Thumbprint Guestbook

LDubHawksFan

What do you guys think about them?  I really like the idea, but I don't want all of my guests to worry about the mess or having ink on their fingers.  I would have wet naps right next to it, so hopefully it wouldn't be a problem.  Another thing with it, though, is I feel like I should still have some other sort of "book" so if people did want to write a note, or even just sign their name, they could.  The tree would match our invites, etc.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66181010/sale-summer-splendor-custom-16-x-24

I guess I'm just interested in what the general perception of them are....

achiduck

I like them but would test out the wetnaps at home to make sure it gets ALL of the ink off.

LoriMc12

When I first saw that idea, I pictured a kid smearing his or her fingerprint on the paper.  It would just take one person to accidentally leave smudges or smears to make it look a little messy.  It seemed too high maintenance for me.  If you do one, I would have an adult or two be the guest book attendants and help people make their fingerprint then hand over a wet nap.  I think the final product looks really cool but it just seems like a lot of work.

Lrini1

We're doing one!  I've played around with different types of papers to see which held the detail the best and inks and haven't had a problem getting the ink off my finger.  I think as long as you have a wet nap or hand sanitizer close by you'll be fine. 

I think FI and I will enjoy a piece of art (with or without smudges) to remind of us of our wedding day more than a book that's shoved in the back of a closet or cabinet.  I am definitely going to ask my cousin who is an early education major to help man the table though just in case there's a curious younger cousin running around, and to help explain the concept because I've never actually seen something like this in real life and think maybe some of the older guests won't get it, even with the sign I made.

LDubHawksFan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_october-2012-weddings_thumbprint-guestbook?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:56b9bcef-1e34-456e-81f5-cfaa107456b2Discussion:2cf4026b-8d4e-4398-8263-a90249abb134Post:65575ea1-7bad-4fce-8a38-dab85880a043">Re: Thumbprint Guestbook</a>:
[QUOTE]We're doing one!  I've played around with different types of papers to see which held the detail the best and inks and haven't had a problem getting the ink off my finger.  I think as long as you have a wet nap or hand sanitizer close by you'll be fine.  I think FI and I will enjoy a piece of art (with or without smudges) to remind of us of our wedding day more than a book that's shoved in the back of a closet or cabinet.  I am definitely going to ask my cousin who is an early education major to help man the table though just in case there's a curious younger cousin running around, and to help explain the concept because I've never actually seen something like this in real life and think maybe some of the older guests won't get it, even with the sign I made.
Posted by Lrini1[/QUOTE]

Are you going to have ppl sign next to their thumbprint??  I don't really want that, so that's why I'm thinking there would still need to be a book too

snuff9861

We're doing one. And we're having people sign with their thumbprint. I showed my parents and Fi's parents what to do and they will be responsible for spreading the word to the other guests.

catwine

I love the idea and would totally do it if I saw one at a wedding (only if there were wet wipes or something close by).  I think there will be people who won't want to stick their fingers in but maybe you can pre-stamp some prints of your own in another colour of ink, and have a sign that says " if you don't want to put your own print, please sign next to any of the prints in red"

tracey525

We got a tree that had a mix of different colored leaves, and the guests sign the leaves. Very similar to the thumbprint, which we loved, but it doesn't involve the mess factor. It also came with a small sheet with directions, which we'll put in a small frame on the table next to the tree (which we put into a frame, but will remove the glass on the day of for people to sign.

Ours is from the Modern Keepsakes store on Etsy, and I HIGHLY recommend them!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PERSONALIZEDprints?ref=seller_info

That said, I have wondered a bit about having something else for people to write messages in. But my gut tells me more than one guest book won't go over well - I'd be afraid people would only sign one or the other, and our tree will look bare! We're considering instead putting a small handmade booklet on each table with questions at the top of each page for guests to fill out. Gives them something to do between courses, and should be fun to read later! (See idea on my pinterest page!)

Lrini1

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_october-2012-weddings_thumbprint-guestbook?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:56b9bcef-1e34-456e-81f5-cfaa107456b2Discussion:2cf4026b-8d4e-4398-8263-a90249abb134Post:8a32c474-2164-4c87-a9f6-aae611a2f3c1">Re: Thumbprint Guestbook</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Thumbprint Guestbook : Are you going to have ppl sign next to their thumbprint??  I don't really want that, so that's why I'm thinking there would still need to be a book too
Posted by lwoehlk[/QUOTE]

Yes, we'll have each guest sign by their print.  I think doing both a thumbprint and a book may be a bit much, at least for my group.  You'd know your guests best.  Maybe have the tree print matted already and encourage guests to sign or leave messages around it?  Or just do something special with the wedding party and immediate family and have a guestbook for everyone else?

I have seen couples request guests to write messages for them to open on each anniversary, which is a really neat idea that you may like if you'd rather have something more than signatures?  You could have the anniversary coordinate with the table number.

If it would fit your theme you could ask guests to sign or leave a message on a patchwork quilt to "warm your heart" with a fabric marker?

PattySmith101

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/83494379

this is the one i got!!! love it! i am having people sign their leaves!!!

jenny&will2014

We got one off ebay that is a tree handpainted on canvas with our initials carved in the tree (totally the giving tree and our invite theme) I will have wet naps will it and have people sign their name but i am not sure how that is done in a thumb print!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thumbprint-Fingerprint-Wedding-Tree-Family-Reunion-Guestbook-Original-Canvas-/251133887530?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a78bf042a