Category Archives: photo booth rental chicago IL

How to Rent a Photo Booth for Your Chicago Wedding

September 24, 2020photo booth rental, photo booth rental chicago IL, photo booth wedding chicago ilMike Urban

Renting a photo booth for your wedding may not be overly complicated, but it is important to follow these steps for a stellar photo booth rental experience—for both you and your guests. Renting a photo booth is a win-win! You get to enjoy the photos, and your guests get a night of making those great shots.

Decide what “other” wedding entertainment you want.

As you plan your Chicago wedding, consider what wedding entertainment fits your special day and guests. Are you dreaming of a big dance? Would you like to see your name in lights? Do you want table games for guests to play before and during dinner? Would you like to give guests who don’t want to dance other ways to enjoy the wedding? What entertainment fits your guest list?

As you decide, think about your guest list so you can choose the wedding entertainment that fits your big day. The entertainment for an adult-only wedding is usually markedly different than a wedding with kids. You may also want to include wedding entertainment that fits with your wedding theme or heritage for a unique twist.

Research Chicago photo booth rental companies.

Once you have a clear list of wedding entertainment, including a photo booth rental, start researching companies for the rental. Often, this list can get shorter if you choose companies that offer multiple services, such as a wedding DJ company that offers DJ services, lighting, and photo booth rentals.

Before contacting any companies or signing a contract, research potential companies in Chicago and make sure they are reputable. There are several ways you can research the companies: 1) by asking friends and family 2) browsing through social media sites 3) reading online reviews. Researching companies shouldn’t take too long, but you should feel confident that your short list of companies has provided satisfactory services to many Chicago couples over the years (and will do the same for you).

Ask the photo booth rental companies key questions.

As you contact Chicago photo booth rental companies, ask each Chicago photo booth company questions that give you an idea of the cost and what to expect:

What size photo booths do you offer? Is your equipment durable?
What is the cost of the photo booth? Is it per hour or a set cost per event?
Do you deliver to my venue? Are there any delivery fees?
When is payment due?
What is your cancellation policy?
Are there any back-up photo booth units in case of a breakdown? Who do we contact in case of a breakdown?
Do you provide any photo booth props?
Do you offer any other services? Can I rent the photo booth as part of a package?

Read the fine print.

Before signing on the dotted line, always read the contract fine print to ensure you are getting a quality photo booth and that there are no hidden costs. Start thinking about photo booth prop ideas and get ready to enjoy some really crazy fun photos!

Top Tips that Get You the Smoothest Photo Booth Rental

July 11, 2019photo booth props, photo booth rental chicago IL, photo booth rentals, photo booth wedding chicago ilMike Urban

A photo booth rental can be the highlight of the party (yay!) or the source of many headaches. While you can’t always prevent the latter, you can take a few steps when renting a photo booth to ensure that your photo booth is the source of a LOT of fun.

Be clear about pricing and contract details.

Hidden costs are incredibly frustrating, especially when the final cost is significantly more than the up-front quote. To avoid the frustration, always ask for a full list of charges up front instead of just asking about the cost.

Ask about back-ups and troubleshooting problems.

Unfortunately, even the best-maintained photo booths do occasionally break down. To avoid a mid-event breakdown, always vet photo booth equipment to ensure that you are getting reliable equipment. Look for equipment with sturdy cabinets and without home printers, which are prone to problems. To make sure you can get a quick repair if there is an issue, ask the photo booth rental company if an attendant is included with the rental and who to contact in case of a problem. For added insurance, ask if the company has back-up units that are available when needed.

Research the photo booth rental company.

The best photo booth rental companies check off several boxes. They are reputable with a long history of satisfied customers and rentals. You can find those companies with some research; start by looking at their social media sites and online review sites for reviews by past customers.

Have fun with photo booth props.

A photo booth rental wouldn’t be complete without a whole host of props that make those memorable photos. Some companies include props in the photo booth rental. If you need props, include that question (“do you provide props as part of the photo booth rental?”) in your initial list of questions. For custom photos, purchase additional props (use this list of photo booth prop ideas) and customize the backdrop. If you have a social media hashtag, you can add the hashtag onto items or choose unique items that fit with the theme.

