If you think that your guests should have their own little memories to take away, an awesome idea is to create your own photo booth. By building your own photo booth you know that everything is exactly how YOU want it, at the end of the day that’s the only thing that matters! You can even send out a perfect photo thank you card to guests after the big day!
No tacky red velvet curtains or mainstream props… It’s time to have fun!
So here we have the traditional photo booth on the left, it looks like a lot of fun, but the concept is a bit tired and lacks style. So instead, it’s time to get creative. Theme it! You can create props out of of flowers to compliment your bohemian themed wedding, or maybe coral crowns if you are having a beach themed wedding… the ideas are endless.
Creating a classy photo booth
STEP ONE: Get your or a family member’s Ipad or Ipad mini and download a photobooth app that you would like to use. We found the ‘My photo booth app’ which allows you to customise your own backgrounds and text of the print outs.
Setting Up Your DIY Wedding Photo Booth
A well-executed DIY photo booth doesn’t look DIY – it looks intentional. Here’s how to set one up that guests actually use and that produces photos worth keeping.
Location: Choose a spot near the reception area but slightly out of the main traffic flow – somewhere guests can naturally drift to between dinner and dancing. Good natural light or access to a power outlet for artificial lighting is essential. A corner works well: two walls provide a natural backdrop without requiring a free-standing structure.
Backdrop: This is the single most important element. Options that consistently photograph well: a flower wall (fresh, dried, or paper flowers), a macrame or fabric panel, a simple balloon arch in two or three coordinating colors, a sequin curtain for evening receptions, or a stretch of greenery (eucalyptus, ivy, tropical foliage) draped across a frame. The backdrop should match your wedding color palette – it should look like it belongs at your wedding, not like a generic party supply store backdrop.
Camera setup: A DSLR or mirrorless camera on a tripod with a remote shutter release gives the best image quality. Many couples also use an iPad on a stand with a dedicated photo booth app – these handle the countdown, capture, and sharing in one system and require no technical knowledge from guests. A ring light positioned directly behind the camera eliminates shadows and produces flattering, consistent results regardless of when guests use the booth.
For printed photo strips at the event, a dedicated photo booth printer (available to hire) or a portable photo printer like a Canon Selphy gives guests an instant takeaway. Pair photo prints with custom sticker labels printed with the wedding date and couple’s names – applied to the back of each print strip for a personalized keepsake. Browse Paperlust’s wedding invitation collection to find designs that match the aesthetic you’re building for your reception.
Photo Booth Props: What Works and What Doesn’t
Props can make a photo booth feel playful and personal – or they can feel like leftovers from a 2015 corporate Christmas party. Here’s how to choose props that actually fit your wedding.
Props that work: Anything that connects to your wedding theme, the couple’s shared interests, or the location. A beach wedding: sunglasses, shell leis, mini surfboards. A garden wedding: flower crowns, oversized sunflowers. A formal black-tie wedding: feather fans, long gloves, pearl necklaces, tiny top hats. Props that tell your story as a couple – references to how you met, your shared hobbies, your favorite destinations.
Props that don’t work: Generic “bride tribe” and “squad goals” speech bubble props that have no connection to your wedding. Poorly made props that look cheap in photos. Too many props – a cluttered prop basket produces cluttered photos. Aim for 8 to 12 well-chosen items rather than 30 options.
DIY prop ideas: Custom speech bubble props printed and cut from cardstock (very cheap, highly personalized), flower crowns made from fresh or faux florals, personalized fans or parasols, and hats sourced from a vintage or costume shop. Custom props with the couple’s names, wedding date, or an inside joke are the most shareable.
Coordinating Your Photo Booth with Your Wedding Stationery
The most polished wedding photo booth experiences feel like a designed extension of the wedding itself – not a separate element that could belong to any party. Here’s how to create visual continuity.
Use the same color palette as your invitations and florals in the backdrop, prop choices, and any signage at the booth. If your invitation features deep navy and gold, your backdrop could be a navy fabric drape with a gold metallic balloon arch. If your theme is romantic botanical, a greenery wall with white blooms and natural wood props continues the visual language. A small printed sign at the booth entry – “#[YourWeddingHashtag]” or “Photo Booth this way →” – in the same typography and colors as your invitation ties everything together.
For custom signage, favor tags, and personalized photo strip labels that match your wedding aesthetic, custom stickers from Paperlust Print Shop are printable in any size and shape. And if you’re still finalizing your invitation design, explore Paperlust’s full range of wedding invitation styles – the design you love for your invitation is the design system your whole wedding can follow, from florals to photo booth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you set up a DIY photo booth?
Good location with natural light, a backdrop matching your wedding palette, camera or tablet on a tripod with ring light, and 8-12 well-chosen props. A photo booth app on an iPad handles countdown and sharing automatically.
How much does it cost?
$100 to $500+ depending on backdrop choice and camera setup. Using your own DSLR and a DIY balloon arch backdrop is the most budget-friendly combination.
What makes a good backdrop?
One that matches your wedding palette, photographs well in any light, and looks intentional rather than assembled at the last minute. Flower walls, greenery panels, balloon arches, and sequin curtains all work reliably.
What props should I use?
8 to 12 props that connect to your theme or story. Avoid generic party supplies. Custom speech bubbles, flower crowns, themed accessories, and items in your wedding colors work best.
A DIY photo booth done right earns its place as one of the most-talked-about moments of your reception. Guests who spend 20 minutes in the booth always come back with memories – and photos – that feel completely different from the formal shots. It’s the unscripted part of your wedding that produces the most genuine joy. Start with a backdrop that matches your invitation aesthetic, choose props that tell your story, and let the rest happen naturally.
The photo booth is one of the few reception elements where guests are genuinely the creators rather than the audience. Give them a beautiful backdrop, a few props that make them laugh, and a simple way to capture the moment – the rest takes care of itself. For more ideas on pulling your wedding aesthetic together from invitation to reception detail, explore Paperlust’s wedding invitation collection and let your chosen design lead everything else.
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