How Long Should You Book a Photo Booth For A Wedding or Corporate Event
One of the most common questions couples and planners ask is how long a photo booth should be booked for. The answer depends on more than just guest count. It comes down to timing, flow, and how you want the experience to feel throughout the event.
A well timed photo booth feels natural and effortless. A poorly timed one can feel rushed, overcrowded, or underused. Here is how to think about it when planning your coverage.
What affects how long you should book
Guest count
More guests means more time is needed for everyone to enjoy the booth without long lines. A smaller, intimate event may feel complete in a shorter window, while larger receptions benefit from extended coverage.
Type of event
Weddings, galas, conferences, and brand events all move at different paces. Weddings often have waves of activity around cocktail hour and later in the evening. Corporate events may have structured agendas that affect when guests are free to participate.
Flow of the evening
A photo booth works best when it aligns with natural breaks in programming. Cocktail hour, after dinner, and late evening tend to be the highest engagement periods.
Typical booking lengths and what they feel like
Two hours
For many events, two hours is more than enough when the booth is professionally run and efficiently managed. With an attended setup, optimized lighting, and smooth guest flow, a high volume of guests can move through comfortably without feeling rushed. Groups are guided in and out quickly, prints and sharing run seamlessly, and no time is lost to guests trying to figure out the equipment. This means a shorter booking can still deliver a full, satisfying experience when it is executed well.
Three hours
A popular option for weddings and corporate receptions. It allows guests to visit more than once and keeps lines comfortable without feeling rushed, especially as the event energy builds.
Four hours or more
Ideal for larger guest counts, longer receptions, or events where the photo booth is a central feature. This creates a relaxed experience where guests can return throughout the night.
When longer coverage makes sense
Large guest lists
Open floor plans with steady flow
Receptions where the booth is part of the main entertainment
Corporate events with multiple networking waves
Events that continue well into the evening, allowing guests to return for group photos after formal programming ends
When shorter coverage can work
Intimate weddings
Events with tight schedules
Daytime corporate functions
Activations focused on a specific program window
Understanding idle hours and split timelines
Some events do not run continuously. A common example is when the photo booth is open during guest arrival or cocktail hour, pauses during dinner and speeches, and then reopens later in the evening.
This is where idle hours come in.
Idle hours refer to scheduled time when the booth remains on site but is temporarily closed while the event moves through a different phase. The equipment stays set up, the attendant remains on site, and the experience resumes smoothly once guests are ready again. This allows you to maintain continuity without a full teardown and re setup, and ensures the booth is ready exactly when the next wave of guests wants to use it.
Idle hours are ideal for weddings with a formal dinner break, galas with program segments, or corporate events with keynote sessions followed by networking. They give you flexibility in your timeline while keeping the experience polished and uninterrupted.
Why staffing and flow matter as much as time
An attended booth ensures that the time you book is used efficiently. Guests are guided smoothly, lighting and camera settings stay consistent, and any technical details are handled quietly in the background. This keeps the experience polished and allows more guests to be served comfortably within the time booked.
Choosing the right timing with On Que Photo Booth
At On Que Photo Booth, we help you plan coverage based on your event timeline, guest experience, and space. Our goal is not to oversell hours, but to make sure the time you book feels calm, seamless, and genuinely enjoyable for your guests.
The right photo booth timing is not about filling hours. It is about creating a natural rhythm where guests can step in, enjoy the moment, and return to the celebration without feeling rushed or waiting in long lines. Whether your event runs continuously or in stages, thoughtful planning and professional execution ensure your photo booth becomes a smooth, effortless part of the experience.
If you are planning a wedding or corporate event in Winnipeg and would like help choosing the right photo booth timing for your timeline, please reach out. We are happy to review your schedule and offer guidance so your coverage feels seamless and well paced.
Contact us at events@onquephotobooth.com to start the conversation.