Don’t Miss Tips on Picking a Photobooth Vendor – Wedding Day Photo Ideas

The Photobooth – Back to the Future

Remember the fun of packing as many friends as you could into a photobooth?  I would have loved to have had a photobooth at our wedding, but we had to prioritize to come within our budget (which we did!) and with all the activities we had going on that evening, we wanted to make sure our guests could just have fun and dance.  You don’t want to plan out every minute of your reception or have too many things going on, as you want to give your guests a chance to breathe.  Plus with two photographers and two videographers capturing every minute, a photobooth might have been overkill.  (Yes, even for PhotoBookGirl there might be a limit – emphasis on might!)  Still, I love the idea and would definitely recommend you get a photobooth if your budget and schedule allows.  I have also heard of DIY photobooths, either created by you or your photographer, so that’s an option as well.  I’m all for saving money, however if you are looking for a vendor, here are my tips.

What to Look for in a Photobooth Vendor

1)   I personally wanted an “authentic photobooth”.  The ones where you can fit 10 people in them defeats the photobooth look of the photos.  It’s supposed to be cramped.  You’re supposed to be very uncomfortable – that’s what makes it fun and makes the photos look goofy.  Otherwise, the strip of photos looks like normal photos just laid out in a strip – you know what I mean…

2)   Although I wanted the authentic look, I think a digital photobooth is the way to go.  There are some vintage photobooths for rent but then you don’t get duplicate strips (see #3).  However if you’re a fan of retro style or your wedding has a retro vibe, then the classic photobooths with photos developed on real film may be your thing.  You can always ask guests to pose for two strips – one for them, and one for you to keep.

3)   Look for a vendor that offers a duplicate set of the photo strips so that the bride and groom can keep a set and the guests can have a memory to take with them – it becomes a wonderful personalized favor that folks will actually keep.  A great idea is to have a blank scrapbook on site inviting guests to put their strip into the book and write a fun message next to it.  That will make for a fun and unique keepsake and a nice companion to the formal photos done by your photographer.

4)   Most vendors have an option to personalize the strip with your logo, or your names and wedding date – especially great if this is going to serve as your wedding favor.

5)   If you want your guests to get creative, some vendors offer hats, costumes, fake mustaches, wigs and other props.

6)   Look for a vendor that offers an option for an onsite attendant who will be on hand to assist guests, take care of any issues that may come up, and set up and break down the machine – it’s cheaper to not have an attendant, but I would want someone to be there for my guests and in case there was a problem.

7)   Some offer a CD of the photos so that you can easily reprint them later or upload them to your Facebook, blog, or share them with friends.

8)  Want to be entertained?  Some vendors have the ability to project the photos onto a screen so other guests can watch a slideshow of the photos being taken…

Hope these tips are helpful!

_______

This is the seventh in a series of posts on DIY wedding photo ideas – in celebration of wedding season and my upcoming one-year wedding anniversary!

If you missed the first six posts:

Wedding Proposal Photo Book & Wedding Website

Save the Dates, Photo DIY Wedding Invitations & Engagement Photo Book

Showcasing your Engagement Photos on your Wedding Day – Photo Guest Book & Personalized Sweets

DIY Custom Photo Table Numbers

Top 10 Tips for an Amazing Wedding Slideshow

Wedding Animation – Your Love Story Story in Cartoon Form

For a Roadmap of the series, go to the main DIY guide for Weddings & Brides.

Ready to make your own photo book? Check out our Coupons and Deals page for discounts. It’s all about staying on budget right?

Don’t spend hours trying to find the right photo book publisher for you. We’ve made it quick and easy – try out our neat Photo Book Software Wizard!

*******

This is a photobooth pic taken with my wedding planner and friend Charlene of Sweetchic Events at a wedding show we went to together.  Having a wedding planner was one of the best decisions my husband and I made!