Photo Booth Essentials For Your Wedding

Photo booths got really big at weddings a few years ago.

All of a sudden it wasn't a wedding unless all your guests were huddling into a box with moustaches and wigs on.

And we couldn't be happier that this trend has stuck!

Photo W Scott Chester Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

Photo booths are good, wholesome fun, and create the kind of photos a photographer just couldn't catch at a party. From the kids to the grandparents, the shyest people come out of their shells, and somehow photo booths manage to snap the behind the scenes action, from random hook-ups to funny mishaps.

Whether your photographer offers a photo booth service, you hire a dedicated photo booth company, or if you make your own make shift tripod set up, these are the essentials every booth needs…

1. Chalk Boards & Speech Bubbles

Photo by NavyBlur

Chalkboards and speech bubbles great for bringing an added element of fun to the booth, whether your guests send their good wishes, random musings or not-so-sober sketches!

2. Silly Hats & Wigs

Photo by Evelyn Eslava via The Wedding Chicks

Photo via Bloom Weddings

An integral part of photo booth attire, hats and wigs make people look and feel silly, getting them into the spirit of things – cowboys, sailors and police or pink, punk and afro wigs all come recommended!

3. Specs, Lips & Moustaches

Photo by Izzy Hudgins via Ruffled

Photo by NavyBlur

Another staple of the photo booth, your photographer might supply some of these essential props, or you can buy some great sets online, or maybe even make your own ahead of the wedding.

4. Masks

Photo by The Photobooth Guys

Figures from history, pop stars, or farm yard animals? Have fun in the weeks after your wedding trying to work out who's who.

5. Awesome Lighting

Photo by Christina McNeill via Ruffled

Photo by NavyBlur

Photo by The Photobooth Guys

The reason so many people find their camera confidence in the photo booth is because the lighting is so damn good. Unlike the dewy, dreamy lighting you look for in wedding pictures, photo booth snaps tend to look quite bleached out, making them super-flattering and adding to the animated feel.

When you're looking for a photo booth photographer, look out for an offering with bright lights that will let your guests glow.

6. A Cool Backdrop

Photo by Evelyn Eslava via The Wedding Chicks

Photo by Jake + Necia Photography via Style Me Pretty

Your photo booth company might bring along their own booth (some offer unique, and even personalised versions!) but if you're simply working with your photographer, or making your own, a fun backdrop is a must.

Think tassel bunting, glitter backdrops, balloon walls and novelty wall paper!

7. Frames

Photo by Jovial Photography via KC You There

Photo by Simply Rosie Photography via Style Me Pretty

We just love photo booth frames, repaint some vintage picture frames or make your own giant Polaroids for fun, ready-made framed snaps.

8. A Guestbook

Photo by Funky Photographers via Bridal Musings

If you've got classic photo booth snaps or instant Polaroid print outs, why not make the most of them straight away, and add them to your guest book? It's often tough to get guests to sign the book, so this is a handy way of grabbing them before they head back to the dancefloor.

Some companies will even print doubles, so you get all the pictures, but your guests get a copy to take home too. Nifty!

9. Directions

Photo by Mike Arick Photography via The Wedding Chicks

Photo by Rima Brindamour

Not all your guests will be up to speed with the photo booth concept, so to avoid confusion, and make sure everyone gets in on the action, leave a sign near your photo booth to let your guests know what they need to do.

Likewise, if your booth is away from the main party area, have an arrow sign somewhere visible so everyone knows where it is.

10. A Camera

Photo by Adonye Jaja via Style Me Pretty

Photo by Jen Lynne Photography via Style Me Pretty

So this one seems like a no brainer, but if you're creating a DIY booth, there are some things to consider. You could simply get a wedding app or have a wedding hashtag, give your guests the props and let them take their own snaps and upload them later. (Tell your guests about the CamMe app, for perfect photo booth selfies!)

Alternatively, you could have a hardy camera (like the *almost* drop-proof Fujifilm Mini 8, above) for your guests to take pictures and add them to your guest book. Be sure to include lots of extra film, as these guys run out fast.