How to Plan the Best First Birthday Cake Smash Ever

Your child’s first birthday is a huge milestone not just for your little one, but for you as a parent and your whole family. And one of the best ways to celebrate that milestone is with a first birthday party and cake smash! Giving your child their own cake to smash and photographing them is a great way to remember this moment and to capture their blossoming personality.

Whether you’re thinking about having a professional cake smash session with a photographer or having your own cake smash party, we’ve put together a few suggestions to help you plan the perfect cake smash for your child!

Choose the right cake

For a perfect smash, get a plan vanilla sponge cake. This type of cake is especially soft and crumbles easily, so your one-year-old will have no problem tearing it apart. And think carefully about your frosting choice. Go for a bright color that will show up well in photos, but avoid colors like red, which often looks too much like blood, and brown, which looks like…well, you know.

Pick a cake smashing outfit

You want your little one to look cute, but they’re going to get messy so don’t choose your favorite outfit to dress them up. A cake smash is a great chance to choose a colorful, fun outfit that they may not normally wear. Think neon tutus or a colorful onesie. Or you can even keep it simple with a diaper and a colorful bib.

Determine your theme

One of the most fun things about children’s birthday parties and cake smashes is choosing a theme! You can go with a color palette, like pastels, silver and gold, or a specific color. Or you choose a character, animal, or other theme. Check out Pinterest for theme ideas or even look at your child’s nursery or favorite toys to give you a little inspiration. When you do a cake smash session with a professional photography, they can help create a set that fits with your theme to get the perfect images.

Have a practice session

Chances are this is your child’s first time encountering a cake, and they may not know what to do. Some little ones shove their hands right in, while others are a little more uncertain. If you want your photos to go smoother, consider having a practice session with a small cake. Sit down with your child and play with the cake with them to show them just how fun it can be!

No matter what theme or colors you choose, your cake smash for your child’s first birthday can be an absolute blast! Just remember in all the planning what this party is really celebrating—your little one is growing up and moving on into toddlerhood, and that’s definitely something to cheer!