Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

We are located at 9 West 10th St (between Hull & Bainbridge) in the Manchester area of Richmond, Virginia.

What are your hours?

Sweet Fix is open by appointment only. We are open only to clients who are picking up an already existing order, and those who are returning any previously rented pedestals & equipment. Our office hours are 9AM - 4PM Tuesday through Friday and 9AM - 2PM on Saturdays, during which times we can answer phone calls and e-mail inquiries.

Can I walk in to buy desserts or sample your cakes?

Sweet Fix is typically NOT open to the public. As a custom cake studio, all of our goods are made-to-order; all orders must typically be placed 2-3 weeks in advance. We are NOT a walk-in retail bakery, nor do we stock any ready-made cakes, desserts, or tasting samples (unless otherwise stated for special retail or holiday pop-ups). You must fill out our inquiry form if you’d like to place an order or schedule a tasting pick-up. Walk-in appointments or tastings are NOT accepted.

How much are your cake tastings? What does a consultation entail?

All of our tasting pricing can be found here. Tasting boxes are made-to-order, as each one is tailored to the individual client’s tastes. We allow you to choose a selection of cake & buttercream flavors, which you can then mix-and-match to your heart’s content. Note: Post-COVID, we now strictly offer pick-up tasting boxes; we are no longer scheduling in-person tasting consultations. If your cake/desserts require further discussion about specific details or designs, you can request a scheduled phone meeting with the owner after you have picked up and sampled your tasting.

How far in advance should I place my order?

We typically require at least 2 weeks notice for all custom orders and recommend about 6 months notice for wedding cakes. All of our cakes are made-to-order to meet each client’s unique specifications and to ensure freshness and quality. We do sometimes make exceptions for more last-minute orders; pending availability, you can choose from a limited selection of 7” cakes or French macarons for reduced pricing and without our standard 2 weeks notice.

How do I place an order?

We typically do not take orders via phone. You can place your order by filling out our inquiry form with all of the necessary information (budget, design, serving count, desired flavors, event date, etc.). (If you are inquiring about a wedding cake and/or consultation, please fill out the appropriate wedding inquiry form.) Doing so will not only put your information in our system, it will put you next in our queue for that date. However, your order date is not reserved until we receive your initial deposit. Please give us approximately 2 business days to respond to your inquiry. Once we’re in communication with you, you’ll be able to send us any photos, swatches, or inspiration ideas you have for your project!

I put in an inquiry (X) days ago and still have not received a response.

Please be patient with us and try to give us at least 48 hours (2 business days) to respond to your inquiry. We have a very small staff, and we answer all inquiries in the order that they are received! (Also, please take into account that we are not in the office on Sundays and Mondays.) If it has been several days and you still have not heard from us, please call the shop at (804) 918-9257. MOST of the time if a client has not heard back from us, is NOT because we have not responded (as we are very on top of our email communications), but it is instead because our initial email response has landed in their spam/junk/promotional email folder. Please check these folders if you have not heard back within 72 hours from your initial inquiry form submission as our email could very well be there!

I tried to inquire via Instagram/Facebook DM and no one responded.

WE DO NOT TAKE ORDERS OR GIVE PRICING VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. Please keep in mind that we have over 14,000 followers on Instagram/Facebook and that most messages get filtered into our spam inbox. Regardless, we would not feel comfortable discussing our clients’ personal and financial information through direct messaging.

How much do your cakes cost? Do you charge per slice?

Each cake from Sweet Fix is like a snowflake — no two are the same! Every cake and dessert we do is custom-baked and decorated to fit the customer’s specifications.

However, please refer to our breakdown of cake pricing to get a general idea of our prices. Please keep in mind that these are *starting* prices. Any additional decor, specific flavor, serving size, etc. may be subject to additional fees.

I want a cake shaped like [object/animal]. How much will that cost?

We have a starting minimum of $250 for 3D sculpted cakes regardless of size / serving count. Please keep in mind that these are the most difficult and time-consuming cakes to produce, so 3D sculpted stadiums, cars, animals, etc. have different pricing that varies depending on the intricacy & difficulty of your design. If you don’t think something like this would fit into your budget, we would love to propose other alternatives for you (e.g. a smaller 3D sculpted fondant object/animal topper on a round cake!)

Do I need to put down a deposit to order?

Yes! We require a non-refundable 50% deposit and signed contract to hold the date of your event. You will receive a digital invoice that can be paid via credit card. The remaining 50% balance is due on or before the day of pick-up.

For wedding cakes, a deposit is not due at the initial consultation. Instead, your 50% deposit will be required after we follow up with the detailed contract, quote, and custom-designed sketch (if applicable). We cannot ensure the availability of your date if you have not paid the deposit 5 days after our follow-up. The remaining balance is due 2 weeks prior to your wedding day.