Make your photo booth rental a package deal.

Some photo booth rental companies offer the rental as part of a package (such as with lighting or DJ services). If you need other services, this is a great way to get a good deal and keep your vendor calls to a minimum.

30 Photo Booth Prop Ideas Perfect for Your Wedding

April 26, 2019photo booth rental, photo booth rental chicago IL, photo booth wedding chicago il, wedding photo booth rentalMike Urban

A wedding photo booth is one form of wedding entertainment that can be customized to be completely YOU. The best way to set your photo booth apart from a bunch of generic selfies is to stock a costume box full of fun photo booth props.

Photo Booth Tips

Choose photo booth props that fit with the wedding atmosphere.
Always rent a reliable photo booth unit to avoid breakdowns and headaches (use these tips to select a quality photo booth for the big day).
Designate someone in charge of troubleshooting any photo booth problems so you can enjoy your wedding day (or rent a photo booth unit with a staff member who can troubleshoot any issues).
Strategically position the photo booth at the wedding venue so there is a natural flow of guests and you get lots of shots.
Make (fun) signs that direct guests to the photo booth.
Select the right backdrop that fits with the style of your special day.
Include social media hashtag in your photo booth props.
Make sure your photo booth props are sturdy so the props don’t look worn in late night shots.

Photo Booth Prop Ideas

Top Hats
Feather Boas
Sunglasses
Paper Fans
Bow ties
Ties
Mustaches
Flowers
Crowns
Hearts (strung together or individual)
Frames (choose styles that fit with the wedding atmosphere)
Masquerade Masks
Mardi Gras Beads
Hawaiian Leis
Large Playing Cards
Foam Fingers
4-Leaf Clovers
Bows
Magnifying Glass
Umbrellas
Berets
Trophies
Pirate Hat
Mickey Mouse Ears
Cowboy Hats
Frame with Wedding Date
Large Letters & Numbers
Chalkboard (for customizable messages)
Sticks/signs with cute sayings in dialogue bubble (“I’m just here for the cake!”)
Sticks/signs with wedding hashtag

5 Epic Wedding Photo Booth Musts

October 5, 2018photo booth rental chicago IL, wedding entertainment ideas, wedding photo booth rentalMike Urban

A photo booth can be the source of a million funny shots or an unused wedding prop. These tips can ensure that your wedding photo booth is a big hit—and one of the guests’ fav kind of wedding entertainment.

Props

When it comes to photo booths, silly faces aren’t always enough. Supply your wedding guests with an ample supply of photo booth props. If you have a wedding theme, select props that fit with the theme. Think leis and grass skirts for a tropical wedding, feather boas and top hats for a theater theme, and clown noses and top hats for a wedding at the circus. Be creative and have fun choosing the best wedding photo booth props.

Frame

If you want guests to mark the special occasion, provide a frame with the wedding name (i.e. Smith Wedding, Doe-Smith Wedding) and/or the date and social media hashtags. If a frame isn’t your first choice, instead opt for a chalkboard (perfect for a school teacher wedding) or a rustic sign.

Location

Don’t let your photo booth become a forgotten wedding entertainment prop. Position the photo booth in a convenient location that guests can easily reach (without too much direction). The ideal location for a photo booth should be near the dance floor and bar—easily accessible for a fun shot in between wedding dances.

Space

Not all photo booths are created equal. Do you want group shots? Smaller, personalized shots? Old-fashioned printed professional shots? Weigh your options carefully as you decide on the right photo booth rental. For a less-stress option, choose a DJ that offers a photo booth rental as part of a wedding entertainment package.

Reliability

To get every shot (and the best pics) possible, make sure you have a reliable (and well-built to avoid a photo booth collapse!) photo booth that won’t break down. Unfortunately, a do-it-yourself photo booth is not always the most reliable equipment—and doesn’t come with a back-up when it does shut down. For those reasons, research wedding photo booth rentals carefully; rent a wedding photo booth that comes with a back-up in case of problems and the pros with expertise to get awesome wedding reception shots.