Photo Booth Backdrops to Wow Your Guests

Want your wedding photo booth to go from “fun” to unforgettable? This post breaks down everything couples need to know about creating show-stopping backdrops—from professional options to creative DIY ideas that fit any theme or budget. Whether you’re dreaming of boho tapestries, a flower wall, rustic wood, or full-on sparkle, here’s how to wow your guests and make your photo strips the talk of the night.

December 12, 2024

Photographers have been a wedding staple for decades, but in recent years, photo booths have begun trending. They have become so widely used that more than half ot the weddings I DJ also book a photo booth package. Of my available add-ons, only uplighting outsells photo booths. And for good reason! While wedding photographers are tasked with capturing the most important moments, such as the ceremony and the first dance, they can't be in all places at once. However, a photo booth can pick up the slack, offering guests a fun way to commemorate the occasion and providing the couple with candid memories of their loved ones. Even better, the printed photo strips are easy party favors for your guests to take home.

A photo booth gives people a reason to drop their guard for a bit, which makes for fun, often goofy images that a wedding photographer would have a hard time capturing naturally. Mostov DJ Services offers three types of photo booths: canopy, curtain, and open booths. The first two are enclosed and, therefore, limit the number of people who can be photographed at one time because of their fixed size. While some couples appreciate the enclosed privacy of these types of booths, today's blog entry concerns only our open booths. Open booths allow for larger group photos, and those being photographed have the power to choose how close or how far they wish to be from the camera. But open booths require something the enclosed booths do not: backdrops. The backdrop, or background, is a crucial component of the photo booth because it sets the mood, theme, and aesthetic of the photos. We offer a variety of backdrops for our couples to choose from, but from my experience, it is the creative and novel backdrops created by our couples themselves that are most exciting. If you want some DIY wedding photo booth ideas, this blog entry has you covered.

A wedding photo booth is a fun cost-efficient way to get great images at a wedding. If choosing an open format photo booth, an appropriate backdrop that matches your wedding's aesthetic can make for even better images. My wife, Gail, will help you to choose from the backdrops we have available. If you choose to use one of our backdrops, there is no charge; they come as part of the package. But if you want something truly original, DIY backdrops are key. And don't worry; it does not need to be a big expense.

Below are a few concepts to consider first before building a photo booth backdrop:

Material Considerations: Photo booth backdrops can be made from various materials, from fabric to wood to paper. Depending on the desired aesthetic, choose a material that complements the wedding theme and is suitable for photography. For instance, a matte finish is typically preferred to avoid any unwanted reflections from camera flashes.

Size: The backdrop should be large enough to comfortably fit groups of people, as wedding guests often like taking group photos. Typically, a backdrop should be at least 8 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.

Consistency with Wedding Theme: The background should harmonize with the wedding theme, whether it's rustic, vintage, beach, elegant, or any other style. Consistency will provide a coherent look to all your wedding photos.

Fun Ideas for Your Photo Booth Backgrounds

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, below are a few ideas for creating amazing wedding photo booth backdrops:

Floral Wall: Create a wall adorned with real or faux flowers. You can cover the entire backdrop in blooms, or use them to create patterns or initials of the couple's names.

Sequin or Glitter Curtains: Add a touch of glamor with shimmering sequin curtains, available in many colors to suit your wedding palette.

Vintage Wallpapers: Use vintage-style wallpapers or old book pages to create an antique feel. This is great for a wedding with a throwback theme.

Rustic Barn Wood: If you're going for a rustic or country-themed wedding, using slabs of reclaimed wood or even palettes can evoke a warm, rustic feel.

Hanging Boho Tapestries: These are perfect for a bohemian or indie-themed wedding. Think macrame hangings, dreamcatchers, and other boho-chic elements.

Paper Flowers: Handmade paper flowers in various sizes and colors can create a whimsical 3D effect.

Beach Scene: If you're having a beach wedding, incorporate real sand, surfboards, and seashells to transport your guests seaside.

Balloon Wall: Create a backdrop using balloons in the wedding colors. You can use giant balloons or create patterns with smaller ones.

Chalkboard: A large chalkboard allows guests to write messages or allows you to have a pre-written message or design, perhaps with the couple's names and wedding date.

Themed Backgrounds: Depending on your interests as a couple, you could have a backdrop that's themed around a favorite movie, book, or travel destination.

Photo Frames: It is easy to build a photo frame for your guests to stand behind. But it is often more fun to have various hanging photo frames at different heights and sizes. Guests can pose within these frames.

This idea pairs really well with the various props that we bring for your use at the photo booth and adds a bit of fun to the photos taken.

Fairy Lights: Draping strings of fairy lights against a dark backdrop can create a magical, starry-night effect.

Where to Get Supplies

The best place to get supplies is at a party store. Party City has a whole section dedicated to photo booth props. Additionally, you'll be able to find decoration staples such as balloons, standees, signs, banners, and even pre-made backdrops. It's a good idea to shop here once you have a near-finalized idea in mind. Otherwise, you might end up with a backdrop that's too busy and lacks a theme.

Projects such as the rustic, boho, and vintage wallpaper backdrops may require going to a specialized store to get the appropriate supplies. Hardware stores and vintage furniture shops are good places to start. For more niche items, Etsy is a great online marketplace where you can get custom decorations done — make sure to order well ahead of time, as hand-made crafts take a long time to complete. But before you go with any of the above options, check your local thrift stores! You never know what you will find at Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Often, you will find something you never would have thought to use; at other times, you may luck out and find the very thing you were looking for.

Remember, the key is to create a setting that not only looks good in photos but also invites guests to participate and have fun. Whatever backdrop you choose, ensure there's good lighting to get the best photos possible. Be sure to incorporate the props we bring and consider adding a photo strip memory book. A memory book helps to preserve your memories of the reception. A copy of each photo strip taken is inserted in the memory book, and all guests in each photo strip are encouraged to leave hand-written notes to you to accompany their photo strips. We can even add stanchions and a red carpet if you would like to add a bit of allure to the photo booth package.

By adding one of our photo booths, your wedding can be one to remember. Guests will be lining up to take pictures throughout the night! Visit the Add-Ons page of my website for more information, or contact me via email at alan@mostovdjservices.com or give me a call at (234) 699-8063 to learn more about what we offer.

And for more creative DIY backdrops, check out this website: https://shotkit.com/backdrop-ideas/

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