Confetti Cakes
102 W. 87th St., nr. Columbus Ave.
212-877-9580
confetticakes.com
By appointment only
Elisa Strauss specializes in custom-designed cakes. One of our favorites is an antique-rose fondant cake with chocolate piping and edible appliquéd chocolate leaves. From $10 to $15.

Cupcake Cafe
522 Ninth Ave., nr. 39th St.
212-465-1530
One look at the gorgeous buttercream flowers in this bakery's quaint cupcake display and you'll understand why it's many New Yorkers' favorite baker. The café also uses its signature bright buttercream icing on its wedding cakes. From $8.

Fauchon
442 Park Ave., at 56th St.
212-308-5919
This Parisian pastry and gourmet shop serves up wedding cakes authentic enough to thrill the most ardent Francophile. There are two dessert styles: custom-made cakes in a traditional seven-tier design, and croquembouche available in six flavors including nougat (from $12).

Ferrara Bakery & Café
195 Grand St., nr. Mulberry St.
212-226-6150
ferraracafe.com
If you want a confection even your nonna will love, look no further: This famous Little Italy pasticceria's grand wedding cakes are made of Italian sponge with rum flavoring and fillings like strawberry mousse or cannoli cream. They're covered in classic Italian whipped cream or more modern finishes. About $4.50.

Flour Girl
102 W. 87th St., nr. Columbus Ave.
212-595-9505
flourgirlbakery.com
After studying at the French Culinary Institute, Jeri Gottlieb launched this Upper West Side bakery, specializing in streamlined cakes decorated with delectable sugar cookies. Her more traditional (but still whimsical) buttercream designs are just as covetable. Prices upon request.

Gail Watson Custom Cakes
335 W. 38th St., nr. Ninth Ave., eleventh fl.
212-967-9167
gailwatsoncake.com
By appointment only
Watson serves up romantic cakes with icing flowers often meant to complement your dress or bouquet. She offers ten types of cake and even more fillings (from lemon curd to chocolate-hazelnut praline); $6 to $18.

Grandma's Secrets
640 W. 138th St., nr. Broadway
212-862-8117
grandmasecrets.com
Regina McRae has been baking since she was 8, and you can taste it. Her delicious cakes are all made by her and her assistant and start at $5 a serving. Specialty orders are no problem: She's served up cakes with ethnic themes and symbols, and even offers vegan and sugar-free versions for diabetics. She works masterfully with fondant but prefers rich, traditional buttercreams and a melt-in-your-mouth version of French vanilla.

Lady M Cake Boutique
41 E. 78th St., nr. Madison Ave.
212-452-2222
ladymconfections.com
This divine gallery's signature wedding cake, the Mille Crêpes Cake, is a light-as-air pile of crêpes sandwiched between layers of cream custard with a hint of cherry liqueur, a caramalized top, and garnished with gorgeous real and sugar flowers. Prices start at $65.

Lovin Sullivan Cakes by Kate Sullivan
212-691-4330
cakepower.com
By appointment only
Fans of modernist whimsy will love Sullivan's funky but streamlined cakes. Her attention to detail ensures that whatever you're looking for-whether it's an unfussy white fondant bejeweled with silver-coated almonds or a heart-shaped beauty covered in a velvety pink fondant and hundreds of tiny, royal-icing roses-it's sure to be well-executed here ($9 to $15).

Margaret Braun
212-929-1582
margaretbraun.com
By appointment only
If you like bright colors and ornate detailing, Braun's dazzling cakes will be a fantasy come true. For Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, Braun (author of Cakewalk-Adventures in Sugar) made a cake decorated with sugared lemons, oranges, and grape clusters with gold and iridescent accents. Our favorite is an orange pound cake with milk-chocolate ganache filling. Prices upon request.