How to reuse your wedding cake topper on an anniversary cake

Bakers like to see it. One cake artist told NBC News she loves to see a wedding topper used again on later anniversary cakes.

The new cake is often much smaller than the wedding cake. So check the topper and the fit before the day.

• Your topper
• A clear acrylic disc from your baker
• A soft cloth and mild soap
• The anniversary cake

1. 1. Check it for damage

   Look for cracks or faded color. If it shows wear, keep it on a shelf as a display piece instead.

2. 2. Clean it

   Wipe it with a soft cloth and mild soap. Do not soak it or scrub it. Let it dry fully.

3. 3. Check the fit

   A first-anniversary cake is often a simple cake, 4 inches (10 cm) or 6 inches (15 cm) across. The topper was picked for a bigger tier. Before the day, ask your baker if it fits on the cake you ordered.

   The figure stands well inside the edge of the cake top.

4. 4. Stand it on the disc

   Ask your baker for a clear acrylic disc. Stand the topper in the middle of the disc, then set the disc in the middle of the cake. Fresh flowers or a ribbon around it make it look new.

   The figure on a clear disc on the cake.

5. 5. Lift it off before cutting

   Take the topper off before anyone cuts the cake. Anything that is not food should come off before the cake is served.

For more on washing, read how to clean a cake topper.

Our guide on putting a topper on a cake shows the disc step by step.

Some couples freeze the top tier of the wedding cake for the first anniversary. Take the topper off before you wrap and freeze the tier.

Take the tier out of the freezer 24 hours before the day. Once it has thawed, set the topper back on its disc on top.

Our Origami figure, 4 inches (10 cm) tall, weighs about 2 oz (53 g). It is not food-safe, so it always stands on the disc and never on the frosting.

After the party, let the topper dry fully. Keep it in a box, away from sunlight and heat.

Can our baker make a fresh copy of the top tier?

Yes. A baker can make a smaller version of your wedding cake for your first anniversary.

Can we use my parents' old topper on their anniversary cake?

Yes, if it has no cracks or loose parts. Stand it on a disc so it never touches the frosting. Old toppers are fragile, so keep a second topper ready in case it breaks.