About Styled Dessert Tables and Pricing Minimums:
-Tuesday-Friday Deliveries: Starting at $1200 + delivery fee.
-Saturday Deliveries: Starting at $1500 + delivery fee.
-Sunday Deliveries: Starting at $1800 + delivery fee.
-Note: We do not require the same minimums on pick-up orders. Also, if this is a dessert-only inquiry with no rentals, set up, styling /coordination needed, then please refer to wedding cake pricing for required delivery minimums. (In this case, desserts will be delivered and kept boxed up for your catering company/party to set out on their own tabletop display items).
Our minimums factor in ingredient and staffing costs, the cake equipment (dowels, separator plates, and cake boards) used to stack or display your cake, as well as the months of email and phone communications, design research, and all of the other behind-the-scenes coordination with your planner/s, venue/s, and other vendors necessary to finalize day-of logistics & ensure a smooth and safe delivery.
Full dessert tables tend to be priced a bit more than large custom cakes due to the level of logistics and communications involved. Keeping inventory rentals, table communications, behind-the-scenes planning (for size, spacing, and design coordination), menu cards, on-site set up (1 + hours on the day of), and optional return break down and pick up in mind, our full dessert tables for a guest count of 60+ typically start at $1200.
Average per person: For starters most clients like the idea of a large variety of dessert options available to their guests. Despite the number of options available, we usually suggest averaging between 2-3 (2.5) desserts per person depending on the size and style of desserts available. (This average can be less if you are offering guests full-size desserts like standard-size cupcakes or an outside dessert like ice cream, or if you are offering the majority of guests a full serving of cake and then only a sample or two of a bite-size dessert option. In these cases we do not necessarily require the same pricing minimum as our typical full dessert table.)
How many types: We highly suggest limiting the number of dessert "types" available to guests. The more types of desserts available, the more desserts your guests will want to sample. Think of a dessert table as an open buffet. We often suggest increasing the "variety" of flavors instead of the "type" of dessert to limit guests' sampling desires. A max of 5 types of desserts is a great number for a full dessert table however you can offer a few flavors within each type. For example: If one of your dessert types were French Macarons or Mini Cupcakes then perhaps choose 2 flavors so there is more flavor variety and color. Chances are, your guest will only choose one.
Minimum order per dessert and tastings: A minimum of 24 desserts of a single type and flavor must be ordered. You can then order in increments of 12 after that minimum has been met. Due to the required minimum, batch size and since we are a custom bakery making all of our desserts to order, we do not offer small dessert tastings at this time. We do offer in-person cake tastings and consultations and at that time can guide you through the design and menu process and better understand your style, vision and personal tastes. Here is a gallery of some of our previous small desserts.
Table Planning and Design: We will work with your reception style, vision and color scheme to create a table scape to complement. We hand select and provide all platters, pedestals, dishes, trays and menu cards to create a cohesive design. We will work with your party/planner to ensure appropriate table size, spacing, linen color and possible backdrop or signage. (Tables, linens, dessert plates and utensils are typically provided by your own party/catering/rental company). We will create backdrops and provide favors, bags or specialty signage on a custom basis and depending on availability. Other thematic elements, specialty decor and floral arrangements can be coordinated into the dessert display on a case-by-case basis. Here is a link to a gallery of some of our previous dessert tables.
Delivery & Set Up: On the day of, we will be responsible for the delivery of all inventory and desserts to your venue. For desserts needing to be kept cold, we transport our small desserts in cooler bags to ensure they are kept at appropriate temperature during the delivery and set up process. We are then responsible for the set up of all inventory rentals as well as all small desserts/cake at the time of delivery. We typically average 1 hour for set up (more could be needed for large dessert tables or station-based desserts).
Rental return: For most dessert tables, the client or planner will agree to be responsible for the safe return of all rental items following the reception. Sweet Fix will leave plastic bins, bubble wrap, and inventory form and return instructions so that the party has a safe place to store and transport rentals after the reception. Items must be returned the following week (typically Tuesdays-Thursdays 9-4PM, however return days may change depending on the event day, demand of rentals or closings). In many cases the venue wants all rentals out of their space by the end of the evening or the following day. If Sweet Fix needed to return after the reception or the following day or two then we would charge accordingly for the return break down and pick up especially since this typically falls on a day/time that we are closed. (Note: Client is responsible for the replacement value of any lost, stolen or damaged item. An inventory list is provided so we ask that your party or catering company reviews this list when packing up items after the reception).