Saving The Top Tier Of Your Wedding Cake: Tradition Or Superstition?

Saving the top tier of your wedding cake is a tradition that dates back to 19th-century England. Back then, couples would save the top tier to celebrate the birth of their first child, as it was expected that couples would have children immediately after getting married. The preserved cake would then be served at the child's christening to cut down on costs. Today, the tradition has evolved, and couples save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their one-year anniversary.

The history of saving the top tier of a wedding cake

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake dates back to 19th-century England. At the time, marriage was primarily a means to increase family size, and couples were expected to have a child within the first year of marriage. As such, families would make large decorative cakes for the christening of their first child.

With the increasing popularity of three-tier cakes, newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake to celebrate their first child's christening. These cakes were typically dense fruit cakes, which allowed them to be preserved for long periods.

Over time, the birth of the first child occurred further from the wedding date, and the association between the wedding cake and the christening ceremony weakened. Today, the tradition has shifted towards celebrating the couple's first wedding anniversary instead of their child's christening. A 2021 study found that 48% of couples saved or planned to save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first anniversary.

How to preserve a wedding cake

Saving the top tier of your wedding cake is a tradition that dates back to 19th-century England. Back then, it was customary to save the top tier of the cake for the christening of the newlywed couple's first child. Nowadays, the tradition has evolved, and couples choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first anniversary.

If you want to participate in this tradition, here is a step-by-step guide on how to preserve your wedding cake:

• Be careful about where you cut: If you plan to save the top tier of your wedding cake, only cut slices from the bottom tier during the cake-cutting ceremony. This way, the top tier remains untouched.
• Prepare ahead of time: Ask your catering staff to remove the top tier of the cake immediately after the cake-cutting ceremony. They can box it up and ensure it is ready for transportation. If you are going on your honeymoon right after the wedding, appoint a family member or friend to take the cake home and prepare it for preservation.
• Remove decorations and chill the cake: Once you are ready to preserve the cake, remove any decorations such as sugar flowers and cake toppers. Then, place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. Chilling the cake will harden the icing, making it easier to wrap without sticking to the plastic wrap.
• Wrap the cake: Wrap the chilled cake in several layers of plastic wrap. Do not use aluminium foil as it can cause freezer burn. Make sure to wrap the cake tightly to prevent airflow, which can cause spoilage.
• Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container: Put the wrapped cake in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label it and store it in a safe place in your freezer.
• Thaw the cake: When you are ready to eat the cake, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours to thaw. Then, remove the cake from its packaging and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

It is important to note that even with proper preservation, your cake will still be stale after a year in the freezer. Certain types of cakes, such as chocolate, almond, or carrot cake, will last longer and taste better than white, fruit-filled, or whipped cream-topped cakes. Additionally, most bakers recommend storing the cake for no longer than six months, depending on the type of cake.

How long can you save the top tier of a wedding cake?

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake is a tradition that dates back to 19th-century England. Back then, newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first child's christening, as it was expected that married couples would have a child within the first year of marriage. Today, the tradition has evolved to celebrate a couple's first wedding anniversary.

If you want to participate in this tradition, it's important to note that your cake will likely be a little stale after a year in the freezer, and certain types of cakes will last longer and taste better than others. Cakes with dense and hearty ingredients, like chocolate, hazelnut, almond, and carrot cake, will have a longer shelf life. On the other hand, cakes with more delicate ingredients, like white cake, fresh fruit cake, and whipped cream fillings, will dry out faster in the freezer.

To ensure your cake stays fresh for as long as possible, follow these key steps:

• Make sure your cake and filling are suitable for freezing. Butter cakes freeze well but start to deteriorate after about 3-4 months. Ultra-moist or rich cakes like carrot cake or mud cake will fare better in the freezer for longer periods.
• Wrap, freeze, and store your cake in an airtight container. This will protect the cake from odours, moisture, and freezer burn.
• Be patient and let your cake defrost slowly. Place your wrapped, frozen cake in the fridge overnight or until thawed, and then let it come to room temperature before serving.

Most bakers recommend storing your cake for no longer than six months, depending on the type of cake you have. So, while you may not be able to save the top tier of your wedding cake for a full year, you can still enjoy it on a special occasion, like a six-month anniversary or your first newlywed date night!

Alternative options to saving the top tier of a wedding cake

The tradition of saving the top tier of a wedding cake dates back to 19th-century England. Back then, newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first child's christening. However, if you are not fond of this tradition, there are alternative options to consider:

Ordering a Mini Replica

Ordering a small replica of your wedding cake from the same bakery is a great alternative. This way, you can still enjoy a similar cake on your first anniversary without worrying about preservation techniques. You can even spice it up by using your original wedding cake topper!

Sharing the Cake Right After the Honeymoon

If you don't want to wait a year to eat the top tier of your wedding cake, consider sharing it with your partner right after your honeymoon. This way, you can relive the memories of your wedding day while enjoying a slice of your chosen cake.

Choosing a Different Type of Cake

If you want to save the top tier of your wedding cake, consider choosing a cake with a longer shelf life. For example, dense and hearty cakes like chocolate, hazelnut, almond, or carrot cake will last longer in the freezer. On the other hand, cakes with delicate ingredients like white cake, fresh fruit cake, or whipped cream fillings will dry out faster.

Freezing Individual Slices

Instead of freezing the entire top tier, you can cut it into individual slices and freeze them separately. This way, you can take out only the amount you want to eat at a time, and the slices will defrost faster than a whole tier.

Celebrating a Six-Month Anniversary

If you're concerned about the cake's freshness, you can choose to celebrate your six-month anniversary instead of waiting a full year. This way, you can enjoy the cake while it's still relatively fresh.

How to cut a wedding cake if you want to save the top tier

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake is a tradition that dates back to 19th-century England. Newlyweds would save the top tier of their wedding cake for their first child's christening, as they were expected to have a child within the first year of marriage. Today, the tradition has shifted to saving the top tier to eat on the couple's first anniversary.

If you want to save the top tier of your wedding cake, here are some tips on how to cut the cake:

Choose a Solid Location

Pick a spot where you both have room to stand comfortably, and make sure it's a solid surface. Keep the cake out of direct sunlight to prevent the tiers from sliding.

Cut a Slice from the Bottom Tier

For the ceremonial cutting of the cake, stand behind the cake and hold the knife together with your partner. Take a small slice out of the largest tier, which is usually the bottom tier. This slice is often the only piece cut by the couple themselves, and it is meant to be a ceremonial act rather than serving the guests.

Use the Right Knife

While a keepsake cake-cutting knife can be used for the ceremony, a sharp 8" bladed knife is recommended for cutting the cake in the kitchen. This will help create nice, neat slices.

Separate the Tiers

Wedding cakes are often constructed with each tier built on its own piece of cardboard for stability. Before cutting, separate the tiers and be mindful of any dowels used for support.

Cut the Cake into a Grid

Cutting the cake into a grid pattern will ensure even slices. Picture a dartboard with circular sections and slices down the middle. The slices should be approximately 1" thick.

Store the Top Tier

If you plan to save the top tier for your first anniversary, make sure to store it properly. Remove any decorations, such as flowers or cake toppers, and chill the cake in the refrigerator to harden the icing. Then, wrap the cake in several layers of plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag before storing it in the freezer.

Remember, even with proper preservation, the cake will likely be stale after a year. Some types of cakes, like chocolate, almond, or carrot cake, will last longer and taste better than lighter cakes with fruit or whipped cream fillings.

Frequently asked questions