30 DIY Photo Booth Ideas Your Guests Will Love (2024)

Faux Floral Wall

Fully-fledged flower walls make a huge visual impact, but the cost of having a florist create one can run pretty high. Taking on the project yourself, however, can be affordable. If you want the real thing, you can cover a plywood board with natural moss and a scattering of florals, or skip the greenery completely and have a deconstructed, minimalist vibe of bare wood and blooms. For a faux approach, take the same board idea (or foam) and adhere it to craft store greenery and florals to achieve the same lush (or deconstructed!) look. You can also use a trellis for a fresh-from-the-garden vibe.

DIY Chalkboard Backdrop

Chalkboard backdrops can run the gamut from chic and industrial to whimsical and nostalgic, depending on the font and style you choose. As for a canvas, you can roll in an actual chalkboard, have a chalkboard cutout made, or get some chalkboard paint and turn just about anything into the perfect surface. Add an interactive quality by passing out chalk and having guests leave little notes or signatures behind.

Polaroid Cut-Out Frame

Guests always flock to the sight of a photo frame to stand in, and the presence of a border always seems to loosen everyone up. You can find something similar to this one from Luckandluck, which is customized with the newlyweds' names, on Etsy.

Photo Booth Apps

Streamline the process of the actual photo-capturing with apps like Lumabooth or Wifibooth. These downloads allow you to transform your iPad into a photo booth station with everything from timers to digital backdrops to layouts. "I think couples should focus on the takeaway of the photo booth," says Vance. "The booth can be there for a limited amount of time and have as many or as few props and backdrop elements as you want, but guests just want a nice photo to take home or post on social media later. That's what's so fun about it—reliving the night the next day."

Selfie Stick With Built-In Tripod and Bluetooth Remote Shutter

Set a selfie stick on every table and watch guests become mini photographers of their own, capturing moments throughout the night. Sure, you may end up with a whole lot of pictures of your guests' faces, but it will make for a fun time to review all of the behind-the-scenes photos post-wedding. You can also invest in a remote-controlled Bluetooth selfie stick to act as a makeshift tripod in front of a decorative backdrop.

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Glittery Backdrop

No matter what camera situation you choose, a photo backdrop that's worthy of gracing your guests' social media feeds is an absolute must. Add a shimmery, playful component to your photo-booth station, or keep it simple with a basic white or ivory background that won't claim too much dominance within your reception venue.

Wedding Photo Props

Let's not forget about props, either. Turn any space into a photo booth with 2D props, which will inspire guests to bring out their silly sides for the sake of the pictures. You can take the DIY photo booth prop approach, too, by hitting up the craft store and making your own paper cutouts.

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Fujifilm Fujicolor QuickSnap Flash 400 35MM Disposable Camera

For the most budget-friendly photo booth alternative, go old-school with disposable cameras. Set these on tables—or even designate a separate corner near a fun backdrop—for the ultimate photo shoot. Guests can easily snap pictures of one another, and you can get them developed after the wedding to see all of the fun.

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Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera

Instant photos from a Polaroid camera will be great souvenirs for friends and family to take home with them. Guests can also leave them for you as a way of signing your guest book (this camera has a built-in selfie mirror!). Either way, this is a fun method to get quick shots of your guests in action throughout the night that they can reflect on after the wedding.

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Photo Guestbook Sign

Take polaroids (or selfie sticks) one step further and create a designated selfie station. This acrylic sign is ideal for highlighting your selfie-taking spot, especially if the finished photos will also double as guest-book fillers. Have a few nearby cameras at the ready for wedding attendees to pose in front of, after which they can paste their pics in your guest book with a personalized note.

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Vintage Van

How cool is this photo booth idea? Oh-so retro and vibey, we can't think of a single person who wouldn't be clamoring for a photo op in here. Shutterbus offers professional rentals for any event, but if you're not in the service area or are looking for a DIY alternative, just find an old clunker and deck it out on the inside with all the photo-taking goodness.

Hashtag Signage

Let's face it, social media has become a big component of wedding photography, and hashtags are the best way to see all the posts in one place. While you don't have to come up with a quirky hashtag if you don't want to, you will need to let everyone know what it is if you do. Whether on a chalkboard, in framed artwork, painted on reclaimed wood, or emblazoned on favors, be sure to showcase your hashtag signage near the photo booth for optimum exposure.

Sitting Area

Perfect for a selfie station or as the backdrop of a photo booth, a plush lounge area adds a little something-something to wedding photos. Add furniture, rugs, lighting, or anything else to set the mood for more dynamic photos that allow guests to interact with the environment. You'll love the creative poses and scenes that will result.

Photo Décor

Decorate your venue just as you would your home, with photos of your nearest and dearest strewn about. All you need is some twine or fabric of your choice and some clothespins to decorate the space with your most cherished memories. You can even leave it as a blank space to start and have guests add the Polaroids or photo strips that they take throughout the night.

Neon Signage

Personalize a photo booth backdrop with a custom neon sign. Choose to light up your name, a favorite line of poetry, song lyrics, or a catchphrase that speaks to your personality and your union. Just be mindful of whether it needs an outlet and how to secure the fragile piece.

