Photo booth and guest book: the perfect combo for your wedding
The guest book is an essential wedding tradition. But let’s be honest: rereading messages scribbled in a hurry on the corner of a table is often a little disappointing. The words all sound alike, the handwriting is sometimes illegible, and you can no longer tell who wrote what.
What if you turned your guest book into a truly personalised photo album? By combining a Badabooth photo booth with a beautiful album, you get a unique keepsake: every message comes with the smiling face of the person who wrote it. It is the difference between a book you put away in a cupboard and an album you bring out on every wedding anniversary.
92% of guests use the photo booth when one is available. Imagine that participation rate applied to your guest book: no more blank pages and generic messages!
Contents
- Classic guest book vs photo guest book vs digital guest book
- How a photo guest book works
- The complete list of supplies
- Step-by-step setup guide
- Creative ideas for your theme
- Tips for a perfect result
- Why Badabooth is ideal for a photo guest book
- How to preserve your guest book over time
- FAQ
Classic guest book vs photo guest book vs digital guest book
Before getting started, let’s compare the three main options available for collecting your guests’ messages:
| Criterion | Classic guest book | Photo guest book (photo booth) | Digital guest book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest participation | Low (30-50%) | Very high (80-90%) | Average (40-60%) |
| Message quality | Variable, often short | More personal and spontaneous | Short (limited interface) |
| Visual keepsake | Text only | Photo + message | Photo + digital message |
| Tangibility | Yes (paper) | Yes (physical album) | No (digital file) |
| Emotion when rereading | Average | Very strong | Average |
| Budget | €15-40 | €40-80 + photo booth | €0-50 (app/website) |
| Long-term preservation | Good if quality paper | Excellent if well protected | Depends on the online service |
| Ease of setup | Very easy | Easy | Easy but technical |
The verdict is clear: the photo guest book offers the best balance of participation, emotion and preservation. Guests are naturally drawn to the photo booth, and the “stick in the photo + write a note” step follows on effortlessly.
“Our classic guest book from the civil ceremony? We never opened it again. Our photo guest book from the day after? We flick through it at least once a month, even 2 years later.” Aurelie & Maxime, married in May 2024
How a photo guest book works
The concept is simple and remarkably effective:
- Guests take a photo at the Badabooth photo booth
- They stick the printed photo onto a page of the guest book
- They write a short personal message next to their photo
- The result: an album you will enjoy rereading for years
The magic of a photo guest book is that every message comes with a face. When you reread “Enjoy every moment, life goes by so fast” written by Grandma Suzanne, you will also see her moved smile right beside it. It is infinitely more touching than an anonymous text.
The complete list of supplies
To create a perfect photo guest book, here is everything you need:
The album (the base)
| Album type | Format | Average price | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo album with black pages | A4 or 30x30 | €20-40 | Elegant, neutral background | Photos less visible |
| Scrapbook album with white pages | A4 or 30x30 | €15-35 | Bright, versatile | Gets dirty more easily |
| Kraft album with recycled pages | A4 | €12-25 | Rustic, on-trend style | Less durable |
| Sleeve binder | A4 | €10-20 | Practical, expandable | Less attractive |
Our recommendation: a scrapbook album with thick white pages, at least 30x30 cm. Thick pages handle the weight of glue and photos better, and the large format leaves room to write next to the pictures.
Sticking supplies
- Double-sided tape (the best choice): clean, quick, no drying time, €5
- Photo adhesive dots: very clean, repositionable, €5-8
- Glue stick: cheap but may cause photos to wrinkle, €2
- Avoid: liquid glue (wrinkles), regular sticky tape (turns yellow), Blu-Tack (does not hold)
Writing tools
- Medium-tip felt pens (Stabilo or Posca type): legible, colourful, do not smudge, €8-15
- Gel pens (for black pages): gold, silver, white, €5-10
- Avoid: ballpoint pens (smudge on glossy paper), pencils (too faint), fine felt pens (illegible)
Signage
- An instructions sign explaining the concept: €5-10 (A3 print or homemade)
- An example on the first page (your own photo with a message)
The photo booth
- A Badabooth with instant printing, from €144 delivered in Belgium: See the packages
Estimated total budget
| Item | Budget |
|---|---|
| Album | €15-40 |
| Glue / adhesive | €5-8 |
| Felt pens / pens | €8-15 |
| Instructions sign | €5-10 |
| Decorations (optional) | €5-15 |
| Total supplies | €38-88 |
| Badabooth photo booth (delivered) | €144-399 |
| Grand total | €182-487 |
Step-by-step setup guide
Step 1: Prepare the album in advance (D-7)
- Stick your own photo (taken beforehand) on the first page with a sample message: “Dear friends, dear family, take a photo at the photo booth, stick it here and write us a little note. We can’t wait to read them!”
