I just wanted Photo Booth Pricing. Can't I just pick one and be done with it?
OMG there are soooo many options these days! How much does all that affect pricing? Well...it does and it doesn't. It's really just not about all the options, pricing is really affected by the overall level and value of service. And remember, you get what you pay for. Ok whats the average photo booth rental price for that? What is that magic medium for my area?
You might have noticed is actually hard to find staraight up pricing on Photobooth Rentals unless they are only selling by price, and in that case I will share with you the cheapest Photo Booth rentals out there bellow. Beyond most articles being about 5+ years old and directory websites that "claim" the average photobooth rental price is around $300. That is 100% not true. In that case it's really just directory website that's just trying to get clicks and sell advertising. Plain and simple.
How much are photo booths for a 3 or 4 hour wedding in the US?
It comes down to what you want. I have broken them down into these 6 simple categories.
Super High End ++++ $2000 $3000 $4000
They are going to probably have something incredibly super cool and over the top of value to add to your wedding or event. If outrageous and extraordinary entertainment are at the top of your list and budget then this is where you may start.
Higher End. $1800 +++
Most of these companies know their stuff and are typically at the cutting edge of new and exciting photo booth trends. They are well organized, probably attend some industry events and know what rocks and what doesn't. They have everything you would expect and many things you never even imagined.
Mid Level $1400 +
These guys are what you see at most events or at the "Average Wedding". Some fairly good options, quality staff. They typically have all the basics down, good reputation, insured, licensed, recommend, outgoing personalities, the latest trends and some decent reviews online.
Budget $900 +
When your strapped for cash, be a bit more careful. It's hit or miss and be sure to do your homework. In fact I will even give you a check list of things you should ask. Think about the basic stuff that are going to be important that may or may not be included, things like unlimited prints, any prints at all, props, fun/interactive attendants, insurance, experience and good reviews.
Low End $500
I've pretty much never heard any "Great Stories" about below average photo booth companies. Not to say they are not out there but the odds are 99% not going to be so hot. You will have some issues and I'm sure it shows up in online reviews.
Super Low End.
Let's do some math to find the cheapest photobooth. In doing a recent search for "photo booths" an ad came up for $119.00 for a photobooth on a "Group On" type website. For those of you don't know, that 75% off discount is split once again by the vendor and the discount website. So you are getting a less than $60 photobooth experience. 60 bucks? Well if you wanted the cheapest, there you go...good luck with that. And read the fine print...Restrictions Apply. What kind of restrictions? Like, your wedding has to be on a Tuesday morning, they reserve the right to cancel on you and keep the money. Honestly with both friends and clients, I've actually never heard a story that turns out good in the end with the super low end kind of vendor. (For any low vendor in fact) I can share some of those in the future if you want, but for now let's just concentrate on the good stuff.
Do It Yourself
There is a ton of DIY options out there and it sounds cool in theory. But wait a minute. Do it yourself? Aren't you going to be getting married or your hosting an event? Aren't your closest friends & family busy celebrating your special day. It's kind of like putting on your own slideshow at a wedding or event. Computers & technology don't always behave and if there's something to go wrong or pop up unexpectedly, this only happens when you least want it to. Don't put that on you or any of your guests. Why deal with that extra stress? I've seen it many times and it's soooo awkward. Please just enjoy your day, find your professional. I've seen so many brides "miss" special moments because there were dealing with silly stuff that could have been handled by an experienced vendor. It could have been completely avoided if only the right people were in place. Put it in the hands of a good professional and let them take care of it for you.
Additional Costs & Fees
Upgrades, Additional Fees
There are a number of additional fees, costs, charges and upgrades that range all over the place from free to more than the entire package you originally looked at.
Upgrades vary from company, and there are so many things to choose from. Be aware of some things you may believe are already included in your package when in fact they may be an additional fee option. Unlimited prints. Prints if any. Props. Custom Designed Media. Set Up. Break Down. Travel. Just be sure to do your research
6 Important Questions To Ask A Potential Photobooth Vendor
(Or Any Wedding Vendor For That Matter)
What makes you great or unique? This is actually a good question to ask. Do they sound fun? Do they sound like a good fit? Are they going to bring something extra to your wedding or event that has some extra wow factor for you guests?
