Creating A Wedding Photo Booth: Simple Diy Ideas

A DIY photo booth is a great way to entertain your wedding guests and capture some unforgettable memories without breaking the bank. While renting a photo booth can be expensive, making your own is simple and allows you to create a fun, unique, and personalised experience for your guests. Here are some tips to help you create a memorable DIY wedding photo booth.

Choose a backdrop

The backdrop is the focal point of your photo booth, so you want to make sure it's eye-catching without being too distracting. Here are some ideas and tips for choosing a backdrop for your wedding photo booth:

Choose a Solid-Colour Backdrop

Start with a blank solid-colour wall. White, black, blue, or any other colour of your choice can work well. If you want a pattern, go for it! You can also add a backdrop stand to make it more stable.

Get Creative with the Backdrop

Think ribbons, fabric, balloons, streamers, flowers, and just about anything you can find at a craft store to transform a plain wall into a fun and unique backdrop. If you're feeling creative, you can even try making your own backdrop with items like tinsel curtains, origami, paper pom-poms, or paper fans.

Consider the Venue

Take into account the venue and the background of the photo booth. Exposed brick walls, romantic garden settings, or blank walls can be great backdrops. If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider a backdrop that complements the natural setting, such as a flower wall or a backdrop with natural elements.

Match the Wedding Theme

You can tie the backdrop in with the theme or colour scheme of the wedding. For example, if you're going for a boho theme, mix textured and natural materials like free-form florals, trailing ribbons, soft pampas grass, or macrame creations. For a rustic or barn wedding, a floral hanging backdrop with rustic props like watering cans, milk churns, and wooden crates can be perfect.

Keep it Simple

If you're short on time or resources, you can keep it simple. A plain wall, some cool exposed brickwork, or a simple drape of fabric can be effective backdrops. You can also use pre-made backdrops or purchase a premade backdrop that's easy to set up and hang.

Size and Lighting

Make sure your backdrop is large enough to accommodate groups of people. A size of 6 feet by 4 feet or larger will match the dimensions of most camera formats. Also, consider the lighting when choosing your backdrop. Ensure the area is well-lit, either with natural light or additional lighting.

Find a well-lit space

When it comes to setting up a DIY wedding photo booth, lighting is everything. You want your guests to be well-lit and glowing in their photos, so they feel comfortable letting loose and having fun. Here are some tips for finding a well-lit space for your photo booth:

Choose a Bright Space

If your wedding is during the day, finding a bright, well-lit space won't be a problem. Look for a room with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. If your wedding is in the evening or at night, consider setting up your photo booth near a window to take advantage of any remaining daylight. Alternatively, you can bring in additional lighting.

Use Lamps

If your venue has limited natural light, especially as the sun sets, bring in some extra lamps. Inexpensive floor lamps with daylight-style bulbs can brighten up the space and provide the perfect lighting for photos. Make sure to plug them in and test them out before the event to ensure they provide enough light.

Request Lighting from Your Photographer or Venue

If you're working with a photographer or your venue offers lighting, request their assistance in lighting your photo booth. They may have professional lighting equipment that can ensure your photo booth is well-lit. This option may come at an additional cost, so be sure to discuss it with your photographer or venue coordinator ahead of time.

Opt for an Outdoor Space

If your wedding is held outdoors or has access to an outdoor space, consider setting up your photo booth there. Natural light is often the most flattering, and being outdoors will provide ample lighting, especially during the golden hour before sunset. Just be sure to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather.

Avoid Dark or Shadowy Areas

When choosing a space for your photo booth, avoid areas that are too dark or filled with shadows. These areas can be challenging to light adequately and may result in dark or grainy photos. Instead, opt for a bright, open space that will ensure your guests look their best in their photos.

Gather props

The best part of a photo booth is the props, so make sure to provide as much variety as possible. You can find a range of props online, or you can make your own. Etsy is full of shops that provide signs, cutouts, and masks that would be perfect for your DIY photo booth.

