Fall Cake Smash Ideas for Your Baby’s 1 Year Old Photoshoot

Why Fall Cake Smash Photography in Nashville?

As a Nashville baby photographer, cake smash photography sessions are some of my most requested sessions. My cake smashes can be customized to fit your style and theme. With fall just around the corner, I’ll be sharing fall cake smash ideas for your baby’s 1 year old photoshoot.

Who doesn’t love fall? Cozy blankets, golden leaves, pumpkin spice lattes… they’re the perfect inspiration for a first birthday celebration!

What is a Cake Smash?

A cake smash is a fun way to celebrate your baby turning one. Just like it sounds, your baby gets their very own cake to dig into — and I capture every messy, adorable moment during their 1 year old photoshoot.

Cake smashes can be styled in endless ways: simple, themed, or seasonal.

At my Nashville studio, I love keeping baby’s first birthday cake smashes simple but full of personality. “Simple” doesn’t mean boring — it means the focus stays where it belongs: on your baby, their laughter, their facial expressions, and the little details that make them unique.

The result? Timeless first birthday photos that you’ll cherish for years to come.

Don’t have a fall baby? That’s ok! I have a full blog with 25 smash cake ideas. Make sure you check it out!

Fall Cake Smash Ideas

Halloween Smash Cake

Ok, I feel like I need to put a disclaimer in this post because I do not do fully themed cake smashes.

Baby H’s mommy reach out to me for her Halloween baby and said she wanted to do a simple, spooky smash.

She loved my simple cake smash look and completely understood that I didn’t use backdrops or props. After a bit of brainstorming, we came up with a very simple, yet true to my style spooky smash.

I couldn’t be happier with how this spooky cake smash turned out!

Ghost Smash Cake

Miss L has a Halloween birthday. When her mommy reached out, she requested a girly yet spooky theme. What is more girly than pink? So we came up with this adorable pink ghost smash cake.

Harry Potter Cake Smash

Miss W’s mommy reached out with another theme request. One of my favorites…. Harry Potter!

We dreamed up a cake smash that stays true to my simple, white cake smash style yet incorporates the magic of Harry Potter.

White, gold, candles, and sparkles brought our simple, white Harry Potter cake smash theme to life.

Fall Floral Smash Cake

Fall is all about the foliage and fall flowers. Floral cakes are our number one request, and fall flowers are a perfect way to incorporate the season into your baby’s cake smash.

Rustic Fall Cake

If you have a boy fall baby, you can incorporate the fall vibe without flowers. Wood elements, pine cones, acorns, greenery, and Wild One themes are all ways to incorporate the season into a boy’s cake smash.

Farm Themed Smash Cake

Nothing feels more fall like than farms and tractors! Although this theme can be used any time of year, it’s a cute theme for fall.

Best Nashville Cake Smash Resources for Your Baby’s Birthday

I provide everything you need for your baby’s first birthday photoshoot. But if you’re planning a party, here are some of my favorite Nashville spots for cakes, party planning, and décor.

Nashville Bakeries

• The Rolling Pin – Definitely my highest recommendation. The Rolling Pin is my parter bakery that supplies all of my gorgeous cakes. There is no cake we can dream up that she can’t do! She can also make cakes for special dietary needs and allergies.
• Lili Bella’s – Lili Bella’s is located in old town Hendersonville in a charming house. They have the sweetest owners and are right across the street from my old studio. They make custom cakes, but the highlight on their menu is their wedding cake slices! By far my favorite treat in town!
• Front Paige Treats – I just discovered this bakery. She is a small business local to Hendersonville, and she makes beautiful cakes!
• Baked on 8th – If you are looking for a bakery closer to Nashville, this is your place. They make stunning and tasty cakes.

Party Decor

• Ultimate Party Superstore – This is a party supply store located on Main Street just down the street from my studio in Hendersonville. They are a locally owned small business. The owners are our former neighbors, and my son worked here for his first job! This is the place to go for your birthday balloons.
• Gramercy & Grace – Nathalie is a floral and party planning genius! I have admired her work for years and had the honor of photographing her second baby’s newborn photos. Make sure you visit her site to see all of the magical parties she has designed.
• Modern Little Events – This is a Nashville based event planner that plans stylish birthday parties and trendy balloon installations.

Nashville Family-Friendly Spots for after the Party

Fall is such a fun season. Between the fall foliage and the great weather, Nashville absolutely shows off during the fall season.

With all of this party planning, I don’t want you to forget to take advantage of all of the great activities going on around the area!

Here are some places I took my boys when they were younger that I recommend.

• Lucky Ladd Farms – Tennessee’s largest petting farm and pumpkin patch, with a corn maze, hayrides, and lots of fall fun. My boys loved spending hours here each autumn.
• Cheekwood Harvest – Cheekwood’s gardens transform with pumpkin houses, scarecrows, and vibrant fall colors—perfect for a family stroll and photos.
• Nashville Zoo – Cooler weather makes the zoo extra fun in fall. Dressing up in Halloween costumes for Boo at the Zoo was always a fall favorite for our family.
• Gentry’s Farm – A family farm that opens for a short time in the fall. They have fun fall themed activities for families located in Franklin.
• Walden Pumpkin Farm – Known for its pumpkin patch, animals, and kid-friendly activities.
• The Adventure Science Center – Fun indoor activities for families on a cold or rainy day.
• Centennial Park – Beautiful for fall walks and letting little ones burn off energy.
• Arrington Vineyards (for parents!) – While not kid-focused, it’s a nice spot for families to relax with a picnic and enjoy the views. This is the one spot we have not been, but it is on my must visit list!

Planning Your Baby’s Fall Cake Smash Session in Nashville

If you’re a Nashville mom planning your baby’s first birthday photoshoot this fall, here are a few tips from an experienced photographer:

• Book early. October and the holiday season fills up fast, so reserve your spot as soon as possible.

• Get inspired. Browse our blog on smash cake ideas to find cake designs and themes you love.

• Embrace the fun. Cake smashes are unpredictable—some babies dive right in, while others barely touch the cake. Either way, we’ll capture adorable photos that you will love.

Book Your Baby’s 1 Year Old Photoshoot

Fall birthdays are extra special. I hope this blog has given you some great fall cake smash ideas.

Don’t forget that all first birthday photos in my Hendersonville studio include a custom cake and access to my Client Closet. All you have to do is bring your baby. I’ll take care of the rest!

My goal is for you portrait experience to be easy and stress free.

Ready to plan your little one’s fall cake smash session? Contact me today to book your Nashville cake smash photography session!

If you’ve already booked your first birthday photoshoot, the next step is to start planning. Make sure you check out my Planning Your Baby’s First Birthday Photos and First Birthday Photoshoot Ultimate Guide blogs.