Like the bouquet toss and the Chicken Dance, the photo booth has become a mainstay of modern wedding receptions. But anyone who has tried multiple photo booths knows they are not all created equally. When my mother and I went to the bridal expo, we tried each photo booth we saw… and were shockingly disappointed with all the results but one. Can you guess which one I booked?
For this week’s Wedding Wednesday, we’re back with vendor advice from St. Louis experts. I recently spoke to Maggie of 2 Chics & a Photobooth to find out what to consider before booking your photo booth.
What should a couple consider before booking a photo booth for a wedding reception?
We can’t stress enough to do your homework. As the popularity of photo booths has grown over the last few years, so have the number of photo booth companies. Not all are the same or offer the same packages or quality.
- How long has the company been in business? You want a company that is in it for the long haul. We’re proud to have been in the St. Louis surrounding area going on six years. We’re honored to have been a part of literally thousands of weddings over the years.
- Do they have referrals and a good reputation on The Knot, Perfect Wedding Guide, and Wedding Wire? Reviews are important! They give you an honest first hand account from other couples that have used photo booth services!
- What type of booth is it? There are several types of booths: true-to-form sit-down photo booths, open air booths, and photo tent booths. What will work best with your venue regarding size, style, and overall look and feel?
Also, be sure to see what is included in the rental fee. Not all photo booths are the same.
I’ve noticed not all photo strips print with the same level of quality. Why?
Quality is the first thing to look at! All of our photo booths are equipped with the highest level of professional cameras. Some photo booths use low-quality, inexpensive cameras, and some even use webcams! In addition, the type of printer and photo paper used makes a difference as well.
If you can, be sure to attend a local wedding show; this by far is the best way to really compare apples to oranges.
When comparing quality, we recommend looking at the following: lighting, sharpness, overall quality, and proportion.
Is a photo strip enough of a guest favor?
We think it’s not just the photo strip we’re giving as a favor, but an entire experience. In addition to taking home a photo strip in a bookmark sleeve frame (with most packages), our attendants are there to ensure that your guests have a blast in our booth. Plus, in our booth, not only are they going to get in and take photos, but then they are going to leave a video message. We’ve had everything from the sincere “congrats,” to a group of grown men singing, “We are family!” It’s all about the experience! Our booth is also equipped with an external monitor to keep the laughs coming for the people in line. What better way to entertain and engage your guests?
What are the warning signs of a less-than-ideal photo booth?
Here are two key phrases to think about: “You get what you pay for,” and “It seems too good to be true.” We can’t stress this enough. We think saving money is great; who doesn’t want to save a buck? However, we caution using an online coupon deal for your wedding. We have helped a number of couples that have purchased these only to be told at the last minute the company is no longer available. (Most likely because they are booking a full-price couple versus your discounted price).
How far in advance should a couple book a photo booth?
The current trend is really to book us eight months to a year out, but if your wedding is in a more popular month (May, June, September, or October) consider booking twelve to sixteen months out.
Thanks for sharing your expertise, Maggie! Follow along with 2 Chics & a Photbooth on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And remember: While this post was sponsored, all opinions are my own. Photos courtesy of 2 Chics & a Photobooth.
