The Best Disposable Cameras to Buy for Your Wedding, Developing Cost plus Alternatives

As the old saying goes, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. And yes, on paper it sounds like a fun idea imagining all the candid, retro photos your friends will take on your wedding. But unless you go into this with the mindset that you might get a handful of usable photos at best, nothing at worst, you're setting yourself up for disappointment after spending a couple hundred on a few disposable cameras.

Now, I'm not saying disposable cameras are a bad idea period. No! What I'm saying is that most people don't know how to use them. Because these things need the flash to fire to get a decent picture, and guess what most drunk guests forget to turn on? The flash.

Not to mention the photo lab will charge you full price whether you get 1 or all 27 pictures. And almost every newlywed regrets it after realizing they spent $300 on underexposed, unusable pictures — money they wish they'd put toward something else. The couple in the video below admitted it was "completely not worth it — most of the pictures were pretty shit." They bought 10 disposable cameras (27 exposures each), giving them 270 possible pictures. But only got 10 decent pictures out it. Thankfully, they only spent $155, which doesn't sound too bad, until you do the math. $15.50 per picture.

Disposable Cameras ONLY Work with The Flash On

As a wedding photographer who uses Kodak 35m film to photograph weddings, I'm all for more people incorporating film into their weddings — whether it's by hiring someone like me or tossing a few disposable cameras into the mix. But again, you have to brace yourself for the possibility that you might not get anything back. Otherwise, I say go for it. Because the few photos you do get tend to be the ones you end up cherishing just a little bit more.

The thing to remember is to TURN THE FLASH ON! That's it. So as long as your guests remember to turn the flash on each time they take a picture, you should be fine. The video below gives you a basic tutorial on how to use both the Kodak and Fujifilm varieties.

Wedding-Branded Disposable Cameras vs Kodak/Fujifilm Cameras

DO NOT buy the wedding-branded disposable cameras. I know they look cute and aesthetic, but just stick to Kodak and Fuji. Why? Because wedding-branded disposable cameras usually have expired generic film in them and the flash doesn't always work because of the old-ass battery in it. PLUS! They often cost more than a standard Kodak/Fujifilm because of course, the wedding tax. Some of them don't even have 27 exposures! They come with a 12-exposure roll. As I always say, if you're gonna do something, do it right.

Bulk Prices for Disposable Cameras and Developing Cost

Your heart is set on having disposable cameras at your wedding. Not going to stop you. So the least I can do before you go is give you a heads-up on current pricing with Amazon affiliate links to help a brotha out, and if you use my recommended lab, you'll get $10 off your first order.

Fujifilm 10-pack: $156 on Amazon
Fujifilm 6-pack: $119 on Amazon
Kodak 7-pack: $149 on Amazon
Ilfocolor disposable cameras: $6 each
Develop + Scan: $15 per camera at Reformed Film Lab

Find a photo lab near you ☞ here

Alternatives to Disposable Cameras at Weddings

There are number of alternatives to disposable cameras starting with of course, booking a film wedding photographer if you want retro-style analog pictures of your wedding. Unfortunately, a shit ton of wedding photographers are jumping into the retro analog comeback for TikTok clout charging you 500 dollars for TWO miserable rolls of film. So heads up. The ever-popular Fujifilm Instax is always second best option.

You can pick up old film camera like the Nikon N75 or Nikon N55 for about $50 each, which you can then pawn off to your friends for their wedding. Even compact digicams like the Kodak DX6340 or the Sony Cyber-shot T7 or T100 are perfect alternatives thanks to the date stamp feature. I've even seen people whip out an iPhone 3GS. But whichever route you choose don't go over budget. Because spending more on any one option does not guarantee the exact analog look you want, retro cameras are retro for a reason.