Are you insured & licensed?Any vendor you work with should be a reputable company that is licensed and insure. There are two main reasons for this. It appears they take the time to care enough to play by the rules. They are in fact an actual business.
Do you provide a written contract? Get it in writing. Exactly ho what where when how much for how long and what if. I hope you don't need any more explanation on this. Have your agreement in writing.
What kind of experience do you have? I'm guessing that information will already be on that vendor's website or by recommendation of a venue or friend. But if you are questioning that this potential may have limited experience then you definitely want to reconsider this vendor. You need to bring in a team of vendors that can take care of you on your special day, not the other way.
The most important question to ask about this vendor is yourself, Is this company for me? Are you truly excited about this vendor? Do they have the personality that matches yours and do they seem like the kind of person who will bring you the team that is the "perfect" fit for your wedding. It's likely the person you love the most might cost a few extra bucks, but in the long run it's really worth it. Because they are fun, personable and just bring out the best for your guests, for that small extra investment you have the best memories to look back on. And you will have the pictures to prove it. :)
Are there exceptions to this? Yes of course!
Yeah every area is going to have some slight to big differences. And you may bump into opportunities where you can find a great deal, say for instance your DJ or photographer has a photo booth as an upgrade. If you are already passionately in love with this vendor and it looks good, why not?
Fact or Myth: Some of those companies are price gouging because it's a wedding
There's a reason McDonald's isn't catering your wedding. Yes the food is unarguably the cheapest in town but had it crossed your mind to have happy meals sitting on your guests plates? Of course not, you want a certain level of quality and value. Most companies charge what they charge because the are a good value you for your investment. There's some behind the scenes some inside scoop to the real costs behind the scenes. They are spending money on software licenses, payroll, insurance, good training and the nicest looking set up they can bring to your wedding (including being dressed in their best), maintenance, research, knowledge and to have so much passion to giving you and your guests the best possible experience that they do this for a living. It's actually not an easy thing to do.
To sum it up..
Just remember, you get what you pay for. You can't ask for the "Cheapest" of anything and expect "The Best". If it's to good to be true, it's probably not and your wedding or event is not the day to figure that one out. Do your homework but don't get overwhelmed with everything that's out there. Once you have you have a good team put together for your wedding things will be aye-ok. You have an amazing day to look forward to and it's going to be one heck of an adventure for sure. I wish you the best of luck for in your upcoming event, for you, your family and friends. It can get a little overwhelming at times, but just remember why you are holding your celebration.
For the photobooth companies out there reading this..
Yes, I understand everyone is very sensitive to pricing and value out there and it does vary market to market. Not just pricing and local economy, but the overall talent and technology that is available in the area. Most of this info is based on various markets throughout the west coast. It's not perfect and the numbers are going to be a bit different. Some vendors are the exception for better or for worse. I intend to keep editing this article on an ongoing basis to give the best possible information I can share so feel free to reach out with in site and we can make it better.
This is all just based on my personal experience and knowledge from around the industry and my nearby markets over the past two decades. I've worked in the wedding & entertainment as an event planner, wedding coordinator, speaker and here to do what I can to help brides and vendors around the globe. If you want to pirate any part of this article feel free to let me know, but just don't take anything without asking because that's not cool, especially when it's not referenced. While I'm always flattered we're cool enough for other companies to copy our content, it's still ours.
To all you photo booth companies out there, I hope things are in fact going good for you and everyone around you. We are in a time where we have so much access to things we couldn't have even imagined only a few short years ago. Keep growing and adding lots of value for you clients. And most importantly HAVE FUN and ENJOY this amazing experience. Your are a big part of the fun and entertainment at one of someones most important celebrations of their life.
For the bloggers, wirters, magazines out there...
If you want to share or use any of this content, clean it up whatever, that's totally fine with me. The only thing I ask, you must contact me and let me know. I just wanna know how you are using it and yeah permission is required.
Matthew Strong is the owner of Action Flipbooks in California. Matt has over 20 years experience in the events industry and is always looking for ways to provide his clients and their guests with incredibly unique and exciting experiences. Feel free to reach out to Matt by sending an email to matt@actionflipbooks.com
