Photo guestbook

Tygirljojo

So, I'm planning on doing a photo guestbook - one where there are pics of FI and I like from our e-pics and space on the pages for guests to sign.  I really wanted to do a signed matted frame, but FI mentioned  how one wouldn't have enough space for all the guests to sign and we've attended a wedding in which there were 2 for guests to sign, but it started to look a bit sloppy after a while (some spots bare, others crowded with signatures/writing, etc) but I plan to have something like that at the RD for our friends, family, WP - everyone involved in the wedding can sign. 

Back to the wedding guestbook - I've seen it done before, but can't recall how many pages and about how much space would be needed for signatures, etc.  Anyone happen to know this?

sarack

I made one and i just left edges at most edges of pages and there is a couple blank pages in the front and back of the book. I assume my guests will just go for it, sign wherever they want, even on a picture as long as it isn't on our faces.

THe matte thing, I love that idea. I think the idea of that is to really just sign your name though, not leave big long messages which can look really sloppy.

dreamwinds

Instead of a guestbook, we were thinking of setting up a magnet board and having writeable magnets for our guests to write a brief token of wisdom on. I'm hoping that some will be heartfelt, and others will be funny with everything in between.

Sorry, I'm not any help on how many pages go into a guestbook, I would imagine half a page per invitation?

braveangel2

Weddingbee had a good conversation about this a while ago, I'll see if I can find the thread. I know different photo book publishers might have a minimum of pages because of the binding, but you could always fill up the extra stuff with how you met, you engagement story...you know, make it a real history of you book.

http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/06/18/photo-book-experiences/

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/blurb-as-a-guestbook

http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/blurb-guest-books

jennyann28

I don't have much advice, because I'm still debating between these two as well.  Except that your e-pics were so great, that I hope you use them in some way regardless!  I made FI a photo book from snapfish after we got back from Hawaii last year.  There are a bunch of page layouts that you choose from, and most of them have plenty of dead space for writing.  I'd jump on some sites where you can make the books and see if there's anything you like.

niq24601

Our photog gave us a ballpark number. He said if the photo takes up 1/4 of the page, you'll average 8-12 signatures/messages per page, unless you have friends with big handwriting or who write long messages (or you just tell them to sign their names).

Our friends did a sign-the-matte photo for an e-party they threw, and the average message was about 2.5"x2.5", or about 6 square inches. That basically lines up with the number Chris gave us.

EDIT: Now that I think about this, the only way this number makes sense is if everybody writes like it's a high school yearbook. But I think "grown-up" guests -- i.e. guests of our parents' generation -- will tend to use the whole width of the page. So maybe then the 2-4 per guest is about right. Whee, more things to think about.

HTH!

niq24601

Also for non-guestbook things I really like the rock thing, where everybody signs a rock with a marker (I've seen black marker on light gray rocks or silver marker on black rocks) and then they all go in a vase. It makes for a nice decoration! Somebody had a beach wedding where they did the same thing w/ dried out Sand Dollars.

I'm trying to figure out what a 30s version of this might look like, but haven't had any luck so far.

Tygirljojo

Ooh, thanks for posting that, Brave!

Yeah, I'm going to have to play with the layouts some on there and figure out what kind of pen to use - not sure if I want to use a Sharpie since they're not great for archival purposes. 

For anyone who is intersted in something like that, I got an email from MyPublisher today - until next Monday, you can get a hardcover photobook with their new Photofinish cover style (basically images printed directly on the covers and spine vs. having a dust jacket) for $20 - any length (not sure if that means size or # of pages?)  Code: PHOTO20 .

dbraulik

I used MyPublisher a few months ago. Super easy to play with their designs/layouts. I printed a 20 page 15x12 book. (we have about 80 guests)

Don't forget you have pages at the front and back of the book that is part of the binding that people can use.

And I got several archival/acid free pens from Impress for guests to use in our colors.

Here's our book if you want to look at how I laid it out-
http://www.mypublisher.com/?e=OHm3Q8zJl3SutY7cG8Fs_EwEsCIfj-8X&_mp=fW3txaGIqSlNI4rW%2Bz%2BctprMYKgOfsPh%0A

jennlin

i did about 20 pages..which is obv way too many if it was blank..but i just used up a LOT of pictures spaces...i.e. about 5 or 6 pages were full-pictures (with lots of sky, etc, to sign on) or pages that had about 6 pictures on it with only a little space to sign..that way there's a lot of pictures, and a healthy balance IMO.

Tygirljojo

Thanks for the example!  BTW, LOVE the shot of you and your FI on the steps at Alki!  What color pen(s) did you get?

And good point on the pics with empty space.