How To: DIY Photobooth

Photobooths at weddings have been a huge trend for a long time now, and there's a reason for it... Photobooths not only help capture the fun moments of the day, they are also a ton of fun for guests! However, with prices ranging from $350-$1000 for a professional photobooth, it's a wonder that anyone has them! We are here to rescue you from the huge price tag, and help you make it your own! Now, depending on how much of this stuff you have to buy, it still isn't going to be a $20 option--depending on how much you already have, it could cost between $80 and $460, but you probably already have some of this stuff or can borrow from a friend!

1. The Camera/iPad

For this, we used an iPad, turned to face the guests. This was a spectacular decision, as the guests could all preview the screen before they took the picture! This helped prevent people's heads from getting cut off and ensured that no one had their eyes closed! This of course, will be one of the most expensive parts of the Photobooth if you do not have an iPad, or know someone who will let you borrow theirs.

2. The Remote

Next, you don't want someone to have to man the iPad and take every picture! Use this awesome remote to let guests snap their own picture!

3. The Tripod

You need something to hold the iPad at the desired level--this is where the tripod comes in. You can use many different kinds of tripods for this, as long as it will grip an iPad. Ours was a pretty expensive tripod, mainly because my wonderful uncle happened to already have it. We had the MeFoto Tripod with an adapter to hold the iPad. However, this tripod (that is just a fraction of the price of the other one) that is meant for an iPad should work just fine.

4. The Backdrop

For this, we used about 9 yards of fabric and made it into a curtain. You could use SO many different things for this. I, of course, fell in love with a very expensive charcoal gray fabric covered in rosettes and I just had to use it, so this cost me around $80 (and that was using coupons!) You can buy my backdrop fabric at JoAnns or online here. (Although they seem to only have it available in select colors right now.) But you also don't have to spend that much! They have a lot of awesome backdrops on Amazon and Ebay! Want silver glitter? How about champagne gold sequin? Or even gold and white stripes? Not into glitter? Get a whitewashed wood backdrop, or how about a glamorous red carpet?! The possibilities are truly endless! (Just make sure you don't hang the fabric in front of a window, because light coming through it will ruin your photos. Also, light-absorbing fabric works better than shiny fabric.)

5. The Props

I bought 80% of my props on Ebay for less than $3 a piece. The rest were from places like Dollar Tree! Click on the items here I used to buy each one: Darth Vader Mask, Storm Trooper Mask, Feather Boas, Black Masquerade Mask, Black Cat-Eye Sunglasses, and Sequin Hats.

Other Things You Might Need

6. Lighting

If it's going to be set up outdoors or in low light, I recommend getting photography lights for it as well, so that people can use it when it gets dark out. You might be able to rent these. I borrowed.

7. Printer

I just uploaded the pictures to my wedding website and Facebook after the wedding so everyone could download whatever pictures they wanted. If you want to give each guest a printout at the wedding, you will need a selfie printer. However, I will tell you I had over 480 pictures taken in my photobooth that day...that would be a LOT of very expensive paper to let everyone take a copy (plus some of the pictures had 10+ people in them who would all want a copy!)

8. Backdrop Stand

I had rafters at my venue that we simply tied my backdrop to; however, if that isn't so easy at your venue, a backdrop stand is actually not super expensive. It doesn't have to be amazing quality - you're only using it for one day. You can build your own frame for your backdrop. I recommend this one.