plish with the design. Do they want the clean look of fondant? Something more ornamental using buttercream? “Or do you want something with an artistic element to it, that has a softer feel to it?” he asks them. (Wedding cakes, he believes, should have a softer feel.) Cedillo says she interviews couples to make sure her approach and their expectations are a good match. She also looks out for “red flags” like couples wanting to save on a delivery fee and pick up a cake themselves which she knows is a disaster waiting to happen. In working with clients, she’s open to requests for more unique designs. “I love when brides actually come with an idea and they are set on their idea, then I can work with what they want, not what I can provide them. It gives me a challenge and I love challenges,” she says. Liu says his team of expert decorators work toward “hitting the right note” as opposed to focusing on intricate details. He tells couples the guests will see the cake from 20 to 30 feet away—a lot of detail work can start to look blended and “messy” from that distance. Sometimes the decorator can help refine a couple’s idea, like the time Liu worked with a couple that wanted a lighthouse cake. He thought they wanted a replica of a specific lighthouse, but by asking questions he learned they liked the idea of a lighthouse. As the conversation unfolded they talked about their commitment to each other, which inspired Liu to think of a lighthouse as a beacon. He found a topper with a strobe light to set atop the cake. Liu says they incorporate many pets into cake designs. Some of the more personalized designs are the “his and her” cakes, where one side is decorated with the bride in mind and the other side reflects the groom. “Marvel Comics comes up a lot,” he says. Disney is also popular—their portfolio includes a Beauty and the Beastthemed cake. Another cake included toppers with Princess Leia as the bride and James T. Kirk as the groom, sitting atop a three-tiered cake designed to look like outer space. In the end, Cedillo says she tells couples that while design is important, they need to keep the entire cake in mind. “Be in love with your wedding cake—and remember that it is to be eaten,” she says. “Don’t get too hung up on the looks. Because it passes by so quickly. The taste is what matters.” DESSERT T & D PHOTOGRAPHY 36 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® WEDDING GUIDE 2026-2027 Imagine your coastal wedding in Monterey at the enchanting Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa. Delight guests with delicious farm-to-table cuisine and exceptional service. Our private dining room is ideal for rehearsal dinners and brunches for up to 15 guests. For larger celebrations, the iconic Andalucia Ballroom accommodates up to 140. On-site parking is available. Plan your dream wedding today! Call (831) 373-1602. 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | hotelcasamunras.com Traditional Hospitality in the heart of Monterey—Since 1824 36.indd 1 2/19/26 15:17
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