Luxury Portrait Booth for Weddings: ILLUMINATE in Charleston
Garden & Gun Weddings Launch in Charleston: A Night of Southern Style—and Portraits Worth Keeping
Charleston has a way of making celebration feel timeless—especially when the occasion is all about the art of the wedding. This winter, Garden & Gun marked a major milestone with the debut of G&G Weddings, a new digital destination dedicated to Southern wedding inspiration and storytelling. And for the launch celebration at The Dewberry in Charleston, we were honored to provide something we believe every wedding weekend deserves: an elevated portrait booth experience guests actually want to step into.
That’s what we brought as ILLUMINATE—our portrait experience designed to feel like a magazine moment: refined lighting, direction that flatters everyone, and portraits that become instant keepsakes. It was the perfect match for a night where every detail felt intentional.
The Charleston celebration at The Dewberry
The G&G Weddings launch at The Dewberry blended editorial style with genuine warmth—cake, a bridal procession, champagne, and signature cocktails that felt effortlessly Southern. The evening was produced by Tara Guérard Soirée, with an incredible lineup of creative partners who made the entire experience feel like a live Garden & Gun spread.
Our role: a portrait booth experience, reimagined
When most people hear “photo booth,” they picture something fun—but not always flattering, not always beautiful, and not always aligned with a luxury wedding aesthetic.
ILLUMINATE is different. It’s a portrait lounge / editorial portrait booth designed to elevate the guest experience.
Studio-qulity lighting that’s clean, soft, and sculpted
Guided posing that keeps portraits natural (and fast)
A calm, intentional setup that looks like it belongs in the room
Portraits that feel published, not “photobooth-y”
At Garden & Gun, guests stepped in for a quick moment—and stepped out with portraits that looked like they were pulled from the pages of an editorial.
Why our luxury portrait booth works so well at weddings and events
Weddings (and brand celebrations) move fast. People are dressed their best. The room is stunning. The guest list is meaningful. But most guests leave with…a few dim phone photos.
A portrait booth experience creates:
A keepsake for every guest (not just the couple)
A meaningful moment inside the reception flow
High-end content for planners, venues, and hosts
An activation that’s truly interactive, not a novelty
It’s the “fun” of a booth, with the look and feel of editorial portraiture.
The team behind the night
Huge gratitude to Garden & Gun, The Dewberry, and Tara Guérard Soirée, plus the talented partners who brought the launch to life. We love collaborating with teams who care about design, guest experience, and storytelling as much as we do.
Want this portrait experience at your wedding or event?
ILLUMINATE is designed for wedding weekends, black-tie receptions, welcome parties, corporate celebrations, and brand launches—anywhere you want guests to walk away with something real.
Most couples and planners book ILLUMINATE for:
Cocktail hour portraits
Reception portraits (high traffic, high energy)
Welcome parties + rehearsal dinners
After-parties and late-night moments
Brand dinners, product launches, and hosted events
If you’re looking for a Charleston photo booth alternative that feels elevated, timeless, and genuinely fun—this is it.
FAQ: Luxury Portrait Booth Experience (Weddings + Events)
What is a luxury portrait booth?
A luxury portrait booth is an elevated alternative to a traditional photo booth—studio-style lighting, professional direction, and editorial-quality portraits that feel timeless and flattering.
How is ILLUMINATE different from a traditional wedding photo booth?
Traditional booths are typically automated with fixed lighting and a “novelty” look. ILLUMINATE is a guided portrait experience—refined lighting, a photographer-led approach, and imagery designed to feel like an editorial portrait.
Is a portrait booth worth it if we already have a wedding photographer?
Yes—your photographer is focused on the full story (ceremony, candids, details). A portrait booth creates a dedicated moment for guest portraits and delivers a second, complementary set of images that guests love.
When is the best time to run a portrait booth at a wedding?
Most couples choose cocktail hour (guests are arriving and excited) or the first half of the reception (high participation). It can also work great late-night if you want a more energetic vibe.
How much space does a portrait booth experience require?
Most portrait booth setups work well in a modest footprint. The goal is a clean backdrop, good flow, and enough space for a short queue—without overwhelming the room.
Can a portrait booth match our wedding design and aesthetic?
Absolutely. The experience should feel intentional—aligned with your palette, lighting, and overall design. We aim for a look that feels like it belongs in your event, not an add-on.
Do guests receive prints or digital images?
Both options are possible depending on what you want: digital delivery, on-site printing, or a curated combination. Many hosts choose digital-first with optional prints for a true keepsake moment.
Do you travel for weddings and events outside?
Yes—ILLUMINATE travels frequently for weddings, corporate events, and brand celebrations.