Photo Booths

missdelilah · July 2014

Hi: I was wondering whether anyone has used a photo booth at their own wedding, or been to another one that did? We're getting married in Australia, and there aren't a ton of providers, but I've found one that I like that does a sort of photo booth guest book kind of thing. I'm thinking that this means I have to march everyone through there at least once in the course of the evening - although I imagine I'll have a few friends that I can't get out of there.

I was wondering what your experiences had been. Were people willing to use the Photo Booth? Did it make the wedding more fun, or was it just a hassle?

Many thanks for your help!

climbingsingle · July 2014

I've been to weddings that had photo booths and we're having one at our wedding as well. I thought they were fun. It seemed to get more popular as the night went on (and as people drank more, of course).

Please, please don't force people to do it though! Not everyone will be into it.

missdelilah · July 2014

Thank you for your advice. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the photo booth at the previous weddings you attended, so much that you're getting one yourself. I really shouldn't have used the word "force" in my post. It's not intention to demand that anyone do anything they're uncomfortable with. I'll just have to think of ways to make it as fun and inviting as possible. It's interesting to think that some people wouldn't be in to it, considering that it's likely everyone will be in at least one photo at some stage during the ceremony and reception, but I can understand that some people wouldn't consider it very exciting. Thanks again for you input.

slothiegal · July 2014

The last wedding I went to had one, and I loved it. They provided little plastic frames to put the pictures in and made those the favors--and the only favors I think I've ever held on to.

I toyed with the idea of having one at my and FI's wedding, but it ultimately didn't make the final cut when figuring out the budget. (But I still really like them!)

jenna8984 · July 2014

I have been to two which had them and I thought it was really fun and made my night.

But there isn't really a way to entice certain people. My parents for example. They are the typical party stick in the mud folks. They like to sit at their table with their cocktail and talk to each other and friends then leave. They don't dance, they don't take pictures, they don't sign guestbooks or participate in anything. It's just how they are. So you won't get a photo of everyone but that's ok.

photokitty · July 2014

I had one and lots of guests loved it. Some guests opted not to use it.

We had a typically guest book next to the escort cards for folks to sign. We also had the photo boot guest book/ album. The photo booth attendants cut the photo into two strips, gave one to the guest and glued the other in the book and the guest were invited to sign next to the photo. They would also print extra copies of the photos if others wanted their own copy.

There was always people in the booth. Almost everyone used it at least once. We purchased a bunch of silly hats and things at the dollar store for people to use in the booth. It definitely made the wedding more fun and a year later I still see the photos on people's refrigerators when I visit

emmyg65 · July 2014

We had one and maybe 75% of our guests used it. Among those who did, it was very popular and the pictures are hilarious. It was through our photographer and didn't print anything; she posted them on Facebook a week later. My one regret is I wish people had pictures to take home with them.

southernbelle0915 · July 2014

We had one. Lots of people used it and the photos got more and more awesome as the night went on (and they got more drunk). It was really fun! I don't think anyone needs a tutorial. The company we hired had an attendant so I guess if someone didn't understand they could ask the worker.

JCbride2015 · July 2014

I've been to several weddings and events with them, and it's always a huge hit. We are hoping to fit it into the budget for our wedding. Just accept that not every single person will use it. You may also want a traditional guest book if that's important to you.

theartistformerlyknownas · July 2014

Almost every wedding I've been to in the past 5 years has had one, plus various school fundraisers, beer fests, corporate holiday parties, etc. Everyone generally seems to love them, especially after a few drinks. I'm personally sick of them, but it sounds like you haven't quite reached that there yet so go for it!

missdelilah · July 2014

Thank you all very much for your input. I haven't actually been to a wedding that had one, although at my sister's wedding she had a giant frame and bunch of silly props. It was a bit much for everyone to manage.

Having a regular guest book as well also makes sense, as it seems a bit sad to have people write their sentiments next to an empty photo slot.

The company that works with my venue doesn't send an attendant, but apparently the machine comes with video instructions that are very easy to follow. It prints two sets of strips, so one can go in the book and one can go home.

I'll see if I can delegate someone to dollar store prop hunting (I probably won't be home until a week or two before the wedding, depending on how much time I can get off).

Again, thank you all for your comments. They're very much appreciated.

[Deleted User] · July 2014

We just met with our DJ who has one its an extra add on.. we thought about it for a bit then opted for no. They looked like fun but we know our people and for the money $600 for 3 hours.. it's not worth it to us for the amount of people who will actually use it. But I do think they are a good option for some.

MandyMost · July 2014

lolo883 said:

Almost every wedding I've been to in the past 5 years has had one, plus various school fundraisers, beer fests, corporate holiday parties, etc. Everyone generally seems to love them, especially after a few drinks. I'm personally sick of them, but it sounds like you haven't quite reached that there yet so go for it!

I'm also "over" the photo booth craze. You may find that the people who you'd think are the most likely to want to use the photo booth are also "over" it. That's what's happened at some weddings I've been to in the past year. It's just not particularly fun or exciting anymore. Everyone already has a bunch of photo booth pics with funny hats, feather boas, fake mustaches, and over-sized sunglasses, and doesn't really need more. For me, it's not like "fine, I guess I'll go do it" whereas it used to be a blast.

