Are you thinking of including a photo booth as part of your wedding reception experience? There’s a reason why photo booths are so popular at today’s weddings – not only do they capture memories from the big day, but they also serve as a form of entertainment for guests. While you can opt to rent a professional photo booth, it’s also a fun project to create your own. Here are a few ways to create a personalized wedding photo booth, DIY-style.
Create a backdrop.
The first order of business for any photo booth is to set up a backdrop. You don’t have to get too complicated with this. In fact, if you create an overly complicated backdrop, it could detract from the subjects. The backdrop could be as simple as a solid color wall, but you could also blow up a landscape or pattern of your choosing. Stick the backdrop to the wall, using gaffer tape to hold it in place throughout the event.
Think about lighting.
In many cases, the difference between amazing pro-quality photos and sad-looking snaps boils down to lighting. You’ll want plenty of it for your DIY photo booth, or the photos will turn out too dark. This won’t be a problem if you’re hosting a daylight reception with plenty of sunlight. However, for evening receptions a simple lamp won’t cut it. You’ll need bright bulbs with daylight settings to flood the photo booth with enough light. Take a few test shots before the event to make sure everything will turn out like you want.
Assemble your props.
Next, comes the fun part: the costumes and props! You can get as silly or as serious with these as you wish. Include some funny fancy dress to let your guests play dress-up, along with basic props from feather boas to cowboy hats. If children are attending the wedding, you can include kid-friendly costumes as well.
Buy a photo printer.
If you want to be able to print out the photos immediately, one option is to purchase a photo printer. Guests can use their smartphones to connect with the device, printing out their photos instantly. There’s a bit of an investment involved for this option, so be sure to work this into your wedding budget. You’ll need to purchase the printer itself as well as instant film cartridges. However, usually the overall price will still be lower than what a professional booth would cost you.
Offer disposable or Polaroid cameras.
Another option is to offer your guests disposable cameras as a fun souvenir. Place these on a dedicated table near the backdrop and props, encouraging guests to snap away. While they won’t be able to see the final result at the wedding, you can develop the film afterward and then share it with your guests. Polaroids offer instant gratification and are a great choice for a retro-themed wedding.
Finally, encourage your guests to share their snaps on social media so that everyone can tag away and take part in the fun. This will preserve your wedding guests’ memories for years to come.
