AI photo booths are the newest thing on the wedding and party scene, and they raise plenty of questions. What does the AI actually do? Will it look weird? Do you still get prints? Here’s a plain-English guide, with no jargon.
What is an AI photo booth?
An AI photo booth takes a photo of your guests, just like any booth, then uses artificial intelligence to transform it. That might mean dropping your group onto a completely different background, turning the picture into a work of art, or reimagining everyone as a different character altogether.
The fun is in the reveal. Guests don’t quite know what they’ll get until the image appears, which is why AI booths tend to draw a crowd.
The four main AI effects, explained
AI backgrounds
The AI separates the people from whatever is behind them and places them in a new scene. One moment you’re at a wedding reception in Yorkshire; the next you’re on a beach, in a city skyline or somewhere entirely imaginary.
Artistic styles and filters
Rather than a simple colour filter, the AI redraws the image in a particular style, such as a painting or an illustration. It’s a lovely option for couples who want prints that feel more like artwork than snapshots.
AI avatars and transformations
This is where it gets playful. The AI reimagines guests as characters, keeping enough of their features that friends can still tell who’s who. Expect lots of laughter at the print station.
Face swap
Exactly what it sounds like: faces swapped between people in the photo or into a new image. It’s guaranteed to get a reaction, especially between the couple, or between parents and their grown-up children.
How our AI Photo Booth works on the night
- We set up before the booth opens. As with all our staffed booths, our team arrives an hour before opening, with a choice of aesthetic backdrops so the booth looks good in the room.
- Your attendant welcomes guests and guides them through the AI options, so nobody needs to work out the tech themselves.
- The photo is taken and transformed. Guests see the result and the queue gets to enjoy it too.
- It prints instantly, so everyone has something to take home.
- At the end of the night, the attendant clears everything away and the photos are added to your online gallery.
Find out more on our AI Photo Booth page.
Which events suit an AI booth?
- Weddings with a playful crowd. If your friends are the type to dive straight onto the dance floor, they’ll love it.
- Christmas parties and corporate events. It’s a natural talking point and works brilliantly for teams. See our Christmas party photo booth ideas.
- Milestone birthdays. A 30th or 40th is the perfect excuse for something a bit different.
- Tech-savvy or creative guests who have seen everything else.
When a classic booth might suit you better
An AI booth isn’t for everyone, and that’s fine. If you want timeless, flattering portraits that look like you on your wedding day, the Glam Booth with its black and white beauty lighting is hard to beat. If you love traditional craftsmanship, the hand-crafted solid oak Vintage Booth might be more you.
A good rule of thumb: choose AI for fun and surprise, choose Glam for photos you’ll frame.
A few things to think about
- Results vary by design. AI is creative, so some images will be brilliant and some wonderfully odd. That’s part of the fun, and guests can always go again.
- Be thoughtful with face swap. Most guests find it hilarious, but some people are more private about their image. Encourage everyone to check before sharing face-swapped photos online.
- Think about your print border. A personalised border with your names and date keeps every print feeling like a wedding keepsake, however wild the image.
What guests actually do in an AI booth
From a guest’s point of view, an AI booth is just as simple as a classic booth. They step up, choose an effect on the screen, pose for the camera and wait a moment while the AI works its magic. Then they see the result and it prints. Our attendant is there throughout to help people choose an effect, encourage groups to get involved and keep the queue moving.
The fun is in the reveal. Guests gather round the screen to see how they’ve been transformed, which makes the AI booth a talking point in a way a classic booth isn’t. It works especially well at parties, corporate events and weddings where the couple want something a little different.
Getting the best results
A few simple tips help the AI produce the best images:
- Face the camera. The AI works best when it can see everyone’s faces clearly.
- Keep groups to a sensible size. Smaller groups usually give cleaner results than very large ones.
- Choose effects that suit your event. We’ll help you pick a set of styles and backgrounds that match your theme, so every image feels like part of the same celebration.
- Have fun with it. Exaggerated expressions and big poses tend to give the most memorable results.
Read more about our AI Photo Booth, or compare it with our classic Glam Booth and Vintage Booth.
FAQs
Do you still get prints with an AI photo booth?
Yes. Our AI Photo Booth prints instantly, so guests take their transformed photos home on the night.
Is the AI Photo Booth staffed?
Yes. A friendly attendant runs it all evening and helps guests through the options.
How much does an AI photo booth cost?
It depends on your date, venue and timings, so the best way to find out is to request a quote. Check your date and we’ll send you our brochure with everything included.
Fancy something different at your wedding or party? Request a quote or use the form below and tell us about your event.
