A custom cake smash is my absolute favorite way to celebrate baby’s first birthday!
Cake smashes in my New Jersey studio are up to 1 hour long and include:
Custom designed set
Outfit from my client closet
End of session splash
Hmmm…What’s missing from that list?
The cake!
I do not supply any food due to allergy concerns, so the one and only thing you’ll need to bring for your little one’s cake smash is the cake. Don’t worry though, it’s very easy to find the perfect smash cake—and it’s even easier with these tips!
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Cake
Sizing it Up
I recommend a cake that is 5-6 inches in size. Smaller than this and it will look more like a cupcake, larger and it will dwarf your little one! A 2-3 layer cake of about 6 inches is just right.
Vanilla Takes the Cake!
Vanilla is the way to go, as a white cake is less messy and won’t stain baby’s face, hands, or clothes. Same goes for frosting. Go with white and it will be a much neater and prettier experience!
Best Place to Buy a Smash Cake
You don’t have to go searching for specialty bakeries unless that’s your thing. Honestly, I advise clients to go to their local food store bakery. They make amazing cakes!
Custom Cake Smash
All of my cake smashes are fully customized with your chosen theme, color scheme, etc. We’ll chat about all of that beforehand so you can let the bakery know how you’d like your cake to be decorated. Remember though, the cake is just a prop. No need to stress out too much about how it’s decorated unless it’s super important to you. The big thing is that you and your kiddo have fun!
Take it for a Test Run
One other thing I recommend: Don’t let the first birthday photoshoot be the first time your child tries sugar! A few days before you show up at the studio, set them down on the floor with something fun, sweet, and messy to eat. (A tub of Cool Whip, yogurt, pudding, or a cupcake are all great options.) This test drive will help them be much more comfortable exploring their cake in front of a camera at the studio!
Book Your Custom Cake Smash in My New Jersey Studio
You can learn more about my custom cake smashes here, or reach out to book your session whenever you’re ready! You may also enjoy this post about how to get ready for baby’s first cake smash. I do recommend booking well in advance (about 4-5 months) as I build all of my custom sets from scratch. Quality takes time!
If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out! Once you schedule your session I’ll send you a guide with all the details you need to have a successful smash. So excited to celebrate with you!