WRITTEN BY | MEG DANIEL
PHOTOS BY | JESSICA YAHN PHOTOGRRAPHY
Photo booths have become a modern day wedding tradition. Whether you have a simple backdrop for your guests to snap a selfie in front of or an elaborate GIF maker booth, photo booths have become a popular staple at weddings, allowing your guests to create a fun memory of your big day.
There are many different options for photo booths. Some are old school, printing the black and white strips of photos, others can immediately email or text a digital picture to your guests, while other photo booths can even create slow-motion videos. So which one is right for your wedding, where do you find these magical booths, and what questions should you ask? Keep reading, we have the answers to all of your questions of how to make your photo booth experience more than just snapping a selfie, but making a memory.
Many area rental companies offer a variety of photo booths for you to rent. Decide if you want a self-contained booth where your guests cram into a tiny space (which always makes for fun snapshots) or would you rather create with your florist and event planner a special backdrop that compliments your wedding decor? Either way, your guests will love capturing the magic of your wedding!
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The photo booth styles
Open Air or Glam Booth
These are often the most popular, and involve a camera and a light in front of a backdrop. You can customize your backdrop to match your wedding decor and theme. Some companies offer on the spot snapshots while others require guests to input their phone number or email and digitally deliver the memories. Jordan, from Hip Hip Array says many couples will just use the venue as a backdrop and call it good. She says “the easiest way to have a fun and successful photo booth experience is to hire out the backdrop. We offer flower walls, balloons, and neon signs to add another level to your open-air booth memories.”
Old School
You remember seeing these at the mall, piling in with your friends, and chuckling at the strip of pictures it spits out at the end. It always cracks us up to see large groups squished inside, giggling and laughing while someone’s head is halfway in the frame.
Slo-Mo
Do you want to get the belly laughs going? Have a slow-motion video booth that allows your guests to create short video clips in hyper-slow motion. Going from frowns to hysteria is always funnier in slow-motion.
360 Degree
These are one of the most unique photo booth experiences. They allow your guests to see themselves from all sides. You can freeze a moment in time and see it from all angles. Amanda, owner at Eventful Rental, says, “These are pretty cool, but the software is still unreliable at times. Make sure you have a good wi-fi connection at your venue so that your guests can experience all the bells and whistles.”
Green Screen
Take your guests with you on an exciting trip – or even your honeymoon! On second thought, maybe not! But by using a green screen background, your guests can choose what is behind them: exotic locals, scary animals, hilarious scenes – the possibilities are endless!
GIF Maker
These photo booths go the extra mile. They allow your guests to create animated GIFs that can easily be shared on social media. These are definitely next level!
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PRO TIP:
Keep your photo booth away from the head table at your reception. Your photographer will thank you!
Once you have your photo booth picked out, you will need to figure out where to put it at your reception. Do you want to stream a live feed of your friend’s selfies on a big screen? Guests will enjoy seeing all the hilarious poses and it will encourage others to jump in and take more, while getting the entire room laughing and talking about the crazy pics! Amanda at Eventful Rental suggests that couples put the photo booth in the room where the fun is. If you place it in a different room, or outside around the corner, it will barely get used.
Your photographer will not be able to catch everything at your wedding and photo booths allow you to fill in the gaps, capturing some precious and hilarious memories. Your wedding is one of the most important days in your life, be sure to document as much of it as you can!
questions to ask:
- Are you available on my wedding date?
- What is included in your package?
- What type of photo booths do you have?
- How many hours is a typical rental?
- Will there be an attendant present?
- If self-contained, how many people can fit inside the booth?
- Do you provide props or do I need to supply our own?
Or do you offer digital props for my guests to choose from? - Will there be an online gallery of photos to view and share
(you want to be able to see all the fun your guests are having too!)? - What will you need from my venue
(space requirements, electrical, wi-fi, etc)? - When would you set up and break down, and who is responsible?
PRO TIP:
Allow space around your photo booth. At some point a line will probably form and you do not want that interfering with food, drinks or the dance floor.
XOXO, MET WED