How much does photo booth hire cost in the UK?
- Most UK couples pay between £350 and £550 for an evening of photo booth hire in 2026.
- Short classic-booth packages start around £250; 360 booths, magic mirrors and glam setups reach £800+.
- Hire length, unlimited prints, a guestbook and an on-site attendant are the main things that move the price.
- Watch for 'idle time' fees — the charge for the booth sitting set up but switched off during your meal.
A photo booth is the easy win of wedding entertainment: guests of every age use it, and you go home with a book full of unguarded, slightly silly portraits. Prices are refreshingly clear compared with the rest of the day — but a few add-ons and fees catch people out.
This guide covers what each booth type costs, what should be included in a fair package, and the small print (idle time, travel, print limits) worth checking before you book.
What each price tier includes
- 2 hours of hire
- Standard prop box
- Single prints per session
- Digital copies of all photos
- 3–4 hours of hire
- Unlimited prints
- Guestbook with a copy of each photo
- On-site attendant
- Custom print template with your names/date
- 360 video booth or mirror booth
- Unlimited prints + instant social sharing
- Premium props and backdrop
- Attendant throughout
- Branded overlays / animations
- Two or more booths (e.g. classic + 360)
- Bespoke backdrop and set dressing
- Glam / AI-enhanced prints
- Extended hire across the day
- Multiple attendants
The booth types, and what they cost
Classic booths (enclosed or open-air) are the affordable default — guests pile in, pull a face, walk out with a print. Open booths fit bigger groups and look better in a styled room.
360 booths — where a camera spins around guests standing on a platform to make a slow-motion video — are the current favourite and sit at the premium end. Magic mirror booths (a full-length interactive mirror) and glam booths (soft-focus black-and-white, the 'celebrity' look) are priced similarly. The fancier the format, the higher the floor on the quote.
What a fair package includes
At the mid-range you should expect unlimited prints, a guestbook (an attendant sticks a copy of each photo in and guests write a message), digital copies of everything, a prop box and an on-site attendant for the whole hire.
Two things to confirm: print limits ('unlimited' vs a capped number) and digital delivery (do you get the full gallery afterwards, and is it included or extra). A cheap quote with capped prints and no gallery isn't the bargain it looks.
Idle time, travel and set-up
The fee that surprises people most is 'idle time' — a reduced hourly charge for the booth being set up early and switched off during the meal, then switched back on for the evening. It's legitimate (the booth and attendant are tied up), but it should be quoted upfront, not added later.
Also check travel charges for venues outside the supplier's normal radius, and that set-up and breakdown time isn't eating into your paid hire hours. Good suppliers arrive well before guests and don't count it against your time.
How Bookt handles photo booth quotes
Every booth supplier on Bookt prices around your date, venue and the hours and format you want. Tell us the basics — date, area, booth type and rough hire length — and available suppliers quote you back, usually within a few hours and with no obligation.
Deposits are held securely and released after the event, and each listing publishes its own terms, so a change of plan never leaves you chasing a refund.
Tell us about your booking and we'll match you with verified UK pros who quote back within hours. Free, no obligation.
Get free quotes →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a photo booth in the UK in 2026?
Most couples pay £350–£550 for a full evening of classic-booth hire with unlimited prints, a guestbook and an attendant. Short two-hour packages start around £250, while 360 booths, magic mirrors and glam setups range from £550 to £800+.
How much more does a 360 booth cost than a classic booth?
A 360 video booth typically sits at the premium end — £550–£800 — compared with £350–£550 for a classic booth over a similar period. You're paying for the spinning-camera rig, instant social sharing and the more dramatic video output.
What is 'idle time' on a photo booth quote?
Idle time is a reduced hourly fee for the booth being set up but switched off — usually during your wedding breakfast — then turned back on for the evening. It's a legitimate charge because the equipment and attendant are tied up, but it should be quoted upfront.
Should the photo booth come with an attendant?
Yes — a good package includes an on-site attendant for the whole hire to help guests, manage props, keep prints flowing and assemble the guestbook. Unmanned booths are cheaper but tend to jam or run out of prints unnoticed.
Do I get digital copies of all the photos?
At the mid-range and above you should receive the full gallery digitally after the event, alongside the prints on the night. Confirm it's included rather than an add-on, especially on budget packages.
How long should I hire a photo booth for?
Three to four hours covering the evening reception is the sweet spot for most weddings — long enough for all guests to use it without paying for quiet periods. Two hours suits smaller parties; all-day hire usually adds idle-time fees.