Photo Booth or No Photo Booth: That is the Question

I didn't have one and don't regret it. Everyone has cameras/phones nowadays. What we did do, however, is have a few props in a corner so people could take silly pictures if they wanted to.

I don't think it's worth it. I know they're fun and I've taken pictures in photo booths at every wedding I've been to that had them. And, you can use the pictures as favors but really I would rather have my friends on the dance floor than taking pictures! Also I feel like they have been overdone. I think you can find something better to spend your $800 on!

I'm having one and I think it's definitely worth it. It was the only thing my FH really wanted & I had to agree with him. People love photobooths especially because they're all dressed up that day and it gives them something different to do. It takes a minute to take a picture so I don't think it will take away that much time from dancing.

You can probably find something better to spend your money on, but I do think they're kind of cute. I've only been to one wedding with one, but FH and I had some really cute pictures of us in it. Plus that bride did the thing where they print one copy for you and then one for you to put in their scrapbook. A word of warning though- this bride had children at her wedding and they went NUTS with the glue sticks and markers and stuff for the scrapbook. Honestly, I don't even know if the scrapbook was salvageable because of how parents were letting their kids just take a million photos and put gobs of glue in the scrapbook. Also, when you have kids at your wedding they tend to monopolize the photobooth when their parents aren't paying attention lol.

Oh, also yay, date twin!

Honestly, I don't get the big deal about photo booths. Why have they become so popular? I think you can definitely use that $800 for something better. None of your guests will leave your wedding saying "Wow, I can't believe there was no photo booth."

I think they're trendy and I don't get them at all. Definitely not worth $800 in my opinion.

I did want a photobooth, but I just couldn't find a reasonable one and I didn't want to have to skimp elsewhere in the budget for it. I'm now researching those printers that when people use your hashtag on Instagram it automatically prints, but they could only service California. I thought that was neat, so they can have the picture before they leave to go home.Hopefully, I can find one.

Our photographer included one with our package for $300 for 4 hours. All prints and the photos are included in a usb drive. We're using the photos (since each guest gets multiple) for a guestbook as well. So they'll tear off one photo and put it on the clothes pin that has their name on it. They'll be pinned onto a vintage frame with chicken wire stapled to the back and we'll hang everyone's photos on our wall at home (on the frame) instead of hiding a guest book away in a drawer.

ETA: If our photographer didn't offer us one we wouldn't have one, but a few friends already asked us and are really excited about it. One even offered to help pay for one if we couldn't afford it lol

I really wanted one because I think they are fun. I know everyone has phones and stuff to take pictures , but I think (IMO) it's nice to actually get to see all the funny pictures your guests took. I do think $800 is pricey, but if that what they are going for in your area and you really want one go for it!

All the weddings we attended that had photobooths were well used, yet didn't take away from the dancing. I think it'll also be worth it as a favor, plus not everyone likes to dance and it's another thing to do. I went to a wedding once and I was under the weather and I didn't feel like drinking nor dancing. So, I literally took pictures in their photo booth with everyone I knew pretty much the whole night. Lol.

If you can afford it and there isn't nothing you have to give up to have one it's your wedding why not make it exactly what you want

ETA: Our DJ has one in our packaging we are getting. It's an open air photobooth, which I love because more people can fit. We are getting double prints, props, an attended to oversee and having it for 4 hours for a total of $350. Either way we would have got one, we just so happen to get lucky on the price! I will also be adding a guest book to our "prop" table so our guest can take the print that stays and add it to the book and write something fun for us. Also, my MOH just had a homemade one for NYE party and she made the cutest props, so I asked her if I could borrow them for the wedding! I didn't just want the normal props. She has funny signs and lots of other fun stuff to make it even more interesting to see what our guests will end up doing with them all.

So I actually work as a photobooth attendant at weddings. A few months ago I created a post called "Advice for Brides who Order Photobooths." I'll put the link here: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/advice-for-brides-who-order-photobooths/9b933c86031501dc.html?utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Audience+System+Email

Here's my take on it: Photobooths are usually really popular at weddings. Occasionally, I'll work a wedding where people are too shy to use it, but in general, if your guests are young and alcohol is flowing, they will probably love the photobooth. In my post that I wrote, I had advice for getting the most for your money by making sure the booth was being used the whole time and that everyone knew where it was and how long it was open. $800 for 5 hours is a really good price in my experience... but also in my experience you probably won't need a full 5 hours.

You seem like you want to be talked out of hiring a photobooth. In my experience, one of the reasons why someone wouldn't get a photobooth is that the photos don't come out very good. Someone always has their eyes closed or their teeth look yellow or they're at an unflattering angle. Your professional photographer will be able to get much more flattering shots of your guests.

I'm having one and it was the first thing I booked. While I would love to have everyone on the dance floor let's face it some people just don't enjoy dancing and I wanted them to have something to keep them occupied. Plus people are so into pictures now that I they are very popular and always something that gets used.

@Shanna Thank you for posting that link! I never thought about most of those things! If I saw someone cutting in front of one of the kids, I'd have some serious words with that a-hole.

I'm having one. There was a Groupon deal for $400 for the $1200package for our city's most popular photobooth supplier. I called them directly and they honored the groupon price and my contract us with them directly. I'm so excited. I've never been to a wedding that had a photobooth only nonwedding events

Totally up to you. You know your crowd. My friends and I are really into them right now and I'm really looking forward to having ours at our reception. Our DJ/entertainment company is providing one with props and will have someone supervising it the entire time. We get a disc with a copy of every picture and copy of every picture will be printed and put in a guest book that everyone that was in the booth has to sign. Then we get at the end of the night. I know it's trendy but I think it will be fun and we're really looking forward to it =)

We had one at my wedding and even though it was fun I am not sure we needed it and it was only $250. I do think if you have one that gives out photos that might be extra fun and might be worth it. It is great to have another activity for those that aren't into dancing but it also pulls some people away from the dance area. I think we had a total of 30 photos taken on ours which made it seem not as worth it at least to me. However, the people that did use it had a blast with it and are still commenting about it. If you do it make sure they have fun props or that you have fun props to add to the experience. I have had friends that have had them at their weddings and they have captured some really priceless photos.

I would say if you have extra money at the end then yes...good splurge but you might prefer a mini trip with your husband for that same money after the wedding instead.

Get it. We had a photo booth at our vow renewal and our guests LOVED it. They were using it all night and it was a hit. Well worth the money

We aren't having one. Instead I got a disposable camera for each table, $3 a piece.

We had one, it was a ton of fun and was well used. We had it for about 3 hrs, it was an add on offered by my photographer for $400. It didn't take away from the dancing at all (that was noticeable at least), but have something fun for those who dont love to dance, or family groupings that don't get to come together often to get fun photos together.

I wasn't 100% on it initially but my Mom really wanted one, so we did it. It was also an open air photobooth, and I got the photos on a USB. I printed them out and included them in the thank you cards (the person in the photo matched who the card was for). I liked the open air concept because you could fit groups of 10+ in a photo.

It's a decision though. If it's $800 you can afford go for it, but it is an extra... So if it is taking away from your food budget or something then leave it.

I think this one can really depend on your crowd too. I would rather this than a videographer since it is for my guests enjoyment, but that totalllllly depends on the person.

Maybe it's wont be the exact one you're considering, but have you tried searching for a Groupon or Living Social deal? I haven't looked at the fine print, but there is a Living Social deal in Denver, Colorado for a 4 hour rental for $350. Maybe there's something similar in your area?