tastings since ours is included from the venue and was conducted during our dinner tasting.

Generally from what I've heard, you really shouldn't pay for a floral consultation! I did one with Kio Kreations and one with Zuzu's Petals in Orland Park and didn't have a fee. If you're asking for a mockup of centerpieces/bouquets, then I can see they would charge a fee for basic materials, but a consultation should not be a source of revenue for a florist - it's their chance to sell you on their services, not take your money!

alexilyse

Thanks all!
That is pretty much how I felt.  I don't think I should pay for the florist, so I will keep looking for others.  I don't have as much of a problem paying for cake tastings, since I'm getting a tangible product at that meeting. 

Also, thanks for the bakery and florist reccomendations.  This really helps my search!