Booking a photo booth sounds simple. Then you start comparing quotes, and every company includes something different. One $399 package skips the attendant. Another’s “unlimited photos” turns out to mean unlimited digital shares, with prints capped at 100. Nobody wants to find out on the wedding day that the booth showing up isn’t the one from the photos they picked.
So ask these questions first — of us, or of anyone else you’re considering. Below, we answer each one honestly, including the parts that aren’t the most flattering.
Quick answer: before you book, ask about total price and what’s included, the exact booth model, whether an attendant is on-site, live booth hours versus setup time, the print policy, customization options, backup equipment, insurance, travel fees, deposit terms, how far ahead to book, and recent examples of work. The details on each are below.
1. What’s actually included in the price?
Get a full breakdown before you commit. A quote should list rental duration, setup and teardown time, props, backdrop, attendant, prints, and digital delivery. If it just says “photo booth for 3 hours,” ask what that actually covers.
Packages at Magik Moments start at $439 for a 3-hour rental — booth, props, backdrop, and digital copies. That entry price is self-serve: no attendant, no prints. Add either one and the price goes up from there. We’ll walk you through exactly what’s in each tier before you book, plus optional extras like illuminated LOVE letters, guest books, and lawn games.
2. Which type of booth will actually show up?
“Photo booth” can mean anything from an enclosed or open-air booth to a mirror booth, 360 video booth, or robotic camera rig. Each option creates a different guest experience and requires a different amount of space. Before booking, get the exact booth model in writing—not simply “photo booth” on the invoice.
For Vancity’s Annual General Meeting in May 2026, we provided our Magik Mirror with a custom-branded backdrop and branded photo overlay at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. That is the level of detail your booking should include: the exact booth, setup, branding, and confirmed look—so there are no surprises on event day.
We run eight different experiences: Magik Mirror, Presto, Mystik, Glamour Booth, 360 Abrakadabra, the Roamer, the vintage Boler trailer, and GlamBot. We confirm which one you’re booking before your deposit is due, so there’s no surprise on event day.
3. Is an attendant included, or is it self-serve?
An unattended booth can jam, run out of paper, or just sit there because nobody’s sure how to use it. A trained attendant keeps the line moving and resets props between groups.
Our entry-level package is self-serve, so an attendant isn’t automatic — it’s an add-on. For weddings and corporate events especially, we’d steer you toward adding one. Tell us your guest count and venue and we’ll tell you straight whether you need it.
4. How many hours of live time am I getting?
Some vendors count setup and teardown inside your rental window. That can quietly eat 30–45 minutes guests never actually get to use. Ask specifically how many hours the booth is live and taking photos.
Setup and teardown never come out of your rental time with us. Book 3 hours, get 3 full hours of live booth time.
5. Is printing really unlimited?
“Unlimited” can mean different things: unlimited digital shares but capped prints, one print per session instead of per guest, or no prints at all on entry-level packages. Confirm the print policy before you sign anything.
For us, unlimited means unlimited sessions, and everyone in the shot gets their own print — up to 6 people per photo. A group of 4 walks away with 4 prints of the same photo, not one to fight over.
6. Can I customize the photo template or backdrop?
A branded photo strip or backdrop — your colours, your logo, your theme — makes the whole thing feel intentional instead of generic. Ask what’s customizable and whether design work costs extra.
Custom templates, backdrops, and branding come standard on almost every event we do. For corporate clients, our in-house design team can carry your branding across the entire setup.
7. What happens if the equipment breaks mid-event?
Even quality equipment can fail. Cameras glitch, printers jam, and cables come loose. It happens to every vendor eventually—the real test is how quickly they solve the problem and whether they have a backup plan.
At a recent event for Gowling WLG LLP at Science World in Vancouver, the client wanted our AI photo experience running live. When the venue’s Wi-Fi proved unreliable, our attendant connected the printer directly to the booth and switched the system to a mobile data connection. Once the backup was in place, the experience ran smoothly for the rest of the night.
8. Do you carry liability insurance?
A lot of venues — hotels, event centres, some private venues — require vendors to carry liability insurance and hand over a certificate before setup. It’s one of the fastest ways to spot a serious company.
We carry full liability insurance and can send your venue a certificate on request.
9. Do you charge travel fees for my venue?
Mileage and travel fees can add up fast if you’re outside a vendor’s core area. Ask upfront, not on the final invoice.
We’re based in Surrey, so Surrey events have no travel fee. Anywhere else in the Lower Mainland — Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Richmond, Langley, North or West Vancouver — runs a flat $75 for up to about an hour of travel. Past that, including Vancouver Island or Whistler, we’ll quote a travel charge based on distance.
10. What’s your deposit and cancellation policy?
Ask how much deposit is required, when the balance is due, and what happens if you need to reschedule. Plans change, especially for weddings booked a year out.
We take a 50% deposit to hold your date, with the balance due 7 days before the event. If your plans shift, that deposit moves to a new date instead of disappearing.
11. How far in advance should I book?
Popular dates—Saturday weddings, graduation weekends, and December office parties—can fill up months in advance. Ask how far ahead the company normally books and how early you should reserve your date.
We’ve completed more than 1,000 events since 2018, and as of July 2026, we’re already booking November and December holiday parties. Wedding season and the holidays are our busiest periods, and the most popular dates are always claimed first. Even if your plans aren’t finalized, reach out as soon as you have a possible date.
12. Can I see recent examples and real reviews?
Anyone can post a handful of flattering photos. Ask to see examples from events similar to yours—using the same booth, with a comparable guest count and venue type. You should also look for google reviews that are recent, detailed, and specific.
On July 3 and 4, 2026, we delivered a two-day activation for Odd Society Spirits at the FVDED Music Festival at Holland Park in Surrey. Not every event is a wedding. Tell us what you’re planning, and we’ll show you relevant examples from a similar festival, corporate activation, celebration, or venue.
The short version
A good photo booth company won’t dodge these questions. Most will have already answered half of them on their website. If a vendor gets vague about pricing, staffing, or insurance, that’s worth noticing.
Planning something in Vancouver, Surrey, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland? Reach out to Magik Moments — we usually respond within 4 hours. Still comparing costs first? Our Photo Booth Rental Cost in Vancouver guide has real 2026 numbers.
You can explore our photo booth rental packages in Vancouver to learn more.