- Discreetly number the pages in pencil (to find your way around afterwards)
- If you like, decorate a few pages with stickers, washi tape or stamps that match your theme
Step 2: Set up the guest book station (D-1 or the morning of the big day)
- Place a small, sturdy table right next to the photo booth (this is the absolute key to success)
- Lay the album open at the first page (the one with your example)
- Put the double-sided tape / adhesive dots in plain sight
- Keep the felt pens in a pretty pot or glass
- Put the instructions sign where it is easy to see, ideally at height (easel, standing frame)
Step 3: On the big day, check the station
- Is the album open at a blank page (after your example)?
- Do all the felt pens work?
- Is the double-sided tape within reach and easy to cut?
- Can the sign be read from a distance?
- Is there enough room to settle comfortably in front of the book?
Step 4: Get things going
- Ask your best man, maid of honour or a friend to do the first guest book entry of the evening (after you) to set the ball rolling
- Early in the evening, make a short announcement or slip a note onto the menus: “Visit the photo booth and leave us a memory in our guest book!”
- Check from time to time that the supplies are in place and the album has not fallen off the table
Step 5: After the wedding
- Flick through the album together the next day or when you get back from your honeymoon
- Take photos of every page to have a digital backup
- Store the album away from light and humidity (see the preservation section)
Creative ideas for your theme
Rustic / boho theme
- Album in kraft or natural linen
- Sage green, terracotta and gold felt pens
- Decorate the pages with pressed dried flowers and floral masking tape
- Add sprigs of lavender between the pages
- Instructions sign on a wooden slate
Elegant / classic theme
- White or ivory leather album with black pages
- Gold and silver gel pens
- Pages framed with gold borders
- Satin ribbon between the pages
- Calligraphy sign in a gold frame
Vintage / retro theme
- Old-fashioned scrapbook style album with paper photo corners
- Sepia and burgundy felt pens
- Attach the photos with self-adhesive photo corners instead of tape (grandma’s album style)
- Add decorative stamps and lace paper
- “Telegram” or “old postcard” style sign
Modern / minimalist theme
- Clean white album with a hard cover
- Black felt pens only (or a single accent colour)
- Undecorated pages, letting the photos and words speak for themselves
- Sans-serif font on the sign, graphic design style
- Airy layout with plenty of white space
Travel / adventure theme
- Logbook or travel journal style album
- Multicoloured felt pens
- Decorate the pages with passport stamps, world maps and aeroplane stickers
- Each page can represent a “destination” (guests “visit” your album)
- Sign: “Now boarding: leave your mark in our travel journal”
Seaside / beach theme
- Album in hessian or nautical fabric
- Navy blue and sand felt pens
- Glued-on shells, sailor’s rope, starfish
- “Life buoy” or “beach sign” style sign
Tips for a perfect result
Place the guest book right next to the photo booth
This is rule number 1. If the guest book is at the other end of the room, nobody will make the effort to go and stick in their photo. The station must be less than one metre from the photo booth. The natural sequence should be: photo → sticking → message → back to the party.
The example on the first page is essential
Do not underestimate this point. Guests need to see the expected result before they get started. Your photo + message on the first page shows them exactly what is expected. Without an example, many will hesitate or stick in the photo without writing a message.
Appoint an ambassador
Ask a friend or witness to guide the first guests towards the photo booth and the guest book. They show how it works, help with sticking and hand out the felt pens. Once the first 5-6 guests have taken part, the others will follow suit. The ambassador can then enjoy the evening.
Choose the right photo format
With Badabooth, the available formats depend on the booth:
- 10x15 cm classic (every package): generous, ideal if your album is large (30x30 or more)
- Polaroid (Happy package): compact, it leaves room to write alongside
- Photo strip (2 photos on the Happy, 3 photos on the Smile): ideal if you want one copy for the guest and one for the album
Our advice: the polaroid format is a very good compromise for a guest book. It takes up enough space to be visible without filling the whole page.
Plan enough pages
Allow 1 page for every 2 to 3 guests (or couples/groups). For a wedding of 100 people, plan an album of at least 40 to 50 pages. Better too many pages (they stay blank) than not enough (nothing is worse than having to stick the last photos on the cover).
