.FAQs

 

Prices & Budget

Budget

• We understand that custom cakes are a luxury that not everyone can afford, we always do our best to find an arrangement that can accommodate your request. We serve both high-end clients and clients who save all year to splurge on one of our cakes. We are honored to work with both and do our best to meet each clients needs individually. 

• When configuring your budget, consider the costly and time-intensive nature of these cakes.  When we ask your budget, it is not a trick question to get you to spend more money,  this is just to get an idea of what we have to work with.   I always do my best to find an arrangement that gets you as much of what you want, and as close to your budget as possible (as long as it's reasonable.)

• We make tall cakes, which gives bonus servings really! Cakes feed a range of servings, and ours usually feed much more than stated.  

Prices

• Our cakes usually begin around $8-10 a serving and our minimum order for custom cakes is $150. 

• Toppers are priced in addition to the cake serving price and run from $15-$100 and beyond+ Depending on difficulty.

• A smaller CUSTOM cake still needs to meet the $150 minimum requirement. 

• Textured Buttercream/Naked Cakes begin at $50 for a 6 inch. 

• Our average order usually runs between $250-$400

Deals/Coupons?!

• I am a couponer by nature, I love finding bargains and getting things as cheap as possible. However, my-fellow-bargain-hunters, please remember the world of custom cakes is not a coupon world. The world of custom anything is not a coupon world. (dang it!)  If you are just price checking to see if I am the cheapest flat out, I can save you time and tell you I am not the cheapest. I know where I fall in the local market and I'm more toward the top. If you really want to work with me, please continue to fill this out, I will do whatever I can for you. 

• Speaking of deals, I'd like to think my cakes are a GREAT deal.  You will never find a better price for the level of artistry, time, talent, love and commitment that goes into each of the cakes I make. That is my promise to you. I have never met a baker that overcharges and I never forget a cake. I may falter on names or dates, but I remember the creation-to-completion of every cake I make. Show me a cake I've made, and I can tell you a story or memory about it. My current and prospective clients are those that appreciate my time, talents and work. I have awesome clients. 

• Because I do love a good "coupon", we offer a free mini smash cake (2.5 inches tall) for first birthdays. We also include a free 4-inch buttercream anniversary cake (4-5 inches tall) with our wedding cakes ($400 minimum orders). This comes in a separate box, ready to enjoy or wrap for your one year anniversary. These are our gifts to you!

 

Rush Fees and Availability

Rush Fees

• Please note that orders placed with less than a two week's notice may be subject to up to 50% rush fee, depending on the availability of the weekend, the complexity of the design, or any rush shipping needed to order supplies. 

• Rush fees will be calculated and built into the quote if needed. It will not be a surprise fee or added later in addition to the initial quoted price. 

Availability

• Availability always varies, some weeks are booked 2 months in advance while others might have availabilities to accommodate a last minute order. It never hurts to ask!

• My creations can take weeks to plan and handmake custom details.  The more time I have, the better.  I have clients booking 6 months ahead to ensure they reserve a spot in my schedule.  I take great pride in my work and the service I provide so I only accept last minute orders when I see that quality will not be sacrificed.

Delivery Info

• Delivery is 30$ within a 15-mile radius. After that, it is calculated based on round-trip mileage at 1$ a mile round trip, unless it's during high traffic hours in which case it's 2$ a mile round trip. 

• We do not schedule delivery on Sundays due to religious observations, but we can arrange to have your cake delivered the night before. Most venues are very accommodating. (Customers are welcome to pick up before church at 8:30 am or after from 12:30-1:30 pm) On occasion, we deliver on Sundays due to unforeseen circumstances. 

• While your cake will be sturdy, it is still fragile. We recommend delivery on 2 tier cakes but we REQUIRE delivery on 3 tiers and above. Never leave a cake in the car, or at temperatures above 72 degrees, or in direct sunlight.

 

 

Terms and Conditions (more in depth)

PAYMENT

1. Your 50% nonrefundable deposit is considered a down payment and date reservation toward your event’s cakes/desserts. Your order is not confirmed and your date is still available to other clients until the deposit is paid.

2. Final Payment in Full is due two (2) weeks before the event, unless otherwise noted on your invoice.

3. If your cake is ordered less than 2 weeks before the event date, or is totaled at less than $150, the total amount is due immediately and your order is not confirmed until payment is received. 

4. No work will be performed on your order until final payment has been received

RUSH ORDERS 

1.  In the case of orders placed 2 weeks prior to the event date, Sugar Pearl Bakery reserves the right to incur a “Rush Order” fee of  50%.  

2. Our services are available on a first come, first served basis. Rush orders are to be accepted at the sole discretion of Sugar Pearl Bakery.

DESIGN FINALIZATION

1. Changes to your order (size, decor, flavors, etc.) will be accepted until 2 weeks prior to the event date. After that lockout date, we are unable to accept any further alterations. 

2. Changes to the cake design requested and approved by the Client after execution of this agreement may result in total price changes.

DESIGN VARIATION

1. While Sugar Pearl Bakery  makes every effort to provide exactly the flavor, filling, decoration, size, color, shape, and design discussed during consultations, creating cakes and other desserts is an art form and may be subject to slight variations.

2. Sugar Pearl Bakery cannot duplicate an exact copy of another cake artist’s work but will ensure the look is similar.

3. Color matching is not a precise science and different sugar substrates take color differently. Sugar Pearl Bakery will do everything possible to match provided color swatches, but sometimes it is not possible to make a 100% perfect color match. Some colors are just not achievable using food grade dyes.