And everyone has a camera...if they want to take silly pics I'm sure they will regardless of the photobooth!

atlastmrsg · July 2014

They're fun--I'll jump in with my date or friends if one's there and the line isn't long. If the line's long, I pass now. I've done it enough times that the novelty has worn off. I didn't do one for my wedding because it didn't really fit with the ambiance, location, etc. I'm not sad I didn't--more money to put towards open bar and passed appetizers instead of stations.

lizzypoo96 · July 2014

we did ours as or favor- it prints as many copies as needed and we get the pics after on a CD! Instead of DIY-ing a scrapbook on the spot, I'll be going through shutterfly probably and making our own book after! I don't think you can get everyone in there- but you can't necessarily get everyone to sign a guest book either!

photokitty · July 2014

missdelilah said:

Thank you all very much for your input. I haven't actually been to a wedding that had one, although at my sister's wedding she had a giant frame and bunch of silly props. It was a bit much for everyone to manage.

Having a regular guest book as well also makes sense, as it seems a bit sad to have people write their sentiments next to an empty photo slot.

The company that works with my venue doesn't send an attendant, but apparently the machine comes with video instructions that are very easy to follow. It prints two sets of strips, so one can go in the book and one can go home.

I'll see if I can delegate someone to dollar store prop hunting (I probably won't be home until a week or two before the wedding, depending on how much time I can get off).

Again, thank you all for your comments. They're very much appreciated.

I would hire one of your sibling's friends to work the booth. People aren't going to cut the photo and do all that work themselves after a few adult beverages. If they print out separately I still think people will walk off with "your" set. Offer the person $10 an hour and dinner to make sure the book gets made properly. I think it would be worth it to have someone manage it. Otherwise just forget about doing the book. Do you get a disc of all the images afterwards?

missdelilah · July 2014

photokitty said:

missdelilah said:

Thank you all very much for your input. I haven't actually been to a wedding that had one, although at my sister's wedding she had a giant frame and bunch of silly props. It was a bit much for everyone to manage.

Having a regular guest book as well also makes sense, as it seems a bit sad to have people write their sentiments next to an empty photo slot.

The company that works with my venue doesn't send an attendant, but apparently the machine comes with video instructions that are very easy to follow. It prints two sets of strips, so one can go in the book and one can go home.

I'll see if I can delegate someone to dollar store prop hunting (I probably won't be home until a week or two before the wedding, depending on how much time I can get off).

Again, thank you all for your comments. They're very much appreciated.

I would hire one of your sibling's friends to work the booth. People aren't going to cut the photo and do all that work themselves after a few adult beverages. If they print out separately I still think people will walk off with "your" set. Offer the person $10 an hour and dinner to make sure the book gets made properly. I think it would be worth it to have someone manage it. Otherwise just forget about doing the book. Do you get a disc of all the images afterwards?

That's an interesting idea. I'll have to do some asking around. I'd assumed that if people were taking both sets it would be because they'd be too embarrassed to put one in the book.

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions. I'll have to get online at the Australian version of this site (the wedding will be in Sydney) and see if the Photo Booth craze is as played out there.

nat&peter · July 2014

RachelLee83 said:

We just met with our DJ who has one its an extra add on.. we thought about it for a bit then opted for no. They looked like fun but we know our people and for the money $600 for 3 hours.. it's not worth it to us for the amount of people who will actually use it. But I do think they are a good option for some.

I agree with what RachelLee said. You know your guests the best so go with what you think will work the best for your wedding. In my experience, they tend to be more popular and better received by the younger crowd. Good luck with whatever you decide.

LittlePeachBlossom · July 2014

I'm over the photobooth thing too. How about getting the photographer to take pics of guests as they arrive at the venue and throughout cocktail hour?

missdelilah · July 2014

Thanks for the additional comments. We'll have a photographer there, but I can see some guests loving the Photo Booth. My understanding is that this trend isn't completely played out in Australia yet. And I like that people can take the photos with them, rather than me having to go to the extra trouble of somehow getting the edited photos back to everyone. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Fairyjen1 · July 2014

My cousin had a photo booth. It was fun idea, except you could barely get into it because there were about six kids who pretty much dominated it all night. Seriously, you'd be standing in line for your turn and they were constantly asking if they could go in front of you. I think a lot of adults didn't use it because it was too hard to get in there without the kids. I think the couple must mostly have pictures of those kids in their photo booth guest book.

We eventually got in there, but it took us a few tries.

KPBM89 · July 2014

I've been to dozens of weddings and only two had a photo booth. At both, most of the guests wanted to use the photo booth, several going multiple times with different groups of people. We're having one at ours that we got for an insanely good deal through family friends.

missdelilah · July 2014

Thanks! It's so good to get so many different perspectives on this.

Tiffany101015 · July 2014

I've been to a wedding that had one and I am having one at mine. I think they are fun and a great favor for the guests to take home.

missdelilah · July 2014

Thank you Tiffany! I thought they'd be a fun favor for the guests.

JMS62415 · August 2014

My sister had one at her wedding last August and it was a blast. I definitely want one as long as we can afford it.

missdelilah · August 2014

Thanks JMS62415! It's nice to know that not everyone is over them.

JMS62415 · August 2014

missdelilah said:

Thanks JMS62415! It's nice to know that not everyone is over them.

Definitely not! You just gotta know your guests. If you think they'll love it, go for it. I know my family will love it and I think FI's family and friends will too since I know almost all of them. They're so much fun, especially when you're drunk haha. Make sure to add props. It makes it way better.

missdelilah · August 2014

Thanks! I was wondering whether to go with the set called "props" or the set called "props on sticks" (better for not ruining everyone's hair, right?). I liked the idea of just buying a bunch of stuff at the dollar store, but the dollar store isn't really the dollar store in Sydney, and I'd feel bad throwing it all out after one night.

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