Weekend photo booth hire
Hire one photo booth to wedding and party hosts at weekends, alongside your day job.
- £1.5k-4.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
2,469 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 77291 “Renting and leasing of media entertainment equipment”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You buy one booth, such as an open-frame or portable mirror booth, and hire it with an attendant to weddings, birthdays and parties. You set up, run it for the evening and pack down.
Your first three steps
- Research booth types and compare prices, then decide between buying new or second-hand
- Work out your hire packages and price by checking what local competitors charge
- Do a free or discounted trial at a friend's event and use the photos to build a simple website and social media page
Who pays
Couples planning weddings, parents booking birthday parties, and people organising milestone celebrations.
How it makes money
A fixed fee for a set number of hours, with extras such as props, a custom print design, a guest book or a longer hire time.
Skills that help
- Friendly and confident with guests
- Basic tech and troubleshooting
- Reliable and well organised
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, which many venues ask to see
- Portable appliance testing (PAT) of your electrical kit, as venues may ask for it
- Equipment failure on the day, so carry spares and a backup plan
- Data protection basics if you keep or share guests' photos, check ICO guidance
- Weekend availability clashing with your main job
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: weekend photo booth hire
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a photo booth hire business?
Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £4,500, depending on the type of booth you buy, such as an open-frame or portable mirror booth. These are estimates, so compare equipment and insurance quotes before you buy.
How much can I earn hiring out a photo booth?
Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on how many weekends you book and what you charge. It can fit around a day job from about six hours a week. Revenue is not the same as profit.
What should I check before hiring out a photo booth?
Check public liability insurance, which many venues ask to see, and portable appliance testing (PAT) of your electrical kit. Also check ICO guidance on data protection if you keep or share guests' photos, and plan for equipment failure.
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