There’s a bunch of fun and inclusive wedding traditions: tossing the bouquet, group dancing, toasts and exit lines. Now, there’s a fairly new tradition that is quickly becoming a must at receptions—the photo booth. It’s a chance for all your guests to goof off, have fun, and take home incredible mementos of your wedding…plus, you can have copies of your own to see all the happy faces of your friends and family together. There is a wide variety of different ways to do a photo booth, from a simple DIY set-up to an all-out full-service booth with all the bells and whistles, and new technology is always making things sharable and more accessible. Let’s go over a few photo booth ideas to ensure that yours stays packed all night.

The Basics

There are a few things you’ll want out of a wedding photo booth service. First, check the portfolio. Any experienced service should have plenty of past weddings to reference. Look closely at the set-up they use, and inquire how many options they have. Are there enough props? Is everybody smiling and laughing, and are the pics focused and centered? Next, make sure they have the availability to work your wedding, and make sure they have the transportation and gear if your site is remote or outside. If it’s a small space, ask if they have a low-profile setup to fit in an out of the way corner. Make sure the prints are part of the package (they add up quick!), and if the photo booth operator can email and post these pics on websites or social media.

DIY Photo Booth

If you decide to go the rustic/DIY route, there’s a few ways to pull this off. Simply hanging an empty frame from a tree branch will encourage guests to stop and grab a pic, and imaginative props like two-person bicycles, antique trucks, and stacked hay bales give people fun things to include in the shots. The old-timey art boards with the heads cut out always encourage folks to stick their faces in a shot. Putting out a Polaroid camera also lets them keep their prints, or sign them and leave them for you.

Props and Costumes

There are so many ways to make this an unforgettable part of your special day. Obviously, props and costumes are a huge part of the photo booth experience, so ask what your service has, and if you have special requests. If they don’t have the kind of props you’d like, bring some of your own. Wigs, hats, masks, and feather boas are all time-tested standbys, and if you have a theme (Roaring 20’s, Country Cowboy, etc.), let your service know. And, on the topic of themes, you can seek out or request any number of backgrounds or digital effects to make your guests act the part. Some backgrounds are actual fabric or canvas, and some are digitally manipulated, so make sure to ask for all the options.

Personalization

There are also great ways to make these shoots personal. Find several hand-held chalkboards, and encourage the guests to write personal messages to the happy couple. Or, get a larger one for the backdrop and see what original art pops up. And, if there’s a video option, messages and silly songs will be remembered fondly.

Depending on your guest list, you might want to see how large the booth set-up is. An open-air booth lets larger groups join the fun, and remember to ensure there are enough props and costumes for everyone to choose. Even group-themed props (long Viking ship or school bus windows) will encourage more hilarious pics.

Photo Booth Operator

Finally, don’t forget about the photo booth operator. You need someone with personality and humor to spare…sometimes coaching and encouraging guests to relax and let their silly side out isn’t as easy as you would think. Finding an operator with high-energy, maximum creativity, and the ability to talk to anyone might be the most important part of your selection.

Do you have any photo booth tips from photo booths you’ve seen at weddings in the past? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!