So, what's the real damage when it comes to hiring a photo booth for your wedding? Let's get straight to it. In the UK, you can expect to set aside anywhere between £350 and £800 for a quality setup that will have your guests queuing up for their moment in the spotlight.
This price range covers a whole spectrum of options, from classic, cosy booths to all-singing, all-dancing experiences. There really is something for every kind of celebration.
Your Ultimate Guide to UK Wedding Photo Booth Costs
Welcome! If you're wondering how to budget for a photo booth without blowing your wedding fund, you've come to the right place. Guest entertainment has come a long way since the days of David and Victoria Beckham's iconic wedding, and these days, a photo booth is practically a reception essential. It’s the perfect way to inject some serious fun and create a buzzing, interactive vibe.
In this guide, we're going to pull back the curtain on what actually goes into that final price. We’ll look at everything from the super-glam 360° booths that produce incredible videos to custom backdrops that tie in perfectly with your theme. Think of us as your inside source, giving you all the info you need to budget like a pro and get the absolute best bang for your buck.
Here's a quick overview of what you can expect to pay for different types of photo booth packages across the UK.
UK Wedding Photo Booth Costs at a Glance
| Package Tier | Typical Price Range (UK) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £350 – £500 | Couples on a tighter budget or those needing a booth for just a few hours. |
| Premium | £500 – £700 | Most weddings; includes longer hire times, prints, and more custom features. |
| Bespoke | £700 – £800+ | Those wanting a fully customised experience with premium features like a 360 booth. |
This table gives you a solid starting point for figuring out where your dream booth might fit into your budget.
Putting the Cost into Context
It's always helpful to see where this fits into the bigger picture of your wedding spending. A photo booth is one of those smaller expenses that delivers a huge impact without taking up a massive slice of the budget pie.
For most couples, dropping around £500 on a photo booth is a fantastic investment. It's a relatively small cost that pays you back in spades with guest interaction, hundreds of hilarious digital snaps, and lovely printed keepsakes.
When you break it down, that £350 to £800 price tag usually only makes up about 2–5% of your entire reception budget. Compare that to your venue and catering, which can easily swallow up 40–60% of your funds, and you can see why a photo booth is such a smart, high-impact choice.
Of course, your photo booth is just one part of your big day's master plan. To make sure everything from the "I dos" to the last dance runs like clockwork, using a comprehensive wedding day timeline template can be a total lifesaver. It helps you figure out the perfect slot for your photo booth fun to begin
So, What's Actually Behind the Price Tag?
You've seen the ballpark figures, but what really goes into the final quote for a wedding photo booth? It's a bit like choosing a car for a weekend getaway. A trusty hatchback will get you there, no problem. But a convertible sports car with all the bells and whistles? That’s a whole different vibe, and the price reflects that.
The cost of your photo booth hire is a similar mix of the machine itself, the features you want, and the level of service you need. Let's pull back the curtain on the seven key ingredients that make up your final price. Getting your head around these will show you exactly where your money’s going and help you build a package that’s perfect for your big day, with zero nasty surprises.
H3: The Type of Booth You Go For
This is the big one. It's the single most significant factor in determining the price. A simple, open-air booth with a static background is your classic, reliable choice. A mind-bending 360° video rig? That’s the top-of-the-range, show-stopping option. It’s not just about looks; it's about the tech and the entire experience packed inside.
A traditional enclosed booth, for instance, gives guests that old-school, private space to really let their hair down and pull some silly faces. On the flip side, a Magic Mirror booth is a fully interactive centrepiece that practically begs people to come and play. Even A-listers like Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have used photo booths to inject some fun and personality into their own celebrations.
H3: How Long You Want the Fun to Last
Next up is the running time. Most companies package their services in two, three, or four-hour slots. This isn't just a random number; it’s been carefully timed to hit the sweet spot of your reception – that golden hour after the speeches are done and before the last dance.
Over the years, the industry has figured out what works best. In the UK, the most popular choice by a country mile is a four-hour package, with the average price hovering around £300–£500 for that time. Most suppliers will tell you that four hours is the perfect window to capture the peak energy of the evening when everyone's ready for a laugh. It's why so many packages are built this way. You can get a more detailed look at the numbers in this fantastic photo booth price guide.
