How to choose a wedding photo booth in 2026
The photo booth has become the number one wedding entertainment. According to wedding planners, 92% of guests use the photo booth when one is available, and an average of 400 photos are taken per event. It’s that simple: no other form of entertainment creates as many memories in a single evening.
But with so many options out there (hire with an attendant, selfie booth, self-service photo booth, magic mirror…), how do you find your way? This complete guide walks you step by step through choosing the perfect photo booth for your wedding.
Contents
- Why have a photo booth at your wedding?
- The essential criteria for choosing well
- How many photos should you plan per guest?
- Budget comparison: the options on the market
- The ideal timeline: when to book and how to get organised
- Where to place the photo booth depending on your venue
- Photo booth and photographer: the perfect pair
- Practical tips for a successful photo booth
- FAQ
Why have a photo booth at your wedding?
A photo booth brings a playful, spontaneous touch that nothing else can replace. During the drinks reception, between courses or on the dance floor, your guests crowd in front of the lens for photos alone, as couples, in groups, dressed up or natural. The result? Dozens of spontaneous, funny shots that capture the real atmosphere of your day.
Unlike a professional photographer who aims for perfection, the photo booth captures authenticity. Uncle Gerard pulling faces, the group of friends posing like stars, the little cousin getting up to mischief with the props… These are the moments you will look back on with emotion in 10 years’ time.
The printed photos also become genuine keepsake gifts that your guests take home. It’s far more original than sugared almonds, and your loved ones will keep a tangible memory of your wedding on their fridge or desk for months.
“We weren’t sure about getting a photo booth on top of the photographer. In the end, the photo booth was the biggest hit of the evening! Our guests are still talking about it 6 months later.” Camille & Thomas, married in June 2025
Finally, the photo booth is a brilliant icebreaker. It lets guests who don’t know each other end up side by side in front of the lens, a silly hat on their head, and walk away laughing. It’s the best way to bring families and groups of friends together.
The essential criteria for choosing well
1. Ease of setup
On your wedding day, you’ll have a thousand things to deal with. The last thing you need is to spend 45 minutes configuring a complicated photo booth or waiting for a technician to come and set it up.
Go for a solution that sets up in a few minutes, with no technical help and no WiFi. The Badabooth, for example, is ready in under 5 minutes: screw in the legs, attach them to the booth, place the light-up sign, plug in, and you’re done. No attendant needed, no internet connection needed.
2. Photo quality
Print quality is essential if your guests are to love their photos. Check these points:
- Resolution: photos should be sharp, even for groups
- Exposure: the built-in flash should compensate for low light (dark reception rooms, outdoors in the evening)
- Colours: tones should be true to life, not too yellow or too cold
- Printing: the quality of the photo paper matters as much as the shot itself
Professional photo booths like the Badabooth use a quality camera and a thermal printer that produces durable prints, smudge-free and instantly dry.
3. The number of photos included
This is one of the most important criteria, and often the one couples misjudge the most. Too few photos and the photo booth stops in the middle of the evening. Too many and you pay for nothing.
The rule is simple: allow 1.5 to 2 prints per guest. For a wedding of 80 people, plan for 120 to 160 prints. For 150 guests, you’ll need 225 to 300.
At Badabooth, here are the packages suited to weddings:
| Package | Price | Prints | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart | €144 | 50 photos | Intimate wedding (≤30 people) |
| Happy | €275 | 150 photos | Classic wedding (≤100 people) |
| Smile | €399 | 400 photos | Large wedding (≤200 people) |
Good to know: digital photos are unlimited with every package. Only paper prints are limited. So your guests can keep taking photos even once the print quota is reached, and get them via AirDrop or a digital link.
4. Frame customisation
The best photo booths offer customisable frames. You can include your first names, the wedding date, a message, a floral pattern, or a design that matches your decor theme (rustic, boho, vintage, industrial…).
At Badabooth, frame customisation is free and included in every package. You create your frame online using the editor, and it is applied automatically to every photo.
5. Print formats
Not all photo booths offer the same formats. For a wedding, having a choice is a real plus:
- 10x15 cm: the classic format, ideal for framing or sticking in a guest book
- 10x10 cm: the square format, trendy and perfect for a photo wall
- 10x5 cm: the strip format, fun for group photos in a strip
At Badabooth, the Smart package prints in classic 10x15, the Happy package offers the classic print, the polaroid and the 2-photo strip, and the Smile package the classic print and the 3-photo strip.
6. Delivery and logistics
Check the delivery terms carefully before booking. Some providers charge high travel fees, especially in rural areas (which is often where the most beautiful wedding venues are!).
At Badabooth, delivery is made anywhere in Belgium 1 to 2 days before the event, with a prepaid return included. No surprises and no hidden fees.
| Package | Price delivered in Belgium (delivery and return included) |
|---|---|
| Smart (50 photos) | €144 |
| Happy (150 photos) | €275 |
| Smile (400 photos) | €399 |
How many photos should you plan per guest?
