Romantic

What It Is: A whimsical cake inspired by something sentimental — in this case, the embellishment on a wedding dress. (Here, the baker used sugar paste to mimic buttons on the bride’s gown.) Whereas modern cakes tend to feel structured, these are much less formulaic (note the flowing design and how each tier differs in height).

What to Know: Because these cakes are highly personalized, you’ll need to work with the baker to develop a vision. Feel free to bring fabric swatches, a favorite quote, an inspiring photograph, or even a beloved childhood storybook.