The Traveling Photo Booth® Blog

We're moving...to the Local Level

2010-06-10T18:59:00.001-05:00

Thanks so much for following us! We'll no longer be updating this blog. To find out what's happening in your neck of the woods, head to www.thetravelingphotobooth.com, click on "Contact" and then your city.

It's been a lot of fun. See you in a photo booth!

Can you do the "Long Man?" [Video]

2010-05-27T11:14:00.000-05:00

Watch the Photo Booth Guys®, Matt and Jacob, as they demonstrate how to pull off the "Long Man" pose with class. Don't you guys have work to do?

Personlize Your Photo Strips

2010-05-19T15:22:00.000-05:00

Looking for a way to make the experience a little more unique? Many of our clients go for our Custom Strip Center. You can design your own or we can whip something up for you. It's the perfect finishing touch on the party favors everyone takes home. And it's one more space to splash your wedding colors without breaking the bank.

You can see a few more Custom Strip Center designs here. Your guests are going to love the photo booth rental and their photo strip party favors. Make sure they remember where they got them!

Partnering Up with Brides Against Breast Cancer™

2010-04-30T08:36:00.000-05:00

Brides Against Breast Cancer™ is hosting a charity wedding gown sale as part of their nationwide tour of gowns. The sale will take place at the Marriott Minneapolis West on Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th. Admission is free for the general sale. Want first pick? For just $20 per person, you get access to the special pre-sale from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 14th.

If you're still looking for a gown that's gorgeous, meaningful and in the budget, this is your big chance to find it. Gowns start at $99 and some are valued at up to $8,000. Not only do you get the dress and at a great price, all proceeds benefit the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation™.

Learn more and pre-register online at www.BridesAgainstBreastCancer.org. Giving back feels soooo good!

The Traveling Photo Booth You Tube Channel

2010-04-27T08:51:00.002-05:00

We've just launched our You Tube Channel and have uploaded a sweet video-voicemail testimonial from a previous Traveling Photo Booth rental client and uploaded a video of our favorite photos from last year's Halloween Bash. Be sure to check it out!

Nominated for Best Favors... Again!

2010-04-22T15:59:00.002-05:00

Thank you so much to all of our fans who came through for us again this year! We love Minnesota Bride Magazine. Last year, we won their Top of the Tiara Award for best overall wedding vendor. It doesn't get any better than that.

This year, we've received our second nod for Best Favor. What are the odds we'll win Best Favor in Minnesota and Wisconsin (where we're also nominated)? We think they're really good, that's what. Keep keeping those fingers double-criss-crossed and we'll keep you posted.

(Photo of Jeff Hellenbrand and party favor from 2009 MN Bride's "Best Of" Awards party at Varsity Theater courtesy of Scott Haraldson Photography and MN Bride. Click on the image to see more great pics from that historic night.)

Photo Booth Cures Colicky Babies

2010-04-16T12:09:00.001-05:00

See? Weddings aren't so bad. Not with photo booths. We are currently testing to see if our photo booth also cures irritable teenagers and grumpy old men. It's still too early to say for sure, but things are looking very promising...

We're Nominated for "Best Favors!"

2010-04-13T14:49:00.003-05:00

Wisconsin Bride has just announced the nominees for their "Best of 2010" awards ceremony taking place on June 24, 2010. Though we weren't nominated in every category (we thought we had "best reception venue" and "best makeup artist" in the bag), we are one of three nominees for "Best Favors." What can we say? Wedding guests love taking home gorgeous photo strips proving exactly how much fun they had at the reception.

Keep your fingers crossed for us on June 24th and thanks again for your support!

This isn't the first time we've been nominated for (or won) a fancy schmancy award. Check out our ever-expanding trophy collection. The awards sure are shiny. Jacob has even been caught falling asleep with the ICON Award cradled gently in his arms...

In Mpls? Join our Wall of Shame...

2010-04-07T13:01:00.005-05:00

We've moved to NE and want your mug on our photo strip wall of fame.

Checkout the digs, drop off collateral, down a complimentary shot* and take the photo strip of your life. Anytime Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm. Call before your visit to ensure a tidy office and hygienic tour guide.
Get directions here.

*Tequila, Glenlevit, Premium, Red Wine, Diet, Root Beer, Mt. Dew, Dr. Pepper, Pepsi

Wish Upon a Wedding Launches in Chicago

2010-03-24T11:36:00.004-05:00

We are super excited to announce the launch of the Chicago location of Wish Upon a Wedding, America's first wedding wish granting organization. The organization is made up of fabulous, local wedding vendors who are happy to donate their services to special couples facing terminal illness.

Chicago's chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding hosted it's launch party at the Ravenswood Billboard Factory on Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Chapter president and renowned event planner, Ali Phillips, told the evening's guests about the short history of Wish Upon a Wedding and presented a beautifully-done video (courtesy of I do Films) telling the love story of Chicago's first WUW couple. We think everyone cried.

We're proud to be part of this new and exciting organization. Wish Upon a Wedding started in January 2010 and chapters are quickly popping up all over the country. We believe that couples dealing with terminal illness should not have to give up their dream wedding because of mounting medical bills.

If you know of a couple facing terminal illness who might be interested, please send them to www.wishuponawedding.org.

Big Fun & Great Food at Joey's on Sunday (Milwaukee)

2010-03-17T11:44:00.003-05:00

Spring is in the air and so is the smell of delicious Italian cuisine from Joey Buona's in Milwaukee! Joey Buona's Restuarant, in Milwaukee, WI, is hosting their annual Bridal Open House on Sunday, March 21, 2010 from noon to 4 pm. This is your chance to try out the photo booth, meet some of the Photo Booth Guys® and visit with some other great wedding vendors. If you're looking for a reception venue in Milwaukee, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Admission is FREE, so come say hello, get a free photo strip and some killer deals!

Admission is Free.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

12pm to 4pm

Annual Bridal Open House

Joey Buona's Restaurant

2nd floor banquet space

500 N Water St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Get the Most from your Rental

2010-03-11T16:51:00.000-06:00

You can't go wrong renting from the greatest photo booth company in the galaxy. Now that you've got your photo booth lined up, how do you ensure every single one of your guests has the time of their lives at your reception? We've got some ideas to help you guarantee that every last guest uses the photo booth and has a great time.

