How Far in Advance Should You Book a Photo Booth?

We get this question a lot. Sometimes it comes from a newly engaged couple eight months out, full of spreadsheets and excitement. Other times, it comes from someone planning a surprise birthday party next weekend, slightly panicked, wondering if we’re free.

So how far in advance should you book a Photo Booth?

And the honest answer is: it depends.

But also? The real answer is “the sooner, the better.”

Here’s why.

Photo booth bookings follow the same patterns you’ll see in weddings, corporate events, and even airline tickets: peak season pressure is real.

Late spring through early fall tends to be wedding-heavy — think April through September, especially weekends.

Then October hits, and holiday season creeps in fast. From Halloween to New Year’s Eve, the calendar becomes a game of musical chairs.

Everyone’s trying to lock in their celebration before the year ends, and prime Saturdays don’t last long.

You’d be surprised how many October inquiries we get… in October.

That’s not to say you can’t book a booth last minute. We’ve pulled off some incredible events with only a week’s notice. But it’s a different kind of lift. When there’s more lead time — even just a few extra weeks — you get access to better availability, more customization options, and way less stress. That’s when we can really dial things in: the overlay that perfectly matches your invitation suite, the props that tie into your event theme, the load-in timing that plays nice with your venue’s schedule.

And if you’re working with a planner or coordinating multiple vendors, the earlier we’re brought into the fold, the smoother things go. No scrambling to find a power outlet. No awkward booth placement in front of a fire exit. Just seamless integration into your day.

For casual parties: backyard birthdays, poolside hangouts, and small dinners the lead time can be shorter. Those events tend to be more flexible, and we love jumping in on short notice when we can. But once you move into the realm of guest counts, venues, and any kind of logistics, it’s worth booking early. Not just for peace of mind, but so the experience can actually be as good as it could be.

Here’s the secret most people don’t realize: photo booths aren’t just about showing up with a camera. There’s design work. Tech prep. Event coordination. Sometimes branding. Sometimes creative direction. It’s like asking a DJ to “just bring a speaker.” The booth becomes part of your event’s rhythm, and like anything else worth doing and it’s better when it’s not rushed.

So if you’ve got a date in mind, please feel free to reach out.

Even if you’re still deciding on a venue or figuring out your timeline, we can pencil it in and walk you through the next steps. That way, when things pick up speed (and they always do), your booth is already in motion.