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The average rating for Bark Photo Booth Hire Companies is 4.93, based on 54,057 reviews
5/5
based on 54,057 reviews
What can you expect to pay for photo booth hire in the UK? Our price guide has everything you need to help you plan your budget.
Experts predict that the photo booth market will more than double over the next 8 years. It’s one of the most popular forms of entertainment at events all over the country – including weddings, birthday parties, Christmas events, and even marathons.
When it comes to infusing some old-school fun into gatherings, the photo booth has stood the test of time. It gives a tangible, shareable memento that captures the spirit of any festivity. But the decision to include one at your event comes with one vital question – how much will a photo booth cost you in the UK in 2024?
Here, we're breaking down everything you need to know about photo booth hire rates, the various factors that influence these prices, and savvy tips to keep you within your photo booth budget.
Don’t forget that these prices are just a guideline – and for a personalised quotation, you should search for one in your area.
Hourly rates for photo booths are the bread and butter for many rental services. Standard packages often come with a fixed number of hours, usually ranging from 2 to 4.
For a four-hour period, a photo booth costs £400 on average. This is because they usually have an hourly rate of £100. Although if you want to book it for an entire day, the price rarely goes much higher than £500.
You may need to pay more if you want maintenance, customisation of prints, and staff assistance. You could notice a dip in this range if you're hosting an event during off-peak seasons or days.
| Number of days | Average photo booth hire price |
| 1 | £500 |
| 3 | £1,500 |
| 5 | £2,500 |
| 10 | £5,000 |
| 20 | £10,000 |
Your choice of photo booth can significantly skew the overall cost. In the UK, popular types include the enclosed, open-air, and magic mirror booths. Each comes with its aesthetic value and, of course, price tag.
Enclosed booths, the traditional crowd-pleaser, sit within the mid-range of the pricing spectrum. It costs £100 per hour on average. Meanwhile, open-air booths, owing to their space availability, could cost less at roughly £80 per hour.
The vogue mirror booth, a relative newcomer, boasts premium pricing for its novelty. Expect to pay around £125 per hour for this.
| Type of photo booth | Average hire price |
| Enclosed | £100 per hour |
| Open-air | £80 per hour |
| Vogue mirror | £125 per hour |
You’ll hear lots of experts say that a photo booth isn’t complete without the necessary add-ons. But you can’t always guarantee that the supplier will do this for you! So, make sure to check in advance.
To start with, themed props are a must-have. This usually costs around £30 extra, if it isn’t part of the initial package.
Green screens involve slightly more high-tech equipment. You may pay around £100 extra to make this happen. Some companies also allow you to choose the backgrounds that appear.
An automatic social media sharing functionality is not too complicated to setup, but finding a booth with this tech installed can be tricky. Expect to pay around £75 extra.
And lastly, a professional photographer will push your price up considerably. You’ll need to pay for their time and equipment. This can push your price up by around £250.
| Add-on | Average extra price |
| Themed props | £30 |
| Green screen | £100 |
| Social media sharing | £75 |
| Professional photographer | £250 |
Your photo booth hire won’t always be inexpensive – especially if you need it for several days, or you want more than one setup at an event. But it can create an unforgettable memory for everyone that comes along. This includes a printed photo, if you wish! Here’s an overview of what impacts the price of photo booth hire.
It’s no surprise that the cost of hiring a photo booth depends on the amount of time it’s needed for. You’ll notice costs creeping up considerably if you want your photo booth for five hours instead of two, for example. Two hours is the minimum you should hire your photo booth for - you want to give all your guests a chance to make the most out of it, so you can make sure your money is well spent.
You can add on various features, such as themed props, green screens, and social media sharing functionality, which will invariably add to the bill. For some, a professional photographer to man the booth throughout is non-negotiable, while others might prefer the self-service model that shaves off costs.
