A wedding tradition turned out to be not-so-sweet for one couple from San Francisco when Talia Kazarian, 28, and her spouse attempted to enjoy the top tier of their wedding cake on their first anniversary—only to find it tasted more like gasoline than nostalgia.

In a now-viral TikTok video, Kazarian shared the moment the newlyweds tasted their wedding cake to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. But when they tasted the cake, they were met with an overwhelming chemical flavor that made it impossible to eat.

“Like many couples, we followed the sweet tradition of saving the top tier of our wedding cake to enjoy on our first anniversary. We made sure to store it properly—wrapped it tightly in plastic wrap and even transferred it to a smaller box so we could take it with us while traveling for our anniversary trip,” Kazarian told Newsweek. “But… as soon as we took a bite, we knew something was very wrong. It tasted like gasoline and plastic.”

The pair didn’t swallow the cake and were fine afterwards, but were left very confused. Despite the fail, Kazarian shared the moment on TikTok in a video that has since gained viral attention.

“I’d been documenting my whole wedding journey, and my audience had been along for the ride. What I thought would be a cute, sentimental moment turned into a hilarious disaster—and honestly, a good reminder for other newlyweds to maybe reconsider giving up freezer space for a year,” she said.

Why Do People Save Their Wedding Cake for a Year?

Saving the top tier of a wedding cake for the first anniversary is a tradition that dates back to the 19th century. Originally, couples would save their cake tier, often a dense fruitcake, for either their anniversary or the christening of their first child. The custom is believed to symbolize good fortune for the marriage.

How to Properly Preserve Your Wedding Cake

For those hoping to avoid a cake catastrophe, experts at wedding site Brides recommend following proper freezing steps:

1. Remove Decorations
   Take off any non-edible decorations, like sugar flowers, before freezing.
2. Chill the Cake
   Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight to harden the icing.
3. Wrap Tightly in Plastic Wrap
   Cover the cake in several layers of plastic wrap, ensuring no air bubbles to prevent freezer burn.
4. Use an Airtight Container
   Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container or cake box for added protection.
5. Avoid Aluminum Foil Directly on Cake
   Using foil directly on the cake can cause freezer burn, so wrap in plastic first before adding foil or placing it in a container.
6. Freeze Immediately
   Store the cake in the freezer within 24 hours of the wedding to retain freshness.
7. Label the Cake
   Write down the date and flavor to avoid confusion later.

When it comes to thawing the cake, remove it 24 to 48 hours before eating and carefully unwrap and place it back in an airtight container.

Let the cake reach room temperature for two hours before serving.

While Kazarian and her husband couldn’t enjoy their cake as planned, they weren’t too upset. “Sometimes the memories don’t taste as sweet as expected—but they still make for a great story,” she said.

The video has over 3 million views on TikTok and people shared their reactions in the comments.

“This is the worst tradition in my opinion,” said viewer Steph. “I recommend just getting a fresh slice from your baker for your one year celebration!”

Viewer Nicole said: “Oh nooo don’t tell me that! I’m looking forward to our anniversary cake.”

While TikToker Brigette had success and wrote: “You just have to wrap it correctly—I was also skeptical (even as a wedding planner) and we did it. Our cake was just as good as the day we got married.”