Make an Announcement. It's always a great idea to have the DJ, band or even the groom let everyone know about the photo booth.

Create a Sign. If you're worried your guests won't see the photo booth, it never hurts to make a large, simple sign (placed near the entrance) that tells guests there is a photo booth.

Use Place Settings. As mentioned in a previous post, place settings (like a little ticket) are a super cute way to let your guests know about the photo booth. They'll be right in front of your guests and almost impossible to miss.

Plan Ahead. If your photo booth isn't a surprise to your guests, consider mentioning that there will be a photo booth at the reception somewhere in your invitations or save-the-dates. Tell them to start planning their poses now and guests will be equally excited and prepared for the fun.

Know What to Say. Now that you've got everyone's attention, what do you say about the photo booth? Tell them that it's free for them to use (as much as they want), that everyone should use the photo booth AND write a message in the guest book, what times the photo booth is available and anything they should know about extras (like props or photo strip frames). And don't forget to tell your guests to have fun!

Have a better idea? We know there are brides out there with experience on this subject. What worked for you? Please share your wisdom in the comments.

Perfect Wedding Theme: Photo Booth

2010-03-05T14:34:00.001-06:00

Everybody loves a well-executed wedding theme. Though it's certainly not required, having a theme is a great way to make your wedding more memorable (and it might even make the planning process easier). One theme we've been seeing more of lately (and we can't say we mind) is... the photo booth! If photo booths have played an important role in your life or your relationship, it may be the perfect theme for you. Below are some tips to pulling off a great photo booth theme. We'll even take care of most of the work!

Super Cute Save-the-Dates

What better way to get people psyched up about your wedding than to send a ridiculously fun photo strip of the two of you? You can hop in any old photo booth and then scan your photo strip to use with your save-the-dates. If that sounds like a lot of work, let us create your save-the-dates. That way, they'll look just as good as the thank yous and the photo strips your guests enjoy at the reception. As an added bonus, you'll get all of your R.S.V.P.s right away, because guests will want to attend your wedding so desperately (our overpaid legal team would like to remind you that this has not been demonstrated). But it could happen.

The Main Event (and Meaningful Mementos)

No photo booth themed wedding is complete without a real photo booth at the reception. After all, this is where the magic happens. Guests will have had a chance to brainstorm the perfect pose to celebrate your marriage. Your friends and family will have the time of their lives and you'll have proof in a beautifully crafted photo strip guest book complete with gorgeous photo strips and personal messages from everyone. Your guests will leave the reception happy and thoroughly-entertained with their photo strip party favors in hand.

Please Enjoy the Photo Booth

One of the cutest ideas we've come across is a little ticket at every place setting encouraging the guests to use the photo booth and to sign the guest book. You can even take it a step further by giving away Photo Strip Frames as an added favor. Use the frames to hold place settings that also tell the guests about the photo booth. It's one of the best ways to guarantee every person signs the guest book. As an added bonus, the place settings are sure to spark some interesting pre-dinner conversations.

A Thank You to Treasure

After the party is over and all of those expensive gifts (and the used towel set - thanks for nothing, Aunt Betty) have been opened and maybe even enjoyed, it's time for the real work to begin. Writing your thank you notes doesn't have to be a chore. Write a quick note on our Personalized Thank You Cards, available as a postcard or folded card with envelope. With your pretty picture on the front and four designs to choose from, it's the most personal way to say "Thanks!"

Want some inspiration? Check out how far "Mrs. Cupcake" took the idea on Wedding Bee.

Where Should I Put It?

2010-02-17T11:17:00.002-06:00

Choosing the placement of your photo booth at the wedding reception is an important part of the planning process. In general, we suggest putting our photo booth right in the middle of the room and then squeezing everything else in wherever it will fit (see diagram above). If you don't want to do that, here are some real tips to get the most of your photo booth rental:

1. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
If the guests, the dance floor, the bar and the restrooms are all in the same room, the photo booth probably should be, too. If you're already at room capacity, it's okay to have the photo booth in an adjacent room. Just remember: if your guests can't see how much fun people are having with the photo booth, they're less likely to mosey on over for their own photo strip.

2. Breathing Room is Good
The photo booth is going to become one of the main attractions at your reception, so don't put it in the coat closet. The footprint of the photo booth is just under 3 ft. by 6 ft, and you'll want some extra room for the attendant and for guests to gather 'round. You'll want your guests to feel comfortable while they wait their turn and not be trying to squeeze in between tables eight and nine.

3. The Photo Booth is Not a Disco Ball
The photo booth loves good tunes, so it's natural to want to put it on the dance floor (or as close as possible). The best spot is probably across the room or on another wall from the DJ or live music. We find that most receptions will have three hot spots (after a quick stop at the bar): the photo booth, the dance floor and the tables in the back where people can hear each other talk. Our attendant will be assisting your guests and you'll want to make sure guests can hear them over the speakers.

4. Think About Flow
There is a flow and rhythm to every reception. You'll want to figure out how the photo booth fits into your concept for the whole evening. Do you want guests to use it right after dinner and then have them gradually move to the dance floor in the wee hours of the night? Is the photo booth your primary activity for the reception? People will walk miles to use our photo booth, but that doesn't necessarily mean they should have to.

The reality is that every reception is different and the tips above may not apply to your unique situation. We love talking about photo booths and we're happy to share our photo booth wisdom with you. Give us a call today and we'll help you choose the perfect spot for that photo booth.

Now Serving: Chicago, Des Moines, Detroit, Los Angeles, Madison, Minneapolis and Sacramento!

Check Us Out, Minneapolis!

2010-02-10T10:25:00.006-06:00

Last year, the Minneapolis YWCA tried out our photo booth service for their Member Appreciation event. It was such a big hit, they've decided to have a "Photo Booth Day!" If you're a member of the YWCA Minneapolis, you can stop by any location today until 7 p.m. to get your glamorous photo strip in your workout gear (or all dolled up, if that's your thing) and to leave a quick message about why you come to the YWCA (besides your love of photo booths). We think this is a great idea. In fact, we think that Feb. 10 should become International Photo Booth Day. Who's with us?

