CWPR 2015 Fall/Winter

C A T E G O R Y H E A D E R

C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E

W W W . C H I C A G O W E D D I N G R E S O U R C E . C O M

How to Create

a Knockout

Photo Booth

Photo booths are becoming the fun

must-have for today’s weddings.

Here’s how to make yours great

By Anna Sachse, CTW Features

If you’ve been to a wedding or 10 in the last few years, you

know that including some variation of a photo booth has be-

come almost as ubiquitous as having flowers and the cake This

trend makes sense — the booth adds to the entertainment,

serves as an icebreaker and often leads to the most natural and

fun photos of the night But if everybody’s doing it, how do

you make your version feel uniquely you? Just take this been

there, done that many times expert advice

PROP IT UP

While goofy hats, wigs and mustaches-on-sticks are cute,

it’s even better if the props reflect something about the cou-

ple and/or the location of the wedding For example: If you

are big tennis players, then have racquets, balls, visors and

old-fashioned sports costumes; if you love country music,

provide an assortment of cowboy hats, western garb, guitars

or banjos and hobbyhorses; or if you’re hosting a seaside cel-

ebration, feature things like towels, sunglasses, beach balls,

parasols and stuffed sharks All kinds of props become fun-

nier as the night goes on and your guests get creative

GO BACK & FOREGROUND

Another way to make your booth feel personal is to set the stage Find a carpenter to create

custom backdrops that can be switched out throughout the night to reflect different portions

of the evening

Love sci-fi? Go for a backdrop of the moon Known for your silliness? Go for a ’70s action

film scene You can also create a customized foreground to frame the subject, such as the gun

barrel from James Bond movies, a fairy-tale window, or a variety of vintage picture frames

Josh & Ellen

November 7, 2015

www.Studio-One.com

SEVERAL CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

SERVING CHICAGO & ALL SUBURBS SINCE 1976

DOUBLE-DUTY IT

Guests will enjoy your booth

more (and be more likely to

use it) if the pictures are

printed instantly Have two

copies so that guests can

keep one as a favor, and then

paste the other in a photo/

guest book with a mes-

sage If you’re photographer

doesn’t have that capability,

send a copy to guests later with a thank-you card You also may be able to live-stream photos on to

a large screen in the room, allowing guests to see the images and adding to a playful atmosphere

MAKE IT WORK

It doesn’t matter how amazing your booth is if no one uses it The key is “location, location, lo-

cation!” Place it near the dance floor or the bar where guests circulate all night to attract much

more attention Set up a small table for cocktail glasses, purses, etc Ask a few bridesmaids or

friends to get the party started by taking a few pre-planned group photos Or just get in there

yourself You’re obviously the star attraction, so guests will likely gravitate wherever you go