What to Bring to Your Baby’s Cake Smash Session: Your Easy Checklist

Your baby's cake smash session is coming up, and you're probably wondering…

“What do I actually need to bring?”

Don't worry—you don't need to pack the entire nursery. 😂

A few simple things will help your session run smoothly and keep your little one comfortable from the first portrait to the final bathtub splash.

Here's your easy cake smash packing list!

🎂 1. The Cake

Let's start with the obvious one!

TAQ Photography does not provide the cake, so you'll need to bring your baby's cake with you.

Choose something soft and easy for little hands to explore. Buttercream frosting is a great option, and you don't need an enormous cake for your baby to have plenty of fun.

A Quick Reminder About Food Allergies

Please keep any known food allergies, sensitivities, or dietary restrictions in mind when choosing your baby's cake.

If you're ordering from a bakery, ask about the ingredients and possible cross-contamination.

Your baby's safety comes first!

👗 2. Your Baby's Outfit

Bring the outfit you've chosen for your baby's cake smash portraits.

Remember, the cake smash outfit is not provided by TAQ Photography, but I do have wardrobe pieces available for you to use if you'd like some help with your baby's look.

If you're bringing your own outfit, choose something comfortable that coordinates with your theme and allows your baby to move freely.

👕 3. A Backup Outfit

This is one thing you definitely won't regret bringing.

Cake + baby = things are about to get messy.

Bring a clean outfit for afterward so your little one doesn't have to ride home covered in frosting.

Although…

That would make for a pretty hilarious car ride. 😂

🧷 4. Diapers and Wipes

Bring your normal diaper bag supplies.

You'll want:

• Diapers

• Wipes

• Changing supplies

• Any creams or essentials your baby normally needs

Your baby will be getting cleaned up after the cake smash during the bathtub portion, but you'll still want your usual supplies handy.

🍼 5. Bottle, Snacks, or Anything Your Baby Needs

Bring whatever you normally need to keep your baby happy and comfortable.

That might mean a bottle, snacks, a sippy cup, or something else that's part of their normal routine.

We want a happy baby, not a hangry one.

🧸 6. Their Favorite Comfort Item

Does your baby have a favorite pacifier?

A lovey?

A blanket?

A special stuffed animal?

Bring it!

Your baby may not need it, but having something familiar nearby can help if they need a little break or reassurance.

And if their favorite toy makes an appearance in a photograph?

Even better.

🎀 7. Any Special Accessories

If your theme includes special accessories, bring those along too.

This might include:

• Birthday hats

• Headbands

• Bows

• Crowns

• Suspenders

• Special shoes

• A ONE accessory

• A meaningful toy or keepsake

Just remember: less can be more.

Your baby's adorable face should still be the star.

👨‍👩‍👧 8. Your Outfit—If You've Added Parent Photos

If you've chosen to add parent photos to your cake smash session, don't forget to bring what you'll be wearing!

Coordinate with your baby's theme and colors, but don't feel like everyone needs to match perfectly.

And please…

Get in the picture.

Your baby will never be this exact age again.

Years from now, those photographs of you loving on your one-year-old will mean so much more than whether you felt camera-ready that day.

🛍️ 9. A Bag for the Mess

This one is optional but highly recommended.

Bring a plastic or reusable bag for the clothes and items that may become covered in frosting.

Because let's be honest…

They're probably going to get messy.

That's what we're here for!

🛁 And Don't Forget… We're Ending With a Splash!

After your baby's clean portraits, optional parent photos, and the big cake smash, we finish the session with a bathtub splash.

Your little one gets to play, splash, and get cleaned up while we capture those adorable post-cake expressions.

So don't worry about keeping everything perfectly clean.

The mess is part of the fun!

Your Cake Smash Packing List

Save this quick checklist before your session:

☐ Cake☐ Baby's outfit☐ Backup outfit☐ Diapers☐ Wipes☐ Bottle/snacks☐ Pacifier or comfort item☐ Accessories☐ Parent outfits, if you've added parent photos☐ Bag for messy clothes

That's it!

You don't need to bring everything you own.

Bring the essentials, bring your baby, bring the cake—and let me handle the rest. 🤍

Ready to Celebrate ONE?

TAQ Photography creates fun, relaxed cake smash sessions for families in Buckeye and the West Valley, capturing everything from those sweet first birthday portraits to the frosting-covered cake smash and final bathtub splash.