🎂 What to Wear for Your Baby’s First Birthday Cake Smash & Splash Experience

Simple styling tips to make your little one’s milestone feel picture-perfect

Choosing what your baby should wear for their first-birthday photoshoot can feel like a surprisingly big decision, especially when cake, bubbles and a little bit of beautiful chaos are involved!

Don’t worry I’ve photographed many first birthdays, and I promise we’ll make it simple, coordinated, and stress-free.

Here’s how to plan the perfect outfits for your baby’s three-part Cake Smash & Splash experience at Woodland Hill Photography.

🌿 1. Three Fun Parts – Three Stories

Every first-birthday session flows through three joyful stages:
1️⃣ Birthday Portraits – your milestone moment.
2️⃣ Cake Smash –  the messy, laughter-filled celebration.
3️⃣ Splash – a warm bubble bath to finish.

You’ll need two outfits; one for the portraits and one they can get gloriously messy in.  The third part doesn’t need an outfit, it’s all about bubbles, giggles and clean, happy faces before heading home snug and content.

I always recommend that families arrive in the snuggly outfit their little one will go home in, it keeps them comfortable on the way and ensures there aren’t any little accidents before we start.

👗 Part One – The Birthday Portrait

This is your “I’m turning one!” moment. Many families choose their baby’s birthday party outfit, something special but still comfortable. Soft dresses, rompers, dungarees or bloomers all photograph beautifully.

Shoes are optional, some love the polished look they bring, others prefer bare feet for a relaxed, natural feel. Both work perfectly.

💡 Tip: Choose breathable fabrics so your baby can move, crawl or stand freely.

🎂 Part Two – The Cake Smash

Now it’s time for icing, fun and giggles!  For this stage, pick something you don’t mind getting messy – simple, soft and easy to wash.

Think:

• Nappy covers or bloomers
• Soft leggings or a romper
• A tutu, braces or bowtie for a themed touch

The simpler, the better  your baby should be the star!

🫧 Part Three – The Splash

After all that cake comes a warm, bubbly bath; your baby’s chance to relax, play and get squeaky clean.
No outfit needed here, just bubbles and joy.

Once they’re dried and cuddled, they’ll slip back into their cosy travel outfit  perfect for the journey home and a well-deserved nap after their big adventure.

🎨 2. Colours That Suit Your Baby (and Your Home)

Before your session, we’ll have a planning call to talk through colours, styling and theme ideas that suit your baby and your home décor.
We’ll chat about:

• Skin tone and hair colour
• The overall look you love – soft and natural, bright and playful or classic and minimal
• Which tones will complement your home’s palette when your portraits are displayed
• Your baby’s party theme colours

🪄 Your portraits become art for your walls, we’ll design colours that flow beautifully into your space.

💕 3. Comfort Comes First

If your baby feels comfortable, they’ll look happy.
Choose soft fabrics, no tight seams.  Comfort leads to relaxed expressions and that’s where the magic lives.

🪞 4. Every Detail, Thought Through Together

We’ll discuss all of this during your pre-session excitement and planning call  making sure your outfits, colours and final artwork all flow together seamlessly.
Because this isn’t just a photography session, it’s a celebration of everything your little one has become in their first trip around the sun.

✨ Ready to Plan Your Baby’s First Birthday Session?

Let’s make it fun and  meaningful.
We’ll chat through all the details from outfits and colours, to cakes and cuddles so you can simply enjoy watching your baby’s personality shine.

🎂 Explore our Cake Smash & Splash Experience »
🖼️ See why printed wall art means more than another toy »

Q: How many outfits should I bring for a Cake Smash & Splash session?
A: Three – one to arrive in, one for portraits and one for the cake smash. The splash section doesn’t need an outfit.

Q: What should my baby wear for the first part of the session?
A: Their first-birthday party outfit is perfect, comfortable, special and easy to move in.

Q: What about the cake smash part?
A: Choose something soft and simple that can get messy; bloomers, a romper, dress or dungarees.

Q: Do you help with colours and themes?
A: Yes! We’ll have a planning and excitement call to chat through colours and ideas that suit your baby and your home.

Q: What should they wear home?
A:  The snuggly outfit they wore when they arrived, perfect for a nap after their big adventure!