Where to put the photo booth at your reception
Placement decides whether a photo booth gets a line all night or sits empty. How to choose the right spot at your reception or party.
We've set up in ballrooms, barns, tents and office lobbies, and the pattern is always the same. The booth that gets used all night is the one guests walk past on their way to something else. The props matter less than you'd think. Placement matters a lot.
Close to the action, not in it
The best spot is usually just off the dance floor or near the bar. Guests drift over between songs or while they wait for a drink, and the line itself becomes part of the party. Put the booth in a side room or down a hallway and you'll get a rush at cocktail hour, then not much else.
That said, don't put it right next to the speakers. Guests want to laugh and talk while they pose, and the attendant needs to be able to hear them.
Think about the line
A popular booth has a line, so leave room for one. Plan for about an 8 × 8 foot space for the booth itself, plus a little floor space in front where five or six people can wait without blocking a doorway or a server's path to the kitchen.
Check the background
Whatever is behind the booth's guests ends up in every photo. A plain wall or our backdrop works well. A window works badly during the day, because bright light behind people turns them into silhouettes. If your reception starts before sunset, ask the venue which wall faces away from the windows.
Power and floor
The booth needs a standard outlet nearby and a level floor. In barns and tents, this is the detail most likely to be missed. A quick question to your venue coordinator ahead of time saves a scramble on the day. We'll confirm it with them too.
If you're using it as a guest book
Put the guest book table right next to the booth, with pens, tape or glue dots, and a small sign. Guests print one strip to keep and a second for your album. When the table is across the room, most of those second strips end up in coat pockets.
A good rule: if you can see the booth from the bar, you're probably in the right spot.
Outdoors
Outdoor setups can be lovely, but the booth needs cover from direct sun and any chance of rain. A tent corner or covered porch is ideal. Late-afternoon sun is the hardest light to work with, so shade matters even on a clear day.
Not sure what will work at your venue? Send us the name when you check your date, and we'll suggest a spot based on the layout.