In order to find out what exactly it takes to create a gallery-worthy wedding cake, Bored Panda reached out to internationally acclaimed cake designer Maggie Austin, who has worked with illustrious clients all over the globe, from President Obama’s White House Christmas celebrations to Hollywood parties.

Maggie said that in order to make a truly unique wedding cake, one needs a unique couple. “What I love most about working with clients is that I create designs that reflect the aesthetic of their individual weddings. From the sugar flowers to the color palette to the texture of the design elements, each cake is an expression of what the couple loves.”

Sometimes, Maggie said, she’s asked to incorporate details that carry special meaning just for the newlyweds. For example, “One bride asked me to include a wild boar in the design as a surprise homage to the groom's family crest!”

The cake designer said that usually, she begins working on sugar flowers and decorative elements many months in advance, and the cake decoration takes place on Friday night before a Saturday wedding. “I am putting on final touches right up until the moment that I leave the venue. I love that the sugar flowers last forever.”

Moreover, “many couples choose to display their sugar flowers under a cloche as a beautiful memento of their wedding,” Maggie told us.

Maggie also said that she prefers “loose, organic floral arrangements and soft, textile-inspired design elements.” These days, she has noticed that couples are more likely to embrace the beauty of visual movement instead of the rigid symmetry typical to more old-fashioned cake designs.