Guest book?

MissButters

So, I really don't like the traditional guest book where it's just a line for the signatures.  One idea I was tossing around was creating a photobook in iPhoto or Snapfish where the left page would be a picture of us and the right would be blank so people could write on it.  Has anyone seen this done/done it themselves, and if so how did it work out?

goaliegirl

Sounds like a great idea!   You can make them very easily on shutterfly.

We didn't like the idea of a traditional guestbook either so we got a hockey jersey with our last name and wedding date on the back and had everyone sign it for us.  We now have it hanging in our house.   

npasquale16

That sounds great!  We feel the same, so we're having a photobooth at our wedding and designing a guestbook where the guests will attach one copy of their pics (they get to keep the other copy) and then write their message next to it.  I'm into scrapbooking, so I'm going to design the page myself.  Also, there's a ton of unique guestboks you can buy online, but they're pricey sometimes. 

Faith2730

My photographer is making a book like that using our engagement shots.  Basically he is making a smaller digital album but spreading the pictures out so people can write on the pages.

MissButters

Thanks everyone.  Nice to know that other people are doing an alternative-type guestbook!!

raangoli

We aren't doing a traditional guest book either. We found a photobook of sock monkeys (yes, you read that right) and we will ask our guests to "pick their personality" and sign.

it's different, unique and definitely has a bit of humor

MissButters

Ha ha!  I love sock monkeys.  How cute!

DMLJ

Just be sure that people understand that this is a guestbook. I was recently as a wedding with a beautiful guestbook like this, but the older guests thought it was just a photobook and were passing at around to look at it.  It got signed by very few people. 

I'm using these- www.guestbookstore.com It is a little bit different from the traditional books.

MissButters

DMLJ - good point on that.  I'll have to think about how to make sure that doesn't happen.

rosierose914

My FI's sister's both had a nice photo of them and their hubbies mounted.  They then placed the pics on easels with a note to have everyone sign and write a message around their photos. They look great!  They had them framed and they are hanging up in their homes now.

cvl105

We did this....came out great imo.
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8IbN2jlw2csdA

npasquale16

I LOVE guestbookstore.com!

gibribuz

We are not doing a traditional guestbook but we haven't thought of an alternative yet.  I want to do something simple because I fear what DMLJ mentioned. 

eleven29

To avoid people thinking our photo guestbook is just a photo book (like DMLJ mentioned), we plan on having a page with pictures and the page opposite will be blank but with lines (like lined paper).  Hopefully that will give people the hint!

jchristel

I made a photo guestbook with mypublisher and on the first page put a picture of us with a poem (the only one I plan to use) I changed it a little, but here is the original:

As we start our next adventure
As a new Mr and Mrs,
We'd love to read your advice,
your blessings and your wishes.
Share with us your wisdom
of marriage love and life,
How to be a loving husband,
or a top notch, first rate wife.
Please write your thoughts, draw a sketch,
or simply sign your name.
We'll use these to remember,
All of you who came.

MissButters

JChristel - thank you for sharing the poem! 

I was going to leave the right page blank, but I bever thought about putting lines on it.  that might be a good idea!

Thanks everyone!

jchristel

If you want to PM me, I'll send you the link to our book.  Mypublisher has a lot of specials and I got it for about $25.  I found it easier to use than most of the photo sites.

ETA: they are having a 40% off sale and will also donate $5 to the Gulf 

diamondx423

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_guest-book-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:23a3954e-64fb-443d-8adf-a6c2003e5306Post:e00106d1-4aaf-4218-a406-580292632ff9">Re: Guest book?</a>:
[QUOTE] We didn't like the idea of a traditional guestbook either so we got a hockey jersey with our last name and wedding date on the back and had everyone sign it for us.  We now have it hanging in our house.   
Posted by goaliegirl[/QUOTE]

love this! and its something FI would be excited about!

cvl105

Honestly, people are used to these types of photo guestbooks nowadays.  Unless you have all old people coming to the wedding, which I'm sure is unlikely, someone will know what to do and get the ball rolling.  Or just put out a sign that says, "please sign our guestbook".

This post is getting to be like a bad case of bride brain...worrying too much about something you shouldn't.  My guests had no problem figuring out what to do, even without a sign.

demarcosjd

Our photographer provided our engagement picture in a matted frame. It was displayed on an easel and our DJ made an announcement about making sure to stop by and sign a little note to the newly weds. Now we have it hanging in our house and can see everyone's nice messages instead of having it in a book tucked away somewhere.

NJMom050911

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_guest-book-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:23a3954e-64fb-443d-8adf-a6c2003e5306Post:133460c2-14f2-468e-8bdd-c16350d66b72">Re: Guest book?</a>:
[QUOTE]Just be sure that people understand that this is a guestbook. I was recently as a wedding with a beautiful guestbook like this, but the older guests thought it was just a photobook and were passing at around to look at it.  It got signed by very few people.  I'm using these- <a href="http://www.guestbookstore.com" rel="nofollow">www.guestbookstore.com</a> It is a little bit different from the traditional books.
Posted by DMLJ[/QUOTE]

Good Point Diane, I will make sure we make a "Guestbook" sign and hopefully that and the pen next to it and I'll ask my coordinator to encourage people to write in it so if it does get passed around people will see that it's OK to write in it.

StefaniBel

One of my friends gave me the same idea of having a picture with a matted frame instead of a guest book.  I think its a great idea.