Why should we have a photo booth at our wedding?

Written by Curator Lisa Kathan, with Mike Ilies of Inlight Photo Booths

You’ve decided on your wedding date and venue, and the next step for most couples is to hire a wedding photographer. A professional wedding photographer knows all about capturing the moments of your day, so that years down the road, you’ll be transported back to those precious moments. A professional photographer has the technical skills to shoot in any environment, and create photographic memories throughout your day.

Your wedding photographer is also mobile and able to capture various angles and locations during your wedding. Often they blend into the background, see things others may not see, and catch candid moments that can express the emotion of a moment.

What’s the difference between what my photographer does, and a photo booth?

For starters, most photo booths are stationary kiosks that take photos on their own, without a professional photographer (though it may have an attendant). In a photo booth, you get ready, pose, a timer counts down, and the photo is captured. And immediately, you get a series of photos!

But the most important part of having a photo booth at your event is the experience. Photo booths are a nostalgic and fun way for your guests to participate in your celebration!

Also, with a photo booth, there isn’t a photographer behind the camera, which may make the camera-shy guests more comfortable.

Can’t we just have our guests take selfies?

A photo booth not only allows your guests to have copies of their photos, but you will also have copies that you can enjoy after the wedding is over, and see how much fun your guests had during your party!

Unlike the digital files on your guests’ phones, many photo booths can create prints immediately, so guests can take them back to their table, and enjoy their keepsakes right away, rather than waiting for a few weeks to receive the photos captured by your professional photographer. In fact, if your photo booth creates prints, consider having a photo holder at your guests table settings, as a party favor, and a way to display their photos during the wedding.

And the booths that create digital images, allow your guests to upload GIF’s and boomerang files to their social media in real time, before your wedding is even over!

What types of photo booths are there, and what’s the difference?

The open-air style photo booth is just that: open. It can fit as many as 25 guests in a completely open space. An open booth provides a memory-making session that uses space efficiently and can fit more people in one single shot.

The classic enclosed photo booth has four walls made of either fabric or solid material. The key feature here is privacy because enclosed booths allow you to enjoy photos with family and friends without outsiders being able to see what you are doing. 

Social photo booths (aka, selfie station or i-pad booth) create socially shareable photos that use high-quality LED lights and filter options, putting those on Instagram to shame. Social media-friendly photo booths include the ability to create boomerangs and GIFs to share as soon as the photo is snapped. This booth option doesn’t allow you to print any of the photos, rather you receive them by sharing them to yourself via text or e-mail.

A mirror booth features a touch screen that includes interactive games, animations to add flair to your photos, and digital props to take the guest experience to the next level.

What else do we need to know about having a photo booth at our wedding?

Mike Ilies of Inlight Photo Booths answers some questions about hiring a photo booth for your wedding:

Will there be an attendant at our photo booth?

Some photo booth experiences — like a social booth — are so simple to use, no attendant is needed.

But know what to expect at your booth. Some companies send an attendant to manage the photo booth and the props table, in order to offer your guests the best experience possible.

Are photo booth props included?

Some companies include props with the photo booth, and some may even customize the props with the theme. Still some booths do not come with props, so make sure to ask if this is important to you!

Is there unlimited photos and printing?

You and your guests can enjoy the booth for as long as the event runs, but make sure there is not an extra fee for the number of photos you want to take.

Also, some companies offer unlimited photos and unlimited printing, but only a set of 2 strips for every photo taken. Make sure that whoever has their photo taken, will receive a copy. 

Do we get all the digital photos after the wedding is over?

There are typically two ways of receiving the photos from your booth after the event: a link to an online gallery, or a USB stick. Online galleries are great for sharing with friends and family; and some companies no longer offer USB sticks because they tend to get lost.

How much space is needed for a photo booth?

Ilies says 10x10 feet is perfect for most photo booths, but you should definitely ask your vendor. The more space you dedicate to the photo booth, the more comfortable your crowd will be.

Do we need to provide anything for the photo booth?

A power outlet is important and a table for props is great. Some booths can run on their own battery for up to four hours for outdoor events where no generators are available.

If you have more questions about photo booths and how they might work for your wedding, check out these FAQs.

All photos provided by Inlight Photo Booths