When to start planning for your wedding photo booth rental?

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Deciding to have a photo booth at your wedding is one of the best ways to capture candid, fun memories from your special day. Your guests will love getting silly with props and backdrops while posing for photos to take home as mementos. Planning the photo booth rental early is key to making sure you get the ideal setup and features within your budget. 

12+ months before your wedding

The best photo booths book up quickly, especially during peak wedding season in the spring and summer months. If having a photo booth is high on your priority list, start researching options at least a year in advance. Compile a list of reputable rental companies in your area and browse their website galleries and packages. Make sure you understand what is included – unlimited photo strips, a photo album of all the session images, open-air or enclosed setups, etc. 

Many vendors require you to pay a deposit or even the full rental amount upfront to reserve your date. The most coveted companies have waitlists, so locking one in early maximizes your chances of getting your top choice. At this stage, you’ll also want to decide if you want a basic photo booth or upgraded packages with green screen backgrounds, GIF capability, video guestbook options, and more. Having an overall vision and budget will help you choose the best rental company and photo booth package for your needs.

6-9 months before your wedding  

After researching vendors and putting down a deposit on your dream photo booth, the next step is to coordinate timing. Most companies allow 2-4 rental hours, which you’ll want to schedule during the liveliest part of the reception when the dance floor is packed. Make sure to consider any time gaps between the conclusion of your ceremony and the commencement of the cocktail hour. You want your photo booth up and running when guests start to congregate and mingle. 

Many rental packages allow you to customize backdrops, create photo templates that match your wedding colors, and add fun props. Start gathering inspiration from Pinterest or asking friends for their past wedding photo booth photos so you decide on your backdrop aesthetic and must-have props. Simple classics like silly glasses and hats get everyone laughing. The vendor will guide you to ensure you end up with awesome photos worth preserving in your guest photo album.  

2-3 months before your wedding

With only a few months to go, it’s time to finalize all the small but meaningful photo booth details. You’ll want to relay the final guest count to your vendor, as most price packages by number of guests. Additional hours also be added at this point if needed.  

Now is also the ideal window to finalize your photo booth props, create customized templates, and request a layout for the photo booth at your venue. Make a timeline for when you need to provide the vendor with the requested information, such as a final guest count and template designs. Some even let you come pick up props, backdrops, and accessories ahead of time so you set up the booth yourself at your venue. Offering to lend a hand with any setup at the venue helps strengthen rapport with your vendor. If you need more details, click snap-booth.com.

1 Month before your wedding

You are in the final stretch! Visit your wedding venue with your photo booth vendor to oversee setup and designated placement. Many couples opt to have the photo booth area set up near the bar, exit, or lounge spaces where guests tend to gather. If possible, provide a small table for any photo booth props and accessories so they don’t get misplaced throughout the party. This is also the optimal time for you and your fiancé to test out the photo booth. Pose in your wedding best and snap some shots together to kick off the memory-making!

If having an attendant to assist guests is included with your package, you also get to meet them during the final walkthroughs. Feel free to provide suggestions on fun ideas to encourage guests to visit the photo booth, like handing out props during dancing or making announcements about photo booth times. Share any relevant information to help the attendant make the experience special for you and your guests!  

Final countdown

On the big day, you now relax knowing your photo booth rental is ready to capture joy-filled memories with no work required on your part! One last thing – be sure to grab some fun prop accessories like oversized glasses or funky hats to wear when you and your new spouse make your guest appearance. After mingling and dancing with all your loved ones, it will be a blast to let loose in the photo booth together. Then you add the strip commemorating your first moments as newlyweds to your wedding album or frame it on the wall at home to cherish.