Some love stories span continents. Josh and Takuto’s began across oceans but found its way to Adelaide for their wedding in March 2025. Though they live in Seattle, it was important to them that every detail of their celebration reflected not just their love for each other, but their love for their beloved pup, Moana.
It was just weeks before their wedding when Josh reached out with a plea that was all too familiar to me:
"Hi Dani, sorry and it's short notice... We had somebody here in the US supposed to create a small figure of our dog Moana for our wedding in Adelaide but they have fallen through... I wonder if there is enough time to make and deliver before March 19th?"
Josh and Takuto’s dog, Moana, couldn’t make the trip from Seattle, but they wanted her there in spirit. I received photos and detailed notes—Moana was a beagle-poodle mix with a scruffy, straight coat and a signature stance: standing tall on two legs, forever driven by her love for food. Josh described her lovingly: "She's 900% motivated by food."
They hoped to have her sculpted in a pose that showed off that iconic behaviour—reaching up to the wedding cake, standing perfectly upright on her hind legs, tail down, ears perked. She had mastered the art of walking on two legs, and I was determined to capture that cheeky, determined stance.
The cake itself, created by the talented team at Sugar and Spice, featured delicate cherry blossoms as a nod to Takuto’s Japanese heritage. The topper, with Moana reaching up towards the cake, blended seamlessly with the floral design. It was both playful and sentimental, adding a personal connection that resonated with every guest.
With Josh and Takuto coordinating from opposite sides of the world, there was a quiet magic in pulling it all together. Moana’s sculpture was delivered to Sophie from Set Your Scene, the couple’s wedding stylist, just in time.
After the wedding, I received one of those messages that stays with you:
"Everyone recognised Moana, and it added a beautiful connection to her even while she was back here in Seattle... She got a little air out of her travel bag in San Francisco Airport, and then waited for Tak to arrive in Seattle from Japan."
Moana made it back home with them—just a little glue needed on her back leg, as Josh joked, “but I feel the same about myself.”
Crafting Moana was an honour. Her sculpture was more than just a cake topper; it was a bridge between places, people, and moments. It was a reminder that love knows no borders, and even the smallest details—like a dog reaching up toward a cake—can carry the biggest meaning.
Josh, Takuto, and Moana—thank you for letting Pawfect Love be part of your day. Your story was nothing short of sweet.