Become a fan of the YWCA Minneapolis on Facebook.

(Photo Courtesy of Kneehigh Theater)

If you're more the theater type, come get your photo strip at one of two performances of the runaway success "Brief Encounter" at the Guthrie Theater. This will be the show's last stop on an exclusive three-city U.S. tour. We will be providing a photo booth for opening night on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 and for a City Pages pre-show party on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. Get your tickets now and start thinking of good theater-related poses (bring props).

That's not all we're up to. You can see The Traveling Photo Booth® at six (Count 'em, six!) wedding shows in the Twin Cities area this February and March. To see a complete list, head on over to our facebook page. See you in a photo booth!

We Want You! (Not Matt.)

2010-02-05T17:04:00.004-06:00

This picture of Matt is great, but we know you've got better ones. Do you have a cute, silly, funny, stupid or awesome photo strip you want to share with the world? Don't keep that show-stopping photo booth pose to yourself. We'd like to post that photo strip-goodness on this here blog to share the joy. Send it over to j e f f [at] t r a v e l i n g p b [dot] c o m, and if it's as good as you know it is, it'll be up here in no time. We can't wait to see your magic. Thank you!

Please send images to: j e f f [at] t r a v e l i n g p b [dot] com

We're Giving Back

2010-01-27T14:24:00.002-06:00

We've been blessed to be very successful in these rough economic times. As a way of paying it forward, we've decided to donate 5% of our total merchandise sales to some wonderful non-profit organizations. Click on the banner above to see a list of some of the awesome organizations we're supporting. Who knew it could feel so good to add that Prop Kit to your rental?

And if you haven't yet, it's not too late to contribute to the efforts in Haiti. You can donate to the Red Cross by simply texting "Haiti" to 90999 to have a $10 charge added to your phone bill. If you don't normally do things like that, now would be a great time to start.

Visit Us at "Everything but the Wedding" Bridal Showcase Hosted By the Affinia Hotel

2010-01-20T12:03:00.004-06:00

We are providing a photo booth for this exclusive bridal event at the Affinia Hotel in downtown Chicago from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2010. Brides-to-be can attend the "In the Know" seminar by Beauty on Call, enjoy free cocktails and tasty apps, take advantage of special room rates (if you'd rather spend the night) and get access to some great local vendors (ahem).

This is going to be one spectacular event. If you're near Chicago, you like free drinks, you're planning your wedding and you haven't stepped foot inside our photo booth, this is your big chance. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended.

Get all of the details on the Affina Chicago hotel's website HERE.

See Our TV Bit

2010-01-19T10:12:00.006-06:00

It's short, it's sweet, and it's online now! Check out The Traveling Photo Booth on ABC 7 Chicago's "190 North" wedding episode. Here's how to watch:

1. Go to www.190north.com
2. Click "Watch 190 N." at the top
3. Press play for the Jan. 17 show

If you just want to see 50 seconds of Jeff and the photo booth, skip to the 9 minute 19 seconds mark. Episodes are only available online for a short time, so make sure to check it out today.

Pictured below in lovely Sepia: Janet Davies (190 North Host and Executive Producer) and Jeff Hellenbrand (The Traveling Photo Booth® Chicago) get goofy in the photo booth.

Holy Wedding Fairs, Batman!

2010-01-15T12:42:00.003-06:00

Is this your first time attending a wedding fair? No worries, we're here to help you survive. Read on for some helpful pointers for thriving in the frenzy of wedding vendors and the occasional bridezilla.

Find an upcoming show near you on our Facebook page.

How to Attend a Wedding Fair and Make it Out Alive

1. Bring a friend.

Not the one who "helps" you buy things you don't need. The one who knows when you need a break to avoid a panic attack.

2. Find the bar.

Remember, this is supposed to be fun. We're not recommending that fourth trip to the bar. That's a recipe for six limos you don't need and a mess on the carpet. Save it for your wedding, honey. Just kidding!

3. Have a plan.

This doesn't have to be elaborate, just know why you're going. Is it to get unique ideas? Maybe to find and sign the perfect florist and photographer? Make sure you get the materials (brochures, etc.) you want and that you sign up to be contacted by your favorite vendors. Knowing what you want out of this adventure will ensure that it's both fun and productive.

4. Stick to the plan.

Make sure you get done what you want to get done right away. Great services book up fast, so if your top priority is locking in that videographer, do that first. Then pat yourself on the back and go watch the fashion show.

5. If you need to, it's okay to hide out inside our photo booth.

There are a lot of people at a bridal expo. It can be overwhelming. Feel free to wait a minute before you start taking pictures in the photo booth. Take a deep breath. And then take the best gosh-darn photos of your life. Until your big day, that is.

6. Lastly, know when to leave.

If you planned out your important to-dos and crossed them off early on, you'll have no problem leaving when Mom tells you her feet are killing her. Be nice to her. She may just surprise you and buy your dream wedding dress, no strings attached.

Wedding fairs are absolutely crazy, but they're a lot of fun. We often have a special offer for clients who book us at the show. It's a great way to get the best price on the best photo booth service in the galaxy.

The Traveling Photo Booth® is going to be at so many wedding fairs in the next few weeks it's insane. If you haven't see the photo booth in person yet, you're insane. Don't worry, we've got the cure (insert cowbell/Christopher Walken joke here) coming to a city near you all month long.

Find an upcoming show on our Facebook page.

Our Television Debut in Chicago

2010-01-14T09:45:00.001-06:00

If you're in Chicago, tune in to "190 North" on ABC 7 this Sunday night, January 17th, at 10:35 p.m. The show airs every Sunday night and features tons of great local content: the best local restaurants, where to see women's wrestling and weird Chicago laws. This week, however, it's all about weddings. You'll get to see Jeff talk about our service, then watch a local couple try out our photo booth for themselves and tell you why they're so excited to have one at their reception.

Not in Chicago? Plan to be grocery shopping at 10:35 p.m. on Sunday? No problem! All of the episodes are hosted online afterward. We'll be sure to post a link once it's available. In the meantime, you can watch past (non-wedding) episodes on their website:

http://www.190north.com/

Vendor Shout Out: Mod Photography Blog

2010-01-13T09:38:00.004-06:00

The Photo Booth Girls™ had the chance to meet the nice folks over at Mod Photography (in Southern California) last weekend. The pictures that Beka & Craig shoot are super cute, but who knew they could look so good on the other side of the camera in our photo booth?

