Time flies when you're having fun, or when you're busy building a marriage with the love of your life. If your wedding day was brimming with excitement and emotion as you were preparing to walk down the aisle, there's an entirely different vibe to your first anniversary.
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Sure, you could celebrate like every other couple you know by going out for a fancy dinner. Or you could opt to do something slightly more special to mark your first huge milestone and recapture that wedding day excitement: Book a cake topper retake.
What Is the Cake Topper Retake?
Traditionally, couples keep the top tier of their wedding cake and save it to eat on their first anniversary. The "retake" trend builds on this, but instead of just eating the cake, couples book a photographer for a special cake-cutting shoot.
Some people wear their wedding dresses, while some people wear casual clothes that reflect their life in the present, but you can really choose to wear whatever you're most comfortable in or what best reflects who you are as a couple.
Why the Tradition Resonates
Every aspect of your wedding day, including the cake cutting, can feel tightly scheduled, leaving most couples little time to spend with each other. It's not uncommon for couples to recall their day feeling like a public performance done for the benefit of their guests.
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The "retake" offers the opportunity to recreate a key wedding moment, but without an audience or the pressure to make anything "perfect." It's also a more unique way to celebrate the milestone.
How to Plan Your Own Retake
Your anniversary photo shoot won't be as complicated as your actual wedding. But adding personal touches can make it feel unique. Start by talking to your spouse about the mood you both want. Would you like to recreate the elegance of your reception, or do you prefer a cozy session in your dining room at home?
No anniversary celebration feels complete without cake. If you saved the top tier, move it to the fridge three days before your shoot to let it thaw, then bring it to room temperature. If eating year-old cake doesn't sound appealing, order a fresh mini cake from your original baker.
Reach out to your original wedding photographer. Many photographers love reconnecting with couples and may offer special anniversary packages to help you capture these joyful moments.
Your Cake Topper Retake Checklist
With this simple list, you can contain the planning for your first anniversary session and avoid the stress of wedding planning.
- Book your photographer: Call your photographer two to three months in advance to book a date.
- Choose your cake: Decide whether you want to thaw your original top tier or order a new, smaller copy of it.
- Find and prep the topper: Dust off your cake topper and make sure it’s presentable.
- Choose your outfit: Choose whether you want to put on your wedding clothes, dress up, or wear something comfy.
- Decide on a place: Choose a place that is special to you, like your house or the park where you got engaged.
- Gather couple’s details: Take your wedding album, a copy of your handwritten vows, or the champagne flutes you used at the reception for the photos.
A New Family Ritual
Saving the wedding cake for the first anniversary is a tradition worth building because it honors the idea that marriage is a continuing journey. But don't feel pressured to stick to any type of tradition. Whatever you and your significant other choose to do on your anniversary, make sure it complements who you are as a newly married couple.
