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. Walk-in inquiries are NOT accepted. New inquiries must complete an online contact form. We are open only to clients who have scheduled a tasting/consultation or are picking up an order they have placed in advance. Our office hours are 9AM - 4PM Tuesday through Friday and Saturdays 9AM-2PM during which time we can answer phone calls and e-mail inquiries.

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

All of our goods are made-to-order except during our seasonal pop-up retail openings. Unless otherwise stated, we are closed to the public and open by appointment only. Please fill out our inquiry form if you’d like to schedule a tasting or place a custom order.

Do you require a minimum for deliveries?

Yes, given the volume of inquiries we receive each season and to ensure quality over quantity, we do require delivery minimums. Here is a link to our current Friday, Saturday and Sunday delivery minimums. Note: We do not require the same minimum if a client wished to pick up and transport their own order.

How far in advance should I place my order?

We typically require at least 2 weeks notice on all custom orders and recommend 6 months notice on wedding cakes. All of our cakes are made-to-order to meet each client’s unique specifications and to ensure freshness and quality. We are not typically open for retail and do not carry ready-made desserts (unless otherwise stated during holidays and for scheduled pop-ups).

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 13,000 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!

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 cake and filling pairings (according to both customers and our staff!).

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. 3D sculpted stadiums, cars and animals are often the most time-consuming and each requires their own minimum, 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 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 consulting with the client and coming up with a design; purchasing the necessary ingredients, tools, equipment, and pedestals; sculpting and drying gumpaste and fondant decorations; 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?

While we do deliver for an added fee, we also require a minimum order amount for deliveries (see here). 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 on orders.

We suggest opting for pick-up on most smaller orders, but recommend delivery for larger cakes (3+ tiers).

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. If you are out of town/state and interested in a Sweet Fix cake for your wedding or special event, just ask!

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

All of our tasting pricing can be found here. Tastings are by appointment only to ensure the cakes are baked as fresh as possible, as well as tailored to the individual client’s tastes. We provide an easy pick-up option or a sit-down tasting with an added cake consultation.

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!

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

We do offer Gluten-Free cakes and actually create our own Gluten Free flour in-house! We also now offer Vegan and Vegan/Gluten Free cakes in many of our classic cake flavors. We also do our best to accommodate customers with other dietary restrictions and allergies (e.g. nut, dairy allergies). Please do not hesitate to inquire for more info!

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. These cakes are typically only 4-5” with simple buttercream decorations. This messy tradition is often immortalized by the parents with a photoshoot!

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 venue staff simply to provide additional cake servings to your guests. These can be ordered at a reduced pricing.

You didn’t charge a fee for custom sketch proposals in the past. Why the change?

We have grown a lot in the past decade and realize that our time and creative process is important. In order for us to further develop as creatives and provide unique ideas and concepts to our clients, it is important to cover the time we spend researching, planning and hand-drawing your unique design. As of March 1st, 2019, we charge a non-refundable $45 sketch fee for all hand-drawn custom design proposals. Read more about this new fee here.

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. (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 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 offer small desserts and dessert tables?

Small desserts are offered in a minimum of two dozen per dessert type/flavor.

We also offer custom styling and on-site set-up of dessert tables for minimum orders of $1200. (Pricing includes desserts, design, coordination, equipment rental, menu cards, set-up, etc.) Check out our dessert table gallery and click here to get more detailed information about dessert tables!

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.