Cake

How much do your cakes cost?
It really depends on the size, complexity, flavors, fillings, etc that you want. Fondant covered cakes are more expensive than buttercream. Fudge cake is more expensive than white or yellow. Stacked (tiered) cakes are more expensive than non-stacked cakes. You get the picture. As a starting point, for a non-wedding cake, an 8" round, two-layer, white cake with buttercream starts at $60 and a 9x13 (quarter sheet) single-layer, white cake with buttercream starts at $66. Standard-sized cupcakes start at $2.00 and mini-cupcakes start at $1.00. For wedding cakes, prices start at $5.00 per serving for buttercream and $6.00 per serving for fondant. Wedding cupcakes start at $2.50.

Do you have a minimum order?
Yes. My minimum order is $50 and is subject to change.

Why do your cakes cost more than a grocery store cake?
Unlike most grocery stores, I bake, ice, decorate, and clean up for every cake I create. I make all of my icings and some of my fillings. I need to shop for and purchase ingredients and equipment as needed for every cake ordered. In addition, there are the expenses of utilities, insurance, fees, advertising, etc. At a minimum, I spend four hours completing even the simplest cake. Long story short, that all adds up.

Do you make character cakes?
The short answer is no. It is illegal to reproduce and SELL any copywritten character, logo, etc, with our permission of the copyright owner. Some copyright owners do give permission, while most, particularly for those that own popular characters (Disney, Nick, Marvel, etc), do not. So unfortunately, I cannot draw Dora on your child's cake. However, if you would like a trademarked/copywritten character or logo cake, we can use either an edible image or plastic toppers. Please make sure you give at least two weeks notice for these types of cakes as I need to order/locate the edible image or topper. If you have your own topper, that works too!

Do you make cakes using Wilton shaped pans?
Yes and no. Provided the shaped pan is not a licensed character (Elmo, Dora, SpongeBob, etc), I can make you a cake using a Wilton pan, if that is what you would like. Again, please give at least two weeks notice for these orders as I may need to order the appropriate pan. Wilton shaped cakes start at $40.

Do you make gourmet cupcakes?
Sure! Unlike many cupcake shops, I let you "build your own" cupcake with cake, filling, and frosting. I do, however, require a minimum order of 3 dozen cupcakes to get two different cake choices, but you are welcome to mix and match fillings and buttercreams for smaller orders.

Do you have an edible image printer?
No, but if you have an edible image, I will gladly put it on a cake for you.

Do you make cupcake cakes or cupcake mosaics?
No, sorry. I make cakes, I make cupcakes, but no cupcake cakes.

Do you only make cakes like those posted in your gallery?
No, just because there is no example in my gallery doesn't mean it can't be done.

Can you make any cake I can dream up or that I see on TV?
Sadly no. There are so many techniques out there that I could never be able to do everything and do it well. I also do not have an art background so doing something like hand painting a replica of the Mona Lisa on a cake would not be possible.

Do you make allergen-free, gluten-free, low fat or sugar-free cakes?
No, sorry. I don't have the space to house two sets of equipment and don't want to run the risk of getting your loved one sick.

Do you do tastings?
Yes. I do tastings for weddings cakes serving 30 or more, and large special occasion cakes costing $250 or more. I hold tastings two to three Sundays of each month at a studio space in downtown Fredericksburg. These 45-minute appointments start at 1pm and run until 5pm. You have a choice of two different types of tastings: Baker's Choice where I select a few flavors and fillings for you to sample and Bride's Choice where you can select up to 3 cake flavors and two fillings. Both tastings include vanilla buttercream and fondant samples as well. Baker's Choice tastings are free, but Bride's Choice tastings are $25, must be scheduled at least one week in advance, and paid in advance via PayPal. During the appointment you can ask any questions you may have, and we can discuss design. I do ask that you give the basics of your wedding (number of invitees, colors, theme, reception location, etc) in advance of the appointment so I can prepare accordingly. If you are interested, please contact me to schedule a tasting.

How many people can I bring to my tasting?
A maximum of 4 people (no children except for breastfed infants) can attend the tasting. If more than 2 people will be attending the tasting please let me know this so I can set up the tasting table differently.

How do I pay for a Bride's Choice Tasting?
You can click on the Pay Now button below.

Do your cakes require refrigeration?
Most cakes require refrigeration, as my buttercream icing has butter in it. If you cannot store the cake in the refrigerator or the cake will be at room temperature for a long period of time, please let me know so I can alter the icing recipe. However, even with the altered buttercream, the icing will not withstand heat or humidity, but can sit at room temperature.

Can you match specific colors?
I will try my best to match any color, but it may not be a perfect match and cannot be guaranteed. Please bring me a swatch or sample of color that you want me to try to match.

Do you rent cakes or decorate styrofoam cakes?
I do not rent cakes. As for decorating styrofoam cakes or a styrofoam tier, I would be happy to do that for you, but this is not a cost saving measure as it takes just as much time to decorate a "dummy" cake as the real thing.

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Ordering & Delivery

How much lead time do I need to give you on an order?
Since I am the only person, I can only accommodate a certain number of orders, so the sooner you notify me the better. At a minimum, I would like to have two weeks notice, but may be able to accommodate you in a week's time, if I am not already booked. Long story short, it's never too early to contact me!

Can I just stop by and pick up some goodies on my way home from work?
Sorry, I don't have goodies, cakes, etc ready at my house at all times. If I did, I would have to change the name of the business to Really Fat Girl Cakes!

