Deborah Chan
Photo booths are a popular choice for weddings as they are fun, interactive, and provide guests with a memento of the day. However, they can be expensive and may not always fit within a couple's budget. Fortunately, there are many alternative options available that can provide a similar experience. From DIY photo booths with creative backdrops and props to digital alternatives like Instant Spotlight, there are plenty of ways to capture memorable photos without breaking the bank.
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What You'll Learn
DIY photo booth
If you're looking for alternatives to a photo booth at your wedding, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Lawn games during cocktail hour.
- Sky lanterns that guests can write well wishes on before setting them off.
- Casino tables.
- Bacon-wrapped hot dog carts as late-night snacks.
- GIF booths, where guests can create animated GIFs and share them on social media or send them to their phones.
- Disposable cameras as wedding favours.
- Polaroid camera station, where guests can hang their photos on a display board or take them home.
- Live event painter.
However, if you have your heart set on a photo booth but want to save money, you can always opt for a DIY photo booth. Here are some ideas and instructions for creating your own:
- Set up an iPad with a photo booth app such as Simple Booth HALO®, which allows guests to create GIFs, photo strips, and more. You can also use other apps like Pocket Booth Party Pro and Fun2Booth.
- Mount the iPad at eye level with a tripod and an 18-inch ring light about 8 feet back from the photo backdrop. You can also use a light stand or a basic tripod.
- Add a professional touch with a Canon Selphy printer so guests can print their photos instantly.
- Create a visually appealing backdrop with a flower wall, string lights, or draped linens.
- Personalize your photo booth with a custom neon sign, such as your names or a symbolic song lyric.
- Disco balls are a fun addition, especially for '70s-inspired celebrations.
- Use an old van as a unique and retro photo booth structure.
- Wooden doors with the couple's names carved into them, adorned with greenery and flowers, create a quaint backdrop.
Tips for a Successful DIY Photo Booth
- Ensure your backdrop is well-lit and decorative, coinciding with your wedding aesthetic.
- Provide props for your guests to use, such as quirky signs, hats, or other fun items.
- Consider supplying disposable cameras, Polaroid cameras, or a professional photographer to document the mini shoots.
- Encourage guests to use their phone cameras to capture the moment and share their photos via a designated hashtag.
- Set up an account on a photo-sharing app and share it with your guests so they can upload and share their photos.
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Lawn games
There are plenty of lawn games to choose from, and many can be personalised to fit the theme of your wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Giant versions of classic games
- Giant Jenga: This supersized version of the classic game is easy to set up and everyone knows how to play. You can even personalise the tower by adding questions about the couple onto the pieces.
- Giant Connect Four: A giant version of this strategy game will be a hit with both kids and adults.
- Giant Chess: Set up a life-size chessboard and let your guests' strategic sides shine.
Sports and active games
- Sack races: This budget-friendly option is a fun throwback to school sports days. All you need is an old bag to jump in and something to mark the finish line, like a ribbon or a pair of flags.
- Totem tennis: This simple game will get guests of all ages moving. It involves two players using tennis rackets to hit a ball attached to a pole by a string.
- Croquet: Each player uses a wooden mallet to hit wooden or plastic balls through a series of pegs stuck into the ground in a specific order.
- Badminton: This game can be a bit tricky if it's windy, but it's still a fun option for guests who want to get active.
- Limbo: Get the party started with this flexible and fun game. You can even bring it to the dance floor later in the evening.
Traditional and strategic games
- Horseshoes: Horseshoes are a symbol of good luck, so including this game is a great way to bring tradition into your wedding. Players toss horseshoes and see who can throw them the furthest.
- Cornhole: This popular game involves players tossing bean bags into a hole in a slanted board. You can even customise the boards with wedding colours or designs that are meaningful to the couple.
- Kubb, or Viking Chess: In this Swedish lawn game, players throw wooden batons at a series of wooden blocks, trying to knock them down.
- Mini golf: Set up a mini golf course and let your guests loose! It's a fun activity that guests of all ages can enjoy.
When planning your lawn games, consider the weather and the space you have available. You also want to ensure that the games are accessible and enjoyable for all your guests, so think about including a variety of options that cater to different interests and abilities.
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Board games
If you're looking for an alternative to a photo booth at your wedding, why not consider setting up a board game station? Board games can be a great way to keep your guests entertained and help them interact with each other, especially during downtime or while waiting for the wedding party to take pictures. Here are some ideas and suggestions to incorporate board games into your wedding:
Choosing the Right Games
Select games that are easy to learn and teach, with simple rules and quick gameplay. This ensures that guests can join and drop out easily, and it accommodates those who may not be familiar with board games. Games like Connect Four, Codenames, Spyfall, and Blokus are great options that fit this criterion. You can also include classic, well-known games to encourage guests to play and eliminate barriers to entry. Consider games that are light and fun, rather than highly competitive or complex. Party games are excellent choices, such as Snorta, a fun memory and reflex game with silly animal sounds, or Cash and Guns, which has trivial rules and few pieces.
Game Setup and Timing
Incorporating Your Theme
You can incorporate your wedding theme or personal touches into the board game setup. For example, choose games with bright and colourful pieces or themes that match your wedding colours. You can also create themed picture coasters as wedding favours, featuring images of the happy couple or other personalised touches. If you're crafty, consider building your own flower wall or adorning the game area with string lights to create a whimsical backdrop for your board game station.
Encouraging Interaction
In conclusion, board games can be a unique and engaging addition to your wedding, offering an alternative form of entertainment to the traditional photo booth. With careful selection and setup, you can create a fun and interactive experience that your guests will surely enjoy.
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Event painter
Photo booths have been a popular feature at weddings in recent years. They are fun and interactive, and they give guests a personalised memento of the day. However, they can be expensive, and some couples may be looking for something a little different.
One unique idea is to hire an event painter. A live event painter will create a one-of-a-kind painting of your wedding, capturing the essence and atmosphere of the day in a way that photos cannot. It is a memorable and luxurious addition to your wedding and will provide you with a forever piece of fine art to display in your home.
When booking an event painter, you can discuss your vision for the painting, including the canvas size, the number of people included, and the elements of your wedding you want to be featured. You can also choose whether the artist works from a corner of the room, or in a separate space, allowing guests to pop in and watch the painting come to life throughout the day.
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GIF booth
If you're looking for alternatives to a traditional photo booth, there are plenty of options to choose from that will keep your guests entertained and create lasting memories. One option that is growing in popularity is a GIF booth.
A GIF booth is similar to a photo booth, but instead of taking still photos, guests can create animated GIFs. These can be shared on social media or sent directly to guests' phones. This adds an element of interactivity and fun to your wedding reception, encouraging guests to engage with one another and providing a break from the dance floor.
There are various GIF booth options available on the market, such as the Mobibooth Aura iPad photo booth, which offers the ability to capture still photos, short videos, posed GIFs, and boomerangs. This flexibility will keep your guests entertained and create memorable keepsakes from your wedding.
If you're looking for a more cost-effective option, you can create your own GIF booth by setting up a tablet or iPad with a fun backdrop and props. Guests can then use their own devices to capture GIFs and share them on social media or via a designated hashtag.
A GIF booth is a unique and modern twist on the traditional photo booth that will surely be a hit with your guests and leave them with fun and animated memories of your special day.
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