Top 5 Things to Know About Photo Booth Rentals

Comment Written by jenny on June 4, 2010 – 7:00 am

So you’ve decided to add a photo booth to your wedding.  Did you know there are hundreds of photo booths to choose from?!   Here are some handy things to know before you rent your own!

1. Not all photo booths are booths.

With the rise in popularity of photo booth rentals, new structural designs have popped up around the country.  While many photo booths rentals are still those hard-sided, all-enclosed structures that we saw in malls and county fairs years ago (like these here), some companies now offer easy-to-assemble draped enclosures  (like this).  Some are in between (like these).

The type you choose is really up to you!  While those hard-sided structures might bring you back to your childhood, the looser enclosures can allow many more people to squeeze into the frame.  Or why not get the best of both worlds (like this one).

2. Vintage does not necessarily mean “old”.

Companies that offer “vintage” or “classic” photo booths sometimes offer the original things – the old Model 14’s that use a chemical process to develop the prints.  These are often the original machines – more than 50 years old – that spit out strips of 4 photos (color or black & white).  However, some companies have retrofitted these “vintage” machines with digital cameras and printers to make them safer, more eco-friendly, and more mobile.  Read the renter’s description carefully to distinguish the two!

3. It’s the digital age.

While there is a certain attraction to having the real thing, many photo booths have gone digital.  That is because digital booths offer much more flexibility to you!  From being able to select the layout of the photos (one long strip or grids), including a personal message (like your names and wedding date), and offering multiple prints and digital copies of all the photos, digital booths can be customized to your liking.

If you do get a digital booth, the quality of the camera and prints can vary.  Be sure to check what type of camera is used (DSLR or simple webcam) and what quality the photos will be saved and/or printed.  Also make sure to understand how digital copies of your photo booth pictures are treated.  Some rental companies will provide you with a CD or DVD of all the photos, while others will offer you limited access to a website where you can see all the photos and have your favorites printed (for a fee).  We have also had couples upload their pictures from the CD/DVD to The Wedding Lens so that all the wedding guests can view and comment on them together.

Then again, there’s something about those old strips of 4 that you blow on to dry…

4. Location, location, location!

Make sure to rent a booth from your local area.  There are several rental companies in every major city and renting locally will help you avoid extra transportation costs.  But if you have to have “that” particular booth, be ready for some extra mileage costs.

Also, think about where you will be placing the booth.  You’ll want it in an area where your guests will find it, but some of those “vintage” booths can weigh over 700 pounds!  If there are stairs or narrow hallways to maneuver through, you may want to rethink where you’ll want the booth to be located.

5. It’s all in the extras.

While the concept of the booth is fun and entertaining in itself, it’s the little extras that make it memorable.  Having some props, costumes, and hats on hand can add a little silliness to the pictures.  Adding a scrapbooking table nearby can turn a boring guestbook into a fun and interactive one.

However, beware of all the small extra costs.  Some companies will charge you for props and scrapbooking materials, while others include it in the rental fee or allow you to bring your own.  Also make sure the rental contract clearly states whether set-up and tear-down are within or outside the rental hours, and if an on-site attendant is included (to provide directions and fix any technical/mechanical problems that may arise).

Renting photo booths is a fun way to entertain your guests and its a great way to capture your wedding memories.  There’s tons of options out there, so take the time to figure out which one works for you.  Happy snapping!

-Jenny