This is the question every couple asks. Here is a reference table based on the experience of hundreds of weddings:
| Number of guests | Recommended prints | Recommended Badabooth package |
|---|---|---|
| 20-30 | 40-60 | Smart (50 photos) |
| 40-60 | 60-120 | Happy (150 photos) |
| 60-100 | 120-200 | Happy (150 photos) |
| 100-150 | 200-300 | Smile (400 photos) |
| 150-200 | 300-400 | Smile (400 photos) |
Why this range? Because 92% of guests use the photo booth at least once, and many come back 2 or 3 times during the evening (early on in well-behaved mode, then after the dance floor in wild mode).
If you’re torn between two packages, always go for the one above. There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing the photo booth run out of prints at 11pm while the party is in full swing.
Budget comparison: the options on the market
Budget is obviously an important factor. Here is an honest comparison of the different options for a wedding of 100 guests in 2026:
| Solution | Average price | Attendant | Setup | Photos included | Customisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photographer + prints | €1,500-3,000 | No | - | Unlimited (digital) | No |
| Photo booth with attendant | €600-1,200 | Yes | By the provider | 200-400 | Often paid |
| Selfie booth hire | €400-800 | No | By the provider | Variable | Variable |
| Magic mirror | €800-1,500 | Often | By the provider | Variable | Yes |
| Badabooth Happy | €275 delivered | No | 5 min, by you | 150 | Free |
| Badabooth Smile | €399 delivered | No | 5 min, by you | 400 | Free |
The Badabooth stands out for unbeatable value for money. The secret? A model with no attendant and no technician travel, which drastically cuts costs without sacrificing quality.
“We had a tight wedding budget and were thinking of cutting the photo booth. At €275 delivered, the Badabooth let us keep it without blowing our budget. And honestly, the photo quality is great!” Marine & Julien, married in September 2025
To find out more about our packages: Discover our packages.
The ideal timeline: when to book and how to get organised
Here is the complete countdown for adding a photo booth to your wedding stress-free:
6 months before: book your photo booth
Good providers get snapped up for wedding season (May to September). Don’t wait to book, especially for summer Saturdays. At Badabooth, you can book online in a few clicks on our online configurator.
2 months before: create your custom frame
This is the time to design the photo frame that will accompany every print. Take your time choosing the colours, typography and message. Take inspiration from your invitations or your decor theme. The Badabooth online editor is intuitive and lets you preview the result in real time.
1 month before: prepare the props
Put together your props box: hats, oversized glasses, moustaches on sticks, crowns, feather boas, signs with funny messages (“Team Groom”, “Team Bride”, “Long live the newlyweds!”, “I’m just here for the bar”)…
You can also create custom props: signs with the couple’s names, the wedding hashtag, or references to your love story.
7 days before: confirm the location
Do a site visit at the venue. Identify the exact spot for the photo booth, check there’s a power socket, and allow a space of at least 2 m x 2 m. Let your coordinator or the venue manager know.
2 days / 1 day before: receiving the photo booth
The Badabooth is delivered 1 to 2 days before your event. Open the box, check everything is there, and do a quick test to get familiar with how it works. It takes 5 minutes and will save you any stress on the big day.
The big day: setup
Arrive 30 minutes before the guests to set up the photo booth. 5 minutes is enough: legs, booth, sign, plug in. Lay out the props on a small table next to it, put up an explanatory sign, and off you go!
2 days after: return
The day after the wedding or the day after that, pack the photo booth back into its original box and stick on the prepaid return label. Drop the parcel off at a UPS access point. Done!
Where to place the photo booth depending on your venue
The location of the photo booth is crucial to its success. Badly placed, it can go unnoticed. Well placed, it becomes the heart of the party.
In a château or estate
Châteaux often offer beautiful spaces with stone walls, wood panelling or tapestries that make a naturally elegant photo backdrop. Set up the photo booth in a wide corridor, an antechamber or a lounge next to the reception room. The soft lighting of these venues is compensated for by the photo booth’s flash.
In a function hall or reception room
Place the photo booth near the dance floor or the bar, where the atmosphere is liveliest. Avoid putting it too close to the speakers (the noise gets in the way of conversation around the photo booth), but keep it visible from the main room.
Outdoors (garden, estate, beach)
If your wedding is in the open air, you absolutely must plan a sheltered space: under a tent, a pergola, a marquee or an awning. The photo booth must be protected from the weather and from direct sunlight (which creates harsh shadows in photos).
Tip: outdoors, a neutral backdrop (white sheet, tulle curtain, green wall) greatly improves how the photos turn out.
In a barn or unusual venue
Renovated barns and unusual venues are very popular for weddings. Make the most of raw textures (wood, metal, brick) as an authentic photo backdrop. Be careful with the electricity, though: check that the available power is sufficient and that the socket is accessible.
