Three hours, four or five? It is the most common question couples ask us after price, and the right answer depends less on budget than on your timeline. Here is how we help couples choose, with our 2026 wedding rates for every length.
The short answer
- 3 hours covers most weddings: cocktail hour into the first part of dancing, when guests are dressed up and on their feet. It is also our minimum.
- 4 hours suits a reception with a long dancing block, 200+ guests, or a booth that also runs through dinner breaks.
- 5 hours is for covering almost the whole reception, or very large guest counts with one booth.
- Past 5 hours, add extra hours, or think about a second booth instead of more time.
Match the hours to your wedding timeline
A typical Los Angeles reception runs five to six hours: cocktail hour, introductions and dinner, toasts and first dances, then open dancing. The booth gets the most use when guests are standing and mingling, so plan your hours around those blocks rather than starting the clock at the first guest.
| Reception block | Typical length | Booth activity |
|---|---|---|
| Cocktail hour | About 1 hour | Busy: guests are fresh, dressed up and waiting |
| Introductions and dinner | 1 to 1.5 hours | Quiet: most guests are seated |
| Toasts, first dance, cake | 30 to 45 minutes | Quiet: the room is watching you |
| Open dancing | 2 to 3 hours | Busiest: groups, outfits and the late-night crowd |
Two common plans:
- Cocktail hour plus dancing (4 hours). The booth runs from cocktail hour straight through dinner and into dancing, so it is there for the arrival crowd and the party.
- Dancing only (3 hours). The booth opens after dinner, when the bar is busiest. Good for a later start or a smaller budget.
Not sure? Send us your timeline and we will suggest a start time.
Guest count matters too
More guests means a longer line at one booth. As a guide:
- Under 150 guests: 3 hours is usually plenty.
- 150 to 300: 4 hours, or 3 hours if the booth runs only during dancing.
- 300+: 5 hours, or two booths for 3 to 4 hours each. Two booths cut lines in half and give guests two different keepsakes, for example a Glam Booth for prints and a 360 Booth for video.
2026 wedding rates by length
These are our personal-event (wedding and birthday) rates, from our live price list:
| Booth | 3 hours | 4 hours | 5 hours | Each hour past 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glam Booth | $1,250 | $1,550 | $1,795 | $350 |
| 360 Booth | $1,350 | $1,650 | $1,895 | $350 |
| Mochi Booth | $2,950 | $3,750 | $4,250 | $500 |
| Vintage Booth | $3,750 | $4,450 | $4,950 | $500 |
Every package includes setup, breakdown and an attendant for the whole booking. Travel is a flat $150 in LA County, Orange County and the Inland Empire; sales tax applies to packages with printed photos. The full breakdown is in our LA photo booth cost guide.
What counts toward your hours
- Setup does not. We arrive early and set up before guests arrive, so your hours are all guest time.
- Breakdown does not. We pack up after the booth closes.
- Paused time does. Your hours run from the start time you choose. If you want the booth paused during dinner, that idle time is added to the package, so a later start is usually better value than a pause.
Can I add time on the night?
Ask us in advance. Extending on the night depends on your venue's end time and our schedule, so if you think you might want more time, adding it to your booking is the only way to be sure it is yours. Extra hours past 5 are billed at the rates above.
Send us your timeline
We will suggest the right number of hours and a start time for your reception.
Check your dateFrequently asked questions
How many hours should I book a photo booth for a wedding?
Most weddings book 3 to 4 hours. Three hours covers cocktail hour into dancing or the dancing block alone; four hours suits 150 to 300 guests or a booth that runs from cocktail hour through dancing.
Is 3 hours enough for a wedding photo booth?
For most weddings under about 150 guests, yes, especially if the booth runs during cocktail hour and dancing rather than dinner.
When should the photo booth start at a wedding?
Either at cocktail hour, when guests are fresh and waiting, or after dinner when dancing starts. The booth is quietest during dinner, toasts and first dances.
Does setup time count against my photo booth hours?
Not with LA Glam Booth. We set up before guests arrive and pack up after, so your booked hours are all guest time. If you want the booth paused mid-event, the idle time is added to the package.
How much is an extra hour of photo booth?
For weddings and birthdays, each hour past 5 is $350 for the Glam or 360 Booth and $500 for the Mochi or Vintage Booth.
Should I book a second booth instead of more hours?
For 300 or more guests, two booths often work better than more hours: lines are shorter and guests get two different keepsakes.
Hitik Patel founded LA Glam Booth in 2022 after a decade behind the camera. His team has produced 1,000+ events and 250,000+ photos for couples and brands including UNIQLO, Netflix and Peacock.
