If you’ve booked a cake smash and now find yourself staring at a pastel cake stand on Etsy wondering, “Do I actually need one of these?”—you’re not alone. It’s a question I get asked all the time, and while it might seem like a small detail, it’s one that often causes more confusion than it needs to.
Let’s talk cake stands. Not a sentence I ever thought I’d write professionally, but here we are.
So… Do You Need a Cake Stand?
In a word, no.
You absolutely don’t need to bring one. A cake stand can look lovely in a setup shot, but once your little one gets stuck into the cake, it usually ends up pushed to the side anyway. No one ever looks back at their baby’s first birthday photos wishing they’d invested more in a decorative plinth.
Why People Sometimes Bring One Anyway
If you’ve bought a beautiful themed cake or want to add an extra styling element to your shoot, a small cake stand can work really well. They can elevate the cake (literally) and create a more polished ‘before the smash’ photo. They’re also handy if you’re going for a particular vibe—wooden stands for a rustic feel, acrylic for modern and minimal, vintage-style for that extra flair.
But (and It’s a Big But)…
Once the smashing begins, cake stands tend to become slightly irrelevant. Most babies will happily push them over or ignore them completely in favour of digging in. And if they do try to pull themselves up on it… well, it’s best that it’s not anything breakable or heirloom-worthy! For safety reasons, I always keep the setup simple and stable once smashing begins.
If You Do Want to Bring One…
That’s absolutely fine too! I’d suggest:
Something low and sturdy
Nothing too precious (this isn’t the time for fine china)
Ideally something lightweight (plastic, wood, or melamine are perfect)
One that complements your cake and overall look
- Easy to clean (buttercream gets everywhere!)
But again – if you don’t have one, don’t stress. The focus is your little one having fun and making a mess. That’s what we’re really here to capture.
Studio Cake Stands
If you don’t want the hassle of sourcing one yourself, I have several in the studio that you’re welcome to use – you can see them pictured at the top of this incredibly important article so you can find something that fits your style. Sometimes, I find it can be a useful way of getting a baby to sit nearer to a cake if they’re not a fan of getting messy and so unhappy with actually touching it. With the two elevated stands, they can sit with their legs beneath the cake so they get close but they don’t actually get sticky and we can just work on getting smiles from them in other, non-cake eating ways!
My Verdict?
Cake stand: optional.
Cake: essential.
Baby: absolutely non-negotiable.
Most families choose to skip the stand entirely and focus on the experience instead but whether your cake is on a stand, a plate, or just sitting on the floor – trust me, the photos will be just as beautiful.
