When to Book Your Cake Smash Session

(Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!)

First birthdays have a way of sneaking up on you. One day you're bringing home a newborn, and the next you're realizing the big day is three weeks away and your calendar is already a mess. If you're planning a cake smash session for your baby's first birthday, timing matters — and booking early makes everything smoother for you, your baby, and your photographer.

Here's exactly when to book, when to schedule the session, and why it all works out better when you plan ahead. Book Your Session 2–3 Months Before the Birthday for 3-4 weeks before their birthday to allow for editing and delivery of the photos.

Why so early? A few reasons:

Availability fills up fast. Cake smash sessions are most popular in the spring and fall, and photographers — especially those who take their time with custom styling and editing — have limited spots. If your baby's birthday falls in a popular month, those slots go quickly.

It gives you breathing room. Booking early means one less thing to scramble on while you're also planning a party, ordering a cake, coordinating family schedules, and keeping a one-year-old alive and thriving.

You can think through the details. The more lead time you have, the more intentional you can be about your theme, outfit, and any add-ons you want to include. Rushed decisions rarely lead to the results you envisioned.

Schedule the Session 3–4 Weeks Before the Birthday

Once you've booked, the session itself should be scheduled 3 to 4 weeks before your baby's actual birthday. There's something really special about being able to show off those cake smash photos at the party. It's a moment guests love, and it makes the whole celebration feel even more complete.

What About Add-Ons? Decide Early.

If you're thinking about adding a smash cake ($50 + HST) or family photos ($70 + HST), let me know when you book, not the week before. Family photos are added at the start of the session, before the smash begins, and knowing ahead of time helps everything flow smoothly.

Same goes for your theme. Whether you have a fully custom vision in mind or you're going with a simple, elegant look, sharing your ideas early gives us time to plan the set, source any props, and make sure the final result is exactly what you're hoping for.

Quick Booking Timeline at a Glance

• 2–3 months before the birthday → Book your session
• 3–4 weeks before the birthday → The session takes place
• Within 48 hours after the session → Sneak peeks delivered
• 2–4 weeks after the session → Full gallery delivered
• On the birthday → You have your photos ready to celebrate with