If you're feeling crafty, you can make your own paper cut-outs, or if you're not so confident in your artistic skills, you can buy downloadable photo booth prop designs and print them out. You can also find pre-made props at party stores, or you can borrow items from friends and family.

Keep in mind that the sillier and more outrageous the props, the better! Think animal masks, inflatable pool floats, oversized sunglasses, and anything else that will make your guests laugh and let loose. You can also include wigs, hats, and other dress-up items to add to the fun.

If you want to add a personal touch, you can include photo face masks of you and your partner, or make signs with your names and wedding date on them. You can also provide blank signs and markers so your guests can get creative and make their own.

For a budget-friendly option, you can buy cardboard prop packs, which usually include glasses, hats, bow ties, moustaches, and more. You can also find inflatable props, such as microphones and instruments, to add a pop of colour and a fun twist to your photos.

Don't forget to set up a table or box near your photo booth to display all the props and make them easily accessible for your guests.

Pick a camera

There are a few different camera options for your DIY photo booth. Each has its pros and cons, so it's worth considering which will work best for your wedding.

An Instax camera is a simple option that will print photos instantly. This means you can also create a photo guest book where guests can stick their snaps alongside a special message. However, the film can be quite expensive, so this option may end up being pricier than expected.

If you already own a DSLR camera, or can borrow one, this is a great option. You will need a tripod and a remote control to take photos, and someone with the know-how to check the settings periodically. You will then have all the photos digitally saved to share in an online album with your guests.

Another option is to let your guests use their own phones to snap selfies. You can provide a selfie stick to help capture large group shots and ensure the photos are good quality. You could also provide a sign with instructions on how you want guests to share their photos, such as by using a specific hashtag.

For a low-tech option, you could provide Polaroid cameras for your guests to use. This is a great way to get printouts of your guests' photo booth snaps, and most people will know how to use it. Encourage everyone to take a couple of snaps so they can keep one and leave one for you in an album or frame. Just be sure to stock up on extra film.

Get guests to share photos

There are many ways to encourage guests to share their photos from your wedding. Here are some tips to ensure you get those special moments captured:

Firstly, you could ask your DJ or band to make a short announcement before or after dinner, reminding guests to upload their photos to your chosen platform. This is a simple and effective way to ensure guests remember to share their pictures. You could also include a note in your wedding welcome bags with details of your photo-sharing platform.

Secondly, make it easy for guests to upload their photos. One way to do this is by setting up a QR code that links to your photo gallery. Display this QR code on a sign at high-traffic areas of your wedding, such as the welcome sign, the bar, or next to the table numbers. This will make it convenient for guests to upload their photos and increase the number of pictures you receive.

Thirdly, make it fun and interactive! You could live-stream the photos on a screen at your reception as they are uploaded. This can be done with an Amazon Firestick and a TV screen. Guests will love seeing their photos displayed, and it will encourage them to share more.

Finally, don't forget to follow up with guests after the wedding. Many people may forget to upload all their photos, so send a polite reminder via social media or your wedding website. You could also include a QR code and a short message on the back of your thank-you cards.

• LiveShareNow: This platform was created specifically for collecting photos from guests at events and sharing them in a slideshow. It is user-friendly, works on all devices, and offers a basic free plan.
• Google Photos: Many people already use this platform and are familiar with its interface. It includes location tagging and face recognition and can be shared with certain people via a private link. However, it is not tailored for events and weddings, and there is no password protection.
• Shutterfly: This platform is known for its photo gifts and gallery options. It is easy to download photos and create photo gifts, but it requires downloading an app and is not as user-friendly as other options.
• Dropbox: Dropbox offers high-quality photo sharing and is a preferred platform for "tech-savvy" folks. It allows you to create folders and invite guests to view and edit them.
• Instagram and Facebook: These social media platforms offer easy and accessible ways to share and comment on photos. You can also create a unique wedding hashtag to make it easier to collect photos and videos from your guests.

Remember to choose a platform that suits your needs and preferences, and don't forget to provide clear instructions to your guests!

Frequently asked questions