When your uncle is Buddy Valastro, better known as the Cake Boss from TLC’s hit show and owner of Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken, you know your wedding cake will be incredible.
Mary Castano, Buddy’s niece, and her husband Paul Modestino had an impressive seven-foot cake for their wedding at Macaluso’s in Hawthorne on May 10, 2025. It was a sweet spectacle, and the dessert lived up to the hype. With their 320 guests, they enjoyed the vanilla cake with French cream and fresh strawberries—Mary’s favorite type of filling. “It’s a rich, delicious flavor together,” she says.
The design—white icing with a trail of pretty pink and white flowers cascading down the towering treat—was all the idea of her dad, Mauro Castano. As fans of Cake Boss will recall, Mauro, Buddy’s brother-in-law, was a pastry chef and Buddy’s right-hand man during the show’s 10-season run from 2009-2020.
“He has a good eye for those things,” says Mary about her father’s cake design skills. When he showed Mary the sketch of his vision for her wedding cake, “it was more traditional and old school and I just loved everything about it,” says Mary.
The venue was also special to Mary. “Growing up, we’ve always had family parties [at Macaluso’s] and I’ve always loved it there. I’ve watched it evolve over the years,” she says, noting that Macaluso’s had recently renovated before their wedding. “It’s just been home to us. We’re very good friends with the owners as well so I figured that just had to be the place.”
Mary credits her wedding planner, Luciana of La Bella Planning, with making the day seamless and unforgettable. “I don’t know how we would have done it without her,” says Mary. “She became family to us.”
When it came to saying “I do,” it was important to Mary to get married in a church while Paul wanted his sister to officiate the wedding. So the couple did both! The week before their Macaluso’s wedding, the pair made it official in St. Joesph Church in Jersey City. The priest, “actually married all my aunts and uncles, [and] baptized all of us so he’s very close to us,” says Mary. Then, on their big day, Paul’s sister led the outdoor ceremony before their cocktail hour.
Paul and Mary, who now live in Morris County, met through Mary’s cousin about seven years ago. “She introduced us and the rest was history,” says Mary.
On Mary’s 30th birthday in October 2024, Paul surprised Mary by popping the question at Fresco da Franco, an Italian restaurant in Montclair. “I thought I was going to a 30th birthday dinner with friends and when I walked into the restaurant I saw all of my family and friends and ‘Marry Me’ by Bruno Mars was playing…then I knew it was happening,” she says about the proposal.
Fast forward to their wedding and “it was the best day ever,” says Mary. “It was a beautiful May day. We had perfect weather. The sun was out all day.”
Her two favorite moments from the day? Her first-look with her husband and her separate first-look with her dad. “He was very emotional,” says Mary about her father, “he’s a softy but tough on the outside so seeing him be emotional like that really just touched my heart.”
Mary Castano’s Wedding Vendors
Venue: Macaluso’s in Hawthorne Wedding Planner: @labella.planning Hair: @ashleyraibick Makeup: @carolynsmakupartistry Florist: @premiereventsbyreema DJ: @djexpressnj Photobooth: @djexpressnj Photo/ Video: @electriclovestudios Invitations/ Signage: @ivorydetails Content Creator: @nyccontentqueen Getting-Ready Attire: @lelaurier Dress: @bridesbyyoung Tux: @romatailors Shoes: @christianlouboutin; @Ferragamo Cake : @carlosbakery Cake centerpieces:@carlosbakery Favors: @bonodisiciliausa Wedding Bands: @John_anthonyjewelers Bridal Party Gowns: @layaliboutique Babydolls dress: @layaliboutique Mother of Groom Dress: @layalidressboutique Bridal party Jewelry: @orianalamarcadesigns MOB jewelry: @orianalamarcadesigns Something Blue pin: @oriannalamarcadesigns @orianalamarca Rosary beads: @chebellacreations Bread display: @clementebakery
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