H3: Adding Your Personal Flair
Here’s where you get to sprinkle your own magic on the experience, but remember that personalisation adds to the cost. Fancy a custom backdrop that perfectly matches your floral arrangements? Or maybe a box of props themed around your favourite 80s movie? These are the little touches that make the booth uniquely yours.
Think about adding things like:
- Themed Prop Boxes: Go beyond the usual moustaches-on-a-stick and create a collection that tells your love story, just like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds would.
- Custom Backdrops: From glamorous sequin walls to green screens that can whisk your guests off to Paris or Las Vegas.
- Branded Digital Overlays: Stamp your wedding monogram and date on every single digital photo, GIF, and Boomerang shared online.
H3: To Print, or Not to Print?
It’s the classic question: do you want guests to have a physical photo strip to stick on their fridge, or are you happy for everything to be digital? Offering unlimited prints will naturally bump up the photo booth for wedding cost. It all comes down to the ink and high-quality photo paper needed to keep the memories flowing all night.
A digital-only package is a brilliant way to keep costs down. Your guests still get all the fun and can have their photos pinged straight to their phones, ready for the 'gram. But there's just something timeless about that physical keepsake that many couples feel is worth every extra penny.
Pro Tip: Ask about adding a guest book service. A booth attendant will print an extra copy of every photo and stick it into a book for your guests to leave a message next to. It creates a hilarious and heartfelt memento you’ll treasure forever.
H3: The Booth Attendant on Duty
Never, ever underestimate the power of a brilliant booth attendant. They’re not just there to plug it in; they are your official Director of Fun for the evening. A great attendant knows how to coax shy guests out of their shells, keep the queue moving, and make sure all the tech is behaving itself.
It might seem like an easy place to trim the budget, but having a dedicated professional running the show is priceless. They keep the energy buzzing and the props from ending up in a heap on the floor!
H3: Travel and Venue Logistics
Last but not least, your venue’s location plays a part. Most suppliers will include travel within a set radius (say, 50 miles) in their standard package price. If your dream venue is a little further out in the sticks, you should expect to pay a bit extra to cover fuel and the attendant's time. Just be sure to double-check this when you get a quote so there are no surprises on the final invoice.
Choosing Your Perfect Photo Booth Experience
Alright, let's get to the fun bit—picking the perfect photo booth to really get your wedding party started. This decision is a huge part of the overall photo booth for wedding cost, but honestly, it’s about so much more than that. It’s about choosing an entertainment centrepiece that screams you.
Think about it. You can just imagine the sleek, interactive fun a Magic Mirror would have brought to a seriously stylish wedding like Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre's. Or picture a 360° Video Booth capturing the explosive, vibrant energy of a multi-day bash like Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's. Each booth brings a completely different vibe to the table.
This little guide breaks down the core things that build up your final quote.
As you can see, the booth's style, how long you hire it for, and any little extras you bolt on are the three main pillars holding up your final price.
Classic Enclosed Photo Booths
Ah, the OG. The icon. The one that started it all. The enclosed booth gives your guests a private little world to go wild in, away from prying eyes. It's the secret ingredient for capturing those genuinely hilarious, off-the-cuff moments of pure silliness.
- The Vibe: Nostalgic, intimate, and a bit mischievous. It’s brilliant at coaxing even your shyest guests to grab a feather boa and strike a pose.
- Best For: Couples who love a timeless, traditional feel and want to create a cosy little corner of chaos and fun at their reception.
- Price Point: You're generally looking in the £350 – £600 range, which makes it a fantastic and affordable all-rounder.
GIF Booths and Open-Air Setups
Perfect for the Instagram crowd, these booths whip up animated GIFs and Boomerangs that are begging to be shared online. The open-air design means you can cram way more people into the shot, leading to some truly epic group photos and a much more social, buzzing atmosphere.
You can just picture the fun someone like Taylor Swift, famous for her squad photos, would have with an open-air booth at a party. It’s all about creating vibrant, shareable snaps that bottle up the energy of the moment. Plus, they often come with sleek, modern designs that look great in any venue.
Magic Mirror Photo Booths
If you’re after a touch of class with a massive "wow" factor, the Magic Mirror is your go-to. It looks like a stunning, full-length ornate mirror, but then it springs to life with cheeky animations and compliments, guiding your guests through their photo shoot.
