Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Project Party

Welcome to the world of DIY creativity! A wedding photo booth holds an irresistible allure, drawing even the most introverted guests into a whirlwind of playful fun. If you’re planning to set up your own captivating photo booth, then you’ll need an arsenal of DIY photo booth props that your loved ones can vie for.

Consider this – when it comes to setting up your photo booth, less can indeed be more with props. You don’t need to exhaust yourself crafting every prop under the sun. Instead, concentrate on a select few items and elements that resonate with the newlyweds and their guests.

So, let’s dive in! Here are 20 DIY photo booth props and accessories you can create or find right at home:

Carving Out Your Photo Booth Space

The first step in bringing your photo booth to life is designating a specific area at your event venue. This spot will serve as the canvas for countless smiles, laughter and unforgettable moments, adorned with beautifully laid dinner settings, a mouth-watering wedding cake, and an enticing assortment of DIY photo booth props.

1. Select a Striking Backdrop

Your backdrop is like the foundation of your photo booth. It can be as extravagant as a decorative privacy screen or repurposed old doors, adding a rustic charm. Or, you could lean towards a minimalist approach with multi-coloured streamers on a string, creating a vibrant backdrop for your guest’s photos1. Remember, your backdrop should complement your overall theme while providing a visually pleasing contrast to your DIY photo booth props.

2. Incorporate Signage and Decorations

Signage not only guides guests to your photo booth but also builds anticipation. Consider a ‘Selfie Zone’ sign surrounded by colourful bunting, balloons, flowers, and decorative fans that align with your event theme. This not only helps to create a festive atmosphere but also gives your decor a cohesive look. Remember, your signage and decorations are extensions of your DIY photo booth props, contributing to the overall aesthetic and experience.

3. Frame the Fun

There’s something magical about a frame that makes a photo booth experience more engaging. Consider repurposing an old frame with a fresh coat of paint or design your own Instagram-style border. These frames serve as interactive DIY photo booth props, adding dimension to your photos and making each snap a framed masterpiece3.

4. Prop Up the Fun with an Old Suitcase

A photo booth is incomplete without a treasure trove of props. An old suitcase filled with a variety of props like funky hats, oversized glasses, colourful wigs, or a twirly moustache can add an element of discovery and thrill4. The act of rummaging through the suitcase for the perfect prop becomes part of the fun journey leading up to the photo.

5. Capture Memories with a Polaroid Camera and Memory Book

While a digital camera on a tripod is essential for capturing all the laughter and quirky poses, a Polaroid camera adds a touch of nostalgia. Guests can instantly print their photos, paste them into a memory book, and write a personal message next to it56. This not only provides instant gratification but also serves as a tangible keepsake from your event.

In the end, setting up a photo booth with DIY props is all about fostering an environment of joy and creating unforgettable memories. So, flex your creative muscles, and let the good times roll!

Crafting Exciting Dress-Ups for Your Photo Booth

After setting up your photo booth area, the next step is to bring in the dress-ups! While actual hats or wigs may disturb your guests’ hairstyles or outfits, cardboard cutouts provide similar levels of fun without the inconvenience. You’ll require high-quality cardboard (preferably colourful and glittery), a range of printable stencils (Pinterest is a great resource), a reliable glue gun, a sturdy pair of scissors, and skewers or durable sticks for handles.

6. Funky Hair Without the Mess

Cardboard cutouts of eccentric hairstyles, such as afros or top hats, can add a fun element to photo booths. They allow guests to experiment with different looks without worrying about their actual hair. This creates an exciting dynamic at parties, where guests can switch between different styles and capture it all in photos.

7. Unleashing the Inner Rockstar

Oversized lip props, like exaggerated lips or wide-open mouths, can bring out the inner rockstars in your guests. They add a vibrant pop of colour and a sassy attitude to photos, making each one unique. These props can help create memorable images that guests will love to share.

8. Expressive Bowties

Offering cardboard bowties in bright or wild patterns is a great way to let guests express their style. These props can transform the photo booth into a lively, colourful space, where everyone feels free to be creative and have fun while taking memorable pictures.

9. Vintage Charm with Moustaches

Including a variety of cardboard moustache options adds a touch of vintage charm to the photo booth. These props encourage guests to experiment with a new look and add a quirky twist to their photos, making the photo booth experience even more enjoyable.

10. Humorous Glasses

Incorporating quirky glasses as props can add an element of surprise and humour to your photo booth. Whether they’re spray-painted gold for a touch of glamour, or playfully designed with a three-eye stencil for a whimsical twist, these unconventional props are sure to be a hit. They will not only spark laughter among your guests but also encourage them to let loose and have fun. Every moment spent at the photo booth becomes a joyful memory captured in the form of a photograph.