4. The Bakery cannot match a “verbal” color or a color sent via an electronic device, as all monitors display color differently. To attempt a color match, you must provide a color swatch 14 days in advance of the event.

5. To maintain stability and the integrity of your event cake, The Bakery reserves the right to make design and structural changes to your cake on site or off, without prior notification.

6. Dark food coloring on cakes has the potential to stain linens, clothing, furniture, and teeth upon contact. Sugar Pearl Bakery cannot be held liable for issues resulting from my choice of dark color/s. 

7.  Deep colors require a significant amount of food coloring, which may adversely affect the flavor and quality of the cake.

DELIVERY AND SETUP

1. Delivery and setup are not included. While our cakes are structurally sound we encourage delivery on all cakes, but we require delivery on three-tier cakes and above. There is a $30 delivery charge. Outside of Simi Valley is either $30 or $1 a mile round trip, whichever is greater. High traffic times may inccur a 2$ a mile charge on all or part of the mileage. There is a $20 setup fee for cakes/ cupcakes requiring assembly on site.

2. Please have your cake table ready for our arrival. Our weekends are very busy and we schedule them carefully to accommodate our clients as best we can.  Delivery covers the cake's arrival if you feel you need more time than a drop-off, please request set up in advance so we can schedule and allow the proper amount of time when scheduling our other deliveries and orders.

3. We are not responsible for any damage to the cake after setup is complete. Cakes are never to be stored or displayed in the sunlight or left in a car. If you chose to do so, you are assuming liability for damages done to the cake. You are responsible for providing an appropriate and secure table and environment for the cake(s). Cakes are heavy and require a sturdy table and optimal room temperature of 75 degrees or below.

4. If you or your representative-elect to pick up and set up the cake, you assume all liability and responsibility for the condition of the cake once it leaves Sugar Pearl Bakery's possession.

 

ORNAMENTS, TOPPERS, AND FLOWERS

1. All ornaments and toppers should be brought to us by 7 days prior to your event so they can be assessed for weight and stability, and any necessary cake reinforcements prepared.

2. The Bakery reserves the right not to place ornaments on your cake if we feel that so doing will cause damage to your cake.

3. You are responsible for ordering flowers from your florist to adorn your cake. Please keep in mind that some flowers are harmful when eaten, and caution should be used by you and your florist when selecting flowers to insert into cake. We will arrange up to 25 stems free; $1 for each additional stem.

4. Sugar Pearl Bakery is not liable for any damage or illness caused by floral inserts into the cake.

5. Fresh flowers must be placed on the cake table at the venue, prepped and ready for use upon our arrival.

6. It is important for us to allow the appropriate amount of time within your set-up fees to adorn your cake at its destination. Please be sure to discuss on-site decoration with us in advance of delivery to avoid additional charges.

7. Please do not alter the design of the cake after completion without prior consent (other edible toppers ordered from Etsy, toys, etc...) Candles are acceptable alterations. 

CANCELLATION, POSTPONEMENT, AND REDUCTION POLICIES

1. We will do everything in our power to accommodate your new date in cases of postponement or reschedule. However, if a new date is not selected and confirmed by 1 month prior to your original date, our cancellation policy will apply.

2. If we are not able to accommodate your new date, The Bakery will consider your event to be “canceled” and our cancellation policy will apply.

3. Cancellation of your event will result in a partial to no refund of the total quoted amount.

   1. Cancellation between 2 months to 1 month before the event: A cancellation fee  in the amount of 50% the quoted total balance will be collected by The Bakery from your total payments, and then the remainder of your payment balance will be refunded.

   2. Cancellation within the 1-month window before the event will not be granted a refund except in cases of death in the immediate family or deployment.

4. We do not reduce orders after the initial deposit is placed.  This is because we schedule our orders based on size and design and begin turning away orders based on our workload. 

5. When we take your event order, we begin declining other orders. As we get closer to your event date, the chances of re-booking your date are greatly reduced. For this reason, non-refundable portions are non-transferable and cannot be applied to later dates.

ALLERGENS AND INGREDIENTS

1. Sugar Pearl Bakery is a licensed and health permitted home bakery. 

2. While The Bakery will take every measure to minimize the risk of cross-contamination, The Bakery processes known allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, dairy, corn, gluten, and eggs. In signing this contract, you agree to notify guests of allergen risks and hold us harmless for any allergic reaction.

PHOTOGRAPHY OF YOUR CAKE

1. The Bakery reserves the right to take and use photographs of your cake(s) and desserts, before, during and after set up, including scenic photos of the event location, to use for marketing, advertising, and promotional purposes without compensation to you.

NATURAL DISASTER/ACTS OF GOD

1. Performance of this agreement is contingent upon the ability of {{brand.name}} to complete this agreement when delay or default is caused by conditions beyond its control, including but not limited to, Acts of God, Government restrictions, war, terrorism, criminal act, insurrection, and/or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of the company.

2. In the unlikely event that the Baker is injured or becomes too ill to provide services for your event, The Bakery will make every effort to secure a suitable replacement bakery. If the situation should occur and a suitable replacement is not found, responsibility and liability is limited to the return of all payments received for event services. If the client does not want The Bakery to find a replacement, the contracting party may choose to receive a refund instead.