Macramé Backdrop

A photo booth setup need not be an absolute eyesore. You can create a statement wall or mark the area with something that both adds to the overall aesthetic and blends with the wedding style. This macramé curtain and its tropical frame are not only stunning but also a great complement to the natural surroundings. The perfect finishing touch to any boho fête.

String Lights

Lighting is extremely important when taking photos, and a photo booth is no exception. You may have heard that candlelight is the original filter, making everyone look their best, but a warm glow can be just as complementary. A backdrop of string lights will not only bathe everyone in a flattering radiance but will also add a whimsical aspect to the scene.

Photo Box

If scrapbooks aren't quite your thing or you prefer a traditional guestbook for the event, you can still collect the photographic memories by having guests deposit them in a box for you to open later. "The photo booth at an event can be so fun for the couple or hosts as well," explains Vance. "They get to look at all the photos afterwardand see a side of the party they didn't get to see that day."

Residential Shutters

Residential styling has become a mainstay in wedding décor. The quaint and homey aesthetic is a great way to ease guests into the photo booth with a sense of comfort and familiarity. These painted shutters are such a sweet way to frame the backdrop and add an elegant texture to the space. Plus, they're super easy to DIY yourself.

Textured Backdrop

Friends and family will be back for seconds after posing in front of a pretty photo accessory. And who could resist a fluffy, textured piece like this? It just oozes fun. You can scour the digital sphere for similar backdrops in just about every finish and color combo imaginable. Or just pick up some streamers and create your very own.

Floral Focal Point

"I love seeing florists working on backdrops," says Vance. "It can be so simple and so beautiful; a laurel of greenery, a banner of garland across the top, or even a couple of potted tropical plants can really elevate the feel of a DIY photo booth." You can either have your florist put together some lush focal points for the photos or go faux and get creative in your own way.

Old-School Booth

Sometimes the lure of an old-school photo booth is hard to pass up. The sentimental charm is unequivocally compared to anything else, making the Kenwood Booth a party focal point and interactive experience all in one. If you prefer the DIY route without sacrificing privacy, you can easily assemble your own construction out of heavy drapes (or wood paneling if you're talented in carpentry) with a fitted top for a ceiling. Just tuck a bench inside, and voila!

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Fun Accessories

Nothing helps guests shed their inhibitions in front of a camera quite like an arsenal of silly costume bits. From hats to wigs to comically sized accessories, partygoers can don their very best—or worst, in this case—and really lean into the look in front of the camera. You'll be laughing at the photos and reliving the excitement for years to come.

Marquee Lights

You've got the booth, the backdrops, and the props. But how do you get people there? Chances are your guests might not even be aware of the designated photo-op spot. Enter marquee lights. Beautiful and bright, no one will miss these babies.

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Custom Backdrop

What better canvas for wedding photos than one that pays homage to the newlyweds? With a customized backdrop emblazoned with the wedding details, guests will never rifle through photos wondering when they were taken. Have the backdrop custom-made to your liking, or, for the ultimate cost-effective option, you can enlist the help of a crafty friend to paint a DIY photo backdrop on a white sheet with your initials or a fun pattern.

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Photo Strip Template

"Selecting to have a print-out option can get guests excited about the booth—they see the fun photos other guests took and want to get a photo strip of their own," says Vance. "It gives them a nice keepsake to look back on and can act as a party favor. When your guests get all dressed up, they love the opportunity to get a nice photo with their date, friends, or family." This digital photo strip template is the perfect way to get the real photo booth feel if you aren't renting one. You can also find strip-shaped envelopes to house them as favors.

SHOP NOW: Etsy, $10.99 for digital download

Directional Signage

Since guests tend to feel more comfortable posing for pictures when they're afforded a bit of privacy, photo booths are best placed out of the direct line of sight. To ensure everyone can still locate the spot and easily make their way to it after a few drinks, employ some signage to lead the way.

Soft Drapery

"My favorite trend for photo boothsis minimalism," says Vance. "We are moving more into a trend of timelessprops, like florals or even no props at all." In lieu of a full backdrop, we love the idea of soft drapery to subtly mark the spot and frame the landscape. You did choose that venue for a reason, after all.

Balloon Installation

Balloons are quintessential to any celebration, but their presence doesn't have to scream children's birthday party (unless you want it to, of course). With a refined approach, a balloon display can add an elegant yet festive frame to any photo booth backdrop. We love the enchanted, celestial aesthetic pictured here, but you can create a design that fits your wedding theme.

Go Pro

You can DIY to your heart's content when it comes to setting the scene, but sometimes the technical aspect of a photo booth can be a bit much. If you find yourself in this situation, leaving the actual photo-capturing to the pros may be something to consider. "The photos end up being beautiful, high-quality photos of your guests, and we see clients using the high-resolution downloads for a really fun photo album of the booth photos and have even seen the photos used in holiday cards or LinkedIn profiles," says Vance. "It's also the perfect solution for when your event photographer packs up for the night; guests can get goofy and take photos late into the night."

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