More and more couples are opting to rent a wedding photo booth for their reception in an effort to add an extra flair of fun and excitement to their big day. I really like this trend a lot. For most wedding guests, photo booths are irresistible – they are nostalgic and provide extra opportunities for bonding and intimacy. Plus, they are useful in that they capture way more photos than the average wedding photographer, and the photos look great in albums and/or scrapbooks. What follows are a few tips to help you get the best wedding photo booth possible.
First and foremost, be aware that different photo booths can vary wildly in terms of the quality of the photos produced. Things like the quality of the film, the photographic equipment, and even the booth’s lighting can each have a dramatic impact on the final product. Therefore it is important to always ask for samples of photos. It is also a good idea to research the companies on your photo booth shortlist by checking reviews online and contacting previous customers.
Second, you will need to decide on the actual structure of your photo booth. You see, the term “photo booth” is somewhat ubiquitous – just like “Dumpster” is synonymous with all commercial trash containers and “Band-Aid” with any and all stick-on bandages. But the truth is that a wedding photo booth does not have to be an actual booth at all – it can simply be a corner of the room with a camera and a beautiful backdrop. But personally, I prefer the traditional photo booth, which is like a closet with a curtain for privacy. This style promotes silliness by virtue of its privacy, and hence the resulting photos are usually much more fun!
Finally, make sure you inquire about any extras that are included either for free or for a fee. For example, some photo booth providers offer full-sized printouts of selected photos via their website, or custom photo album presentations – which are a fabulous way to see every photo from the entire evening. Another example of a nice extra is the provision of props. These can usually be rented for a small additional fee, and can include things like funny hats, theme-specific costumes, oversized sunglasses, colored wigs, vampire teeth, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Props are great because they add to the fun, especially after the bar has been opened for a few hours! Just keep in mind that the use of props can sometimes hide the guests’ faces, so you’ll want to take that into consideration.
The bottom line is that like anything in life, renting the best wedding photo booth requires a little due diligence. You must decide on the structure of your booth, and whether or not you want to pay for extra bells and whistles. Another consideration, which I did not mention above, is the aesthetics of the booth (i.e., is it appropriate for your wedding theme, and if not can its look and feel be customized?). Then once you’ve created your list of wants, you’ll need to thoroughly research your shortlist of possible providers to make sure the photo quality is going to be acceptable. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be able to add the most fun and exciting wedding photo booth possible to your big day. Good luck!
Speak Your Mind