Originally Posted by via_dolorosa
Sarah set about this in a lackadaisical manner. After all, this wasn't a "real" customer, just a friend she's helping out. If this were a paid service from the start, Sarah might have set about it differently focusing on assiduous preparation and flawless execution like she does with all her paying customers.
And this is the key. In retrospect Sarah should have told Janice, "I would love to cater your wedding. Here's my card. Please give me a call if you would like a quote." And leave it at that. But, as you say...lesson learned.