The real party trick is the interactive touchscreen. Guests can sign their photos and chuck emojis on there right on the mirror before it prints. It’s this high-tech, playful twist that makes it such a showstopper for guests of all ages.
This booth is a true statement piece. Its elegant design and interactive fun make it an unforgettable addition to more formal or glamorous weddings, blending entertainment and decor into one seriously stylish package.
- The Vibe: Glamorous, interactive, and super sophisticated. It feels less like a booth and more like a piece of actual magic.
- Best For: Couples who really want to make a statement and give their guests a unique, high-end entertainment experience they won't forget.
- Price Point: Expect to budget between £500 – £750, which reflects its swanky features and jaw-dropping appearance.
360° Video Booths
Let's be clear: this is the undisputed king of photo booths. It's the ultimate party starter. Your guests hop onto a platform while a camera arm swoops around them, capturing a ridiculously cool slow-motion, HD video. Throw in some music and special effects, and you’ve got a mini music video that looks absolutely incredible.
It’s the sort of spectacular feature you’d see at a high-energy celebrity bash thrown by someone like Beyoncé and Jay-Z. It’s pure theatre, and it creates content your guests will be clambering to share online, making your wedding the event of the year. This isn't just a photo booth; it’s a full-blown experience.
Right then, let's talk about getting the best bang for your buck on a wedding photo booth.
How to Get the Best Value on Your Wedding Photo Booth
Every couple wants to make their wedding budget stretch, and let's be honest, you don't need a royal budget like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to have a royally good time. Nailing a brilliant photo booth experience without breaking the bank is totally doable. With a few clever tricks up your sleeve, you can trim the photo booth for wedding cost and still give your guests something to rave about.
Getting great value isn't just about finding the cheapest option. It’s about making a smart investment in fun that won't give you a headache on the big day.
Time Your Booking Strategically
Just like your wedding venue, photo booth suppliers have their own high and low seasons. Fancy a weekday wedding? Or maybe a cosy celebration in January or November? Booking during these off-peak times can often unlock some pretty sweet deals. Suppliers are usually a bit quieter then and are more willing to offer a friendly rate to get you in their diary.
It all comes down to simple supply and demand. A sunny Saturday in August is wedding gold, so prices will naturally be at their peak. If you’ve got some wiggle room with your date, going off-peak is one of the easiest ways to save a bundle without cutting any corners on quality.
Ask About Bundles and Packages
Lots of event hire companies are a one-stop-shop for wedding fun. Beyond photo booths, they might have twinkling LED dance floors, giant light-up letters, or even a classic sweet cart. This is where you can get a bit savvy and play a little "let's make a deal."
Don't be afraid to ask if they'll do a discount for booking a few things together. Pairing a photo booth with that sparkly dance floor, for example, could save you a decent chunk of change compared to hiring them from two different places.
Just think about it from their perspective:
- One Delivery: They only have to send a van to your venue once.
- One Team: They only need one crew for setup.
- Less Admin: It's way less paperwork for them.
Those little efficiencies for the supplier often turn into savings they can pass straight on to you. So go on, ask the question! The worst they can say is no, but you might just bag yourself a fantastic deal.
Go Digital and Ditch the Prints
We all love a classic photo strip to stick on the fridge, but let's be real – those physical prints are a big part of the cost. The fancy photo paper, the ink, and the printer itself all add up. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to save, think about going for a digital-only package.
Your guests will still have an absolute blast pulling silly faces, and they can get their snaps sent right to their phones. Instant social media gold! It’s modern, a bit more green, and much kinder to your budget. Honestly, this one tweak can often drop a top-tier package into a much more comfortable price range.
Why a Professional Photo Booth Is a Smart Investment
After looking at all the numbers and options, you might be asking yourself if the photo booth for wedding cost is really worth it. Let me tell you, the answer is a massive, resounding yes. Splashing out on a professional setup isn't just another line item on your budget; it’s one of the best decisions you can make for the vibe of your reception and the memories you'll treasure forever.
Think about it. You could try the DIY route with an iPad on a tripod, but that usually ends in dodgy lighting, tech headaches, and a sad, messy corner. A professional booth, on the other hand, is a slick, all-in-one entertainment machine. It's the difference between asking your mate to play a Spotify playlist and hiring a proper DJ who knows exactly how to get everyone, even your nan, on the dance floor.
