Showing up everywhere from glitzy awards shows like the annual Vanity Fair Oscars party to Kimye’s star-studded nuptials, photo booths are big news. And, increasingly, brides are booking them for their big days, too. Why? Well, for one, they’re a whole lot of fun. Plus, they capture your guests in a totally unique way. So should you consider having one at your wedding reception? And if so, what do you need to know before you book a booth? I quizzed Gino Martini, owner of Cape Town-based Pose4Print(and GLAMOUR’s very talented senior designer) to get the lowdown.
First up: what does a photo booth capture that a normal wedding photographer won’t?
“A photo booth captures guests much more informally than a wedding photographer typically does,” explains Gino. “It shouldn’t replace your photographer – you’ll need her for key shots like cutting your cake and posing with your family – but a photo booth gives your guests the freedom to let their hair down and get creative, which provides incredibly unique memories of your big day. Plus, a photo booth generates real buzz at a wedding and helps to break the ice between guests. It’s also a great time-filler for guests if they’re hanging around, waiting for the bride and groom to arrive. Most good photo booth companies also offer great extras: props to pose with in the booth, and a guestbook, where the company place a second copy of all prints in the book and encourage guests to write a personal note to the bride and groom after they’ve had their picture taken. It all adds up to fantastic memories and plenty of fun for you and your guests.”
5 Questions you should ask before you book
1 “Can I see a photo of your booth, preferably set up at a wedding?”
“Photo booth companies differ vastly in the kind of equipment they use – some companies simply set up a tripod with a backdrop, which doesn’t give privacy to guests having pictures taken, and doesn’t have that retro ‘photo booth’ feel,” explains Gino. “Others may not offer instant prints (often one of the things guests most enjoy about a photo booth), and some companies’ photo booths are just plain ugly – not ideal when you’ve spent a fortune decorating your venue, only to have a clumsy, big booth ruin the overall look.”
2 “How much space do you need to set up the booth?”
“Some venues may simply not have enough space to accommodate a booth – a vital deciding factor when it comes to booking one,” says Gino. “And don’t just get the dimensions of the booth itself; ask how much space the supplier will need for queuing guests. The last thing you want is guests cramped up against a wall while they wait to use the booth, or standing in the same space your waiters are using to move between tables and the bar.”
3 “Does the package include instant, unlimited prints?”
“Some brides are less fazed about this option, but in my opinion it’s the instant, photo strip-like prints from the booth that guests so enjoy – and not all photo booth companies offer this,” advises Gino. “You also ideally want an unlimited print option, so that you don’t have any disappointed guests, and you should check if the company can personalise the photo strip for you. Pose4Print, for example, includes a personalised photo strip design in all our packages – you add things like your wedding date, the bride and groom’s names, and can use your wedding colours on the design. These personal touches make all the difference.”
4 “Is the set-up time included in the number of hours I book you for?”
“You don’t want to pay for, say, four hours, and then find that the first hour is wasted on your guests because the company is busy setting up the booth. Request that the company arrive with plenty of time to set up before the hours you’ve booked for the booth to be open to guests,” suggests Gino. “You also don’t want guests watching while a company sets up the booth – it’s unprofessional and untidy.”
5 “Are props included?”
“Any good photo booth company will include props at no extra charge. And they’re so worth having – guests love them!”
And finally: tell us your tips for looking great in a photo booth pic!
“Experiment with props and poses for each shot – Pose4Print photo strips feature three images from your session in the booth, so luckily you’ve got a good chance at looking great in at least one of them! And it’s always helpful to have practised in the mirror beforehand to find your most flattering angle,” says Gino. “But at the end of the day, it’s typically the most spontaneous poses – while you’re laughing with friends, for example – that give the best pictures.”
Would you spend the extra money on a photo booth? Tweet us at @GLAMOUR_sa with #GLAMWedding to share!
Sarah Browning, 24, is the managing editor of GLAMOUR. She moved to SA from London three years ago and lives in Cape Town. In this #GLAMWedding Wedding Blog, Sarah’s sharing her wedding-planning journey with you. Join the conversation! Tweet your thoughts to Sarah via @GLAMOUR_sa using #GLAMWedding. For more information on Gino Martini’s photo booth company, Pose4Print, visit pose4print.co.za.
Follow Sarah on Twitter: @sarahmbrowning
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