Are deposits refundable?

No. All deposits are non-refundable, even in the event of a cancellation.

Once we lock in your order, there is much planning involved before actually baking and decorating the cake. This includes communicating with the client and creating a design; purchasing the necessary ingredients, tools, and equipment; sculpting fondant toppers & other elements that need to be made ahead of time; not to mention, turning down other bookings for your date. Your deposit is used to get the ball rolling long before your actual cake is made.

Do you deliver? Do you require a minimum for deliveries?

While we offer delivery for an additional fee, we also require a minimum order amount (see here for a general idea of price minimums). We do this to limit our delivery schedule, thereby prioritizing quality work over quantity. The delivery fee and minimum are based on location, mileage, and season. Delivery is subject to our availability and capability, and is not always guaranteed (especially during the busier wedding months). For this reason, if you require a delivery, we strongly recommend locking it in & paying as early as possible to secure a spot on our schedule.

For smaller orders, we often suggest opting for pick-up and transporting your own order, but recommend delivery for larger cakes (3+ tiers). We do not require a minimum for pick-up orders.

How far do you deliver? Do you ship?

While we do not "ship" our cakes, we WILL travel with them! We have traveled many times across several state lines for our special clients. Delivery fees vary depending on distance. If you are out of town/state and interested in a Sweet Fix cake for your wedding or special event, just ask!

How do you recommend traveling with your cakes & desserts?

If you plan on picking up and transporting your cake yourself, we always recommend placing the cake box on a flat surface in your car, preferably a space like the back of an SUV or hatchback car. DO NOT place cakes on car seats as this will tilt them at an angle. (The same applies to any of our desserts.) Do not leave the cake in a warm car for extended periods of time. We recommend turning on the air conditioning while traveling during warmer months. If you have a longer/farther trip, we also rent out cooler bags & ice packs for peace of mind. Regardless, please drive slowly & carefully — we recommend avoiding bumps, potholes, manholes, making abrupt stops, or taking sharp turns — in order to safely get your cake to its destination.

What flavors do you carry? What buttercream/filling pairs best with [flavor] cake?

Please refer to our flavor menu for all of the cake, buttercream, and filling options we offer! You can even scroll down to see a mix-and-match list of suggestions for popular cake & filling pairings (according to both customers and our staff!)

How do your cakes taste?

Ingredient quality is just as important to us as the appearance of our cakes. We are adamant about ensuring all of our desserts truly taste as good as they look. Please read more on our ”baking philosophy” for more information on the composition and quality of our all-natural, baked-from-scratch goods. All of our desserts are made-to-order and only prepared as close to the time of serving as possible to ensure freshness and quality!

How do you recommend storing & serving your cakes & desserts?

For optimal quality & freshness, our cakes are best served on the day of pick-up and left out at room temperature for approx. 3-4 hours prior to consumption (or even longer during the winter months). Allowing it to come to room temperature ensures the cake & buttercream soften and will be eaten at the intended texture & consistency. If not being served the same day as pick-up, cake can be stored in the refrigerator overnight in its provided box or an airtight container. However, we do not recommend eating our cake taken directly out of the refrigerator; please refer to the aforementioned thawing instructions on the day of serving. Not recommended: freezing the cake, letting the cake sit out unrefrigerated overnight or longer, letting the cake sit outdoors in warmer weather, in a hot car, or in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

We recommend consuming cupcakes & tasting boxes the day of pick-up. Under no circumstances should you refrigerate/freeze either of them. The same applies to desserts such as sugar cookies, cake pops, pop tarts, dipped strawberries, rice krispies, and pretzels. We do, however, recommend refrigerating other small desserts such as macarons, shooters, tarts, cannolis, and mousse bombes — and displaying them as close as possible to the time of serving.

Do you offer Gluten-Free and Vegan cakes or other options for allergies/dietary restrictions?

Yes! We do offer gluten-free cakes, baked with our very own gluten-free flour that we make in-house! We also now offer vegan cakes (which can also be made gluten-free!). Many — but not all — of our classic cake flavors can be made V/GF, but feel free to ask! We also do our best to accommodate customers with allergies to nuts, dairy, etc.; please make sure you mention any dietary restrictions in your inquiry! (Note: While we take every precaution to avoid cross-contamination, please be aware that everything in house is made using shared equipment.)

Fondant vs. Buttercream?

Buttercream is our go-to for traditional ivory/white cakes with basic piping or textures! Our light, whipped Italian meringue buttercream is very versatile and allows for various techniques on the surface of our cakes, such as striping, stucco texture, piped lace, henna, swiss dots, rosettes, or a classic smooth texture with crisp edges.

