We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, making wedding planning burnout a very real possibility. Whether you’re trying not to pull out your hair as wedding costs skyrocket or you’re obsessing over every little detail to ensure that everything goes the way you’ve pictured it, feeling overwhelmed is guaranteed to happen if you’re not careful.
Thankfully, this isn’t something new and there are endless resources to help the modern bridal couple looking to keep costs and anxiety low.
If you’re looking for a dreamy honeymoon destination, try taking a peek in your own backyard. The glittering sands of the South of France, or the azure-blue waters…
One of the wedding traditions that have stood the test of time in some relationships is the preservation of the top tier of a wedding cake. Couples save the top tier of their wedding cakes and eat it on their one-year anniversary. It may sound impractical, but we’re here to show you how to do it!
Before we get to the tips for preserving your wedding cake, perhaps a little background on the tradition is necessary. These days, saving your cake for a year is understood as an omen for good luck. But where does the tradition come from?
The story of cake preservation has two short parts. The first is that having a child in the first year of marriage was much more common in years gone by. For this reason, a couple would prefer to save a part of the wedding cake for the celebration of the birth of their child instead of getting a new cake.
The second part of its story goes back to the 19th century and follows the actions of Queen Elizabeth II (or Princess Elizabeth at the time). When the Princess married Prince Philip in 1947, they had a three-tier cake. Each tier had a designated purpose – the bottom tier was to be cut at the wedding, the middle was to be sent off as a gift, and the top tier was to be saved for a future occasion. The future occasion here was the presumed upcoming birth of a child.
Now, instead of saving it for the birth of the first child, the couple saves it for the first anniversary which is usually much closer in time to the wedding. The tradition seems to have stuck as a symbol of bringing the past into the present and of celebration.
So, how do you preserve your top tier? Here are a few tips:
– Decide on preserving it in advance
To ensure that the top tier doesn’t get cut on your wedding day, let your caterer know that you’ll be preserving it well before the ceremony. Deciding on preserving the cake early also helps you decide on fillings which may be longer lasting than others or decorations and designs that are able to withstand a year in the freezer.
– Remove ornaments and flowers (real or sugar)
When you wrap the cake, it needs to be airtight. The extra decorations will prevent the cake from being wrapped airtight.
– Chill the cake
As soon as you get a chance, pop the cake in the freezer. This allows the cake to harden and preserve the icing properly. Ensure that there are no soft bits around the cake before you take it out of the freezer.
– Double wrap it
First, wrap the cake with plastic. Push the plastic onto the cake so that there are no air bubbles. Then cover it again with foil. This ensures that nothing can get in. It also helps to ensure that other things in the freezer don’t pass their smells or tastes onto your cake.
– Freeze
Once the cake is tightly wrapped, label it (to ensure it doesn’t get mistaken for something else) and pop it in the freezer!
– Eat later
Once your first anniversary comes, you’ll defrost the cake. Take the cake out of the freezer the day before your anniversary and keep in the fridge overnight. Then take it out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature for about 5 hours. Thereafter, it’ll be ready to eat!
Many couples want to participate in this tradition but, for whatever reason, prefer not to save the cake. If you don’t see yourself saving the cake, but still want the sentiment and symbolism that comes with this tradition on your first anniversary, chat to your caterer and let her know that in a year you’ll be ordering an identical top tier. You may end up receiving a special deal or a totally free top tier!
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Image: Pexels
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Planning a bachelorette party should feel like part of the celebration and not another task on your list. The easiest way to pull everything together? A strong bachelorette theme.
These are the bachelorette themes we’re loving right now — a mix of playful, polished and just the right amount of extra.
Groovy & boozy
A retro moment that leans all the way in. Think bold colour, disco energy and a dancefloor that doesn’t quit. A DIY cocktail station keeps things interactive and slightly chaotic — in the best way.
Last swing before the ring
Preppy with a twist. Whether it’s golf or tennis, this theme is all about country club styling, crisp palettes and a few competitive moments to keep the energy up.
