The way your heart swells as everyone stands as you start your walk down the aisle, your guests’ cheers when you’re pronounced as married, how the textures and colors of your centerpiece flowers combine to create mini works of art, the taste of your wedding cake, the rush of dancing with all of your favorite people—so much of the joy of a wedding day is wrapped up in details big and small. Even though photos and videos will let you see and hear your wedding day again, sometimes you might wish you had more tangible details to hold onto. And that’s where Deanna Shaver’s expertise as a sculptor enters onto the scene.
Deanna’s heart belongs to Pennsylvania. She grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania where she fell in love with art. From the moment when she first discovered ways to express her creativity, she knew she had found her passion. And so much of her art is inspired by the love she has for her homestate.
“From my early years, I have always been drawn to art, and I remember sculpting clay figurines for family members as a child,” shared Deanna. “I’ve always thought of art as a form of therapy—an outlet to settle the mind and express oneself. There is so much inspiration to be found in the rolling hills and small towns of Pennsylvania.”
After adventuring to and living in Lake Tahoe, California, Deanna developed a new appreciation for nature, and that led her to become a floral designer and wedding planner. But she always knew that sculpting was what brought her the most joy, so she jumped into the world of creating Christmas ornaments in the form of mini replicas of couples’ wedding cakes—a detail they often can’t enjoy once their wedding day comes to a close—and launched her company Sweet Replica eight years ago.
“When you plan someone’s wedding, you really get to know them and fall in love with their love story. I wanted to create something to thank some of my favorite wedding clients one year, and I knew I had to incorporate my love of sculpting into it,” said Deanna who shared that she wanted couples to have a way to hold onto their wedding cakes beyond simply saving the top tier. “I wanted to recreate a part of the wedding that usually isn’t able to be saved—something for couples to look at and laugh when they remember the joy of their wedding reception.”
Each ornament that Deanna makes begins with the same item: a photo of the couple’s wedding cake. She likes to learn the couple’s story, why they chose their wedding cake, and a little bit about the designer who brought their vision to life for them. Then she turns to clays, tools, and mixed media, and she enjoys the process each and every time.
“Each order is completely unique and requires different problem solving skills and building techniques,” began Deanna. “All of the floral accents, cake toppers, and other decor are hand-made on a miniature scale and strategically adhered to the cake bases. I love that each sculpture is a new journey and holds different techniques for me to discover, strengthening my craft even further.”
Although each couple’s wedding cake design serves as the base for the replica ornaments Deanna makes by hand, she’s also driven by the art of creating and uncovering unique ways to allow the stories behind each couple’s wedding cake to come alive.“Creating art for others is my way of bringing joy to someone else’s life, alongside my own. Each ornament tells a story, and stories are the best things you can share,” said Deanna, adding, “I love the idea of preserving that work of art and showcasing it in a much smaller, fun, tangible way.”
Above all, though, Deanna draws the most inspiration from the same theme that makes couples dream of getting married in the first place: She’s inspired by love.
“My love for art and attention to detail are what drive me to spend countless hours perfecting my craft, and I’d be honored to create something meaningful for you. Love is a lot like a wedding cake—it’s sweet, beautiful, and worth celebrating!”
You can learn more about Sweet Replica here via her Etsy shop + read the feature in our magazine below
Carly Totten
Carly is Philadelphia based a copywriter for creatives and a senior copy editor here at Pennsylvania Weddings.