Book too few hours and guests miss out. Book too many and you're paying for an empty booth. Here's exactly how long to hire a photo booth for every type of event.
Photo booth hire is almost always priced by duration, so getting the hours right matters both for guest experience and for your budget. Too short and guests at the end of the evening miss out. Too long and you're paying for an attendant standing next to an unused booth while guests are still having dinner. Here's the practical guide to getting the duration right.
| Event Type | Recommended Duration | Typical Time Slot |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding reception | 4 hours | 9:00pm – 1:00am (or 9:30pm – 1:30am) |
| Birthday party | 3–4 hours | Opening from when dancing starts |
| Corporate event / Christmas party | 3–4 hours | Evening reception period |
| Children's party | 2–3 hours | Full party duration |
| Prom / school event | 3 hours | Peak evening period |
| Garden party / daytime event | 2–3 hours | Mid-event when guests are most relaxed |
The most common and effective slot for a wedding photo booth is from the first dance onwards — typically 9:00pm to 9:30pm. Opening the booth during the wedding breakfast (dinner) is largely wasted: guests are eating, conversation is structured around tables, and few people will leave dinner to use a booth. Opening from the start of the evening dancing gives you maximum usage during the most social, high-energy part of the night.
Photo booth usage at events follows a predictable pattern: light usage when the booth first opens as guests are still getting onto the dance floor, a significant peak between 10pm and 11:30pm when the atmosphere is at its highest, then a secondary burst in the final 30 minutes as the evening winds down. This means a 4-hour booking that opens at 9pm will see the vast majority of its usage between 10pm and midnight — and the first and final hours are less intense but still valuable.
More guests means more demand — and potentially more time needed to ensure everyone gets a turn. A rough guide:
| Guest Count | Recommended Minimum Duration |
|---|---|
| Under 50 guests | 2–3 hours — everyone will get multiple turns |
| 50–100 guests | 3 hours — comfortable for full evening coverage |
| 100–150 guests | 4 hours — ensures full coverage without guests missing out |
| 150–200 guests | 4–5 hours — or consider a second booth |
| 200+ guests | 5 hours or two booths running simultaneously |
Most photo booth operators offer a base package (typically 3 hours) with hourly add-ons charged at a flat rate — usually £50–£100 per additional hour. Whether it's worth adding an extra hour depends on your event length and when you plan to open the booth. If your venue runs until 1:00am and you've opened the booth at 9:00pm, a 4-hour booking (closing at 1:00am) makes sense. If your venue has a midnight curfew, 3 hours from 9pm is usually sufficient.
Always clarify this with your operator before booking. A professional photo booth company will arrive and set up before your booking time begins — setup is not counted as part of your hired hours. Your booked hours should be fully live and operational from the start time you've agreed. Be wary of operators who include setup in the hired duration — effectively giving you less active booth time than the quoted hours suggest.
Motion Entertainment photo booth packages include unlimited prints, a dedicated attendant, and custom-designed templates. Available across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London.
View Photo Booth HirePrevious
Do Guests Actually Use Photo Booths at Events?
Next
What Is the Difference Between a Selfie Pod and a Photo Booth?
Photo booth hire in the UK starts from around £275. But the type of booth, what's included, and the operator you choose make a huge difference. Here's the full 2026 pricing guide.
Photo BoothThe magic mirror has become the most popular photo booth at weddings and black-tie events. Here's exactly how it works, what's included, how much it costs, and whether it's right for your event.