Sorta bummed

So, I'm starting to think i made a mistake with the venue we chose for our ceremony/reception and it's bumming me out. When we first met with the coordinator at Abington, over a year ago, there were certain things I wanted to do and was told would be no problem. First, I wanted our dog to at least be at the ceremony and I was told he could come to the ceremony but not the reception, then once we signed the contract, it was suddenly against the rules altogether! Second, I asked about having a photo booth and was told that would be fine, then apparently, between the time I originally asked and the second time I brought it up, someone had one and it didn't go well, so now it's no longer allowed. It can be outside, but then I'd have to rent a tent to cover it. I suggested making our own photo booth and I got, "They take up a lot of room as well," in response! I also asked about hanging paper lanterns inside the reception area, they can only be hung on the outside edge, which, let's be honest, looks kinda dumb. Then I suggested stringing lights across the top, she had a reason why that wasn't a good idea as well. I'm getting really frustrated, I honestly would have chosen another spot if I'd known it was gonna be like this! I did a search for wedding photos take where I'm getting married and found one where there is a shadow cast on the ceiling and found out it's called Gobo lighting, I did a little research and found out I can buy the projector for like $170, but thought that seemed a little excessive for one day. I emailed one place about rentals and they've yet to email me back. Then the lady from Abington suggested a DJ that works with them a lot, so I called him, yeah his packages start at $1200! That is really not in the budget, we're already unsure of where we're getting the money for what we've already booked! So, now I just feel like my wedding reception is going to be a room with a cement floor and no dance floor and no lighting or decorations. I'm really not happy right now. I should have just gone with the more expensive venue that had everything included!
I know it's about the marriage and not the reception lighting, but let's be honest, if I didn't care, I'd have gotten married years ago in a courthouse!

Photo opt?

For the wedding we were hoping to have a photo booth at that reception since we got engaged in a photo booth, but the coordinator at our location isn't too fond of the idea (though before we signed a contract she didn't have a problem with it) and also it's not exactly cheap.  So, I was thinking about making our own photo booth set up and then I was thinking about leaving cool cameras at each table for the guests to use, like Holgas, Dianas, just different cameras that produce interesting photos.  And today I found this and thought it might be the best of both ideas?

What do you all think?  It's still kinda pricey, but half the cost of the photo booth at least and in this case we could keep the camera!  I'm kind of a camera freak.  I like to collect old ones.  Plus, I own a Nikon D40, a Canon Elan II e, and an old Pentax K 1000.  Actually, writing this makes me want to get back into photography again!  Maybe I should take another class?  Okay, getting off topic sorry!