Planning entertainment for a school prom or leavers’ party involves a different set of considerations from a wedding or a private party. You’re organising on behalf of a large group of young people, often working within a tighter budget, and you need a supplier you can rely on completely. Nobody wants to be fielding frantic calls on the night because something hasn’t arrived.
This is something we understand well. We’ve worked at Year 6 leavers’ parties, secondary school proms and sixth form events across London, Essex and the Home Counties, and we know what makes these evenings work.
What Makes a Great Prom Photo Booth?
For school events, a photo booth needs to do a few things well. It needs to handle a lot of traffic: students aren’t shy about queuing up for multiple visits, and a booth that slows down or runs out of prints halfway through the evening is a problem. It needs to produce photos students actually want to keep, with the kind of quality and personalisation that feels special rather than generic. And it needs to be run by staff who are confident and warm with young people, encouraging everyone to get involved without being overbearing.
Every Smiles Better booking includes a fully staffed attendant throughout, a bespoke template personalised to your event (with your school name, event date, or any theme you choose), unlimited visits, and instant prints within 30 seconds. We arrive early, set up without fuss, and stay until the end.
It’s a venue with real presence, and that means everything you bring into it needs to feel considered. Fortunately, that’s something we think about carefully.
Which Photo Booth Works Best for a Prom?
We offer a wide range of products, and the right choice depends on your venue and what kind of experience you want to create. Here’s a quick guide.
The Magic Selfie Mirror is one of the most popular choices for proms. It’s full-length, which means groups of students can all fit in together for a proper photo rather than squeezing into a small frame. We have nine different mirror styles, from the glamorous Hollywood Lights to the elegant English Garden, so there’s something to suit any event theme.
The Selfie Pod with Inflatable LED Cube is a particular favourite at leavers’ parties, especially for younger year groups. Tracy Quinn, who booked it for a Year 6 leavers’ party at Sweyne Park School, told us:
“I cannot recommend Smiles Better Entertainment highly enough. We booked them for a Year 6 Leavers’ party and they were fantastic. Very responsive to all communication, arrived early to set up in plenty of time and Denise was really friendly and brilliant with the kids. The popcorn went down a storm. The pictures were excellent and the fact that you can download them all is great. Really happy with the service and would definitely recommend.”
The Traditional Photo Booth, available in silver glitter or champagne, is a classic choice that works well at more formal prom venues. The enclosed booth gives students a bit of privacy, which some prefer.
The Social Pod, Selfie Pod and Party Pod are compact and take up less floor space, making them ideal for venues where room is tight. Images and videos can be sent directly to students’ phones, which is a big draw for that age group.
The 360 Video Booth and Vogue Photo Booth are worth considering if you want something genuinely show-stopping. The 360 booth produces slow-motion video from every angle, which students love sharing on social media. The Vogue booth’s light tunnel is striking and photogenic in a way that feels very current.
Illuminated Letters
One of the most popular add-ons for proms is our 4ft illuminated letters. We can spell out PROM, your school’s initials, or the school name, and they make an instant visual impact at the entrance, on the dance floor, or as a centrepiece. Combined with a photo booth, they create a backdrop that students gravitate towards all evening and that looks great in photos.
Video Guestbook
For sixth form events in particular, a video guestbook can be a really meaningful addition. Students record personal video messages, individually or in groups, creating a keepsake that goes well beyond a collection of photos. For year groups who have spent years together and are about to head off in very different directions, having those messages captured is something they’ll genuinely value long after the evening is over.
Practical Details for Schools
We know that school events come with their own logistical considerations. Venue access for set-up, timing around other elements of the evening, working within a fixed budget: these are all things we’re used to navigating. We’re happy to liaise directly with your venue coordinator, and we can advise on which products work best in different spaces.
If your event falls on a weekday, it’s worth asking us about our weekday pricing when you enquire, as we often have options that make weeknight bookings more affordable.
Ready to Start Planning?
We cover schools across London, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex and Sussex. If you’re planning a prom, a Year 6 leavers’ party, a sixth form event or a staff party, we’d love to help.
Get in touch to check availability for your date and get a no-obligation quote. Dates for summer events fill up quickly, so it’s worth getting in touch early.
