Wedding Photo Booth – Rent or DIY?

Photo booths have become a staple of weddings. No wonder—after all, they entertain guests, are fun for kids, and create wonderfully funny memories of the wedding. In this blog post, we’ll answer your most common questions about “wedding photo booths”—including whether it’s worth building your own.

How much does a photo booth cost?

The price of a photo booth varies depending on the provider and the type of photo booth. Rental costs start at around 350 euros for a basic photo booth that doesn't include props or backdrops. You'll usually have to handle transportation and setup yourself, and some providers charge additional printing fees.

We therefore recommend that you choose a provider whose price includes delivery, setup, takedown, and a sufficient number of prints. Some photo booth providers even offer a flat rate for the duration of the rental. Ideally, props and backdrops should also be covered by the rental fee.

What kinds of photo booths are there?

There are various types of photo booths used at weddings—some can be set up indoors, while others are open-air photo booths. The latter are often housed in stylish retro buses, RVs, or an Ape and stand out above all for their cool factor. Indoor photo booths are significantly more compact and can fit into most wedding venues.

A popular option is the enclosed photo booth. It’s somewhat reminiscent of passport photo booths, as it’s equipped with curtains or even a door. A slightly newer option is the selfie mirror photo booth. These are interactive mirror displays that your guests can use to take unforgettable snapshots.

There are also differences in the features offered by photo booths. With most of them, you can have the photos you’ve taken sent to you via email and print them out right away to use them in your guest book, for example—guests who aren’t sure what to write in your wedding guest book will especially appreciate this feature. Other photo booths also let you share the pictures on social media right away or create animated GIFs.
‍

How many photos are included?

The number of photos you can take with a photo booth depends on the provider—so be sure to clarify this in advance. While almost all photo booth providers offer an unlimited number of digital photos, there may be a limit on the number of prints. We therefore recommend choosing a provider that includes a sufficient number of prints in the rental price. That way, you and your guests can take photos to your heart’s content without worrying about additional costs.
‍

Do you have to provide your own props?

Photo booth providers usually offer a wide selection of props. However, if you have specific requests or need props for a themed wedding, you can, of course, bring your own accessories.

Can you build a photo booth yourself?

Yes, in theory it’s possible to build a photo booth yourself, but this requires a certain amount of technical know-how and is only cheaper if you already own the necessary equipment (laptop, camera, tripod, lighting, photo printer, etc.). You’ll also have to expect to make certain compromises—especially if you’re missing some of the equipment. Renting a professional photo booth is therefore usually the much easier option.

Conclusion: Building your own photo booth is worth it for very few couples. In most cases, it’s easier and more affordable to rent a professional photo booth for your wedding. When choosing a provider, make sure that enough photo prints, as well as delivery and setup of the photo booth, are included. It’s best to think ahead about what kind of photo booth suits your wedding best and which features you definitely want.