photobooth v. electronic guest book

ellev · October 2010

I really want a photobooth but shoooee, they're expensive and it's really the last thing our budget needs. I know my friends would go crazy for it, have lots of fun with it and we'd end up with an awesome guest book. FI says his friends wouldn't use it cos they're shy and introverted nerds, but I think it's just the thing to bring everyone out of the their shells. What do you all think? Is it worth the significant expense? Did you love the product and did almost everyone go in there? Even the older folks?

The other option I found out about while we were touring the Oyster Point hotel a few weeks ago. I saw a vendor setting up an electronic guest book, which looks like it might be the next best thing. I can't find the guy's card though and I'm not having any luck with googling it. Does anyone have any experience with these?

TIA!

uppereastgirl · October 2010

Guests tend to really like photo booths

What is an electronic guest book? I've never heard of that.

ccandela · October 2010

That electronic guest book idea sounds cool. How exactly did it work?

Also, if you're still considering a photobooth, try http://www.partybooths.com/. Their prices start at $895 and they offer an online album for you and your guests after the event. My girlfriend recently attended a wedding where this company was used and she said it was very professional and well executed. I already booked them for my 4/9 wedding!

Good luck!

ellev · October 2010

I wish I had paid more attention to it. I just sent my FMIL an email because she got the guy's card too. I think it was either a little webcam thing or a handheld recorder that was manned by the vendor. He got people on their way in so you got a picture and a recorded message. It's not candid so obviously nowhere near as good as photobooth, but maybe a more economical alternative? I'll post again when I hear back from MIL.

Thanks for the tip about the $895 photobooth, that may give me more leverage when negotiating with photographers who also provide photobooths.

uppereastgirl · October 2010

I think it serves a completely different purpose than a photobooth. A photobooth gives guests photos to take home with them, kind of as a favor (although the bride and groom often get copies too). The video guestbook is for you and you only.

Also, I would be *horrified* at the idea of having to videotape myself saying something. It would make me so self-conscious. And I don't find it to be much of an improvement (if at all) over the videographers going around to tables and asking guests to say something to the couple -- a practice that has practically disappeared because so many people find it dated and cheesy.

peaches85 · October 2010

I'm not a fan of the electronic guest book idea as you described it (if it's something else entirely, then maybe my opinion will change). It reminds me of the annoying videographers who go around at weddings stopping guests and asking them to record a message for the bride and groom.

If you can fit it in your budget, definitely go with the photobooth idea since it serves the dual-role of "guest book" for you and favor for your guests. If not, then just skip a guest book altogether or do something much cheaper like a regular old guest book, a wish tree, a wish/advice jar, etc.

G&G2010 · October 2010

If you can swing it, go with the photobooth. We had one and our guests loved it! We will treasure our guestbook forever with all of the great photos of our family and friends. Even the older guests got into it and the pictures are hilarious.

We bought a few large frames at Michaels and my MIL made some cute photobooth props (felt glasses, lips and mustaches on a stick as well as thought bubbles on a stick where guests could write a short message/phrase) and it worked out great. (They have similar props on etsy) I would recommend a few cute props because a friend who attended our wedding mentioned that when she went to a wedding a few weeks later with a photobooth that had no props, the photos were not as fun.

I feel the same as PP- I would be too embarrassed and self-conscious to be videotaped for the electronic guestbook.

mbcdefg · October 2010

We had a photobooth at our and people loved it. I'd say that most of our guests were in there at least once (some were in there several times). Even some older folks.

I would not like sitting there and recording a message on video.

Our photobooth was from Masters of Fun Entertainment and we got a pretty good price. We just attended a wedding where they had a photobooth and they used GardenStatePhoto.com, and their photo strips looked good.

cutiepie12702 · October 2010

We got a great deal on a photobooth with Memory Lane Photobooth - $925 for five hours, unlimited pics, and we get to keep all the pics our guests took on disc. Not sure what your budget is but this was the best deal with could find - other places were $500-600 more. If you could fit it into your budget, I'd go with a photobooth. They're a lot of fun and guests enjoy them.

kristen8040 · October 2010

No to the electronic guest book. Awkward.

ellev · October 2010

Thanks for the opinions and suggestions. Electronic guestbook idea out the window. I'm looking at the rates that one of the photographers we're interested in has for photobooth on his rate sheet:
                                          Photo Booth - $700
                                          full reception
                                          unlimited images

                                          Photo Booth - $1400
                                          full reception
                                          unlimited onsite printing, 4x6s

I wonder if the first option is for the Photobooth without the strips? That would suck. Hopefully it's for two strips and no 4x6's.

uppereastgirl · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_photobooth-v-electronic-guest-book?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:50a2df54-1d27-4d11-b67b-eaba26e23de1Post:43421e6a-e40a-4c2a-ad71-97f14135eb51">Re: photobooth v. electronic guest book</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the opinions and suggestions. Electronic guestbook idea out the window. I'm looking at the rates that one of the photographers we're interested in has for photobooth on his rate sheet: Photo Booth - $700 full reception unlimited images Photo Booth - $1400 full reception unlimited onsite printing, 4x6s I wonder if the first option is for the Photobooth without the strips? That would suck. Hopefully it's for two strips and no 4x6's.
Posted by ellev[/QUOTE]

I don't think you get strips with either of those options, right? I get the impression that the second option only produces 4x6s.

Something else to look out for is that some vendors do photobooths and some do "photobooths" (meaning that they set up an area for photos to be taken in, but it isn't a real booth and such). And there are a lot of in-betweens where they make a "booth" out of curtains, but it isn't like what you'd see at a boardwalk arcade or whatever. So if you're particular about what you want, not every option may work for you.

ellev · October 2010

Hmmm, I didn't realize that, I'm glad you pointed it out. I thought a photobooth was a 'photobooth'. I'd be okay with the booth being simply curtained off (gardenstatephoto.com seems like an affordable one) but I'd like it to be the strips, they're way more authentic, if I wanted 4x6's I'd put a camera on everyone's table. By the way, does anyone use those except me?

tsteger · October 2010

I just booked The DJ Company, out of Nyack just over the border in NY including their photo booth. It's an actual photo booth. I have seen the makeshift ones...not good! It's $850 for unlimited pics all night. It comes with an attendant to help anyone who doesn't know how to use it. Spits out two copies. I am using them as my favor. You can purchase cheap pic frames online.

The electronic guest book seems akward.

Everything def has to suit your crown, because the photo booth is epensive...but if it works, it will be a blast

jaimelody · October 2010

I used Go Festive and I'm pretty sure the price was 1200 not including frames. I got the frames at another online store for MUCH cheaper. The machine expensed 2 strips of 2x7 photos (traditional size). When you're looking at companies make sure they offer to have someone there staffing the machine at all times in case something jams etc. One place that we looked was much cheaper but didn't offer someone to monitor the machine. Go Festive had someone (Megan I think?) there they whole time. She was sweet and helped put together our book. I LOVE my guestbook. Not all guests used the photobook - but I was surprised at the amount of peope who did. HILARIOUS to see MH grandmother in there!! My mom was in there probably 6-7 times. It was a great addition to our wedding.

ellev · October 2010

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and suggestions. A couple of photographers and a DJ we're meeting with offer photobooth so now I know what to ask them. I'm so glad I asked here because I could have been really surprised and/or disappointed...

photobooth v. electronic guest book

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