Booking a photo booth should be one of the fun parts of planning your wedding or event… but let’s be honest, not all suppliers are created equal. Some come with all the bells and whistles, others just show up (hopefully) with a camera in a box and a pile of tangled wigs (or as we’ve seen, just an iPad on a stick).

If you want the kind of photo booth that gets your guests talking, laughing, and queueing up for “just one more photo”, then here are five essential questions to ask before you book. And this applies to any photobooth company – not just us!

1. What’s included in your photo booth package — and are there any hidden costs?

Not all photo booths are built the same, and neither are the packages.

Some suppliers might quote you for the booth, but then upsell everything else — prints, props, backdrops, setup, breakdown, even travel. Before you know it, your “cheap” quote has ballooned into the price of a small car. Also does the company you’re looking at put prices at the forefront of their website.

Ask what’s included up front. Does it come with unlimited visits? Instant prints? Digital copies? A guest book? And more importantly, does it come attended? Whilst all of our Jellybean bookings come attended (and that’s what we’re known for), this is one of the most important aspects of the booking other than the physical prints themselves. It can make the difference of your guests being engaged and having proper fun, or just not knowing what is going on.

Make sure you’re comparing like-for-like when you get quotes. All day digital only hire is NOT THE SAME as a 3 hour Photo Booth manned.

2. Do you provide an attendant on the day?

This one matters more than people think and for us is almost as important as the physical print.

A photo booth with no attendant is like a bar with no bartender — things go sideways fast. Props end up on the floor, printers jam, kids press every button possible (twice), and the fun can go flat very quickly.

Having a professional attendant means the booth is looked after, the guests get guidance (and a giggle), and everything runs smoothly from first photo to last. It also means someone’s there to fix any little hiccups and keep things fun and flowing. All of our booths and mirrors come with our fully trained, award winning #teamjellybean – not just for the above… but to have fun with you and your guests all night.

3. Can we customise the booth or prints to match our theme?

From moody and romantic to neon pink and disco fabulous — your wedding or event has its own personality, and your photo booth should reflect that.

Ask your supplier if you can personalise your print designs, choose specific props, or style the booth to match your theme. Can you add your names or logo to the photos? Pick colours to match your decor or have a selection of backdrops for your guests to stand in front of.

Customisation can make a huge difference and give your guests something extra special to take home. Also compare whether it is just a basic design, whether it is a choice of a pre-made set of templates, or if they have a dedicated design team like ours that can fully personalise your prints to match your wedding stationery or design.

4. Do you have public liability insurance and PAT-tested equipment?

This one’s a bit more practical, but super important.

Most venues now require suppliers to have public liability insurance (PLI) and PAT-tested (Portable Appliance Testing) equipment — it’s basically a health & safety must-have. A good photo booth supplier will have this sorted and ready to send over without blinking.

If they hesitate or try to blag their way through it, run.

No one wants last-minute issues with venue access because the supplier isn’t up to scratch on the paperwork. Plus your booth supplier should have easy access to these for you and your venue, and be of assistance if copies of these are requested.

5. How do guests receive their photos — prints, digital, or both?

We know this one well… guests love a printed strip to take home and stick on the fridge. But digital copies are just as important these days (especially if your friend Sharon lost hers at the bar three minutes after taking it). We get alot of requests for digital copies every week, with hundreds of people accessing our online galleries every week to download their copy.

Ask how the photos are delivered:

• Are Instant prints available on the night?
• Is a digital gallery available to access after the event with easy and secure access?
• Are the photos available on a USB or Cloud link?
• Unlimited downloads?

The best suppliers (including us) offer a mix of all of those — fun prints there and then (instantly within 15 seconds), plus easy access to digital versions after the event (or in our case instantly online). That way, everyone gets to relive the laughs (and questionable wigs) long after the night ends.

Choosing a photo booth supplier isn’t just about finding the cheapest option. Without being brutal we certainly aren’t the cheapest— But it’s about finding a team who’ll bring the energy, professionalism, and fun your event deserves. If budget is the main deciding factor in your Photo Booth purchase, make sure the company you look for has what YOU WANT. Don’t be sold on loads of extras to make it feel you’re getting a good deal.

Ask the right questions, and you’ll end up with a booth that’s more than just a box in the corner. You’ll get an experience your guests rave about and photos you’ll treasure forever.

Still looking for the right booth team? We might know someone… (well you wouldn’t be reading this blog or on our website otherwise) 😉