Disposable Cameras

Disposable cameras are becoming increasingly popular at receptions. They help to capture more candid shots and pictures of everyone at the reception. Leave a camera at each guest table or spread them around the room. Each disposable camera is to be left on the table when people are through rather than taking it to a specific place (this seems to work better). Have someone go around and encourage people to shoot away & collect any cameras that are already used up, and take pictures he/she knows the bride's mother would like with some of the remaining cameras. It is suggested that you buy one camera per 15-25 people. Make sure you buy the cameras with a flash and ISO 400 film for indoor receptions. For outdoor receptions, buy cameras without flashes that use either ISO 100 or ISO 200 film.
Here are some suggested sources for disposable cameras:

Burney Bellows Remanufactured Cameras. 27 exposure disposable cameras for $4.95 each -- with a flash and 400 speed film. They come in four colors: blue, pink, white, and wedding print.
The Complete Wedding Photo Lab, 513 N. 36th, Seattle, WA 98103; 1-800-693-2468. "Order today and receive two free cameras!"- You must specifically mention that you received the offer in the Modern Bride Card Pack when you order. Minimum order is 10 cameras. $8.95 (includes shipping).
Custom Camera Design, Inc., 15921 84th Street KPN Lakebay, Washington, 98349; 1-800-878-3456. $8.95 with flash and $5.95 without flash. These prices include shipping and both cameras are 24 exposure with 400 ASA film. $4 WWW discount for 10 or more. They have 3 to choose from: "Say Cheese", "Wedding Cam" and "Party Cam."
Fuji Quicksnap with Flash -- suggested disposable camera by a professional photographer.
Konica disposable cameras from Freestyle Sales Co., 5124 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027; 1-800-292-6137 or Fax 1-800-616-3686. With flash for $6.79 each and without flash for $3.79 each. Both are 24 exposure.
Kodak Funsaver Wedding Pack from Adorama (5 cameras) with 15 exposures, 400 ASA Royal Gold Film for $42.95.
Kodak Funsaver Wedding Pack from Executive; 1-800-223-7323. (5 cameras) with 15 exposures, 400 ASA Royal Gold Film for $42.40.
Kodak Funsaver Wedding Pack at K-Mart (5 cameras) with 15 exposures, 400 ASA Royal Gold Film for $42.97.
Kodak Funsaver Wedding Pack at Service Merchandise. (5 cameras) with 15 exposures, 400 ASA Royal Gold Film for $50.
Price Club. Packages of 6 cameras with a flash (15 exposures) for $39.99.
Sundance Photo Inc., Industrial Drive, Jackson, WI 53037; 1-800-558-7818. Pack of 10 for $99.95 including developing or $9.99 a camera.
The Wedding Cam, 15921 84th St. KPN, Lakebay, WA 98349; 1-800-878-3456 or Fax 1-206-884-9696. $8.95 each for 24 exp, 400 ASA flash camera, including shipping. Minimum order is 10 cameras.
Wedding Party Pack from Cambridge; 1-800-221-2253. $32.95.
1-800-878-3456; A company in Washington offers a 400 ASA film with 24 exposures and flash for 8.95 which includes postage.

Not everyone will know how to best use the disposable cameras. For this reason, many of the cameras come with instructions written on them. In addition, many people write their own poems such as those that follow which help to better explain how to use the cameras. These poems can be written on placards which are placed on each reception table, or hung by a string from the camera itself. These poems/instructions remind the user that for indoor use, flashes must be used, that you must let the flash fully power up before shooting, and that the flash only has an effective distance of between 3-10 feet or so. For outdoor use, guests should avoid pictures where half of the subjects are in shadows and the other half are in bright sunlight (exposure problems). You may want to also suggest that they take pictures of what the photographer usually misses instead of taking only pics of the highlights such as the garter/bouquet toss.

Here's a camera have some fun,
Take some pictures, everyone!

Snap it here, snap it there,
Snap it, snap it everywhere!

"How to use" is on the box,
Be as clever as a fox.

Shoot it left, shoot it right,
Use the flash to make it bright.

When you're done with the roll,
You have met your mighty goal.

Hand it to the groom's Best Man,
Thanks a lot, from Jim and Fran.
Here is a camera
Please use it a lot,
To take pictures of
What the photographer will not.

The flash is required
Because it is night.
If you don't use it,
The snaps won't come out right.

Hold the front switch over
'Til the little light flutters.
You're all ready now,
So please press the shutter.

The perfect distance
Is four to ten feet.
Any nearer or farther
Will be your defeat.

At the end of the evening
With all film exposed,
Return to the best man,
Who'll develop the photos.
I'm your camera - so have some fun,
You'll make this album a special one!
Snap away as best you're able,
Then leave me off at the gift table!
Please lend a hand on this special day
To capture our wedding your own unique way
This isn't a very tedious task
Just a few snapshots, that's all we ask
The wonderful smiles, the joyous tears
Pictures to remember throughout the years
It'll be so special to see through your eyes
A simple pose, an elaborate surprise
So we can see pictures and remember when...
And relive this day again and again.
Take this camera and have some fun
Get some pictures of everyone!
Maybe you'll see something
We didn't see
That we can keep as a memory!
The bride and groom have a request
So put on a big smile
And look your best
When you see some fun
Take the hint
You snap the camera
And we'll make the print!
To celebrate this special day,
Pick a camera and really play.
Leave it on the table when you are through,
So Leslie and Christian can develop the pictures taken by you

This is a very special gift
for Leslie and Christian to see.
The reason it's so special is,
'Cause it's from you and me.

Take a posed or candid snapshot
and when all the film is through,
leave the camera by the door
so they'll have these memories of you.
You're the photographer so take your best shot,
and get the pictures the photographer will not!
You're the photographer so take your best shot--
and get all of the photos the photographer will not!!

An alternative to buying disposable cameras is to provide a basket of film for your guests. The following poem will help explain this to your guests:

To those who brought cameras, there's a special request
Take plenty of pictures of the worst and the best

There's one more favor to add, before we forget
When you get them developed make a second set
See we're counting on your kind-hearted affection
To add to our expanding wedding collection!

And if you run low on film and wish you had more,
That's what these rolls of film in the basket are for.