If you've been to a wedding in the last few years, you've probably found yourself inside of a photo booth. I like to imagine you were wearing a viking helmet, scavenged off of the prop table and forever immortalized on a filmstrip that lives on your fridge. Oh the things we do when there’s an open bar.



Photo booths have become a genuine wedding staple and for good reason: they’re plain old fun. But if you’re currently wedding planning and deciding how to allocate your budget, it can be tough to decide whether or not they’re worth the money. Let’s help you make the decision and do a little dive on what they actually do, how they work, and whether having one means you don't need a photographer at your reception. (Spoiler: it doesn't.) Let's break it down.

Group of friends strike silly poses and wear props for a wedding photo booth against a green hedge wall and neon sign in the background.

The viking hat was real.

So What Is a Photo Booth, Actually?


At its core, a photo booth is a self-contained setup. It typically consists of a camera, a backdrop, a ring light (or similar), and some kind of touchscreen or trigger. Whether it’s a manual trigger or a timer, the interface lets your guests take their own photos throughout the night whenever they want. Most modern setups print on the spot, send photos digitally, or both. Some vendors include props (the aforementioned viking helmet), some have custom overlays or branding that you can integrate your wedding signage into, and some are open-air setups rather than the old-school enclosed booths you'd find at the mall circa 2004. You can get color, black and white, or funkier presets as well.


The experience is interactive, low-pressure, and honestly pretty fun. Guests can goof off without a photographer directing them, which tends to produce a very different (and very entertaining) type of photo.

Why Are They So Popular Right Now?


A few reasons. First, they double as entertainment. A photo booth gives guests something to do in between reception events or if they’re not really into dancing. Second, they serve as a guest favor. Printed photo strips are a tangible takeaway that people actually keep and as we know from the Pinterest polaroid trends lately, people love physical retro keepsakes. Third, and maybe most importantly, they generate a ton of candid, guest-driven content that captures a side of your wedding that formal photography doesn't always reach. 


There's also a social media element that some couples appreciate. Many modern booths offer instant digital sharing, which means both you and your guests have something to share and look at right away, even before wedding previews are ready.

But Don't I Already Have a Photographer For This?


Here's the thing: a wedding photographer and a photo booth perform fundamentally different jobs, and comparing them is a little like asking why you'd need a caterer if you already have a baker for your wedding cake. 


Your photographer documents your wedding day. They're capturing the first look, the ceremony, the emotional moments, the details you spent months planning. They're moving through the day with intention, telling a story with images that will hold up for decades. That's a craft, and it takes someone with an eye for light, composition, and timing.


A photo booth is giving your guests a toy. It's there for the after-dinner chaos, the group shots with old college friends, the moment your uncle puts on the oversized sunglasses and goes fully unhinged. Nobody is directing that. Nobody is editing it into a gallery. It just happens naturally, and that’s precisely what makes it so great.


They complement each other. One documents your wedding with intention. The other lets your guests document themselves having a blast at your wedding. Both are worth having, and both have their unique place.

A couple in black formal attire shares a cute moment, captured by a photo booth, while holding wine glasses against a white background.
Two friends in black outfits laugh and pose together for a black and white portrait in a event photo booth.
A couple poses in black and white, with the woman in a white dress leaning back against her partner in a tuxedo, in front of a photo booth.

Palm Events & Rentals: A Cleveland Photo Booth Worth Knowing


If you're considering a photo booth for your wedding day, Palm Events & Rentals is a local favorite of mine. It was founded by Rachel and her mother Tami and I have nothing but good things to say about working with them. 


They’re a mother-daughter team that started the business out of a genuine love for event design and celebrations and they wanted to bring that energy to the Cleveland area. Beyond photo booth rentals, they also offer full event planning and coordination services for weddings and corporate events. Whether you need a photo booth, a full-on event planner, or something in-between, they’ve got your back.


You can check them out at palmeventscle.com.

The founder of Palm Events & Rentals staging a table for an event with bouquets of flowers, elaborate table settings, and elegant ballooons.

Rachel from Palm Events, prepping a styled event shoot.

In Conclusion...


If you're still in the thick of wedding planning, I hope this helped you come to a decision on whether or not a photo booth is the right fit for your big day. And if you're still looking for a photographer to handle the other half of the equation (the actual “using a camera” part), feel free to reach out! I'd love to be part of your day. Who knows, maybe I’ll even use the photo booth too.