Buttercream will always seal in the structure of our cakes, but can additionally be covered with a fondant exterior. Fondant is sometimes necessary if you’re looking to achieve a certain look. It has a more smooth, matte finish with slightly rounded edges. Shapes can be cut and molded out of fondant, and all of our 3D sculptures are made with fondant. While the taste and texture of fondant is not everyone’s cup of tea, we assure you that Sweet Fix uses only high-quality fondant on our cakes. Our product receives wonderful reviews and has more of a white chocolate/marshmallow taste to it, rather than the stereotypical “Play-dough” fondant flavor.

(Note: There is an additional up-charge for a fondant exterior.)

What is the difference between cake “layers” and cake “tiers”?

Cake “layers” are what you see when you cut into a cake “tier”. The cake “tier” is roughly 5” tall and often round (but can even be square or hexagonal). When cut into, our standard cake tier incorporates 4 layers of cake and 3 layers of buttercream/filling. Wedding cakes are often made up of 3-5 stacked “tiers.”

What is a “smash cake”?

It’s becoming increasingly popular to celebrate 1st birthdays with a small cake that the baby enjoys by quite literally “smashing” into it. This messy tradition is often immortalized by the parents with a photoshoot! When you order a standard cake for baby’s celebration, you have the option of adding a 4” or 5” smash cake to match!

What is an “anniversary tier”?

It is a popular tradition to save the top tier of a wedding cake and eat it on your one-year anniversary, provided it's frozen and stored properly. We can provide the lined packaging to do so, including directions on how to preserve it properly for a year!

What is a “kitchen cake” or “cut cake”?

Kitchen/cut cakes are supplemental cakes often ordered in addition to wedding cakes. They are called so because they are not part of the actual cake displayed at the wedding. This cake has the same quality and structure on the inside, but comes with no decorations — it typically remains unseen and is cut by the venue staff or catering company simply to provide additional cake servings to your guests. We offer these at a reduced pricing.

Will you provide a custom sketch of my cake design?

We only provide custom, hand-drawn cake sketches when deemed absolutely necessary (i.e. intricate wedding cakes) — for a non-refundable $45 fee. If changes are needed, the first revision is free; however, you will be charged for any additional revisions. It is important to cover the amount of time, planning, researching, and designing needed to bring your unique ideas and concepts to life. If you are providing a reference photo of a cake you’d like us to replicate, a custom sketch would not be necessary.

Why is there a higher price-per-serving for delivered wedding cakes vs. pick-up cakes?

There are so many elements surrounding a client’s big day. Sweet Fix is typically in communication with not only the couple, but often times the venue, florist, catering company, and wedding planner/coordinator to ensure a smooth, safe, on-time delivery, and set-up. The increased price per serving helps us cover all the behind-the-scenes costs that the average customer is not aware of: vendor communication and coordination, last-minute scheduling or weather changes, after-hour deliveries and labor costs, creation and production of menu cards, cake table set-up, floral selection and arrangement . . . . the list goes on and on!

Can you put fresh flowers on our wedding cake?

Yes! Fresh flowers are often used on cakes, however we are not responsible for providing them. Please arrange for additional flowers to be left on the cake table by the florist that we can arrange at the time of delivery. If you plan on picking up the cake, you will need to drop off the flowers to us the day of (to ensure freshness). (Due to concerns regarding pesticides and other chemicals, we use floral wire and stakes to ensure that the plant rarely touches the cake itself.)

Do you offer small desserts as well?

Yes! We offer cupcakes (standard sized or mini), French macarons, and dipped desserts (cake pops, strawberries, rice krispie treats, and pretzels dipped in chocolate). They typically must be ordered by the dozen per dessert type/flavor. See our small dessert options here.

Do you rent out display equipment?

Yes! We offer a large assortment of pedestals, dishes, and trays to complement the cake, style, and theme of your event. Rental prices range from $15-40, depending upon the item. These are typically delivered by us along with the cake, but the responsibility lies with the client to return it within 5 business days after your event. Failure to do so will result in the full retail value of the equipment being charged to your original payment method.

Do you cater to any and all couples?

Of course! We do NOT discriminate; we are open to clients of any gender, orientation, race, or creed. Sweet Fix has had a vast, diverse clientele (as well as staff) since its incarnation and welcomes customers from any & all walks of life!

Do you take donation requests for baked goods?

Yes. We will consider requests for events for charities, non-profits, schools, galas, etc. We also often create editorial cakes for styled photoshoots in exchange for promotion/publicity. Please fill out our donation request form for availability and more information.