Weddingbee Blog

(a couple of our favorite old strips)

Way back when we first started wedding planning, I knew we needed a photobooth at our reception. Hours of entertainment and souvenir strips? Yes, please. Also, Mr. Sprinkle and I love photobooths! We have a collection of at least 50 strips, and we prefer the old fashioned black-and-white ones. And if that wasn’t enough photobooth love, the person that introduced us to each other happens to be a photo booth artist. So naturally, we really wanted a photobooth.

And then I saw the price.

Here in L.A., the old fashioned booths are super, super expensive. Like $2k+ expensive. The newer electronic booths were a lot cheaper ($1200-ish), but I just couldn’t justify spending that much on something I didn’t love.

Looking back now, I think that, yes, we could have afforded the B&W booth if we spent less on some other things. I was really, reallly, reallllly inexperienced with party planning and budgeting in the beginning of our journey, and we wasted a lot of cash on things we didn’t need or even end up using. So spend wisely, fledgling planners!

Anyway, we contacted our amazing photographer and asked if she could do the whole faux-photobooth deal, and yes, she could. And cheaply, too! We were told to get a backdrop of at least 6’ x 8’ feet, and they would take care of the rest!

Here’s the thing: our venue doesn’t allow you to hang anything. So I couldn’t hang a really sweet sheet from the ceiling. Bummer.

Instead, I created my own freestanding photobooth background, making it as “old fashioned” as I could manage. I wanted basic-colored fabric curtains, and I really wanted guests to be able to change the background, like you can with a real photobooth.

That is a whole lot of PVC pipe, IKEA fabric and shower curtain rings hanging out in my backyard. The whole thing cost less than $50 to make and I got some good use out of my drill, which is always fun.

This is my pathetic attempt at testing it out:

(Also, I would consider doing a tutorial on building this if anyone is interested! Just let me know. It’s nice because you can use it for other parties too, even change up the fabrics for a totally different feel.)

All photos from this point on by Hazelnut Photography.

On to the photobooth in action…

I made this sign with some leftover fabric and cardstock. You might notice it reads “Grab A Prop, If You Wish.” You may also notice in the photos below that not one single person is holding a prop. That would be my fault. I forgot to put the box of props with the other boxes of stuff to be delivered to the venue. Oh well. It happens.

The photobooth officially opened up during the cocktail hour, and it was well used!

Our photographers put together a slideshow of all of the photobooth pictures, which you can view here. It runs just about three minutes long. Or you can just check out my favorites below…

Are you having a fake photobooth at your reception? What are you using for a background? Any creative ideas on what else I can use this background for?!

We’re going back… (to the future!?):

*Our Rehearsal Dinner
*Pretty Lady Time
*Manly Morning Time
*First Look
*Sprinkle Outfit Details
*Sprinkle Posed Portraits
*Party Portraits
*Beer Time
*Guest Action
*White Knots
*Getting Situated
*Ceremony: Blessing, Reading, Secret
*Ceremony: Helicopters and Vows
*Ceremony: Kids and Kisses
*Drinking Hour