Photo booths - tips for b&g, tip for guests

amdublin

I looooove photo booths!!!


B&G's:
If you can afford it I love the polaroid camera photo booths. You will need to organise this some way in advance because apparently the film can be difficult to get a hold of - you can get it online.
You can buy a ready made pack of "props" online but I personally like when silly things (boas, sunglasses, hats etc) have been picked up from a variety of different shops.
I especially like when a prop to pose behind/beside is provided. If you are not crafty/handy even a sign up on the wall or some bunting is better than nothing.
I personally think that if you have a great prop (personal to you) it's even better than lots of the small props.
For a great momento with the polaroids, provide a photo album and something for sticking the polaroids in (not glue - the sticky little tab things are best) and your guests can write a message beside each of their photos.
Remember to tell your guests how the photo booth/album works - either via the speeches or a card with instructions on the tables.


For guests:
It's your responsibility to get as a good photos as possible Make good use of the prop if provided, swing off it/use it as unusually as possible. If no prop provided move around and take the photo in a different part of the room than everyone else e.g. prop yourself up against a fireplace. It will give the b&g something to smile at when they see the photos the next day.
Do NOT hog the photo booth. Take one photo, maybe one more a couple of hours later and leave it at that!
If there is a lot of film left later on during the night why not take the camera and go get some pics of the b&g on the dance floor.


Any other tips or pointers about the photo booth?!
What was the best photo booth you ever saw at a wedding?

eviltwin

Personally I hate gimmicks like this at a wedding. I think they add very little value for the money they cost. I think couples should put that money towards food, drink or a really good band or keep it for the honeymoon.

lazygal

As a guest I've an allergy to organised "fun" like this and avoid if at all possible. Spend your time and money on food and drink and don't strong arm us into posing for whacky rubbish photos.

amdublin

Well you know eviltwin I agree, first priority should be good food and drink (and lots of it - food) but if you are going to do some gimmicky things I think a photobooth is a good one - particularly if you incorporate the photo album/guest book into it.


I think better than doing wedding favours which I think get left on the tables a lot.


I always love doing photo booth pics

eviltwin

Maybe I'm too old and don't get it. The idea of making funny faces in a photo booth doesn't seem like something I'd want to do. I imagine there is a lot of waste, pics getting lost, ones that can't be used etc. I don't see how it adds to the day or what the couple get out of it.

meeeeh

I think it's tacky. It's in the same category as photo keyrings and similar nonsense. The best weddings I've been to had a guest list that really mattered to the couple, decent food and drink and relaxed atmosphere and very little "entertainment".

amdublin

Horses for courses, and of course if you don't want to do the photo booth you don't have to.


I guess from a b&g perspective they have an immediate album of photos/memories and also little notes from their guests.

lazygal

The last wedding I was at had a very elaborate set up and we were reminded all the time to get ourselves over to it. I've no interest in posing with props at a wedding. I'd rather be allowed to enjoy myself without having to troop out for sky lanterns or pose with feather boas.
Pinterest and wedding blogs have a lot to answer for.

meeeeh

Yeah the bloody lanterns. I was at my cousins wedding a couple of months ago. The lanterns and other venue gimmicks, the band entertainment and some very drunk guests hogging the microphone for an hour made it really hard work. The irony is that the food was superb but everything else really didn't work.

PhoenixParker

We didn't have a "photo booth" but I did a run around a few dealz type shops and spend about €40 on props. Wigs, hula skirts, masks, boas etc. Cheap and tacky.

They were piled on a table and pulled forward at about 10pm in the middle of the dj set. (No band).

Really electrified the party at a point where people were starting to get tired, made great photos which were taken on cell phones. No need for an expensive photo booth or set up of camera or formal arrangement.

lazygal

meeeeh wrote: »

Yeah the bloody lanterns. I was at my cousins wedding a couple of months ago. The lanterns and other venue gimmicks, the band entertainment and some very drunk guests hogging the microphone for an hour made it really hard work. The irony is that the food was superb but everything else really didn't work.

I was at a very similar wedding. Wall to wall things to keep us entertained made it more like an endurance test than a relaxing day.

Toots

Jaysus guys, not even one post in and people are already pissing all over the thread.

Not sure how many people notice these things, but there's an announcement at the front of the forum that everyone should read:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/announcement.php?f=670

amdublin

So anyone out there, aside from me who actually likes a photo booth?!

Stheno

amdublin wrote: »

So anyone out there, aside from me who actually likes a photo booth?!

I always thought they just gave you a few polaroids. Do the ones at weddings keep a seperate record for the bride and groom?

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Such a bad idea where I'm a guest because I end up in the most awkward, inappropriate poses because I've had too much wine. After my last photo booth encounter, I will never step next or near another one.

cactusgal

I'm also not a fan, but that's because I'm another person who doesn't like "organized fun" (also why I don't like hen parties). But each to their own!

