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It’s been debated on the boards if having disposable table cameras is worth it anymore, especially since so many guests have digital cameras these days. I even wondered if this was a dated trend when I first considered including them.
(Photo by Bridesmaid H)
Well, I can’t answer if it will be worth it for everyone to do them, but I can say that for us it was! We spent about $40 on the cameras themselves, I made a template and covered them in leftover invitations paper, and we spent about $56 developing them on CDs. But the fact that we got to see these pictures much sooner than our pro pics (and some details that the pros didn’t catch) made the cost totally worth it.
Yes, some, even most of the photos weren’t great quality. But seeing our wedding through our guests’ eyes, the entertainment value for guests, and the funny photos we got back made them so much fun, and I’m really glad we included them!
We got some great photos taken at the reception tables:
Our first dance and the venue at sundown were captured:
We got to see guests enjoying their LED luminary escort cards:
And even better, we got to see Mr. Cola’s co-workers figuring out how to hack the circuit boards in the escort cards, to change the LED colors:
We got to see our cupcake tower and other details as our guests did:
And we definitely got some great candids:
Of course, we did get our share of some pretty bad photos, with peoples’ heads cut off, and also some really random ones:
But all in all, I’m really glad we invested in the disposable table cameras. Only about 10% of our guests actually uploaded photos to our sharing site (even though we put little business cards in our thank you notes, reminding people to please share their photos), so this gave us a whole lot of extra pictures for very little effort.
Now it’s time for you to weigh in! Will you be having disposable cameras on your reception tables, or do you think they’re not worth it these days? Newlyweds, if you did have disposable cameras, was it worth the expense for the photos you got back?
Miss any wedding week details? Catch up here:
(Unless otherwise noted, all photos in this post were taken by the very talented photographers of Shoot Me Now Photography)
I love the pictures you got back from them! It SO makes me wish I did something like that…I especially love how you did them, by remaking the camera covers. I think there is something nostalgic about them, and they are pictures that your photogs would have never been able to really capture.
Excellent idea and follow through, Cola!
Aww I love that you used disposables…something about them remind me of HS dances and taking tons of pictures.
I love the idea of disposables. Like you said, getting them back sooner than pro pics give you something to look at! You got some great shots!
There’s something really nostalgic about disposables, and I liked what you did to make them look less tacky! Interesting that so few guests uploaded to your sharing site. We might need to reconsider doing disposables too! Love the fun elements of candid shots!
I am so glad you did this post. I really want to do this, but several people keep telling me not to worry about it or spend the money. After seeing your pictures, I am totally sold on the idea! Thank you!!
I guess it really depends on your guests. We’re fortunate that all, seriously, ALL, of our friends in our small wedding uploaded pictures within a few days, if not within the night. They’re pretty crazy to have uploaded them after our afterparty ended at 3am!
It’s great to here from someone that the disposable cameras actually work. My other half really wants them, but I was on the side of “everyone has digital cameras”. Now I think it might be great to have disposable cameras too.
I was thinking about this,, but I was worried that we would just get those random nothing photos. It looks like you got some seriously good ones, though!
I’m dying to see pics of your photobooth!!! You inspired me so I ordered 3 garment racks and snagged my MOH’s photo printer.
They actually turned out better than I would’ve thought they would. 
In terms of quality and lighting! An additional source of photos is always great! And sometimes those random ones are the funniest. It’s hilarious they hacked the boxes to change the LED colors. What NERDS. Those boxes were way cool though!!
I’ve been debating doing this but I’m sold! Cute pictures!
We did it and, even though I haven’t seen all the photos yet (our pro shots were back as soon as we returned from the honeymoon!) There are some good ones.
I was going to do disposables but to save money on my I Spy game addition I’m just going to set up a sight for people to upload their photos. The majority of the guests are used to sharing pics online so I’m hoping it will work. But now I’m thinking I may have a few disposables just for the ones who don’t have digital cameras but want to participate in taking photos.
I love your idea of putting the business cards in the Thank You notes as well! Good idea!
We didn’t have disposable cameras on the tables for our wedding, but gosh it looks like your guests really did have fun with them! I love how Mr. Cola’s coworkers hacked the LED displays and changed the colors!!!! How cool.
How fun is that? You had so many majorly cool elements in your wedding, I’m so happy you’ve got all the candids of guests properly appreciating them 
[...] showed you some disposable camera pictures, which were totally worth it to include on our [...]
[...] showed you some disposable camera pictures, which were totally worth it to include on our [...]
[...] showed you some disposable camera pictures, which were totally worth it to include on our [...]
[...] it’s easy to share them with all of your guests online. I’ve seen some of the best photos of a bride and groom that were captured by a disposable camera. If you’re trying to have a Green wedding, [...]
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Mrs. Cola, Mountain View, CA Age and Occupation: 27, Product Communications and Promotions Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Managing Partner and Senior Designer Engagement Date: March 5, 2009 Wedding Date: June 2010 Venue: The Mountain Terrace, Woodside, CA About Me: I’m a Washington State native, enjoying life in Silicon Valley California with my fiancé, our three kitties and one leopard gecko. I like reading wedding blogs, Photoshopping wedding design mock ups, making lists, and planning, planning, planning! I’m a bit of an anomaly, on one side I’m a very girlie girl, I collect shoes, I lay out my outfits 4-6 weeks in advance, and I’d never leave the house without my hair curled and makeup on. But on the other side, I’m a total tomboy, I love to go camping and hiking, play drinking games (hey, I’m Irish!) and most of my closest friends are guys. My fiancé and I are planning a DIY-focused wedding with a balance between easygoing (what he wants) and chic and stylish (what I want), and are tying it all together with elements in lavender, sage, butter cream and chocolate.
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