Girls just wanna have sun
For the bride who belongs near the ocean. Relaxed, sun-soaked and easy to execute. Add tropical touches, fresh food and a sunset moment that naturally turns into a party.
Mamma Mia
A love letter to long lunches and even longer nights. Inspired by Mamma Mia!, expect blue-and-white details, shared plates and a playlist that quickly becomes a singalong.
Pearls, pjs and prosecco
Matching sets, glowing skin and bubbles on repeat. Add a spa element or movie marathon for a night that feels intimate but still elevated.
Last sail before the veil
Crisp, coastal and a little glam. Whether you’re actually on the water or just dressing like it, think stripes, spritzes and a day that rolls seamlessly into night.
Margs & matrimony
A margarita bar, citrus details and a menu built around sharing. It’s relaxed but still feels like a celebration.
Let’s get naut-i
Start with a boat day, end with a night out. Swimsuits, snacks and sea air by day, then a themed bar crawl after. Effortless, but memorable.
Looking like a snack
Playful and completely unserious. Assign each guest a snack-inspired outfit and commit. It’s guaranteed laughs and photos you’ll actually keep.
The one where she gets married
A nostalgic nod to Friends. Slogan tees, coffee-shop corners and a theme that works just as well for a night in as it does for a city break.
Last rodeo
Western, but make it fashion. Cowgirl hats, boots and just enough fringe. It’s bold, photogenic and full of personality.
On cloud nine
Soft and dreamy. Whites, silvers and floaty textures set the tone. It’s more aesthetic than chaotic — perfect for a bride who loves a polished look.
Wig out
Low effort, high impact. Everyone arrives in a wig — the bigger, the better. Add a playful runway moment and you’ve got instant entertainment.
Until they’re old and gray
Unexpected and very funny. Dress like your future selves, then head out and prove you’ve still got it. Lighthearted, ironic and always a talking point.
Final fiesta
Colour, music and a table that feels abundant. It’s festive, easy to pull together and perfect for a group that wants energy from start to finish.
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Feature image: Pexels
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If you’ve just made it past the potential minefield that is the guest list, here’s your next challenge: How are you going to seat everyone? Round tables? Long ones? One long banquet table? Goodness. Read on to set your mind free from all these decisions…
1. DANCE FLOOR FIRST!
This is your starting point. The most popular – and effective – option is to plonk your dance floor in the centre of the room. Then you’ll position the band or DJ against the wall. If your venue doesn’t allow for this, you can place the dance floor at one end of the room, centred and backed up against a wall.
2. FIND YOUR TABLES
Choose the shape and size of your tables – but regardless of this, make sure the two of you are in a central spot that your guests can see. Figure out how many guests fit at each table, to determine how many tables you will need.
3. THE FLOOR PLAN
Start with yourself and your SO – you get the best seats in the house, whether that means with the best view or closest to the bar (it’s been a long few months!) Then arrange your tables as symmetrically as possible – in a U-shape around the centre dance floor or fill one end of the space (if the dance floor is on the one side).
4. VIPs
Reserve the tables closest to the two of you for your immediate families, and set aside tables further from the band/DJ for older guests. The less desirable seats should be saved for your friends. Keep people together who will enjoy the time together – perhaps there are family members who haven’t seen each other in a while?
5. THE BAR
This will also be dependent on your venue, but as a rule of thumb, the bar should be away from the entrance to avoid possible congestion. If you have more than one bar (one bar with two bartenders for every 100 guests is a good point of measure), then position one close to the dance floor and another one on the other side of the room.
6. ARRANGE THE NAMES
Now that the hard work is over, how are you going to let your guests know where to sit on the day? If you have more than 75 guests, displaying their names in alphabetical order is the most convenient option, to eliminate confusion and unnecessary time spent at the seating chart. To make it more exciting, give each guest a refreshing cocktail or glass of bubbly along with their table number – it really sets the tone for a festive reception!
ALSO SEE: How to save money on wedding flowers without sacrificing style
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Written by Claire Davies for Wedding Etc. Summer 2020
Feature image: Pexels
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