Check out their fun photo strips and kind words on the Mod Photography Blog:
http://modphotography.com/blog/?p=177

With the New Year: Introducing... Super Tones!

2009-12-31T14:45:00.000-06:00

We're not talking about that Christian ska band from the '90s (you were thinking of the O.C. Supertones). After months of sweat and tears in our photo booth laboratory, The Traveling Photo Booth® is pleased to introduce two brilliant new options to our tone lineup. Pop that champagne! In addition to vibrant Color and classic Black & White, we now offer vintage Sepia and Retro Colour. What's Retro Colour? It's our secret concoction, reminiscent of those cross-processed, color photographs from the early 1960s. Our little gift to photo booth hipsters (photo stripsters?) everywhere. You can choose any tone you want and even let your guests pick theirs in the photo booth. And the best part? It's included in your rental. Just our little of way of saying, "Happy New Year!"

Check out our handiwork below:

We're Open for Business in LA!

2009-12-17T15:09:00.010-06:00

The Traveling Photo Booth^® has finally broken out of the Midwest! It's about time, too, because it's getting awfully cold (and snowy) in that general region. We're very happy to welcome Jess and Mindy, our first Photo Booth Girls™!

Mindy and Jess both grew up in Southern California and have known each other since high school. They knew they wanted to have their own business (turns out they don't like working for "The Man," either) and when they found The Traveling Photo Booth^®, it was love at first photo strip. Mindy has a strong sales background and is currently pursuing her MBA. Jess has worked extensively in the event industry, with the Hilton and a number of restaurants, bars and large corporations. Their passion for photo booths and their industry experience (not to mention their intimate knowledge of the LA area) have prepared Jess and Mindy to hit the ground running this holiday season.

If you've been waiting for The Traveling Photo Booth^® to be available on the west coast, your time has come! Email the original Photo Booth Girls^™ at la@travelingpb.com or give them a jingle at (562) 430-4145. Make sure to ask them about their favorite local wineries, too.

Free Muddy Paws Cheesecake

2009-12-01T14:20:00.009-06:00

You read that right. It's time for the annual Muddy Paws Cheesecake tasting, holiday bazaar and toy drive. Oh, and don't forget to get your photo strip in the photo booth! This year the event will be from 4pm to 9pm in St. Louis Park, MN. You can find out more here: Cheesecake Tasting Event Details.

Bring a toy, bring a friend and come hungry. Just make sure to take at least one picture in the photo booth of you with your delicious cheesecake. Jeff is super mad he can't go this year, so be sure to send him pictures and tell him how awesome it was.

Diagonal P-H-O-T-O-B-O-O-T-H

2009-11-25T17:16:00.005-06:00

Dan got some pretty sweet mail last week. Mother of the bride, Lou, sent us a photo booth crossword - how cool is that? I'm pretty sure that if you've got a crossword dedicated to you, that officially puts you in the "Awesome" hall-of-fame.

Fun fact: Lou is so cool that she actually surprised her daughter with the photo booth at her wedding reception last Friday. Best. Surprise. Ever. Much better than surprising your daughter on her wedding day with an Elvis-impersonating stripper or by wearing the same dress as her. Thanks, Lou!

Okay, now it's your turn. How many photo booth related words can you find? (Click image for full size.)

And the winner is... The Traveling Photo Booth!

2009-11-18T11:19:00.000-06:00

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. November 18, 2009 - On Sunday, November 15, 2009, at a black tie gala, Twin City Bridal Association (TCBA), was proud to announce the winners of the ICON Award for excellence in the local wedding industry.

2009 ICON AWARD WINNERS

The ICON Award was presented to the following local wedding experts for their outstanding performance in their respected fields of expertise.

Excellence in Bridal Salon & Formal Wear Experience: Angelique's Bridal Salon, Blaine, MN

Excellence in Use of Entertainment: The Traveling Photo Booth, St. Louis Park, MN

Excellence in Graphic Design: A Milestone Paper Co., Burnsville, MN

Excellence in Wedding Photography: Liz Banfield Photography, Minneapolis, MN

Excellence in Cake Design: Gateaux Inc., St. Louis Park, MN

Excellence in Floral Design: Richfield Flowers & Events Inc., Richfield, MN

Excellence in Décor: Apres Party and Tent Rental, Edina, MN, Lasting Impressions Weddings, Minnetonka, MN, and Violets Flowers, Prior Lake, MN

Excellence in Planning: Ambiente Wedding and Event Planning, Minneapolis, MN, Nature's Harvest, Wayzata, MN, and Watermark Stationery, Wayzata, MN

Wedding of the Year: b. inspired weddings and events, St. Louis Park, MN, Kelly Brown Weddings LLC, Maple Grove, MN, and Richfield Flowers & Events, Inc., Richfield, MN

Truly the pinnacle of success, the ICON Awards is regarded as the highest honor for merit of excellence in the Twin Cities wedding industry. The winners are recognized for their contribution to the industry and selected based on anonymous entries judged by a prestigious panel of national experts. It's the "Who's Who" of the industry recognized for their cutting-edge creative vision and their endless pursuit of perfection.

Produced by Twin City Bridal Association, the ICON Awards were designed by The Wedding Guys®, Matthew Trettel and Bruce Vassar, with the highest priority to ensure the anonymity and fairness of the ICON Awards judging process. The field of national judges included: Sylvia Weinstock, President, Sylvia Weinstock Cakes; Art Scangas, Art Director and Co-Owner of Inside Weddings; Mara Urshela, Co-Owner, Kleinfelds; Richard Foulkes, Director of Special Events, Imagination Group, London; Ellen Weldon, President, Ellen Weldon Design; and Staci Francombe, Founder and President, Get Married Media.

Near Waukesha, WI?

2009-11-12T09:38:00.006-06:00

Come check us out at the Best of the Best Bridal Show at the Waukesha County Expo Center this weekend! You've got two chances to meet Casey and to try out the photo booth: we'll be there from 10am to 4pm this Saturday and Sunday, November 14 & 15. The show is put on by Exciting Events. If you'd like more information, feel free to contact us here.