The Entertainment Powerhouse
A great photo booth is so much more than a camera in a box. It’s an interactive experience and the ultimate icebreaker. It gives guests who might not know each other a fun, daft activity to do together, sparking conversations and laughter that will echo through your entire reception. It’s your secret weapon for making sure the party is lively and totally unforgettable.
When you hire a pro service, you get the full works:
- Top-Notch Kit: We're talking professional DSLR cameras and studio-grade lighting. Every single snap will be flattering and razor-sharp. No blurry phone pics here!
- A Helpful Attendant: A friendly expert is always on hand to get people involved, sort out the props, and make sure everything runs like a dream.
- Personalised Keepsakes: Your guests walk away with high-quality prints that are also fantastic wedding favours—ones they'll actually want to stick on the fridge.
An Investment in Memories
At the end of the day, you're investing in pure, unadulterated joy. Long after the last slice of cake is gone, you’ll have a gallery bursting with candid, hilarious, and heartwarming snaps of all your favourite people. It captures a side of your wedding that the formal photography often misses—the silly, spontaneous, unscripted fun of your celebration.
And we're not just saying it; the demand for this kind of "experiential" fun is booming. Market forecasts are predicting a steady climb in photo booth popularity, with a projected 8.3% compound annual growth rate across Europe rolling into the late 2020s. This isn't just a fleeting trend; it shows that modern couples are putting the guest experience front and centre, making a professional booth a genuinely sound investment.
In the same way a photo booth is a smart investment for creating memories, hiring experienced wedding planners can make sure your entire wedding budget is spent wisely. It’s all about getting incredible value and peace of mind for every pound you spend.
Your Wedding Photo Booth Questions Answered
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. You've figured out the big picture, but now a few smaller questions are probably popping into your head. It happens to everyone! Think of this as your quick-fire round to sort out those last few details, so you can book your booth feeling completely on top of things.
Even the most perfectly planned weddings, like Hailey and Justin Bieber's, have a few last-minute queries. Let's tackle them head-on.
How Much Space Do I Need for a Wedding Photo Booth?
Great question, and the answer really boils down to which booth has caught your eye. A classic enclosed booth or a slinky Magic Mirror is surprisingly neat and tidy, usually needing a space of about 3×3 metres. That gives you plenty of room for the booth, a table piled high with props, and for your guests to strike a pose without bumping elbows.
Now, if you're going for the all-singing, all-dancing 360° booth, you'll need to carve out a bit more floor space. These showstoppers need a bigger stage, typically a 5×5 metre area. This isn't just for show; it's to make sure the camera arm can spin around freely and safely, capturing those amazing videos without taking out a waiter or a wedding cake. It’s always best to confirm the exact footprint with your supplier before you sign on the dotted line.
Can We Personalise the Photo Printouts?
You bet! This is where you get to put your own stamp on things. Pretty much any reputable company (including us!) will let you customise the print templates. It’s a fantastic way to tie the photo booth experience into the rest of your day.
You could add:
- Your names and the wedding date, of course.
- A short and sweet 'thank you' to your guests.
- The same monogram or design from your wedding invitations.
This little touch turns a fun photo strip into a proper, personal wedding favour that people will actually stick on their fridge. It’s a small detail that makes a world of difference.
Do We Get Digital Copies of All the Photos?
Absolutely. This should be a non-negotiable part of any package you book. While your guests walk away with instant prints, you get the real treasure: a full digital gallery of every single snapshot and video clip.
A few days after the confetti has settled, you'll usually get a link to a password-protected online gallery. From there, you can download everything, share your favourites on social media, and laugh all over again at the brilliant, silly, and heartwarming moments you might have missed. It's like a secret, behind-the-scenes wedding album.
How Far in Advance Should We Book Our Photo Booth?
Honestly? As soon as you can. If your wedding falls on a prime date – think any Saturday between May and September – we’d suggest locking in your photo booth 9 to 12 months beforehand.
The best photo booth companies, just like the best venues and photographers, get booked up fast. Getting in early means you're guaranteed to get the booth you really want, not just what's left over. It's one major thing ticked off your list, freeing you up to stress about the seating plan instead