Universal placement rules
Whatever the venue, follow these principles:
- Visibility: the photo booth should be visible without having to look for it
- Accessibility: no stairs, no narrow passage to reach it
- Space: at least 2 m x 2 m in front of the photo booth for groups
- Power socket: within 3 metres (or bring an extension lead)
- Backdrop: a plain wall or a simple curtain shows off your guests
Photo booth and photographer: the perfect pair
Many couples hesitate between a photographer and a photo booth, or wonder whether having both would be redundant. The answer is clear: they complement each other perfectly.
What the photographer does
A professional photographer captures the key moments with an artistic eye: the ceremony, the preparations, the first look, the first dance, the bouquet toss. Their photos are crafted and retouched, and tell the story of your day in a cinematic way.
What the photo booth does
The photo booth captures what happens on the side: the spontaneous moments, the fun photos the photographer can’t take because they’re busy elsewhere. It’s your guests’ view of your wedding, not a professional’s. And it’s precisely this spontaneity that gives it all its charm.
How to combine them smartly
- During the ceremony and couple photos: the photographer is at work, the photo booth isn’t set up yet
- During the drinks reception: the photo booth takes over while the photographer does the official group photos
- During dinner: a break for both
- During the dancing: the photo booth runs at full speed, the photographer captures the overall atmosphere
“Our photographer told us the photo booth had helped: guests were already ‘loosened up’ by the fun photos, so they posed much more naturally for the group photos.” Sophie & Alexandre, married in July 2025
To go further, read our full article: Photo booth vs photographer: which should you choose?.
Practical tips for a successful photo booth
1. Plan some props
Hats, oversized glasses, moustaches, feather boas, crowns, signs… Fun props are the secret to memorable photos. Allow €15 to €30 for a complete props kit on Amazon or in party shops.
2. Let your guests know
Slip a little note onto your menus, add a mention on your wedding website, or make an announcement on the microphone to let people know about the photo booth. Some couples add a “Photo booth” card to the evening programme.
3. Choose a good backdrop
A light-coloured wall, a velvet curtain, a green wall or even a simple stretched white sheet all make an excellent backdrop. Avoid busy backgrounds that distract from your guests.
4. Create a “photo booth corner”
Set up a real dedicated space with the photo booth, a props table, a mirror to get ready, and the photo guest book next to it. A dedicated corner naturally invites guests to gather there.
5. Think about a photo guest book
Combining a photo booth and a guest book is the best way to keep a tangible, moving memory of your wedding. Find out how in our complete guide: Photo booth and guest book: the perfect combo.
6. Get all the digital photos
After the event, you receive a link with all the photos and GIFs in digital form. Share it with your guests via a WhatsApp group or a shared album. It’s a great way to keep the memories alive after the wedding.
7. Share a hashtag
Create a unique hashtag for your wedding (#MariageCamilleEtThomas) and display it near the photo booth. Your guests can share their photos on Instagram and you’ll easily find all the posts.
In summary
The ideal wedding photo booth is one that combines easy setup, photo quality, customisation and a controlled budget. With Badabooth, you tick all these boxes: packages from €144 delivered in Belgium, 5-minute setup, free custom frames, and a rating of 4.7/5 on Google and 5/5 on Trustpilot.
To go further in planning your wedding entertainment, also discover our 10 photo booth ideas for a successful wedding.
Ready to book your photo booth for the most beautiful day of your life? Book your Badabooth.
FAQ
Do you need an attendant for a wedding photo booth?
No, and that’s actually one of the big advantages of the Badabooth. The booth is fully self-service: your guests press a button, the photo is taken, and the print comes out automatically. No WiFi needed either. Having no attendant saves you €300 to €500 compared with a traditional hire.
How far in advance should you book?
We recommend booking 4 to 6 months in advance for weddings in high season (May to September). For off-season weddings, 2 to 3 months is enough. The earlier you book, the surer you are of getting your date.
Does the photo booth work outdoors?
Yes, as long as it is sheltered (under a tent, pergola or awning). The photo booth must be protected from rain and direct sunlight. Also make sure you have access to a power socket.
What happens if the photo booth breaks down on the big day?
Badabooth booths are tested before every shipment. If there’s a problem, our customer service is available by phone to guide you. But let’s be honest: breakdowns are extremely rare thanks to the simplicity of the system (no WiFi, no complicated software).
Can we customise the photos with our wedding theme?
Absolutely! The photo frame is 100% customisable for free: names, date, colours, patterns, message… You create your design using our online editor and it is applied to every printed photo.
Are the photos available digitally?
Yes, all photos and GIFs are available in digital form after the event, in addition to the paper prints. Your guests can also get their photos instantly via AirDrop (iPhone) directly from the booth.
Which package should you choose for a wedding of 100 people?
For 100 guests, the Happy package at €275 (150 prints) is the most popular choice. If you want plenty of room and don’t want to count, the Smile package at €399 (400 prints) will give you complete peace of mind. Discover all our packages on our dedicated page.
Is the Badabooth made in France?
Yes, the Badabooth is made in France. The booth is prepared in our workshop in Dijon, then shipped by UPS anywhere in Belgium.
