Breaking Down the Costs: Running Your Wedding Photo Booth Business
The wedding photo booth business is lucrative, with the global market estimated at $413.98 billion by 2030. Costs for high-quality booths range from $5,000 to $20,000, offering various features. Additional expenses include ongoing software fees, advertising, transportation, uniforms, and maintenance. However, entrepreneurs can make significant profits, even earning up to $100,000 in their first year with proper strategies.
When new entrepreneurs are considering whether to break into the wedding market, they often ask us if it’s worth it. Are there enough weddings annually to justify investing in a high-end digital photo booth?
The answer is an emphatic yes!
Per data from Allied Market Research, the global wedding services market is estimated to be worth $413.98 billion by year 2030. Yes, that’s billion with B, and that number is only expected to grow. There are 2.4 million couples each year who are waiting to pay you to make their big day a success.
This is clearly the perfect time to start your business, but how much does a wedding photo booth cost, and can you afford it?
In this blog, we’ll break down the wedding photo booth costs you should consider when deciding if you’re ready to invest. Keep reading to learn the real expenses involved in kickstarting your lucrative rental business.
How Much Does a Photo Booth for Weddings Cost?
After crafting a business plan, a successful photo booth rental business should begin with an investment in high-quality equipment. The more impressive and attractive your setup, the more likely couples are to book your services.
With that said, booths do come at a range of price points. Booths with better aesthetics and improved features, such as social media integration, may be more likely to attract customers looking for something unique.
On average, a high-quality wedding photo booth costs between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on several factors.
On the lower end, you’ll find simple ring light style booths like The Cloee. These tend to be highly portable booths ideal for beginners. They don’t require any ongoing subscription or app fees because they don’t work with iPads. With that said, they lack some of the technical features contemporary couples may be looking for in their booth rental.
On the higher end, you’ll find stunning mirror photo booths. Prices begin at about $9,500. Their sleek design, easy-to-use interface, and customization options make them the top of the line. These booths are fully interactive and social media integrated, allowing guests to share memories in real time.
Can you find less expensive photo booths for sale? Of course—but always remember that you get what you pay for.
Ideally, your purchase will include a warranty and lifetime tech support. Make sure any booth you purchase is quality-tested and comes with some amount of ongoing support. Don’t forget to look for financing plans to make your investment more manageable!
Are There Other Photo Booth Costs for Wedding Rental Businesses?
The purchase of your photo booth for weddings will be the largest cost involved in establishing your business or service. There may be some ongoing fees involved as you grow and expand your business. You can learn more about the intricacies of the wedding industry in our interview with Carissa Kruse
Additional costs may include:
- Ongoing fees for software or apps
- Printers
- Advertising
- Transportation, which may include a dedicated vehicle
- Uniforms for attendants
- Backdrops, props, and other event add-ons
- Maintenance and the acquisition of additional booths
Each of the above expenses has the power to make your business or service more lucrative and desirable. Dedicated transportation and uniforms project a sense of professionalism, for example. Having prop packages, backdrops, and multiple booths allows you to offer more—and, thus, make more.
Ultimately, it’s a business with low overhead, which increases profitability over time.
Can You Make the Money Back?
How much does a photo booth cost for a wedding? Most entrepreneurs ask for an hourly rental rate, which includes a friendly attendant. That price can increase if you include props, backdrops, social media integration, or retouching.
Some of our PBI entrepreneurs make as much as $700 for a 3-hour event. You can theoretically break even during a single busy month during peak wedding season.
While your rates will depend on services, event length, and your market, booth rental definitely makes money!
With additional coaching from PBI, some business owners have made as much as $100,000 in their first year! To learn more, consider attending a free Photo Booth Boss Webinar. You’ll learn everything you need to know to start your business and transform your life.
