CAKE SMASH: Real Cake vs. Toy Cake — What’s the Difference?

Planning your little one’s first birthday cake smash? One of the most common questions I get is:

"Should we use a real cake or a toy cake?"

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:

✨ Real Cake

Nothing beats the messy magic of a real cake! The textures, colours, and smells all spark your baby’s curiosity. Squishing, smashing, tasting — it's a full sensory experience, and it shows in the photos!

Pros:

✔️ Genuine reactions

✔️ Beautifully messy fun

✔️ Tactile and tasty

Perfect for: Families who want a playful, emotional, and memory-filled session.

🧸 Toy Cake (Prop Cake)

A toy cake is a great option if your little one has allergies, or if you prefer a cleaner, more stylised shoot. It looks adorable and is reusable for multiple setups.

Pros:

✔️ No mess (or cleanup!)

✔️ Ideal for babies with food sensitivities

✔️ Great for cake-smash style photos without the sugar

Perfect for: Parents who want a more controlled or allergy-safe session.

💡Pro Tip: You can even do both! Start with the toy cake for some tidy, styled shots, then swap in the real cake when it’s time to get messy.

Whichever you choose, the goal is the same — capturing your baby’s joyful curiosity and those once-in-a-lifetime first birthday moments.

If you're looking for a cake smash photographer in Witney - Oxfordshire, I’d love to help you create something special.