Booking a baker..

How does this work? Do you pay the price of the cake up front? or leave a deposit? If so, how much is the deposit?
TIA

I just went today and picked out my cake. What you need is an estimate of how many people are attending bc the price is by the slice. Then you can leave a deposit. I left $100 on a $650 cake.
FYI: Fondant is way more expensive then buttercream or whipped cream.

ty