Most couples come to us knowing they want a booth but not much else. That's fine. Below is the practical stuff we usually talk through, from timings to venue rules, so you can work out what suits your day.
When to run the booth on the day
The sweet spot is the evening. Most couples open the booth just after the wedding breakfast, or when the evening guests arrive, and keep it going for two or three hours. That catches the day guests before they flag and the evening crowd once they've had a drink or two.
Running it during the drinks reception can work, but you're up against the photographer, the canapés and everyone catching up. And if it closes before the first dance, you'll miss the late arrivals and the friends who only loosen up later on.
If lots of children are coming, some couples open the booth for half an hour straight after the meal so the kids get their turn early. Then it's handed over to the grown-ups.
One tip. Don't park it right next to the band's speakers. It should feel like part of the party, but people still need to hear each other in there.
Turning the photos into a guest book
Plenty of wedding booths can come with a guest book or album. The idea's simple: each group gets two copies of their print, keeps one, sticks the other in the book and scribbles a message next to it.
It works best when the attendant looks after the book, because left alone it tends to get forgotten after the first hour. Pens that actually write on glossy paper help too. If a booth offers a guest book it'll be listed in your quote, and it does usually add to the price.
If you'd rather keep voices than handwriting, have a look at audio guest book hire. Lots of couples put a vintage phone next to the booth.
Prints as favours, and props
This is the bit couples often don't think about until they see it happening. Instant prints make a decent favour. Guests go home with a keepsake of your day, and you can skip the sugared almonds.
Most print booths offer unlimited prints during the hire, but it's worth checking. Ask whether everyone in a group gets their own copy, how quick the printer is, and whether there's a cap. We'll confirm exactly what each booth includes before you commit.
Most booths come with a box of props. At a wedding, a smaller, nicer set usually works better than a heap of plastic. A few hats, some glasses, chalkboard signs guests can write on, maybe something linked to your theme.
Ask the attendant to keep an eye on them. Props have a way of drifting onto the dance floor, and it's a shame to lose the good ones in the first half hour. If there's anything you'd rather not see in your album, like inflatable guns or rude slogans, say so up front.
Templates with your names and date
The print template is the little design around the photos. For a wedding it normally carries your names and the date, sometimes the venue too, in colours or a font that match your stationery.
Most partners send a proof before the day. Send them your invitation or colour scheme and they can usually work from that. Keep it simple, though. A busy template steals space from the faces, and the faces are the point.
Digital copies are usually shared after the wedding as well, often through an online gallery, so you'll see every shot including the ones nobody printed.
Venue rules for a wedding photo booth
Before you set your heart on a particular booth, have a quick word with your venue. Some have a list of preferred suppliers. Others are happy with anyone, as long as they get public liability insurance (PLI) and PAT certificates in advance. Any decent booth partner should have both.
Ask about space and access as well. A standard booth usually needs a spot of around 2.5 metres square near a normal plug socket, and the team will want to arrive an hour or so before it opens. Narrow stairs, listed buildings and tight setup windows all matter, so mention them in your enquiry.
Marquees and barns are fine in most cases. Just check there's proper power where the booth will stand, because sharing a generator with the band isn't always reliable.
Which booth suits a wedding
There's no single right answer. A classic enclosed photo booth feels cheeky and private. A magic mirror looks lovely in a smart room and copes well with big groups. Some couples add a 360 video booth for the evening, which suits a lively crowd more than a quiet one.
Tell us roughly how many guests you're expecting and what the room's like, and we'll suggest a couple of options. Then get a quote and you'll hear back from a real person, usually the same day.