Most photo booth hire companies offer different packages with tiered pricing. Here’s a rough idea of different package types and their prices, but these will vary depending on your photo booth company.
| Package | Package contents | Average price |
| Gold | 3 hours of hire, USB stick, social media upload, sweet cart, popcorn machine | £350 - £400 |
| Silver | 3 hours of hire, USB stick, social media upload | £250 - £350 |
| Bronze | 2 hours of hire, social media upload | £200 - £300 |
You have three main types of photo booth to choose from. This includes enclosed booths (the most common), open-air booths (ideal for a summer day), and vogue mirrors (less common). The latter is pricier while open-air booths are on the lower end.
Your photo booth hire company will probably charge more if the service is required during peak times, such as weekends and evenings. Hiring a photo booth for two hours will probably cost more if you need it for a Saturday evening compared to a Tuesday lunchtime, as demand is higher during these times.
Location is another factor to impact cost. Prices tend to be higher in certain parts of the UK, like Photo Booth hire in London and the South East.
Unsurprisingly, urban hotspots and affluent areas often command higher prices due to the competitive market and demand. Conversely, quieter regions might offer more frugal options. And how far away they are from your event can impact delivery prices, as well.
Northern cities like Manchester and Leeds tend to be less expensive than their southern counterparts, London and Brighton. Even within cities, specific locales can cause price spikes, signifying the luxurious or high-traffic nature of the area.
You should research the various suppliers in your area for photo booth hire. Some of these companies will be open-minded towards negotiation – while others won’t consider it at all. Make sure you check online reviews to see what past customers have said. And double-check that you’re getting a high-quality product, if they expect you to pay top-rate.
A photo booth is the heart of a party, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are our tips and tricks for keeping costs to a minimum:
Don’t be afraid to haggle - While most photo booth companies offer set packages for their services, lots of them will be willing to customise a package based on your needs and preferences. This allows you to negotiate a lower price.
Read between the lines - When agreeing on a price with your photo booth hire company, make sure you read the fine print or ask for additional cost information. The service may include hidden costs, for example for travel, which may not be clearly stated in the price list.
Book your photo booth during off-seasons - A wedding photo booth is going to typically cost more in the height of summer compared to February because there is a bigger demand for wedding-themed services. Bear this in mind when planning your budget.
Avoid weekends - This is similar to the above point. Hiring a photo booth during the weekend is going to be more costly as the demand is higher. If you consider holding your party or event on a weekend, costs will be lower. It’s always worth asking your guests to see whether they’d be happy to take it as annual leave.
It’s always best to take your time when choosing the perfect supplier. If you rush into it, you may end up with egg on your face, by picking a poor photo booth that doesn’t do what you need. This can be greatly embarrassing when all your loved ones witness it falling apart!
Photo booths can be summed up in one word: fun. That’s why people bring them to their parties, and it’s the reason that you’re paying several hundred pounds for the privilege. It gives people a record of the amazing time they’ve had. And you can dress up while taking those pictures, too!
If you pick your photo booth carefully, it’ll give you excellent photos that you absolutely love. This may come with artificial backdrops, or superb lighting. This tech can often trump any smartphone camera in the modern day.
And photo booths don’t necessarily need a staff member to man it. This can save you on labour costs, compared to other forms of entertainment, where your costs will thus go up.
On the other hand, photo booths can be expensive to hire – and there’s no guarantee that your guests will even use it! Sometimes, at a huge event with lots going on, you may finish the evening without your guests taking many photos. While this is unavoidable, you can sometimes think that there’s little value for money.
Technical issues can sometimes happen with photo booths. This is deeply embarrassing if your loved ones are all gathered round. You should thus double-check with the supplier whether you’ll get a refund if this happens.
And lastly, there’s unlikely to be hundreds of companies in your area that offers this service. This can limit your options with the type and cost of photo booths. The supplier may need to travel a long way to reach you. And they can get booked up quickly, so you’ll need to plan far ahead.
The average rating for Bark Photo Booth Hire Companies is 4.93, based on 54,057 reviews
5/5
based on 54,057 reviews