Stheno

LexieOnRale wrote: »

Such a bad idea where I'm a guest because I end up in the most awkward, inappropriate poses because I've had too much wine. After my last photo booth encounter, I will never step next or near another one.

I'm so unphotogenic that years ago, I'd a horrible experience when schools dealt with photos for confirmation and handed them out.

My surname is high up in the alphabet, so when they were being given out, in alphabetical order, I was left out.

They came to the end, and nothing.

Then I got called up. The photos were so bad, the photographer refused to accept payment.

They were also never added to the mantlepiece.
I can't abide being photographed since, so wouldn't go near a photobooth to save my life lol

lazygal

amdublin wrote: »

So anyone out there, aside from me who actually likes a photo booth?!

Might be wise to take a hint from this thread!!

Spread the love

amdublin wrote: »

So anyone out there, aside from me who actually likes a photo booth?!

I love them and most people who I know who have been in one at a wedding has loved them too. Great to have a nice keepsake to take home and I love the fun element of it. I was at a wedding last year and everything was great, like food and music but I thought the fun element was missing. Anything for a bit of craic but some people are a little stuffy!

Spread the love

lazygal wrote: »

Might be wise to take a hint from this thread!!

I disagree! They're a bit of fun at the end of the day and no one is forcing you near them. If you don't like it and see one a wedding, just don't go near it. Then everyone is happy!

meeeeh

Spread the love wrote: »

I disagree! They're a bit of fun at the end of the day and no one is forcing you near them. If you don't like it and see one a wedding, just don't go near it. Then everyone is happy!

That is true. But if there is a dilemma weather you spend a bit more on decent wine or on a photo booth my vote is for wine. Also I think the gimmicks sometimes create the same impression as helicopter ride to the church.

I quite readily admit that I am a bit stuffy, I am not a dancer, I will never be the heart of the party but personally for me the best thing about weddings is just seeing/meeting people you like and enjoying yourself. I like second days when there is a group of closest friends around, I even like some entertainment or weddings abroad but photo booths and similar stuff really wouldn't be my thing.

wuffly

We had one, it was not in the main reception area, there was a separate chill out area in our venue and it was located there. We didn't force anyone to use it, most people did anyway and got very creative with album! We love the album as that's where we have most photo's of our guests. We didn't do it to be different we did it because we wanted photos of everyone and not heaps of random photos from the camera's left on tables. I've seen the guest copies on most peoples fridges or stuck in the side of another frame somewhere in their house so I guess that means they like them too. I hardly think they root them out and stick them up for our benefit on the off chance we'll pop by. Our guys were nice enough to let us know at the end we hadn't been in together so we got some of just us before they finished up, which are nice to have.
Anyway! An alternative could be using one of those wedding apps and asking your guests to up load photos to the app then printing them to Polaroid (if that's the style you are after), you can get a polaroid printer (prints from your phone via wifi) on amazon (buy the cartridges in bulk as they can be pricey) and make your own wedding book, the only thing is this won't be signed. Or if you have a small crowd assign someone a polaroid camera and a book. I've done this for a friend at a wedding of 70, i had the book done by end of the meal so it wasn't any hassle. I did know most of the crowd though and the ones I didn't were lovely. So many people take photos now that never see the light of day.

Flippyfloppy

Was at a wedding around ten years ago where the brides father left a Polaroid in a different room with a book to sign. Was in my very early twenties at the time, so that might have been why we thought it was the business! On that premise a photo booth itself might not be needed if you can get a Polaroid, bigger groups can be in the photo too!!

Neyite

amdublin wrote: »

So anyone out there, aside from me who actually likes a photo booth?!

I thought it was a bit of craic at the wedding I was at. My mum loved it though - it was her first photobooth wedding.

I'd much prefer optional activities like a booth that you can ignore if you are not comfortable with it, rather than say, those dances where you make a big ring around the couple and are badgered into getting up on the floor to do it.

Stheno wrote: »

I always thought they just gave you a few polaroids. Do the ones at weddings keep a separate record for the bride and groom?

At the one I saw, the booth gives you two sets of pictures - one for you, and one you pritt-stick into an album and write a note to the couple.

Malari

I've never seen one at a wedding, but there was one at a work party I went to - feather boas, silly hats, the works. The younger crowd seemed to get a kick out of it, but I didn't see the attraction. However, I disagree that you can take it or leave it. If it's there and designed so that you take a pic and leave a message for the married couple, then you'll probably be asked at least a dozen times if you have done the photobooth thing yet! :rolleyes:

thehomeofDob

We're going to do a DIY one. We have most of the equipment from the OH's business, and it'll be almost entirely guest ran on the day. Flashgun, camera, remote, tripod and a screen to view the pictures on. Hoping to make a decent album out of it to add the memories of the day.

Tiddlypeeps

Malari wrote: »

I disagree that you can take it or leave it. If it's there and designed so that you take a pic and leave a message for the married couple, then you'll probably be asked at least a dozen times if you have done the photobooth thing yet! :rolleyes:

I agree, much like hen parties and other "organised" fun events, if you don't take part then you will be seen as a party pooper and will most of the time be badgered and guilted into taking part in something that makes you uncomfortable.