Protect the album during the evening
As the evening goes on, champagne glasses edge dangerously close to the guest book. A few precautions:
- No glasses on the guest book table (put up a small “no glasses zone” sign)
- Keep the album closed when nobody is using it (to avoid splashes)
- Outdoors, plan protection against the wind (a weight, clips)
Why Badabooth is ideal for a photo guest book
The Badabooth pairs perfectly with a guest book for several reasons:
- Instant printing: photos come out in a few seconds, dry and ready to stick straight away. No waiting, no delicate handling of a wet photo
- Multiple formats: classic 10x15, polaroid or 2-photo strip with the Happy, classic or 3-photo strip with the Smile
- Unlimited digital photos: even if you print for the guest book, all the photos are also available via AirDrop or a digital link. Nothing is lost
- Free personalised frame: every photo in the guest book carries your first names and wedding date. It is a detail that makes all the difference when you reread it
- From €144 delivered in Belgium: a controlled budget for a keepsake that lasts a lifetime
- No attendant, no Wi-Fi: no need to coordinate an extra supplier. Your guests are self-sufficient
- Made in France: a quality photo booth designed and assembled in France
For a package with a choice of formats (essential for the guest book), go for the Happy at €275 (150 prints, ideal for a classic wedding) or the Smile at €399 (400 prints, for large weddings). To add video messages, the Video Guest Book option (€50) gives you a keepsake film after the event. Rated 4.7/5 on Google and 5/5 on Trustpilot.
Discover all Badabooth packages
How to preserve your guest book over time
Your photo guest book is a treasure: here is how to keep it intact for decades.
In the days after the wedding
- Photograph every page with your phone to create a digital backup
- Leave the album open for a few hours somewhere dry so the glue dries completely
- Check the photos: re-stick any that are coming loose with fresh double-sided tape
For long-term preservation
- Store the album flat (never upright, to stop the photos sliding under gravity)
- Avoid direct sunlight, which yellows photos and paper
- Keep it dry: humidity is the number one enemy of printed photos. Avoid damp attics and cellars
- Stable temperature: temperature changes speed up deterioration. A cupboard in a living area is the ideal place
- Insert sheets of tissue paper between the pages to protect the photos from rubbing
For even more security
- Scan the whole album page by page and save the files on a hard drive and in the cloud
- Turn it into a digital photo book (via Cewe, Photobox, etc.) from the scans: you will have a perfect duplicate
- Share the scans with your loved ones: everyone can print the pages that matter to them
“We’ve been married for 5 years and the photo guest book has become a ritual: every anniversary, we get it out, flick through it and laugh as much as on the first day. Some pages still bring us to tears.” Chloe & Antoine, married in September 2021
In summary
The photo guest book is much more than a simple alternative to the classic guest book: it is a living keepsake that combines the faces of your loved ones with their words. For less than €100 in supplies (on top of the photo booth), you create a unique object that you will treasure for decades.
Want to go further with activities around your photo booth? Discover our 10 photo booth activity ideas for your wedding and our complete guide to choosing your photo booth.
Ready to create your photo guest book? Book your Badabooth and give your wedding an unforgettable keepsake. You will also find all our advice on the wedding photo booth page.
FAQ
How many photos should you plan for a wedding guest book?
Allow about 1 photo for every 2 to 3 guests (couples and groups of friends often take a single photo together). For a wedding of 100 people, plan 40 to 60 prints dedicated to the guest book. The Happy package (150 photos) lets you keep prints for the guest book while still leaving photos that guests can take home.
Which photo format is best for a guest book?
The polaroid format (Happy package) is our recommendation. It offers a good balance: big enough to see faces, compact enough to leave room for the message alongside. The photo strip (2 photos on the Happy, 3 photos on the Smile) is an alternative if you want a more compact album.
Should you stick in all the photos or only some?
Ideally, every guest or group sticks in at least one photo. To encourage participation, place the guest book right next to the photo booth and put an example on the first page. Guests who take several photos can keep one and stick the other in the album.
How do you stop photos coming unstuck over time?
Use good-quality double-sided tape or special photo adhesive dots. Avoid liquid glue, which wrinkles, and regular sticky tape, which turns yellow. After the wedding, check all the photos and reinforce any that seem loose. Self-adhesive photo corners (old album style) are also an excellent long-lasting option.
Can you combine a photo guest book and a classic guest book?
Yes! Some couples reserve the first 10 pages of the album for the photo guest book (with the photo booth) and leave the following pages blank for classic messages. It is a good compromise if you want to keep the tradition while modernising the concept.
What type of album should you choose for a photo guest book?
Go for an album with thick pages (at least 200 g/m2) that will support the weight of the stuck-in photos. The 30x30 cm format is ideal. Scrapbook albums with white pages are the most versatile. Avoid albums with clear sleeves, which do not let you write next to the photos.
Does a photo guest book also work for a small wedding?
Absolutely! It is even more touching for an intimate wedding (30-50 people). Each guest takes the time to make a nice photo and write a longer personal message. The Badabooth Smart package (50 photos, €144 delivered) is enough for a small wedding. The album will be thinner but every page will be immensely valuable.
How much does a complete photo guest book cost?
Counting the album, sticking supplies, felt pens and the Badabooth photo booth, the total budget ranges from €182 (Smart package + basic supplies) to €487 (Smile package + premium supplies), delivery included in Belgium. It is a modest investment for a keepsake that lasts a lifetime. See our packages page to compare the options.
