How long have you been in business?

• Susan McMakin opened the doors to Couture Cakes of Greenville in August 2005. After a couple of years, we outgrew our space and moved to our current location at 1325 Miller Rd. We have been fortunate to watch our "cake family" grow with us over the years. You have allowed us to be a part of your birthdays, then wedding, and then first born children. At Couture Cakes, not only do our cakes look amazing, they taste just as great. With over 20 flavors of cakes, fillings, and icings to choose from, decisions become rather difficult.  Buttercream icing is our specialty and we ice over 85% of all our cakes with it. We have an awesome and eclectic staff with various talents and skills that help create your ideas into edible, custom works of art. Susan has been decorating cakes for over 20 years and has a great staff with invaluable experience. The number of cakes that we can make in a day limits the amount of orders we accept. Many hours are spent on each cake, from baking, setting the cakes up, icing them and finally, decorating them. Cupcakes are offered in our case everyday. Flavors vary based on our left over cake batter from cake orders. Cake decorating parties are popular at Couture Cakes of Greenville. Ask for details.

 

What are the prices of your cakes?

• That is the hardest question for us to answer without a lot more information. Our cakes are custom made so each cake is priced accordingly.  We price our cakes on servings of cake needed, flavors of cake/filling/icing and the amount of details on the cake. The more elaborate a cake, the more it will cost. Often our birthday or grooms cakes can cost more per serving than a wedding cake since they often have more small handmade details on them such as handmade characters, carved details, etc. To get a price on a cake you can stop by the store (unless it is a wedding cake then we require an appointment) or email us about your cake needs. Providing us with inspiration pictures help us the most when pricing cakes.

 

What do I need to bring to our wedding consultation?

• Please bring with you any cake images that you like. You may choose them from our photo galleries, other websites, magazines, or our own sketches. If you think you may want to use any color on your cake, we ask that you bring a fabric swatch or paint chip with you. Bring pictures of your wedding gown or monogram for inspiration. Be sure to have the address of the reception location and approximate number of guests. You may bring up to 4 people to the tasting , however, more than 2 or 3 opinions can be overwhelming and can make decisions difficult.

• Non-wedding cake consultations do not require an appointment. Please bring with you any cake images that you like. You may choose them from our photo galleries, other websites, magazines, invitations, tabletop decorations, or our own sketches.  Also provide any color swatches at meeting.

 

How soon will I need to order?

• Wedding Cakes: We usually book wedding cakes 4-8 months or more in advance. May, June, August and October are our busiest months, so it is best to order as early as you can.  We require a $250 non-refundable retainer to reserve your date and the remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the event. If it is less than 4 months you can give us a call to see if we are available or not. We have even been able to take a wedding cake with only a couple weeks notice before!

• Other Occasion Cakes: Spring and summer are our busiest months for these cakes. We recommend 3-4 weeks in advance. Winter months typically need 1-2 weeks notice. Need it sooner? Call us;  we may be able to fit you in! 

 

Do we offer tastings for cakes?

• We require an appointment to taste cakes. There is a link on the top of this page or our Wedding Album Page to schedule your time.

• For weddings, we ask that you select up to 4 cakes, 3 fillings and 3 icings to sample. We serve the fillings and icings on the side so you can create multiple flavor combinations. Samples for up to 4 people. 

• Non-wedding cakes, we ask that you select up to 2 cakes, 2 fillings, and 2 icings to sample. We serve the fillings and icings on the side so you can create multiple flavor combinations. Additional flavors are $2 each. We offer samples for up to 2 people. $2 extra per additional guest. 

• Tasting boxes can also be ordered on our store page.

 

Do we require a deposit or retainer to save the date?

• Wedding: We accept a limited number of cakes per date. $250 cake retainer is required when order is placed.  It is non-refundable and non-transferrable to any other date or occasion. Remaining balance is due in full 30 days prior to wedding date. Order will be cancelled if not paid in full at least 14 days prior to wedding date.

• Cash, Check, Visa, Master Card, Discover & AmEx. Accepted. There is a $30.00 fee on any returned checks.

• Non-wedding: We require half down to guarantee your order will be made on the date requested. The remaining balance is due when you pick up. If the cake is to be delivered, we require final payment 48 hours in advance. Getting a quote from us is not the same as placing an order. Placing an order requires money down to reserve your place.

 

Do we deliver?

• Yes we deliver 3 tier or larger cakes. We charge a delivery fee for this service that starts at $50. Prices vary based on distance and location. We do have minimum cake requirements for deliveries. Cakes that are 2 tiers or smaller must be picked up. Cakes that are 3 tiers+ larger and cost $450 or more can be delivered as long as we have a delivery spot available. 

 

Can you use fresh flowers on your cake?

• We do not provide fresh flowers. Fresh flowers must be ordered through your florist. Make sure they know they are to be used on a cake, so that they are not poisonous and pesticide free. We do not place flowers on a cake unless noted on your contract along with a picture of floral placement.                                                                                                                             

 

Do we provide a cake stand?

• We ONLY provide a cake stand for orders if the client has reserved one with a separate cake deposit check. Cake stands are NOT automatically included. $200 stand deposit in the form of a check is required. Check must be post dated to the date of the wedding. All rentals must be returned on the Tuesday after wedding day. (Please note that we are closed on Sundays, Mondays & Wednesdays) When the plateau is returned (with no damage) your original check will be returned. A $25 a day late charge will start on the Wednesday after the wedding. If plateau is not returned by the Thursday after the wedding, we will deposit your check to cover the cost of replacing and to overnight a new plateau. You are welcome to provide your own sturdy cake stand. If the stand is deemed as possible risk for your cake, we will not place the cake on your stand. You can bring it by in advance to make sure we can use it.                                                                                                                                                          

 

Can I make changes to my order?

• Wedding cakes: You can make changes to servings, flavor, and design up to 30 days before the wedding date. Kitchen cakes may be added up to the Tuesday before the wedding date.  

• Non-wedding cakes: Some items, such as bows, numbers, and 3D characters, may necessitate advance preparation, sometimes a week or more in advance, to ensure structural integrity.
  • Changes to these items in the week leading up to the event may not always be feasible, but you can inquire whether they have already been initiated.
  • Adjustments to servings and flavors may be considered up to 5 days prior to the pickup date, contingent upon ingredient availability and design limitations.

What is your cancellation policy?

• Wedding Cake Cancellation Policy: The $250 retainer is non-refundable and non-transferrable, so the policy below is based on any additional money given as payment above the $250 cake retainer. 50% refund up to 6 months (180 days) before wedding date. 25% refund up to 4 months (120 days) before wedding date. 0% refund less than 4 months (119 days) before wedding date.

• Non-Wedding Cake: Deposit will be refunded if order is cancelled at least 5 days prior to the pick up date (not party date) This applies to any order that is not a wedding cake. If fondant characters or fondant details have been started that will be deducted from your refund. You will be told the total at time of cancellation how much work has been started and cost. 

 

What is the best way to contact us?

• The fastest way to reach us is by phone but emails are preferred because you can email us images of what you have in mind. Fridays and Saturdays are our busiest days, so emails may be responded to slower on these days such as when we re-open for the week on Tuesdays.