I guess it's one of those know your audience type of things. If you get it with the right people and the right dynamic it could be great.

pwurple

Tiddlypeeps wrote: »

I agree, much like hen parties and other "organised" fun events, if you don't take part then you will be seen as a party pooper and will most of the time be badgered and guilted into taking part in something that makes you uncomfortable.

Era just say no thanks and change the subject!

There was one at the last wedding I was at. No-one asked anyone, it was just there, with a note on the table about it.

witchgirl26

I've only been to one wedding that had one but it wasn't a company or anything like that providing it. The groom is good with computers so had set up a webcam thing & his laptop. They'd bought a few bits for it too. Was a bit of a laugh but only because it wasn't forced upon people as "you will do this to have fun". It was out of the way too which was good.

Not sure it's something I'd consider if I was ever getting married but think it does depend on your friends and family and if you think they'd enjoy it.

dulpit

We had 1 at our wedding. At some point my wife told people it was there, and that was it. Anybody who wanted to take a photo did, anyone who didn't, didn't. The book we got back was great, each photo was printed twice, and we got one with some great comments.

I wouldn't call it organised fun, but I can see how if people were being forced into it it might cause issues. It was a silly thing in a side room, so worked well for us...

Tiddlypeeps

pwurple wrote: »

Era just say no thanks and change the subject

You've obviously never encountered the pushy type I'm talking about. If ending the conversation were that simple I'd have no problem with organised fun type events.

I'm sure it can work in some dynamics, that's why I added the know your audience comment in the previous post.

Spread the love

I suppose most events like weddings, hen parties, birthday parties would be classed as organised fun really.

My Dad was at a wedding recently and a few weeks later, he received a thank you card along with some of the photos from the photo booth. We all had a good laugh looking at them, everyone looked like they were having fun but then I just treasure photographs and would take a lot of pictures myself. Each to their own but anyone who wants to have that kind fun should get stuck in is what I say.

pwurple

Tiddlypeeps wrote: »

You've obviously never encountered the pushy type I'm talking about. If ending the conversation were that simple I'd have no problem with organised fun type events.

I'm pushy back. :cool:

Minera

I'm not having an official booth I've got the face masks and hats etc and I've nabbed a few frames my plan is to put them on a table beside a few disposable cameras and hope people use them! A few stupid photos should be fun!

Toots

My cousin had one at his wedding and we had a great laugh with it. We never even knew it was there until about midnight when the DJ just said the photo booth would be packing up at 12:30 so if anyone wanted to have a go then head over. Myself, hubby, my sister, her boyfriend and my 8 month old (at the time) all put on as much ridiculous clobber as we could and piled in. The bride emailed us the pics a few weeks later and they were class! My little boy hadn't a clue what was going on but he got great fun out of it - we have a great picture of all of us in funny poses and my son sitting on my husbands shoulders with his hands in the air wearing a native american headdress. That one's framed and on the wall now

The one thing I thought would have been a good idea would have been to get the DJ to mention it once at the start of the dancing but in an "it's there if you fancy it" type way, not "please report to photo booth for mandatory hilarity". Then mention it again half an hour or so before it finishes up. I know in my cousin's case, a lot of people knew it was there and were thinking "ooh, we'll pop in later" but the night got away from them, but then when the DJ mentioned it, a whole pile of people headed in to it. The main thing is not to be pushy about it because it'll make people uncomfortable.

amdublin

thehomeofDob wrote: »

We're going to do a DIY one. We have most of the equipment from the OH's business, and it'll be almost entirely guest ran on the day. Flashgun, camera, remote, tripod and a screen to view the pictures on. Hoping to make a decent album out of it to add the memories of the day.

Oh I much prefer the home made / diy kind

Gatica

Been to two weddings with booths; one took 4 shots and gave 2 copies of the pictures, so you could put one in the b&g album and keep one. The other was photographer operated and you could see the photos right away on his laptop, then the b&g put them up on Facebook. It was really fun to see them again and reminisce..

I think if your crowd's into it they can be good fun. I also used to think they were tacky gimmicks til we tried it at the weddings and realised how much fun they were. But you really do need a silly streak

skallywag

Not for me personally but for those who wish to have them leave them off.

Gets me thinking though, how long before we start seeing obligatory selfiesticks placed on each table at the reception?

Lia_lia

Never been at a wedding with one, but we've had them at work parties. I think they're a good laugh! Lots of fun. Also a fan of the sweet carts. Because I love sweets. Don't see any of these as tacky really. Maybe when I get a bit older I will

Milly33

Oh they are already there skallwag...

It was my boss said it to me. He went to a wedding and they were there. No I must admit I did buy too but not for selfies as we know them, but more for ease for people

alwaysadub

We're thinking of just getting a frame prop like so:



Have a few accessories and if people want to use it they can. It'd be just more for fun than anything