Cake Smash Guide

I’ve put together this Cake Smash Prep Guide to help answer any questions you might have — whether you’re thinking about booking your little one’s cake smash or getting ready for your upcoming session!

Here’s what you’ll want to bring for your little one’s cake smash session:

• Two towels and a face cloth for the bath portion at the end.
• A spare change of clothes for yourself — just in case you need to scoop up your little one while they’re still covered in cake (especially if you have plans afterward).
• The outfit your little one will wear for their cake smash. To avoid wrinkles or spills, it’s best to change them into it once you arrive.
• Small snacks, in case your baby isn’t a big fan of the cake. Choose snacks that are a similar color to the cake so they blend in nicely in the photos.
• Body wash if your baby has sensitive skin. I do have Live Clean Baby on hand, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
• A sippy cup or drink to help wash down the cake.

And of course — don’t forget the cake! 🎂

What to Expect

Cake smash sessions typically last 25–40 minutes, depending on each little one’s pace and personality.

We always start by capturing some sweet photos of your baby in their outfit before introducing the cake.

When it’s cake time, some kids dive right in, while others are a little more cautious. I always follow your baby’s lead and make gentle suggestions to help them warm up — we move at their pace. Some babies need a little encouragement or a small taste to get the fun started!

Be prepared to get your hands dirty! You might need to jump in and help encourage your little one if they’re hesitant.

I also recommend practicing at home with a small cake before your session. This can help your baby feel more comfortable and less overwhelmed by the experience — after all, it’s not every day they’re encouraged to make a mess!

Not every child will smash their cake to bits, and that’s perfectly okay. Even if they prefer to poke, pick, or gently explore the cake, I’ll still capture adorable and memorable images. Sometimes a little help from Mom or Dad — or a strategic dab of icing — can work wonders!

It can also be helpful to bring along their favorite toy for a little extra comfort and encouragement if needed.

Allergies

Your child’s safety is very important to me.

Even though I don’t provide the cake, please let me know ahead of time if your little one has any significant food allergies. I like to take every precaution to keep all my tiny clients safe.

I also recommend having your child try a little cake and frosting at home before your session to make sure there are no unexpected reactions.

If your child does have food allergies, I highly recommend Carefree Cakery — they offer delicious dairy-free and egg-free cake options!

Bath Photos

At the end of the session, we’ll move into the bath portion — a fun and adorable way to wrap up your cake smash!

The bath will be filled with warm water and bubbles. Some little ones aren’t used to bubble baths, so if they seem unsure, we can easily reduce or remove the bubbles.

We’ll also have a bubble wand ready — babies are always mesmerized seeing bubbles float through the air for the first time!

Once I’ve captured all the photos I need, you’ll be able to rinse your little one off. However, be prepared — a second bath at home is usually needed to wash away any lingering cake icing!

Tips and Recommendations

When it comes to cakes, I have a few favorites!

I highly recommend ordering from Skye’s the Limit (you can find them on Facebook!) or McBuns — both make beautiful cakes perfect for smashing! Sobeys and Superstore also sometimes have cute, budget-friendly options depending on what you're looking for.

Of course, you're more than welcome to bring a homemade cake too!

If you're bringing your own cake, I suggest purchasing a small cake board that matches the cake’s shape and size — it makes it easier to position on my cake stands.

Some parents opt for pancakes stacked with fruit or pancakes topped with whipped cream as a fun, lower-sugar alternative — that works too!

For sizing, I recommend a 6–8 inch cake for the best smash experience, but even a cupcake can be a cute option for smaller sessions.

Helpful Cake Tips:

• If you’re bringing a cake from home or from a bakery, take it out of the fridge at least 2 hours before your session to let it come to room temperature — it’ll smash much easier!
• Avoid fondant — it doesn’t smash or photograph as nicely as buttercream.
• Skip chocolate cakes if you can — while delicious, chocolate tends to look messy and less appealing in photos.

Have questions? Or ready to book your little one's Cake Smash & Splash?

Send me a message — I can’t wait to chat! 🎂🛁✨