I'm making a friend's small wedding cake, and she wants to save the top layer for her 1 year anniversary. Are there any hints or tricks/tips in helping it stay fresh for a year? Thanks so much for your insight and help!!!

I assume you will be suppling a cake box for her to store it in. I put it in the freezer (in the box) and freeze it. Then I remove it from the box and wrap it twice in plastic wrap and then twice in foil. I then return it to the freezer. I did this for my daughter's cake and she said it was just as good as the day she got married. If you want to be even more protected, you could wrap the box in plastic wrap before putting it back in the freezer.

Could you just make her a new one for her anniversary?

When we unwrapped our top tier on our first anniversary, we found a stale, lousy cake with a greasy topper. We threw both out. Do the bride and groom really want to eat year-old cake on their anniversary when fresh is so much better?

Yes, year-old anniversary cake can be wonderful. My brides have told me so. Wrapping and storing the cake CORRECTLY is key.

Place the cake in a bakery box after removing anything inedible. Double-wrap the box in Saran Wrap, then double-wrap the box in freezer foil. Place the box inside of a paper grocery sack. Fold the top of the sack down, tape it, and label the box.

Keeping the cake in a deep freeze is best, as it is not subject to the temperature swings that freezers attached to home refrigerators are.

Thank you! I had googled a few tips and basically came up with something similar as well, but I knew you guys would know what to do from experience!! Thanks so much!

Yes, I can make her another one, but that's not the point. If they are able to keep the cake from their wedding day edible, that's what they want, the cake from their wedding day, not a look a like, if it's possible It's a keepsake <3

This is from the Wilton site:
http://www.wilton.com/cakes/displaying-cakes/storing-top-tier-wedding-cake.cfm

Storing The Top Tier Of Wedding Cakes
The sweet tradition of celebrating your 1st anniversary by sharing the top tier of your wedding cake could turn sour if the cake isn't stored properly. No matter how fresh your romance remains, a stale cake is no way to remember that perfect wedding day. Just follow these simple tips to keep your cake as moist and delicious as possible.

First, remove any ornaments or large breakable decorations. You may choose to leave certain smaller icing decorations on the cake to retain the charm of your original design. If the cake is resting on an unwrapped cake board, replace the board with one wrapped in foil. This will prevent a cardboard taste from seeping into the cake. If the cake is resting on a plastic separator plate, it's fine to leave that on when freezing. Next, place the cake in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This will firm up the icing and prevent it from adhering to the wrap.

Now you're ready to wrap the cake. Completely cover the cake with plastic wrap, making sure to wrap airtight. Follow by wrapping with at least 2 layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. The more protection you give the cake, the less chance of freezer taste or freezer burn. If desired, you can also place the cake in a storage container.

One day before your 1st anniversary, begin defrosting the cake in your refrigerator. After about 2 hours, remove the cake from its wrapping and continue to defrost. Just before serving, let the cake rest at room temperature.