Photo booths have been designed for weddings and gatherings to capture the best memories. Still, you can make your photo booth personal by including decorative thoughts into the backdrop and not just using a curtain. An excellent background will bring out that playful atmosphere in each picture taken, showcasing your style.
In this article, we will look at six creative and cheap background ideas you can easily do to take your photo booth to an even better level.
1. Floral Wonderland
Nothing sets a happy and cheerful mood like fresh flowers. To make a flowery wonderland background, buy colorful fake flowers from your local craft store for some money. Look for filler blooms like roses, carnations, daisies, and baby’s breath, which are easy on the budget. You’ll want blooms in different sizes and colors for an organic, blooming garden look.
Also, attach a few big silk floral arrangements or topiaries along the top of the background using floral pins, command hooks, or string lights. Then, fill out the rest of the background with loose blooms, bouquets, and greenery hung with floral wire or string lights. Make sure to layer the flowers in different depths so there’s a lot to see. If you want, you can also use hot glue to put single blooms or sprigs right on the backdrop fabric. Think about adding flower crowns, floral garlands, or topiaries on photo booth floor.
2. Vintage Frames
A curated collection of vintage picture frames creates an eclectic yet sophisticated backdrop. Start scouting thrift stores, antique shops, and flea markets for unique frames in various sizes, shapes, and styles, such as ornate gilded, simple wooden, or stretched canvas frames. You’ll need about 15-20 frames to fill the backdrop space appropriately.
Once you’ve amassed your frame assortment, lean and space them artistically directly onto the backdrop fabric using small nails, picture hanging strips, or string. Ensure the frames are secure and positioned at uneven heights and angles to look intentionally arranged yet carefree. You can also hang some frames slightly off-center for visual interest.
3. Fairy Lights and Sheer Fabric
Create a romantic garden oasis with string lights and draped sheer fabric. Start by hot gluing battery-powered fairy lights or string lights directly onto your backdrop fabric in a loose cascade effect, zig-zagging them from top to bottom.
Make sure the battery pack is well secured in an inconspicuous area.
Next, drape a billowy layer of sheer white or light pink fabric, such as tulle, chiffon, or organza, over the illuminated backdrop. Secure it at the top with clips or pins hidden along the backdrop edge. Leave the rest in loosely draped layers, partially covering the lit backdrop below.
The soft, diffused glow of the layered lights behind the sheer fabric makes for a dreamy, magical backdrop. Guests will enjoy posing amidst the ethereal vignette and taking fun silhouette selfies.
4. Chalkboard Wall
Invite your guests to get creative with a fun message background for photos. Start with one or two big black chalkboard papers, which can be found at any home store for around $15 each. Using command strips, stick the papers right onto your background surface.
Provide guests with a choice of colorful chalk and little velvet chalkboards they can stand on the photo booth floor. Watch your guests make fun customized messages, drawings, and photos to leave behind on the “wall” while posing with their artistic designs. You could also print details about your event or a customized hashtag for guests to reference.
5. Paper Fans and Lanterns
Add ambiance and dimension to your backdrop with an eclectic mix of paper lanterns, folded fans, and origami accents. Look for packs of folded paper lanterns, bamboo fans, or origami templates online for very reasonable prices.
Tape or hot glue lanterns, fans, and origami shapes are artfully placed directly onto your backdrop surface at different depths. Ensure they are evenly distributed from top to bottom but still appear carefree. You can also hang some origami pieces with string or fishing lines for movement.
The soft lantern glow, fan patterns, and origami create a whimsical yet sophisticated East-meets-West aesthetic. Guests will enjoy posing playfully with props between ornate fans and behind lanterns. With online bulk packs, the total outlay is under $75.
6. Bookshelf or Library Setting
Transport guests to a cozy literary sanctuary with curated books, trinkets, and reading nooks. Visit thrift shops and bookstores that are used online to source an eclectic collection of hardcover books in different genres, colors, and sizes, which are very affordable.
Densely pack books vertically and horizontally onto your backdrop surface, secured open-faced with strong removable mounting putty or tape. Make sure each “shelf” and stack looks purposefully filled but still inviting to interact with.
Consider propping open books displaying images, props like vintage binoculars or magnifying glasses, potted succulents, or framed book page art for additional detail. You can even include a faux vintage reading chaise or armchair with books piled around it.
The intellectual yet playful library setting offers lots of interactive backdrops. Guests will enjoy rummaging through “books,” peering through props, and lounging casually amidst the literary charm.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, sprucing up your photo booth backdrop doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With some creative thrifting and implementation, you can make it look great.
Whether you choose a lush floral fantasy, whimsical lights, drapery, or literary charm – infusing your backdrop with unique layered details transforms your guest photo experience. Setting the stage lets guests interact imaginatively with their environment for fun, memorable snapshots.