3 Unique Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
(That aren’t actually books)
Photo by Zev Fisher Photography
Ahhhh the guest book…..I get asked all the time. “Should I have one?” My short answer is no. If you are thinking about the traditional book that people sign on their way into the ceremony I’ll tell you exactly what will happen. You’ll buy a beautifully bound book- likely 20+ lined pages. The first group of people to come in sign their names. This creates a bottleneck at the entrance to the ceremony. People begin to walk AROUND those people signing the book in order to enter the space, either saying they’ll sign the book later. or missing it completely. At the end of the wedding, the couple is left with a book that has a bout 2 pages of signatures or notes (from roughly 1/3 of the guest count), which really isn’t so meaningful if not everyone partakes in signing. So what do I suggest? Something more meaningful and interactive. Something guests can discover throughout the course of the evening- upon entrance, during cocktail hour, during dancing- whenever. Something that will provide an entertaining activity for the during the wedding, and something that leaves the couple with something special they’ll enjoy revisiting for years to come. Are you sold? Here are my top 3!
#1: The Audio Guest Book
This is a trend I hope stays around because it is just so stinkin’ cute. Companies like FeteFone are fantastic. You go to their site and choose the phone style that best matches your event style. During the event guests can pick up the phone and they’ll hear a greeting that the couple has pre-recorded telling them to leave their wishes after the tone. Guests record their message and hang up. After the wedding, the phone is sent back to the company, where the audio messages are compiled and sent back to the couple on a digital file or even on a vinyl record. How fun is that???
#2: The Post Card
This one is great as well. Set up a station with either vintage post cards, post cards from places you have traveled or want to visit, or even post cards of the location where the wedding is happening (Boston wedding? So fun to spend the year collecting vintage and current Boston post cards). During the wedding, guests will see the display and will take the time to write out a special message to the couple. Added bonus - have them stamped and pre-addressed to the yourselves. Ask a family member or friend (think maid of honor, parent, aunt who is eager to help, etc) to take all of the cards at the end of the wedding and every so often over the next year drop one or two in the mail. It keeps you flying high with that newlywed feeling all year long. And then the postcards can be kept as a keepsake to revisit and read for years to come.
#3: House Decor
I love this idea because there are SO many ways to make it personal. The idea is that instead of a book, you find something you’d like to have as a focal point in your home (ideally something reflective of you as a couple) and create an interactive moment for guests during the wedding. I’ve seen music lovers put out a guitar for guests to sign that they later hung on the wall in their home. I’ve seen surf boards, matted engagement prints- everything! I once worked with a couple who did a beach wedding and had guests write messages on pieces of sea glass. The bride later told me that they filled a beautiful decorative bowl with the sea glass and it is on their coffee table. Whenever they need a pick-me-up, they reach into the bowl and read a few messages to one another. How sweet is that??
