Unique Wedding Guest Book Ideas and Alternatives

     

Most couples usually pop into a stationary store and purchase the standard wedding guest book. I mean why wouldn’t you? It’s simple and ideal for the occasion.

There have been occasions where the couple forgot to purchase the guest book and a friend or relative had to sprint or frantically drive to the nearest stationary store to get one. However it doesn’t have to be so. The guest book can be just as special as your pictures and decoration.  In recent times more couples have been looking for unique guest book ideas or alternatives for their big day.

There are many ways to personalize your guest book. You can make it to reflect your wedding theme, personal tastes or relationship. Let your guests leave heartfelt messages, sweet thoughts, memories or hopes in a special way.

BOOKS

If you both have an interest, career or hobby that you both like then you could purchase your favourite book and have your guests sign. These can work very well. Select the right pen (gel pens are great for glossy paper) and make sure the page layout have enough open space so that people can leave a message or sign around the text or pictures. You may also need more pages or leaflets for your book depending on the number of guests you’ll be having. Below are some neat book ideas:

• Cookbook
• Song book or music album(s) leaflets
• Reading book
• Scrap book
• Photo book – the paper page album can be filled with photos from your childhood; photos when you were dating, engagement or pre wedding shoot.

But a 'guest book' doesn’t have to be in the form of a book. Below are some 'guest book' alternatives that could be ideal for your occassion.

POSTERS

You may want to use posters for your guests to sign (if your into that). Again, you will need to select the right pen and colour for the words to be seen. Later this could be framed and hung in your home. It could be a poster of your favourite:

• Musician/band
• Movie
• TV Series
• Game/Sport/ team

PHOTOGRAPHES

Mounting boards

The signed mounting board is quite popular. Some couples have a pre wedding shoot (before the wedding) and the photographer will then add in a signing board for the couple using the photos from the shoot. On the wedding day guests are invited to sign around the picture. The couple or friends can also make these themselves by using past photograph of the couple and sticking it on a large paper/board. The guests can sign around the photo and later it can be framed for the couple to hang in their new home.

Photograph of the guests on arrival to the reception

You can select someone to snap a photograph of each guest arriving at your wedding ceremony/reception using a polaroid or digital camera. Guests can either write on the photograph itself or they can stick the photo in a blank guest book page and write a message beside it.

Photo booth

Create your own photo booth using a digital camera, a tripod, paper or a chalkboard. Guests can write their message on the paper or board and display it in the photo. You could either use a camera with a timer so that guests have time to set up the shot or select someone who will be responsible for taking the shots.

Past Photographs

You can include an insert in your invitations asking guests to bring pictures of them with you/both of you. On the day they can paste the photos in your guest book and describe the scene or write about their fondest memory of you.

SMALL CARDS OR NOTES

Guests can write their message or wishes on either colourful craft /quality cards or a small pieces of paper put them into an envelope (if you prefer). They can then place them in a container such as a glass fish bowl, glass jar, glass vase(s), baskets or a box during the reception. Loose cards or notes are a great way of avoiding queues to sign one book.

Guest book boxes

A box can be decorated in tune to your wedding theme. Guests can write on a predesigned card and place the card in the box provided.

Wish trees

This is another popular guest book alternative. It can be as simple or decorative as you would like. The guests are to write a wish on a small piece of paper or card and then tie it to a tree/branches using ribbons or pieces of string. These wishes can later be stored in a memory box.

Washing line of photographs or notes

Someone can be responsible for taking the pictures of your guests or guests can write notes on coloured card/ paper ,which can then be pinned/pegged up for everyone to see. Later it can be placed into a blank guest book. This can double up as decoration as well an alternative guest book.

PROPS AND THINGS

Seashells

At the reception on a table you can place a box/bag of shells with gold-leaf markers and a glass container such as bowl or vase. Guests can be invited to sign the shells and place them in the glass container.

Jigsaw puzzle

If you and your partner like jigsaw puzzles then you can purchase a blank wooden jigsaw puzzle. Each guest can either use one piece of the jigsaw puzzle or its box to sign or write a note. The couple can later put the puzzle together and reminisce.

Smooth rocks or pebbles

Smooth rocks or pebbles can be used for guests to sign with paint-style oil markers or enamel-based metallic pens. It can then be placed in a glass container and later immersed in water when placed at the couple’s home.

Canvas

If you’re a fan of art and want your guests to get involved then this option could be ideal. You can purchase a canvas and prop it up on an easel and guests can sign and illustrate it using felt tip marker, paint brushes and paint. This will defiantly be unique.

Typewriter

If you’re concerned about being able to read your guests handwriting then the typewriter might be preferred. You can make the typewriting table a feature at the wedding where guests can get a chance to type out their messages on preselected cards or personalized letterheads. This can later be filed away for future review.

Unique crockery

A bisque platter or crockery can be purchased from a local pottery shop and guests can sign it with a special pencil or marker. After the wedding it can be returned to the shop to have it glazed and re-fired. The couple can later use it as an ornament in their home.

Fabric

Small squares of a variety of fabrics can be hung on a pieces of string and guests can be asked to sign them throughout the reception. Ensure that words can be easily read on the various types of fabric. After the wedding day a seamstress or quilter can saw the squares together to create a sentimental quilt.

If you’re not interested in your guests leaving you messages but would prefer to capture their name and signature the finger print tree is a nifty idea. Each guest will make their mark with their finger print which they then sign. You can provide them with one colour ink or more depending on how colourful you want it to be.

TRAVEL

For those who are having a destination wedding or love to travel you can consider another idea.

Large map of the world, country or region

A map of the couple’s special place(s) in the world can be placed at the wedding reception for guests to sign. Later it can be framed and hung in the newlywed’s home.

The Globe

Guests can be asked to sign or write wishes on a plastic version of the globe with a marker. The couple can read the wishes whilst spinning the globe.

Personalised Passport

An immitation of a passport with the couples picture can be a unique guests book alternative. The guests can sign or write in the blank pages of the passport.

Suitcase

This can be another great feature option at your wedding. Guests can be given a postcard to write on and then placed in a vintage suitcase. By the end of the day the suitcase should be full of postcards with well wishes.

Postcards

A variety of pre stamped postcards can be given to the guests to write short messages that will greet you when you return from your honeymoon. You can both open one a day or wait to read them on your first anniversary.

Flag

Guests can be asked to write or sign on a flag. The flag could be a national flag or a team’s flag or a variety of flags. Later this can be framed and used as a wall hanging.

Whatever idea you choose it is advisable to get someone responsible for your guest book /alternative. Ensure that the MC makes an announcement about it and tells them where it can be located. Also get some of your friends or relatives to start the ball rolling by initiating the signing/ writing, others will soon follow.  On the whole, enjoy every bit of your wedding day and create the memories will last. 

Please leave a comment and tell me your favourite idea, and if you have or are using any of these ideas for your own wedding.