Don't worry if you can't catch us this time. Here are some other upcoming shows where you can see The Traveling Photo Booth for yourself:

Wedding Planner & Guide Bridal Show: January 16 & 17 2010 11AM – 4PM @ Alliant Energy Center (Madison, WI).

The Wonderful World of Weddings & Occasions: January 9 &10 11:00AM – 5:00PM @ the Wisconsin Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park

www.TheTravelingPhotoBooth.com

The Great Halloween Bash 2009!

2009-11-03T15:57:00.011-06:00

Whew! That was exhausting. I think we outdid ourselves last week at our second annual Halloween Party. The booze was flowing and it may have gotten a little rowdy. The dance floor was packed this year and the costumes were (gasp) even better! This year's giant movie? Hitchcock's The Birds. Very scary. As usual, there was a line all night for the photo booth.

Party guests had the opportunity to see (and use!) firsthand the yet-to-be-released, next generation of photo booth. Everyone had a great time watching the ginormous photo strip slideshow projected on the wall above the photo booth. We ate, we laughed, we danced, we drank and we generally partied our tailfeathers off.

None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Aarcee Party Rental hooked us up with everything from the bar to the ridiculously-cool checkered dance floor. Chowgirls came through for us yet again with their killer catering. The food was almost as scary as it was delicious. You'll just have to check out the photo gallery to see what I mean. Our lovely neighbors from Muddy Paws Cheesecake provided the unbelievably scrumptious, late-night dessert. Magician Sean Phillips wowed the crowd again this year. I tried to tell Matt that his tricks are just illusions, but Matt is convinced Sean is a real wizard. And a special thanks to Steve and Bobby's Funeral Parlor (Website coming soon!) for supplying the liquor and other party essentials and for sponsoring the company softball team.

So you missed out. No big deal. You learned your lesson and you'll make up for it next year. Here's your chance to see the fun we captured in the photo booth:
Halloween Party Photo Strip Gallery

It should probably be illegal to have this much fun. Until we meet again, my favorite goblins, vampires, witches and pirates. I'm off to start working on next year's costume.

Hello, Chicago!

2009-09-16T21:53:00.007-05:00

After long last, we have finally opened our doors in Chicago! Jeff's schedule is packed, between answering phones, polishing photo booths and trying to sample all of the amazing restaurants in the immediate vicinity.

Stay tuned to find out who will be having The Traveling Photo Booth at their event for FREE!

You can reach Jeff at (312) 423-6687 or jeff@travelingpb.com.

We won the MN Bride Best of for Best Overall Wedding Provider!

2009-07-09T09:55:00.001-05:00

Last night, MN Bride held their 7th Annual Best of Awards at the BeAuTiful Varsity Theater in Dinkytown.

It was incredible. We caught up with old friends, drank & ate our hearts out. The Traveling Photo Booth even went home with the Best Of Award for Best Overall Wedding Provider!

Being nominated is no small feet as MN Bride received over 4,000 online ballots from brides & grooms planning the biggest day of their lives.

Lots of our good friends were nominated and a lot of them won.

Below are the nominees and winners. Congrats to all!

2009 MN Bride Best of Nominees

Bold = Winner

Best Reception Site (Under 100 guests)
The finalists are: The Carlson Towers Rotunda, James J. Hill Library, Semple Mansion

Best Outdoor Reception Site
The finalists are: The Carlson Towers Rotunda, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Nicollet Island Pavilion

Best Rehearsal Dinner Venue
The finalists are: Al & Alma’s Charter Boat Cruises, Buca di Beppo, Loring Pasta Bar

Best Boutique Registry
The finalists are: Ampersand, Cooks of Crocus Hill, Five Swans

Best Florist
The finalists are: Floral Logic, Flora Bella Studio, Wisteria Design Studio

Best Caterer (Over 100 guests)
The finalists are: Bon Appétit, Chowgirls Killer Catering, D'Amico Catering

Best Valet
The finalists are: Class A Valet, Renee's Royal Valet, Traditions

Best Custom Dressmaker
The finalists are: Carmelle Elizabeth, Joynoelle, The Dressmaker

Best Attendant Dresses
The finalists are: David’s Bridal, Flutter Boutique, The Wedding Shoppe

Best Accessories
The finalists are: Brides of France, Che Bella, Grace Bridal Boutique

Best Minnesota Honeymoon
The finalists are: Bluefin Bay, Lutsen Resort, Superior Shores

Best Travel Agency
The finalists are: Hobbit Travel, Macy’s Travel, Travel Leaders

Best Rental & Décor
The finalists are: Après Party & Tent Rental, Linen Effects, Midway Party Rental

Best Mother-of-the-Bride Apparel
The finalists are: Dugo, Macy's, Nordstrom

Best Videographer
The finalists are: Capture Studios, Princess Bride Cinematic Videography, United Video

Best Alterations
The finalists are: The Dressmaker, Louise Kegley, Mary Kay Bridal

Best Caterer (Under 100 guests)
The finalists are: D’Amico Catering, Chowgirls Killer Catering, We Cater to You

Best Cake
The finalists are: Buttercream, Gateaux, Inc., Queen of Cakes

Best Photography
The finalists are: Sewell Photography, Studio 306, Vick Photography

Best Planner
The finalists are: Ambiente Weddings & Event Planning, Mi Mi Design, Mother of the Bride Wedding Design & Coordinating Services

Best Formalwear
The finalists are: Heimie's Haberdashery, Savvi, Men’s Wearhouse

Best Talent Agency
The finalists are: Bellagala, Macken Music, Musicians Unlimited

Best Ceremony Music
The finalists are: Birchwood String Quartet, Four Voices String Quartet, The Baroque Trio

Best Invitations
The finalists are: Epitome Papers, Give My Regards To..., Watermark Stationery

Best Bridal Gowns
The finalists are: l'atelier couture, Monique Lhuillier, The Wedding Shoppe

Best Hotel for Guests
The finalists are: Graves 601 Hotel, Saint Paul Hotel, Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis

Best Officiant
The finalists are: Judge Thomas G. Armstrong, Pastor Kurt Kalland, Rev. Tomkin Coleman

Best Reception site (Over 100 guests)
The finalists are: The Carlson Towers Rotunda, Nicollet Island Pavilion, Semple Mansion,

Best Band
The finalists are: Bellagala Big Band, The Sevilles, Synergy

Best Ceremony Site
The finalists are: Basilica of Saint Mary, The Carlson Towers Rotunda, Semple Mansion

Best Jeweler
The finalists are: Continental Diamond, Shane Co., Tiffany & Co.

