Cake smash vs Party

Cake smash vs party – how do you decide?

Why a Cake Smash Photoshoot is More Fun (and Less Stressful) Than a First Birthday Party!

Your baby’s first birthday is a milestone worth celebrating—but let’s be honest, who is the party really for? Your little one won’t remember the guest list, the decorations, or the hours you spent inflating balloons. What they will remember? Well, nothing. Because they’re one.

But you will remember it, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a fun, stress-free, and totally adorable cake smash photoshoot? Here’s why ditching the big birthday bash in favour of a cake smash session might just be the best decision you’ll make.

1. The Memories (and Photos!) Last Forever

A party is over in a few hours, and once the wrapping paper is shredded and the cake crumbs are swept away, all you’ll have are a few blurry phone snaps and an overtired baby. A cake smash photoshoot, on the other hand, gives you high-quality, professional images that you’ll cherish forever. Imagine your little one covered in icing, giggling with delight—it’s a moment you’ll want to relive again and again. And you can, thanks to your beautiful photos! Check out how much fan little Lewis had at his cake smash, this could be your little one! 

2. No Party Planning Stress

Planning a first birthday party can be overwhelming. Do you invite the whole family? What about friends with babies? How much food is too much? Is a bouncy castle necessary? (Spoiler: It’s not, but you’ll probably consider it.)

A cake smash shoot requires none of that stress. All you need is your little one, a cake, and a fun setup that suits their personality. No catering, no party bags, and no worrying about whether Great Aunt Susan will get along with your partner’s cousin’s wife. And even better? Once you choose your theme that’s all you need to decide on. We do everything else!

3. No Plastic Tat—A More Eco-Friendly Celebration

Let’s talk about the elephant in the party room—plastic waste. Balloons, party favours, disposable plates, decorations…it all adds up. And in the age of conscious parenting, many of us are looking for more sustainable ways to celebrate milestones.

A cake smash photoshoot is a fantastic alternative. No single-use decorations, no cheap plastic toys, just a gorgeous set, a cake (which will definitely get demolished), and stunning photos to treasure forever. Plus, our lovely baker Justyna lives locally and hand delivers our cake smash cakes to the studio so no plastic packaging either!

4. It’s All About Your Baby

At a birthday party, your little one is often overwhelmed by all the noise, people, and activity. A cake smash shoot is tailored entirely to them. Whether they love bright colours, pastel tones, or even a special theme (unicorns? Dinosaurs? Favourite book?), the setup can be personalised to suit their personality. They can enjoy the cake, explore the textures, and just have fun without a crowd watching their every move. Choose from one of our existing themes or get in touch to chat over something custom that you know your baby would love. Have a peek thorugh our cake smash photoshoot page for inspiration and ideas.

5. Less Mess (for You!)

Let’s face it—cake will be involved either way. But with a cake smash session, the mess stays in the studio (and not all over your house). No need to scrub icing out of the carpet or find rogue sprinkles weeks later. Plus, we have a gorgeous little rolltop tub for a bubble bath cleanup session at the end, meaning you leave with a clean baby and beautiful photos! We even provide the towels 😉

So, Cake Smash vs Party?

If you love throwing parties and don’t mind the stress, go for it! But if you want a fun, hassle-free way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday and create lasting memories, a cake smash photoshoot is the way to go.

Less stress, more fun, and memories that will last a lifetime—what’s not to love?

Ready to Book Your Cake Smash Session?

Let’s create magical memories together! Get in touch today to book your personalised cake smash photoshoot and celebrate your little one’s first birthday in the sweetest way possible. Spaces fill up fast, so don’t wait—secure your session now!