OmahaPhotoBooth.com Interview

Are photo booths the new “must have” item for wedding receptions?

www.omahaphotobooth.com - is official website of Wedding Photobooth Specialists of Omaha, NE

Photo booths have been increasing in popularity over the last three years. To find out if photo booths are just a fad or if they are here to stay, OmahaBrides.com sat down with Denny Thomas, operations manager of www.OmahaPhotoBooth.com to discuss why brides are renting photo booths for their receptions in record numbers.

OmahaBrides.com: Denny, do you see more brides renting photo booths for receptions than last year?

Denny: Each year rentals have been doubling. It is remarkable! As an example, two years ago an average photo booth company was booking about 30 wedding receptions per year. Last year that number jumped to 57. For 2009, we are seeing that number sky rocket to an estimated 114.
At www.OmahaPhotoBooth.com we already have 12 weekends in 2009 that are completely full. I have spoken with other companies that are experiencing the same record pace of rentals. I highly recommend any bride book early with the photo booth company of her choice.

OmahaBrides.com: Why are photo booths so popular?

Denny: Brides love to use new ideas and incorporate the hottest trends in their wedding and reception.  Photo booths have been accepted very quickly by brides because they bring an enormous amount of fun to a wedding reception. I have never seen a phenomenon quite like this.

OmahaBrides.com: How far in advance should a bride book her photo booth?

Denny: Because of the popularity and limited supply, a bride should book her date as far in advance as possible. It will still take a couple of years for photo booth companies to understand and gauge demand. Until then, photo booth companies will only inventory what they can currently rent every weekend. To be more specific, I would advise 4-12 months in advance. With that stated, if you need one on short notice, I would still call around. You never know if there has been a cancellation or whether a particular photo booth company has purchased a few new units.

OmahaBrides.com: Do you any one piece of advice that a bride definitely needs to know before renting a photo booth?

Denny: Let your reception site know as soon as possible. Here’s why. Many reception halls are still unfamiliar with the placement of a photo booth. They have years of experience carving out a spot for the wedding cake and DJ, but not a photo booth. You might be surprised to find some venues don’t have the space for a photo booth or it will be hidden in a hallway. Just make sure it is a good fit for the reception site or hall before you rent one.

OmahaBrides.com: In your opinion are photo booths here to stay for wedding receptions or are they just a fad?

Denny: I strongly believe they will become a mainstay.  Just like it took five years for video scrapbooks to catch on, the same is true for photo booths. Right now only 1 in 25 brides are including a photo booth in their reception plans. That number is expected to grow to about 1 in 5 within 5 years. That means photo booths will be bringing smiles and joy to brides and grooms, their family, and friends for the next generation. In other words, it’s not a fad at all. Photo booths will become almost as common as a photographer within the next 4-8 years. In interviews I’ve conducted, brides rate their photo booth rentals as one of the best buying decisions they made for their wedding. The satisfaction rate is 90%. That is an incredible number.

OmahaBrides.com: Any parting words?

Denny: If you decide to use a national photo booth company that ships a photo booth to your reception, be very careful. I have heard some nightmarish stories. The same holds true for photo booth companies that drive in from other cities. You’re taking a much greater chance of something going wrong if the photo booth company isn’t local. In other words, just be careful and be an informed shopper. Photo booths are such a wonderful addition to your reception. Just make sure you choose wisely.

OmahaBrides.com: Denny, thank you for sharing your professional insight with us today.