Best Spa
The finalists are: Ivy Spa Club, Juut Salonspa, Spalon Montage

Best DJ
The finalists are: Adagio Entertainment, Bill Herman Entertainment, Instant Request Disc Jockey Entertainment

Best Transportation
The finalists are: Eclipse Transportation, Renee’s Royal Valet, Twin City Trolleys

Best Favors
The finalists are: Che Bella, Gateaux Inc., The Traveling Photo Booth

Best Hair/Makeup
The finalists are: Emily J. Hair + Makeup, Juut Salonspa, Smart and Chic Bride

Best Attendant Gifts
The finalists are: Che Bella, Patina, Tiffany & Co.

Best Wedding-Night Hotel
The finalists are: Graves 601 Hotel, Saint Paul Hotel, W Minneapolis–The Foshay

Best Calligrapher
The finalists are: Crystal Kluge, Kathy Moon at Epitome Papers, Rosann Konieczny

Best Dance Instructor
The finalists are: Arthur Murray, Jeff Halverson, Sondra Chan at My Wedding Dance

Top of the Tiara
The finalists are: Epitome Papers, Gateaux Inc., The Traveling Photo Booth

The Traveling Photo Booth Expands to Des Moines, IA

2009-04-24T18:36:00.003-05:00

It's time to uncork the champagne and cue the confetti throwers as The Traveling Photo Booth has has officially opened shop in Des Moines, IA!!!!!

The Des Moines, IA franchise is owned & operated by Ernie & Travis Landwehr. To contact them click here.

We're up for 2 MN Bride Best of Awards!!!

2009-04-23T18:07:00.005-05:00

We've been nominated for 2 Minnesota Bride Magazine Best of 2009 Awards in the following categories:

Best Favors
Top of the Tiara

Read the juicy details by clicking the image below

Happily Ever After Photography

2009-03-05T09:14:00.003-06:00

Ruth of Happily Ever After Photography just sent us some incredible photos of our booth in action. Ruth is an incredible photographer, a friend of The Traveling Photo Booth and the photographer I trusted to shoot my own wedding. We love Happily Ever After Photography!

Asking the Important Questions (Or... If booths could talk)

2009-02-15T21:47:00.006-06:00

I'm the first to admit that I can be a bit of a sap. One of my favorite things about this job is that I get to be a part of life's important events. I love seeing the look on a new bride's face when she first sees her guest book, overflowing with silly photo strips and heartfelt messages from her dearest family and friends. Looking through my own photo strip guest book, I get to relive some of the special moments I shared with my wife on our happiest day (so far).

When I came across StoryCorps and their StoryBooths I was completely enthralled. StoryCorps is a non-profit project and their goal is simply to "celebrate one another's lives through listening." People schedule appointments to visit the StoryBooth with someone they know, like a grandparent or a neighbor. Inside the booth, they record a 40-minute interview. It's an incredible opportunity for children to ask their parents the really important questions that just haven't yet come up. Questions like, "What are you most proud of?" or "What is your favorite memory of me?" and "Is there anything you've never told me that you want to tell me?" The answers are as diverse as the people who enter the booth. At the end of the session, two CDs are made. One goes home with the pair and the other is archived in the Library of Congress as a way to permanently document the stories.

You can listen to some of the stories here. One of my favorites is the description of a surprising exchange between a young man and the mother of his fiance. I still don't know whether to laugh or cry.

If you're planning one of life's important events, it's easy to get swept up in the details. Don't forget to enjoy your time together. Take a break from the planning, find a coffee shop somewhere or a quiet place to sit and ask someone you love the important questions.

Laurie's done it AGAIN!!!

2009-01-20T12:14:00.002-06:00

Laurie Schneider of Laurie Schneider Photography just emailed us some MORE great photos of our photo booth in action! We are obviously proud parents.

See the booth in action and checkout Laurie's blog here

The Holy Grail of Local Party Ideas

2009-01-15T15:40:00.006-06:00

Metro Magazine has put together a killer list of must-have vendors/ideas for your next big get-together. We found more than a handful of our favorite vendors and venues and (Surprise!) we made the cut, too. Well, I suppose it's not a party without The Traveling Photo Booth. At least that's what our moms say. Stay warm out there - it's nasty! (Our moms tell us that, too.) Ciao!

We've been blogged AGAIN!

2008-12-03T19:40:00.003-06:00

Laurie Schneider of Laurie Schneider Photography just posted an incredible photo of our photo booth in action! We are obviously proud parents.

Laurie shot the wedding photos and we provided the photo booth for Steph & Mike's recent wedding reception held at the Wabasha Street Caves.

See the booth in action and checkout Laurie's blog here

and the winner is...The Traveling Photo Booth!

2008-11-20T09:11:00.000-06:00

Wedding Industry ICON Award Recipients Announced!

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. November 19, 2008 - On Sunday, November 16, 2008, at a black tie gala, Twin City Bridal Association (TCBA), was proud to announce the winners of the ICON Award for excellence in the local wedding industry.
ICON AWARD WINNERS

The ICON Award was presented to the following ten local wedding experts for their outstanding performance in their respected fields of expertise.

Excellence in Bridal Salon Experience: Angelique's Bridal Salon, Blaine, MN

Excellence in Use of Entertainment: The Traveling Photo Booth, St. Louis Park, MN

Excellence in Graphic Design: A Milestone Paper Co., Burnsville, MN

Excellence in Wedding Photography: Jan Kentala Photography, Burnsville, MN

Excellence in Cake Design: Celebration Generation Cakes, Plymouth, MN

Excellence in Reception Floral Design: Pazzobello Flowers, Minneapolis, MN

Excellence in Reception Décor: Richfield Flowers and Events, Richfield, MN
and Instant Request, Bloomington, MN

Wedding of the Year: b. inspired weddings and events, St. Louis Park, MN
and Liz Banfield Photography, Minneapolis, MN

Truly the pinnacle of success, the ICON Awards is regarded as the highest honor for merit of excellence in the Twin Cities wedding industry. The winners are recognized for their contribution to the industry and selected based on anonymous entries judged by a prestigious panel of national experts. It's the "Who's Who" of the industry recognized for their cutting-edge creative vision and their endless pursuit of perfection.

