DIY Photo Booth!

Ciao!

I've been thinking a lot about how I'm going to set up the Photobooth at the wedding. Do I do Polaroids, try to set up a printer? All of my options raised problems like...who's gonna take the pic? How do I make it print more than 1 picture to a page? How do I make it easy enough for everyone to use without any problem? 1 word- Sparkbooth. This program is awesome! And it's only 60 bucks. Credit goes to Kc for helping me figure all this out :) Photo booths can run upwards of $1000 which is just insane and totally not in my budget. Plus, why spend the money when you can do something this SIMPLE. Here's what you do:

1. Download the program. It has options on how you want your photo's to print, what the actual screen looks like, the voice that tells your guests to print. You can even set it up to upload the pictures to Facebook if you want! AND that little logo in the top right...you can customize it to make it your own! Plus, it's super easy to use and you only need a spacebar and enter key to run it.

I know, this picture is just adorable. :)

2. Make it easy. If you trust your guests with your laptop, go ahead and set it right on the table to use. OR, if you are a little protective of your expensive equipment here is option 2. Set up a table with a table cloth on top and a box underneath. Set your laptop up on the box underneath. Run a monitor up from your laptop with a keyboard. No mouse...they don't need one and you don't want anyone messing around with the settings because things could go awry. Here's an example from Off Beat Bride.

Don't ask me why they're eating pizza.

3. Set up your printer. I plan to use a photo printer because I already have one, and tons of paper to use as well! Lucky me! If you are going to use a standard printer, you'll have to mess around with the paper size settings. I'm going to have mine print in the same format shown below but leave the space at the bottom empty for people to write a note!

4. Make a sign that give directions! Otherwise your guests may not know what to do. Something along the lines of Press Spacebar, Smile! Hit Enter to Print! Leave a note! Straightforward and easy to follow.

5. Lastly set up a fun background! Hang up a curtain, hang streamers or banners, build a wall and put some funky wall paper on it- be creative! You could build a full booth using wood or curtains to give some privacy if you feel like getting fancy! I think I may go with the curtain idea, it will probably be easier but I'll have photos on however it is that I choose to set it up. Also, props are always a good idea whether it's hats or glasses- make it fun!

Image found at BridePop

Also, make sure you turn off your screen saver. Set it to never sleep. Or you could set up a screensaver to show the pictures your guest have been taking. You just have to figure out where the pictures are saving, and choose that folder in your screen saver settings. That might be kinda fun. Don't forget a power cord for your laptop and set the program to full screen mode...you should be good to go! So simple. And fun for any event!

Happy Planning!

M