A photo booth is one of the easiest ways to keep a reception lively. It gives guests something to do between dinner and the dance floor, it pulls in the people who would never step onto the dance floor, and it leaves you with a pile of candid, slightly ridiculous photos your photographer would never take. The options have grown well beyond a curtained box, so it helps to know what you are choosing between before you start requesting quotes.
The main types of booth
- Open-air booths use a camera and lighting in front of a backdrop, with no enclosure. They fit big groups, photograph your backdrop and decor, and are the most common choice for weddings.
- Enclosed booths are the classic curtained box. They are cozy and private, which some guests love, but they fit fewer people at once.
- 360 video booths spin a camera around guests standing on a platform and produce a short slow-motion video. They are a crowd-pleaser for dancing and outfits, but they need more floor space and usually an attendant on hand the whole time.
- Vintage and novelty booths are built into converted trailers, campers or vans, or styled as old-fashioned booths. They double as decor and often suit barn, farm and outdoor weddings.
- Roaming or selfie stations are smaller, freestanding setups that are easy to move. They are a good fit for smaller weddings or tight spaces.
Browse photo booth companies to see which styles are available near your venue.
Prints, digital or both
Decide what you want guests to walk away with, because it shapes the setup and often the price.
- Instant prints are the traditional favorite. Ask whether prints are unlimited, what sizes are offered and whether a custom design with your names and date is included.
- A guest book option adds a second print for guests to paste into an album with a note, which can replace a traditional guest book.
- Digital sharing lets guests send photos, GIFs or boomerangs to their own phones by text, email or QR code. Ask how long the online gallery stays up.
- The full gallery should come to you after the wedding. Confirm how and when you will receive every image and video.
Space, power and placement
Booths take up more room than couples often expect once you add the backdrop, a props table and space for a small line. Before you book, ask the company for its footprint and confirm with your venue that the space works.
- Ask for the setup dimensions, including the backdrop and the space a group of guests needs to stand in front of the camera.
- Most booths need an electrical outlet nearby. At a tent or outdoor reception, plan the power with your rental company, and see our guide to tent weddings.
- Place the booth near the action, close to the dance floor or bar, but not where it blocks traffic or the photographer's view of the first dance.
- If the booth is outdoors, check how it handles evening light, wind and a sudden summer shower.
- A 360 platform needs extra clearance around it so the spinning arm never comes near guests.
Attendants, timing and props
An attendant keeps the line moving, helps guests with props and fixes problems on the spot. Some booths are designed to run on their own, but most wedding packages include someone on site. Ask who that person will be and whether they set up before guests arrive.
- Most couples open the booth after dinner or at the start of the dancing, when energy is high. Some open during cocktail hour to keep guests entertained while you take portraits.
- Ask how many hours are included and what an extra hour costs, and whether setup and breakdown time counts toward your hours.
- Props are fun but can look dated. Ask to see what is included, or bring a few items of your own that fit your wedding.
- Coordinate the timeline with your DJ or MC so they can announce when the booth opens.
What to ask before you book
- Can we see sample photos and prints from a real wedding, in lighting like ours?
- What exactly is included: hours, attendant, backdrop, props, prints, custom design and digital gallery?
- How much space and power do you need, and can you work outdoors or in a tent?
- Do you carry liability insurance? Many venues require it from every vendor, so ask your venue too.
- What is your policy if the equipment fails, and do you bring backup gear?
- Are travel fees charged for our venue's location?
Popular booths book up on peak spring and fall Saturdays, so reach out once your venue and timeline are set. Our first-call questions and contract guide apply here too, and the DJ versus live band guide can help you plan the rest of the entertainment. Start with photo booths near you, or browse vendors in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro or Wilmington.