How to Write a Wedding Cake Contract

Drafting a wedding cake contract helps you and the client.

Customizing a standard wedding cake contract may be necessary to suit your specialized business services and the competitive risks you face. Starting with a written agreement typical of the industry can help provide appropriate and legally binding documentation. By detailing the customer's order and liability in print, you and the client both benefit. Keep contract forms on hand, ready to be filled out as business comes.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Word processor
• Printer and ink
• Paper

Instructions

1. List your company name and contact information, and provide space for your client to provide the name of the bride and groom, phone number, email address and mailing address. You may want to inquire whether the customer was referred to your business and, if so, by whom.

2. Request wedding details. You need to know the date, time and location of the reception if delivery is available and chosen. Otherwise, your client needs to arrange a time for pickup. The contract should explicitly state who is authorized to receive the cake.

3. Make ordering information available with space to write down the services required of you. This may include the wedding cake's size, design and flavor; whether bride's and groom's cakes are requested; equipment needs, such as a cake stand and cutting knife, and delivery and setup services.

4. Detail your charging policy, including information on required deposit, down payment and final payment. Total all costs at the time of ordering to provide your clients an accurate sum to agree to pay.

5. Require a signature along with an explanatory note binding the customer to the terms outlined by the contract.

Tips & Warnings

• Include any additional information you see fit, such as a company cancellation policy or options the clients have if they change their mind about any specifics. Consider noting ramifications if any equipment is not returned.

• Absolving yourself of liability as much as possible can prevent future problems. Insert a statement explaining that designs may vary slightly, colors may not match samples exactly and venue temperature can change the consistency of the cake and icing.

References

• Wedding Cakes Across America: Example of a Wedding Cake Contract

Resources

• Chef Talk: Wedding Cake Contract