11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Props

Incorporating cardboard cutouts of microphones and guitars as props can infuse a lively musical vibe into your event. These props offer guests an exciting opportunity to channel their inner rockstars, turning the photo booth into a mini concert stage. The result is an atmosphere brimming with energy, laughter, and fun. Guests will be encouraged to let loose and strike their best rockstar poses, leading to unforgettable photos that capture the spirit of the event.

12. Luxurious Celebration

Adding cardboard cutouts of champagne bottles to your photo booth can transform it into a scene of luxurious celebration. These props, with their elegant design, add a touch of sophistication and excitement to the atmosphere. The champagne-themed props not only uplift the mood but also act as fun accessories for guests to pose with. Every photo taken becomes a celebration in itself, encapsulating the joyous spirit of the event.

13. Sophisticated Playfulness

Incorporating props like fans or umbrellas into your photo booth setup can add a delightful mix of sophistication and playfulness to the photos. These classic props, with their timeless appeal, can transport guests into the world of vintage glamour, making them feel like movie stars for the day. The addition of these props can turn the photo booth into a mini Hollywood set, where each photo taken becomes a piece of art.

14. Humorously Unique

Introducing props like oversized foam gloves, bunny ears, or alien antennae to your photo booth can add a delightful dash of humour and novelty. These quirky and unique props are sure to ignite laughter and joy among your guests. As attendees don these amusing accessories, the photo booth turns into a stage for fun-filled antics and playful poses. Each photo taken becomes not just a picture, but a fun memory imbued with laughter and cheer.

15. Catering to Interests

Incorporating props like cameras, mobile phones, cupcakes, ice creams, or pipes into your photo booth setup can add a personal touch that reflects various interests or professions. These diverse props cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences, ensuring every guest finds something they resonate with. The photo booth becomes an inclusive space where everyone, regardless of their background or profession, can have fun and express themselves.

In essence, creating a DIY photo booth with props is all about fostering a fun atmosphere and crafting unforgettable memories. So, let your creative juices flow and gear up for a photo-fun-filled event!

Add Moods and Emotions to Your Photo Booth

A photo booth is a fantastic way to capture moments of joy, laughter, and creativity at any event. However, a picture is just a static snapshot in time. How can you convey the fun, excitement, or thoughts behind the smiles? One innovative way is by incorporating DIY photo booth props that express moods and emotions. Here are some ideas to get you started:

16. Speech Bubbles, Memes, and Social Media Icons

Inject a dose of humour into your photo booth with DIY speech bubbles. These props allow guests to add personal messages, funny quotes, or even memes to their photos. For example, a speech bubble stating ‘only here for the cake’ can incite laughter and make the photo more memorable. You can also create props shaped like social media ‘like’ or ‘love’ icons, allowing guests to express their approval or affection visually.

17. Emoji Faces

Emojis have become a universal language of expression, making them perfect for DIY photo booth props. Simple emoji faces can add a layer of emotion to the photos, be it laughter, surprise, love, or even grumpiness. While you don’t want guests hiding behind these props, they look cool to hold and add a modern, digital twist to the photo booth experience.

18. Thought Bubbles

Thought bubbles are another creative way to add a narrative to the photos. Guests can write their thoughts, wishes, or funny one-liners inside these thought bubbles. This not only adds a personal touch to the photos but also makes them more engaging and interactive.

19. Mood Boards

Transform your photo booth experience by introducing mood boards as props. These could be mini chalkboards or whiteboards, allowing guests to express their current emotions creatively by writing or sketching. This adds a dynamic and interactive layer to the photo-taking process, making each snapshot unique and personalized. It encourages guests to engage more deeply with the photo booth, sparking conversations, laughter, and connection.

20. Emotion-Themed Signs

One way to capture the mood or emotions of your guests is through the use of emotion-themed signs as props for your photo booth. These can be simple DIY signs with words like “excited,” “joyful,” “silly,” or “mysterious.” Guests can choose the sign that best represents their feelings at the moment, adding a personal and emotional touch to each photo. This will not only make the photos more engaging but also create a fun and interactive experience for everyone.

Embrace the Fun of Crafting DIY Photo Booth Props for Your Wedding

Incorporating a DIY photo booth at your wedding doesn’t have to be a solo project. Seize this opportunity as a bonding moment with your wedding crew. Whether you choose to dedicate an afternoon or several, crafting DIY photo booth props can become an engaging and enjoyable part of your wedding preparations.

Invite your bridal party for a ‘crafternoon’ filled with creativity, laughter, and perhaps a few drinks. This is not only a fantastic way to relieve some pre-wedding stress but also allows everyone to contribute their unique ideas to the mix. From funny moustaches to emotion-themed signs, the possibilities are endless.

The process of creating these props is just as memorable as the wedding itself. Plus, it adds a personal touch to your photo booth, making it all the more special. So, gather your scissors, craft materials, and your crew to start designing your unique DIY photo booth props today!