I sorted through my photobooth file and was able to find pictures and links...just in case any of your followers decides they want to make a photo booth too! Whatever "photo booth you pick...if you decide to make one...make sure you have a way to transport it to your reception site. In other words...don't make it too big. That is the nice thing about the PVC photo booth...it is a lot easier to transport and assemble once you get there as you can take it apart easily. The plywood photo booth is pretty heavy and harder to transport.
This may be the ultimate DIY project for weddings this season. Specially if I tell you that Laura and her fiancé made this photobooth wall for only $80. Using vintage wallpaper, a frame found at a thrift store and some plywood they made a free standing wall to be used for their photobooth. Now, on to the details:
From Laura:
This was a fantastic way to get my fiance involved. I also would like to mention that neither of us had ever ‘built’ anything before, so this project would definitely be quick and easy for those of you with more experience!
For more detailed instructions, click on this link:
http://ruffledblog.com/diy-photobooth-vintage-wallpaper-frame-wall-backdrop/
Here is another photobooth made of PVC in case you want a more open photobooth:
My suggestion would be to cover the front and back with fabric to cover up the PVC and give it a thicker fuller look (A red velvet would be dramatic and theaterish (I think I just made up that word). Also, I would get rid of the platform. She made it originally as a "stage" for her child in preschool then turned it into a photobooth. The flooring would cost more to make and in my opinion isn't needed. Here is a diagram of how I would make it:
Here is a link to detailed instructions for how she made hers...if I were making the booth...I might change the size depending on how much of your friends you want in the picture and what types of props you want to use...i.e. antique chairs, etc.:
http://paperandcake.blogspot.com/2010/11/before-after-photo-booth.html
Once you have your photobooth...don't forget about props! Here are a few pictures of things you can make:
Cut out "talking bubble" images from a thin wood and add a long dowel (heavy enough to hold the talking bubble), then paint it with chalkboard paint so that others can write their own sayings.
Here is another cute idea for using chalkboard paint so that your guests can have wording in their pictures:
Don't forget about mustaches, big lips, fun words, feather boas, hats, etc.
Here is a link to some free mustaches and talking bubbles that are cupcake toppers, but you could play around with the sizes so that they would work with your photobooth:
http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/11/a-gift-for-you.html
Here are instructions for how to make a "mustache on a stick" and there is a link for a free template with different styles of mustaches:
http://lisawelge.com/blog/2009/08/our-wedding-how-to-make-a-mustache-on-a-stick/
Also, since you are having a 20's theme wedding look for fun hats and other items from that era that would look good in pictures.
In case any of your followers missed them...here is a cute poem to get people to your photobooth:
"After you satisfy your sweet tooth [at the candy buffet/cake cutting]
Come visit our homemade photo booth
Grab a hat or a fake nose
We can't wait to see you strike a pose.
After the wedding, check the mail
Your photos will arrive without fail!
OR
After the wedding, your postman will leave
Your silly photos from this eve!
OR
After the wedding, in a month at the most
On a website your photos we'll post
Follow the directions on the card
To download your photos, it isn't hard!"
I have also seen people put an "admission ticket" in their wedding program for their photobooth. They just used the roll of tickets that you can buy at
Walmart or office supply stores. You could put:
"VISIT OUR PHOTOBOOTH!
(Don't worry if you lose your ticket - all you really need is your smile.)"
Here is a picture of one program with a ticket:
I would suggest posting the pictures on photobucket and have a card at the photo booth that your guests can take home with a web address, instructions for how to download the pictures and a date that they can expect them to be posted.
I'm not quite sure what is the best way to have the pictures taken...maybe you could leave disposable cameras and have everyone take pictures of each other. Or you could have the photobooth open for a set period of time and ask a really good friend to take the pictures that loves photography and you and wouldn't mind spending their time taking pictures of others. Another option would be to ask if your photographer has an assistant that can take pictures at the photobooth and have them put all of the photo booth pictures on a CD for you. Finally, you could have polaroid cameras so they can take a picture with them and leave one in a book ready for polaroid pictures and a spot that they can leave a message for you. You could find a unique book with lines and add photocorners to each page, so that all they have to do is slip the photo in and leave a message.
A few more cute quotes that you can post:
At the photobooth
"Step in, take a pic, for a moment or two
Be silly, or serious, anything will do
Grab a prop, grab a friend, strike a pose...lots of fun
We'll be sure to get you the pic after our honeymoon is done!"
Will you please,
Come say “Cheese”
The photo booth is right this way
A fun addition to this magical day
Give us your best look,
So we can fill our guest book.
Write a note
Or your best quote
A gift for you and a memory for all
So you can remember having a ball
"Help make our wedding picture perfect"
"Use the props for a photo op"
A final option, instead of making a photobooth...you could have a "red carpet" walk featuring your guests as "stars" and have pictures taken of them on the red carpet. Check with a local carpet company and price the cost of a "red carpet" strip and rent stanchions and ropes from your local party rental company. I purchased a red carpet for an event we had and I think I spent around $250...but the one I purchase was very wide and super long...much bigger than you will need.
I can't wait to hear what you think and if you might attempt this DIY.
I found the umbrella at Paper Lantern Store online http://paperlanternstore.com/papapaum.html. They're not very expensive especially if you buy in bulk. I used this tutorial http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/aw-mrs-kc-thank-you-parasol-directions-pics 
So....when are we going shopping???!!??
!!!!!!! You have me in hysterics!!!! Well I guess you can fight the snow storms and come up here, but I think I would prefer to go down there 
I was originally bidding on another style of the buttons, but Kristilyn stole them right from under me!!! lol I ended up with these, not too bad if I do say so myself 
This started out my day laughing! I didn't know it was youuuuuuuuuu 