Produced by Twin City Bridal Association, the ICON Awards were designed by The Wedding Guys®, Matthew Trettel and Bruce Vassar, with the highest priority to ensure the anonymity and fairness of the ICON Awards judging process. The field of national judges included: Randy Fenoli, Fashion Director, Kleinfelds - New York; Kile Ozier, International Special Event Creative Director; Sylvia Weinstock, President, Sylvia Weinstock Cakes; David Merrill, President, An Original Occasion and Art Scangas, Art Director and Co-Owner of Inside Weddings.

Click to download a pdf about the ICON Award Event

About Twin City Bridal Association
TCBA is an association of wedding-related businesses whose members are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing professional services to brides and grooms. TCBA's members are the best of the best within the Twin Cities wedding industry. TCBA is comprised of businesses and organizations committed to fair and ethical business practices.

We're nominated for an Icon Award!

2008-11-05T11:58:00.005-06:00

We just got an email from the Wedding Guys letting us know we're a nominee for an Icon Award in the category of "Excellence in Use of Entertainment."

Only 3 are nominated in each category and we're pretty excited to be in the top 3!!!

The Twin City Bridal ICON Awards recognize outstanding achievement through innovative
work in the local wedding industry. Judged in 15 categories, the ICON Awards celebrate
success and increases awareness of excellence for wedding professionals based on a
credible, merit-based award entry process.

Winners will be announced at the Twin City Bridal ICON Awards Gala on November 16, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

We'll keep you posted!

The Traveling Photo Booth Halloween Party

2008-10-30T21:22:00.018-05:00

A message from GM Jeff...

Spooky Greetings from The Traveling Photo Booth (still in recovery)!

We'd like to send a big thank you to everybody who made it to our Halloween Extravaganza. I hope you had as much fun as we did. We had some big winners last night for our contest and drawing. A mystery guest won a liter of Kettle One Vodka. Allison Munsell with AARCEE won a bottle of wine in our RSVP drawing. A very scary skeleton (some people think it was Jason McLean with the Varsity Theater) took first in our "Best Costume" contest and he took home a $100 gift card for Lucias Restaurant and Wine Bar. Town and Country Club won our venue raffle for a free photo booth rental!

We have a ton of fabulous photo strips you don't want to miss! Check them out here.

We had delicious food and delightful drinks thanks to Kraemers Catering (www.kraemerscatering.com) and a place to rest our feet (and more!) provided by Midway Party Rental (www.midwaypartyrental.com) The amazing mix of tricky tunes was spun out by our very own "DJ Steely," one of our rock-star photo booth attendants. A big thank you to neighbors Muddy Paws Cheesecake (www.muddypawscheesecake.com) for delectable pumpkin and chocolate treats, to BMS rentals (www.bmsrentals.com) for making it possible to watch a huge version of "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" on the wall, and to Late Bloomer Flowers for the black roses!I hope you had a chance to enjoy the hilarious and magical entertainment of David Harris (www.davidharrislive.com) and Sean Phillips (www.sean-phillips.net). They had me scratching my head in amazement and rolling on the floor laughing all at the same time.

It was a fantastic night and we're still trying to put the office back together. Thanks for coming in great costumes and making it a party to remember.Happy Halloween!

Jeff, Matt & Jacob

The Traveling Photo Booth Expands to Madison, WI

2008-10-26T21:51:00.003-05:00

It's time to uncork the champagne and cue the confetti throwers as The Traveling Photo Booth has has officially opened shop in Madison, WI!!!!!

The Madison franchise is owned & operated by the incredible Casey Haselwander. To contact The Traveling Photo Booth of Madison, Wisconsin, click here.

We bit the bullet... Facebook!

2008-08-04T13:41:00.003-05:00

Everyone wants to know why The Traveling Photo Booth took so long to get with the program. Was it ignorance? Lethargy? Maybe we were too busy coming up with ridiculous poses for the photo booth. The truth is that no one knows why TTPB has finally entered the world of Facebook. The important thing is that we're there now. We know we've got more than three fans out there. Show your TTPB pride, become a fan! See you on the Face.

The Traveling Photo Booth & The State Fair

2008-08-01T17:16:00.002-05:00

KSTP has hired us to provide their visitors with FREE photo downloads for the duration of the fair. Indulge in some corndogs or pronto pups (if that's your thing) and be sure to swing by the KSTP Building on Chambers Street, between the Midway and the Grandstand for some FREE photo fun. August 21, 2008 - September 1, 2008

We've been blogged again!

2008-07-13T09:00:00.002-05:00

Wendy of BayView Event Center blogged about us again but this time it is video! See it here . Wendy's blog is a great resource for all of you deep in planning.

Sarah from Lasting Impressions Weddings Blogged About Us!

2008-07-01T09:30:00.002-05:00

We worked with Sarah from Lasting Impressions Wedding & Event Planning last weekend at The Depot. She is great to work with and even blogged about us! Read it here

Wendy from Bayview Event Center Blogged About Us!

2008-05-08T09:58:00.003-05:00

Wendy From Bayview Event Center blogged about us. Her blog is a great resource for all brides-to-be. Read it here.

The Traveling Photo Booth & LOOM

2008-04-22T15:30:00.001-05:00

LOOM invited us to be part of LOOMBLOOM and the The St. Paul Art Crawl this weekend (April 25th-27th.) For those who aren't Traveling Photo Booth junkies, LOOM is where it began. LOOM's Ralph Nelson gave us unrestricted access to his brain, his tools, his space and his ridiculously cozy studio furniture for late-night naps. Come by and visit (708 Vandalia St, 4th Floor, St. Paul, MN 55414) The Traveling Photo Booth at LOOMBLOOM. Best time to visit: Saturday 7pm.

