Guestbook

mmeliss

Is everyone doing a traditional guestbook? I am toying with the idea of going the non-traditional route of scattering mini guest books around the gift table and/or maybe on some of the dining room tables? The books would allow guest to write in their memories of the bride and groom/advice/etc.

I just really dislike guestbooks, lol! I want to do something different!

But, if I go this route, SHOULD I have a traditional guestbook, too?

Thanks ladies!!

rak123

We aren;t going to do a traditional guestbook because I don't think I will get much use out of it.  I am not 100% sure, but we are going to do something like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/50336305/custom-wedding-reception-poster-canvas It matches our Save the Dates and I like that we can hang it in our house after the wedding.  I just don't think I would ever look back at a traditional guestbook at all, and this we would see everyday. 

cschuma2

We had a traditional guest book and only about 1/2 of our guests signed it.  I would be worried that if you do something more complicated (or something that required more thought) that even less guests will participate. 

It is my experience that if people want to write a message to you, they will do so on the cards.  I think holding on to the cards (or saving them in some other creative way) is a far better account of who was a part of your day and the good wishes they send. 

As a guest, I would not want to be put on the spot to write something creative in some sort of guestbook alternative.

Just my thoughts

catarntina

So, I've seen two really neat ideas.

My brother and sister-in-law had cards at everyone's seat with a personal thank you for coming note for each guest.  In the package, it had a blank card for people to write a message on like a guestbook.  I liked this because it did not require waiting in line at the guest book, people could take their time, etc.  My brother sent me around to collect everyone's cards.  You just need someone who will make sure most people sign it.

The second thing I saw this weekend at a wedding. The photographer used their engagement photos and made a book out of it with black construction paper around the pictures.  The guests signed the contruction paper in silver pens with a nice message. (her colors were silver and purple).  I thought these were both really cute ideas in lieu of the traditional guest book.

nyrek

Our whole wedding "theme" was travel.  Our guest book was just a coffee-table book by National Geographic:



It's fun looking through and seeing where people signed!  One family signed on a page about Korea, since they adopted their kids from there.  My cousins love four-wheeling and signed on a page about upper MI with a picture of a huge dune buggy on it!

Castillo2B

I took Tony to NYC for is 40th b-day and we had a photographer do engagement pics.  As part of the package they made a photobook of them for the guest to sign and we loved it!!  The guest really liked filling it out and their illustrations were hilarious. I will try to find a pic to post.

Carly_Jamesy

FI and I made a book on snapfish with pictures on one side and lines on the other.  That way at the end of the day it's a coffee book that we'll be sure to look at later.  We ended up getting it for just shipping.  They have lots of deals that are buy one get one.  You could fill it with engagement pictures.  We filled ours with pictures from our time studying abroad in Italy.

abbeylynne06

I made a photobook (from blurb.com) of pics of DH and I throughout our relationship.  I left bigs spaces between pics, some blank pages, etc.   We just put out a pen with a sign that said "Please sign our guestbook"  Tons of people signed it!  It was almost like a yearbook because a lot of people wrote short messages as well.  I really liked it and it's fun to look through at the pictures and read what peopel wrote.

I agree with cschuma about not wanting to be put on the spot to write something heartfelt.  As a guest, I'd probably avoid it (as horrible as that is).

k22t

we had a traditional guest book and had it at the ceremony location as well as the reception (as some guests only made it to the reception).  

jenzibaba

I want to do a photo guestbook...where I will have pictures taken of everyone there and have them write a little note or something and I will make a scrapbook then.  I just love photography, so I think this would be super cool to do...my only problem is now finding someone to take the pictures of everyone as this isn't part of the deal with the photography...so I don't know if this is going to work out or not.  Plus we are going to have more people at the reception than the wedding, so that's why I don't want to do a traditional one either.

bsharp3

i am ordering the photo guest book myself. My friend shelly is going to stand at it to make sure we get groups of people together so we dont run out of film. Then they stick the picture to the pages and write a note. I love it. Super cute idea.

bsharp3

i am setting a traditonal one up at the church tho.

rab9it2

Even though it is a little expensive my fiance really liked the guest books I found on guestbookstore.com  We are also going to do photos of the guests. We liked their guestbooks because the pages can be put out individually (no waiting for one book) and it is a little bit more personal.

YESWEDDINGCREATIONS

YesWeddingCreations brings you a sophisticated unique wedding guestbook for your wedding day! Custom personalized wine labels that come gift boxed with a paint pen and organza bags all set for you to have a one of a kind wedding guestbook. Guests sign your wine bottles as they would a traditional guestbook. You will be able to open each bottle of wine years to come on your chosen anniversary dates. Wether it be your First Year, Fifth year, or Tenth Year Anniversary you will sip and toast reminiscing as you read each signature from that very special wedding day. They also give you it in a nice presented gift box with organza bags for each wine bottle.

It explains more at the site which is
http://www.etsy.com/shop/YesWeddingCreations