A. First, think location. Situate the table in a photogenic spot—under an archway, or in front of a picture window or French doors. Next, choose a cloth that coordinates with the other linens (think pastel stripes if the guest tables are awash in soft, solid colors). Other surface treatments include showering the table with colorful paper confetti, flower petals or even shells. You could also present the cake on a distinctive platter or pedestal, or use a paper round with a deckle edge—ask a talented friend to paint your initials and wedding date. Old family wedding photographs placed around the cake will lend a sentimental touch. (Just make sure to assign someone to round up the photos at night's end.)

A. Instead of placing round cake layers directly on top of each other or separating them with pillars, try using square or triangular cakes. Or play around with the layering, stacking them slightly askew. To spice things up some more, alternate each layer with a different flavor (one carrot cake, the other chocolate). Rather than decorating the cake with either fresh or sugared flowers, what about using your favorite fruit or candy? Talk to your baker about your frosting, too. Bakers can do just about anything you want with icing, including replicating a photo of you and your fiancé. Or, go nuts with your cake topper. If you and your fiancé share the same alma mater, for example, put your school's insignia on top of the cake. Another popular alternative is the cupcake wedding cake. Stack them like a big wedding cake or construct several funky designs on top of the dessert table. If you decide you don't want to get too crazy with the main attraction, then channel your creative juices through the groom's cake instead. Who says stacked Rice Krispie treats and s'mores aren't cake-worthy? Whatever you decide, your options are truly unlimited when you choose to take a hike from the traditional cake walk.

A. For starters, ask your baker to provide you with a distinctive-looking cake box and carry bag, and appoint your mom, maid of honor or responsible friend to remember to bring the top tier home for you, advises Ron Ben-Israel of Ron Ben-Israel Cakes in New York City. That night, place the confection in the refrigerator until morning, which should be enough time for the buttercream to harden. Next, cover the cake first in multiple layers of plastic wrap, then with an outer layer of foil; this will create an airtight seal that will protect your cake from freezer burn. When it's time to defrost the cake for your anniversary, don't be hasty: "You can't just open the packaging and leave it on the counter, because lots of condensation will form," Ben-Israel warns. Instead, defrost your still-wrapped cake overnight in the refrigerator. If you would like to save one of the sugarpaste flowers as a keepsake, remember that it doesn't have to be refrigerated. Simply wrap it up in tissue paper and place it in a box with a lid to protect it from light.