The B Collective Blogged about us!

2008-03-18T10:28:00.001-05:00

Read it here

The Photo Booth Guy Gets Married...

2008-03-11T16:36:00.015-05:00

Well, I didn't JUST get married...To be exact, it has been 4 months and 8 days of complete marriage bliss. I proposed to Deanna on a pogo stick on the side of the highway in front of a heard of cows in South Dakota. Yes, that's how I did it. And I am just as surprised as you are that she said yes.

Since I work in the wedding industry, I thought planning would be easy. How wrong I was. I work with so many great vendors that picking vendors for our own wedding was extremely difficult.

So who did we book and where did we have it? We finally settled on Our Lady of Lourdes for the ceremony and Atlas Bar & Grill for the reception.

After much thought and consideration, we finally signed contracts with....

By Your Side Wedding Planning (Wedding Coordinator)
Happily Ever After Photography (Photography)
Sassafras Floral + Garden Design (Flowers)
Instant Request (DJ)
Complete Video (Videography)
Buttercream (Cake)
Twin City Trolleys (Transportation)
The Traveling Photo Booth (duh, the photo booth)

Before we knew it, seating charts had been finalized, hair appointments and alterations had been made and friends and family were falling from the sky every hour on the hour.

The actual day was absolutely surreal. All I can remember is how beautiful Deanna looked, how sweaty and shaky my hands were, how great the speeches were (thanks Matt & Dave), how much love we felt and how much fun we had. It was absolutely perfect.

To see our wedding photos, click here. To see our photo booth photos, click here.

A small piece advice for those about to walk down that long isle: Walk really s-l-o-w and take at least one moment during that crazy day to take a really deep breath, soak it all in and remember that all is perfect...at least until you get the bill.

Boothing for Ana

2008-02-29T11:23:00.012-06:00

We had a blast at Club Ana 149 last Saturday! We donated a photo booth and an attendant to show our support for Ana and everyone who contributes to her cause. It was quite the party - we turned Bearpath Country Club into a New York dance club for a night of friends, dancing, silent auctions and hilarious photo strips. The kids really loved the photo booth and the adults did, too, just not as much as they loved each other in the photo booth (smooch). Everyone had a great time supporting a great cause.

The event was put on by Ana 149, a small community of people who care a lot about a little girl named Ana who has autism. The purpose of Ana 149 is to help raise money to offset the cost of expensive treatments for Ana. The name Ana 149 stems from the statistic that one in every 150 children has autism. Ana is that one. You can view the Ana 149 blog at http://www.ana149.com/. To learn more about autism and the Autism Research Institute, check out http://www.autism.com/.

Boother Party!

2008-02-21T11:56:00.010-06:00

Last night we had our Boother Party. To the outside world, they are known as "photo booth attendants" but within TTPB they're known collectively and affectionately as "Boothers." We didn't really have a reason for this party other than it was a chance to have fun and to show our great appreciation towards them. They are the face of our company at events and are the type of people we genuinely like to hang out with. We don't always get the chance to talk much with them outside of the minute or two when they check in at their event or when we help them load out of a venue so we relish every opportunity to get together. They are terrific group of people whose only commonality is TTPB. They have different day jobs, interests and backgrounds. Some are married and trying to pick future baby names while others are still trying to choose majors (thankfully I'm in neither category.)

We gathered at the office and ate enough Italian food to prove low-carb dieting is dead. We had cake, wine and played some Nintendo Wii Sports. I'm not too sure the doubles tennis matches were the perfect team building exercise but it was fun. We were lucky enough to have a photo booth at our party and made a great photo strip guestbook which we plan to add to as the year's go on. Every good corporate party needs The Traveling Photo Booth.... obviously. Later that night we went outside and looked at the lunar eclipse. Opinion was mixed as to whether or not it lived up to the hype but it's safe to say most people thought it was at least "neat" if not "beautiful."

Eventually, festivities were wrapped up and some headed home while others were off to the bar for a little after party. We boxed up the leftovers for whomever wanted them, but TTPB managment will be eating meatballs and rigatoni for a month!

We're featured in Twin Cities Luxury + Fashion!

2008-02-18T09:49:00.005-06:00

The Traveling Photo booth in the current issue of Twin Cities Luxury + Fashion Magazine! Read it!

METRO Dogg Party

2008-02-15T09:42:00.014-06:00

On Tuesday METRO Magazine hosted a live telecast of the Westminster Dog Show at the Nomad World Pub. The event was a benefit for the Animal Humane Society and sounded like a howlin' good time. (Sorry...there's more) TTPB was itching for some great dog/human photo strips so we donated a booth and it did the rest.

The dogs seemed pensive, but after sniffing the photo booth's butt, their tails began to wag. The dogs' human friends drank some pints and soon everyone was ready for some photo strips.

Not all dogs were thrilled with the idea of sitting in a photo booth (it is the alpha photo booth) but, the owners were ecstatic with the idea and received some photo strips that are sure to end up making the cats shake their heads in wonder as to how they ended up so incredibly domesticated.

Amazingly, a Beagle won best in show! My childhood dog Floyd was a beagle and I'm telling you that contest is rigged. That or genetics have advanced into dangerous territory and most likely need to be stopped. Please help me save the world and tell everyone you know about this blog. It maybe our only chance although Jacob tells me his Beagle Simon was chubby but lovable. I'm betting he fed it doritos.

Everyone had a lot of fun and surprisingly no dogs "marked" the photo booth (we think). So we just wiped her down a bit and headed home to The Traveling Photo Booth lair. The door closing behind us muffled the sounds of melancholic barks and whimpers inside the Nomad. The dogs on the other hand just wagged their tail and looked for treats.
see phot os

We're featured in the Mpls.St. Paul Wedding Guide!

2008-02-10T09:33:00.004-06:00

The Traveling Photo booth is featured in the 2008 Mpls. St. Paul Wedding Guide! Read it!

Welcome

2008-02-07T15:50:00.005-06:00

Welcome to our blog! This is the only place to get the full dish on all things Traveling Photo Booth. Expect to find useful information like discounts, updates, interesting events and not so useful information like marital status and who's having a baby! Check back often as we will be blogging our little hearts out.