Planning the entertainment for your wedding can feel like juggling a hundred ideas; whether It be live bands, DJs, magicians, lawn games, you name it there is so much to choose from out there. But if there’s one thing that never fails to bring the laughs, the memories, and the unexpected moments, it’s a photo booth or magic mirror. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering with your friends or family; or a grand wedding, a Photo Booth or mirror offer something for everyone, and in this post, we’ll dive deep into why they’re such a crowd-pleaser—and even share a detailed DIY version if you’re working with a tighter budget and still want to have some of the fun at your big day.
The Art of Instant Fun
From the moment guests arrive, a booth or mirror becomes a focal point for fun:
- Bridges Generations: Grandparents, uncles, and teenagers all engage equally—no music or speech required. And if one of out #teamjellybean are there, well everyone will come away with an amazing photo.
- Ice-Breaker Extraordinaire: Strangers become friends when they share props and queue up side by side. It’s quite often we see people from both sides of a family at a wedding come together with a inflatable banana… no seriously!
Instead of wandering off or scrolling through phones, guests are busy creating tangible memories with a print to take home and stick on their fridge. Prop in hand, they’re making silly faces, striking poses, and leaving with smiles that last far longer than a single photo.
Beyond Photos: Keepsakes & Guestbooks
A booth does more than just entertain—it doubles as a personalised favour:
- Instant Prints: Guests walk away with a custom keepsake printed on the spot. And with our bespoke designs we can match your existing stationery for your event / wedding, or you can leave them a special message thanking them for coming.
- Guestbook Magic: Use duplicate print strips or Polaroid-style shots to create a living guestbook filled with messages and memories to look back on in years.
- Digital Gallery: All our bookings include an online gallery, perfect for sharing with friends who couldn’t attend or to share on your own social media.
You end up with a vibrant collection of moments that complement your professional photography, capturing candid reactions and unexpected shenanigans.
Seamless Customisation
Every couple is unique, and your booth or mirror can be too:
- Brand-It-Your-Way: Colours, fonts, and overlays match your wedding stationery. Our in-house graphics team put together a bespoke design (not just a design from a gallery and pretending to be unique). We can match your existing design and even reflect this on the screen animation.
- Backdrop Bliss: Choose a backdrop that fits your theme—rustic wood, glam metallic, or floral fantasy. Plus New for 2025 we also do bespoke backdrop designs, great for that splash of personality or for those corporate events that are brand heavy.
- Prop Perfection: From inflatable guitars to feather boas, props reflect your personality and style. Plus sometimes we actually don’t know what is in our prop boxes… some are totally random!
DIY Photobooth: Top Tips for Budget-Savvy Couples
If hiring a professional booth isn’t in the budget, creating your own DIY photobooth is easier than you think. Whilst you may not have the full Photo Booth experience from something like we offer, you can still have the benefits of having a booth such as those keep sakes, or capturing those random moments of fun and crazinezs.Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting an at-home experience with minimal cost:
- Choose Your Camera
- An Instax or Polaroid camera delivers instant prints and a nostalgic vibe. You can pick these up for around £100, but do bear in mind – they cost about £20 for a pack of 20 prints. So they are not the most cost effective way to print but they do have an amazing nostalgic look.
- Alternatively, use a digital camera on a tripod and print at home or via a local lab. There are also some free apps on the App Store that can replicate the Photo Booth effect.
- Backdrop Setup
- Grab a budget backdrop stand (available on Amazon for under £30).
- Pair with a large fabric backdrop or paper roll (£15–£20).
- Secure with clamps or clips and ensure it’s wrinkle-free.
- Lighting Essentials
- Natural daylight is best—position near a window if possible.
- For evening events, inexpensive LED ring lights (£20–£25) help eliminate shadows. Neewer or Godox do some great examples on Amazon … lighting is key so do bare this in mind.
- Prop Essentials
- A set of inflatable props from B&M or Amazon (£10–£15). Even Poundland so some small selection of props especially around the summer and wedding season.
- Print a sheet of DIY signs online (“Team Bride,” “Best Party Ever”) and mount on cheap dowel rods.
- Include a small box or basket for props so guests can grab and go. Thinking IKEA for those rustic wooden pallet style Boses.
- Guestbook & Display
- Buy a basic scrapbook (£10) from any retailer such as Hobbycraft, The Range etc.
- Provide a glue stick or washi tape for guests to mount their photos. (£1-£2)
- Ask guests to leave a note next to their print—instant memories.
- Signage & Instructions
- Create a simple chalkboard or printed sign with instructions (“Snap, Stick, Sign!”).
- Encourage guests to tag your wedding hashtag if you want to gather all images online.
With these essentials, your DIY booth can come together for under £100 and still deliver big on fun.
Why It’s More Than Just a Gimmick
Photo booths and magic mirrors aren’t a passing trend—they’re a modern wedding staple. They provide non-stop entertainment for all ages, double as personalised keepsakes, and add a unique, interactive element to your day. Even if you opt for DIY, you’ll see the same energy, laughter, and memories that make the investment worthwhile.
So, if you’re still weighing your entertainment options, remember this: a booth or mirror brings people together, gives them a keepsake they’ll love, and turns ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.