Do you deliver?
Yes. For wedding cakes, delivery and setup is included within a 20-mile radius. After that fees will apply. For non-wedding cakes, fees apply.

How far will you deliver?
I have no set radius for delivery. Obviously, the further away you are from me the greater the delivery fee.

Where have you delivered cakes?
Besides personal residences and places of employment, I have delivered to the following locations:

Fredericksburg Locations

1. Angelwood Inn
2. Brock's Riverside Grill
3. Cannon Ridge Golf Club
4. Fredericksburg Country Club
5. Fredericksburg Square
6. The Gauntlet Golf Course
7. Glen Gardens
8. Grace Church of Fredericksburg
9. The Grapevine Cafe
10. The Inn at the Olde Silk Mill
11. The Jepson Alumni Executive Center
12. Liberty Lanes
13. Richard Johnston Inn
14. Riverside Weddings and Events by Clore Brothers

Outside the Fredericksburg Area

1. Lake Anna Winery (Spotsylvania ,VA)
2. Stevenson Ridge (Spotsylvania,VA)
3. The Clubhouse at Lake of the Woods (Locust Grove, VA)
4. The Clubhouse at Aquia Harbor (Stafford, VA)
5. Potomac Point Winery (Stafford, VA)
6. Rock Hill Plantation House (Stafford, VA)
7. National Museum of the Marine Corps (Triangle, VA)
8. Bristow Manor (Bristow, VA)
9. Dockside Restaurant (Colonial Beach, VA)
10. Waterford at Springfield (Springfield, VA)
11. Ritchie Lake Pavillion (Bealton, VA)
12. The Inn at Kelly's Ford (Remington, VA)
13. Fauquier County Fairgrounds (Warrenton, VA)
14. Molon Lave Vineyards (Warrenton, VA)
15. Bull Run Golf Club (Haymarket, VA)
16. Straight to the Point (Bumpass, VA)

How should I transport my cake?
You should place the cake on the floor or any flat surface in your car, instead of your lap or seat. I will provide you with a small piece of anti-skid material for you to place underneath the cake to keep it from moving. You should also be mindful that you have a cake in the car, so no sharp turns or sudden braking!

Do you ship any of your goodies?
I will gladly ship cookies or truffles to a someone in the state of VA. Since I do not have a commercial kitchen approved by the FDA, I can not legally ship across state lines. Additional fees will apply.

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Payments & Deposits

What types of payments do you accept?
Credit Cards, through PayPal, Money Orders, Certified Checks, or cash. Personal checks will be accepted only if received two or more weeks before delivery/pickup. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Fat Girl Cakes. Fee for returned checks is $75.

Do you require a deposit on all orders?
All orders under $100 must be paid in full at the time of ordering. Personal checks for these orders must be received at least 2 weeks before cake pick up.

For non-wedding cake orders $100 and over, a 50% deposit is due to reserve your cake. The remainder of the balance is due 2 weeks before your pickup date. If the balance is not paid before that 2 week timeframe, $25 will be added for each day the final payment is late. If the balance is not paid at least 1 week before pickup, your order will not be fulfilled.

For wedding cakes, a $100 deposit is due to reserve your date. Once a contract is completed, a 50% deposit is due. The remainder of the balance is due 4 weeks before your event. If the balance is not paid before that 4 week timeframe, $25 will be added for each day the final payment is late. If the balance is not paid at least 2 weeks before your event, your order will not be fulfilled. Wedding cakes ordered one month or less in advance will incur a rush fee and the entire balance must be paid via PayPal or in cash.

Are the deposits refundable?
Non-Wedding Cakes
Deposits on orders cancelled 2 weeks or more from the pickup/delivery date are partially refundable. Deposits on orders cancelled less than 2 weeks beforehand will not be refunded.

Wedding Cakes
Date-Hold deposits are not refundable.
Cake deposits on orders cancelled 4 weeks or more from the pickup/delivery date will be partially refunded, depending on when it is cancelled. All payments on orders cancelled less than 4 weeks beforehand will be forfeited.

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Miscellaneous

I requested a quote via a website like eventective.com or decidio.com why didn't you respond?
Those sites cost money for me to respond to quote requests. Please use the Contact form on my website.

Why can't I find you on theknot.com?
The Knot requires membership and a large fee to become part of its network. Being such a small business, it's just not cost effective.

Do you have a preferred method of communication?
Yes, e-mail! With a preschooler and an infant at home with me, it's difficult to communicate on the telephone. I usually respond to e-mails within 24-48 hours, but it may take longer if you email me towards the end of the week or weekend. Occasionally emails get lost in cyber space, so if you don't hear back from me within 72 hrs or so, email me again or give me a call

Are you a licensed and insured baker?
Fat Girl Cakes LLC was incorporated on January 21, 2009 in the state of Virginia and holds a State inspection report for the kitchen. Since Fat Girl Cakes is such a small business, Spotsylvania County does not require a business license, so the inspection report serves as my business license. And yes, Fat Girl Cakes is insured.

Do you have any pets in your home?
I do not have any pets.

Did you go to culinary school?
Nope. I just love to bake!

Where did the name of your business come from?
Originally I was going to call my business Kristin's Kreations, but found it boring and felt it was something that could get lost in a sea of sameness. Anyway, when I took one of my very first cake orders, I called the customer and told her it was Kristin. She had no idea who I was, and I said I was the Cake Girl. I liked that name, but I know of at least one other shop that has that name, so I tried to come up with something that represented me and my personality. It was then that I came up with Fat Girl cakes. Please do not take offense to the name, it's all in good fun!

Still can't find an answer to your question? Feel free to contact me!

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