Wedding Guestbook Ideas

Traditionally at a wedding reception there is a book for guests to sign and write their well wishes for the bride and groom.  This is commonly known as a guestbook and it will be one of the mementos that the couple keep for the rest of their lives to remind them of the special day.  Rather than a book to tuck up on a shelf somewhere, many are choosing a more creative option and going with an alternative wedding guestbook. The following is the second list of inspirational ideas to help you decide the perfect wedding guestbook for your event:

Wedding Guestbook Alternative ideas

Typewriter: Fun and nostalgic, this is a great choice for a rustic themed wedding guestbook. Set up an old fashioned typewriter at a desk with some nice sheets of paper in pretty colors. The guests will have a fun time typing out their messages to the couple.

Photo Booth: Interactive entertainment for your guests, a photo booth will encourage everyone to participate. The photo strips print out immediately with a set of duplicates. Provide scissors, tape and an album so they can leave one set in the guestbook for the bride and groom and take one home.

Mad Libs: Write a story about the bride and groom (how they met, their future, on their honeymoon etc.) and make some of the words blanks. Let your guests fill in the words, just like we did when we were kids, and sign the page. The couple is sure to take these out for a laugh again and again.

Corks: A good choice for a ceremony at a winery, have your guest write their names on wine corks. The bride and groom can use these for vase filler in displays at home, or if they are crafty, they can make a beautiful cork board to hang.

Platter: Have your guest put their signatures on a ceramic platter, once the platter is baked at home in the oven the signatures become permanent.  There are many different sizes and designs to choose from so there is sure to be an option that looks great with the couple’s other kitchenware. This guestbook alternative is functional as a food service piece for entertaining and the couple will enjoy it for years.

Book: Choose anything other than the traditional guestbook. Think a book about the city were the wedding is taking place, a travel book about the world, a guide book to their honeymoon destination, a favorite kids book, the possibilities are endlessly customizable.

Evergram: An online option for the tech savvy couple, there are web services such as Evergram.com that collect video and messages for the couple. The bride and groom send out an email inviting their guests to participate prior to their wedding, and the site will collect these and send them to the couple on the special day.

Furniture: A classic and multiuse piece such as a bench or table is perfect. It will be practical and used daily. Make sure to add a final protective coat after the signatures are added so they will last as long as the piece itself.

Wedding Guestbook Ideas

Traditionally at a wedding reception there is a book for guests to sign and write their well wishes for the bride and groom.  This is commonly known as a guestbook and it will be one of the mementos that the couple keep for the rest of their lives to remind them of the special day.  Rather than a book to tuck up on a shelf somewhere, many are choosing a more creative option and going with an alternative wedding guestbook. The following is the second list of inspirational ideas to help you decide the perfect wedding guestbook for your event:

Wedding Guestbook Alternative ideas

Typewriter: Fun and nostalgic, this is a great choice for a rustic themed wedding guestbook. Set up an old fashioned typewriter at a desk with some nice sheets of paper in pretty colors. The guests will have a fun time typing out their messages to the couple.

Photo Booth: Interactive entertainment for your guests, a photo booth will encourage everyone to participate. The photo strips print out immediately with a set of duplicates. Provide scissors, tape and an album so they can leave one set in the guestbook for the bride and groom and take one home.

Mad Libs: Write a story about the bride and groom (how they met, their future, on their honeymoon etc.) and make some of the words blanks. Let your guests fill in the words, just like we did when we were kids, and sign the page. The couple is sure to take these out for a laugh again and again.

Corks: A good choice for a ceremony at a winery, have your guest write their names on wine corks. The bride and groom can use these for vase filler in displays at home, or if they are crafty, they can make a beautiful cork board to hang.

Platter: Have your guest put their signatures on a ceramic platter, once the platter is baked at home in the oven the signatures become permanent.  There are many different sizes and designs to choose from so there is sure to be an option that looks great with the couple’s other kitchenware. This guestbook alternative is functional as a food service piece for entertaining and the couple will enjoy it for years.

Book: Choose anything other than the traditional guestbook. Think a book about the city were the wedding is taking place, a travel book about the world, a guide book to their honeymoon destination, a favorite kids book, the possibilities are endlessly customizable.

Evergram: An online option for the tech savvy couple, there are web services such as Evergram.com that collect video and messages for the couple. The bride and groom send out an email inviting their guests to participate prior to their wedding, and the site will collect these and send them to the couple on the special day.

Furniture: A classic and multiuse piece such as a bench or table is perfect. It will be practical and used daily. Make sure to add a final protective coat after the signatures are added so they will last as long as the piece itself.

Wedding Inspiration: Choose a Theme

Wedding theme ideas by season

When you first get engaged and are beginning the process of planning your wedding, it may be helpful to choose a theme for the occasion. It can help narrow the focus for locations, colors, attire, and all other aspects of the wedding planning.  For example, if you are interested in a beach theme, it will most likely put the color palette in the blue-green range, the invites and cake might feature shells, and the location may be beach-side.  Here are a few wedding theme inspirations by season:

Spring:

Theme: Colors: Symbols: Location: Centerpieces:
Garden Party Bright Flowers, grasses, fruit, herbs, bees Farm, garden Wildflowers, Ball jars, potted plants, tea cups, honey
Vintage Yellow, rust, tan, pearl, pastels Old car, wicker, sun umbrella, lace Barn, Farm Old books, antiques, birdcage

 

Summer:

Theme: Colors: Symbols: Location: Centerpieces:
Beach Blues, greens, white, tan Shells, sand, driftwood, water, rope, starfish beachfront Candles in sand, lanterns, rope, stones
Hawaiian Orange, green, pink, blue Hawaiian print, flip flops, sand, palm trees Destination wedding, Lei, sand with candles, pineapples

 

Fall:

Theme: Colors: Symbols: Location: Centerpieces:
Autumn Burn oranges, yellows, red, brown Leaves, branches, pumpkins Lodge w/ fireplace, field surrounded by trees Pumpkins, cornucopia,  leaves, dry wheat
Masquerade Silver, gold, green, purple Mask, Candy, medallions, Dance hall, ball room Beads, mirrors, lace, confetti
Vineyard Green, maroon, gold Grapes, vines, Wine bottle, wineglass Vineyard, Winery Wine bottles, Corks, Grapes

 

Winter:

Theme: Colors: Symbols: Location: Centerpieces:
Holiday Forest green, Red, Cranberry, Silver, Gold fir tree, wreath, snowflakes, gifts, mistletoe Most likely indoors Wreath, candles, gift packages, “snow”, ornament
Black Tie Black , White Pearls, bow tie, gloves, flowers Historic location Red roses

 

Wedding Inspiration: Choose a Theme

Wedding theme ideas by season

When you first get engaged and are beginning the process of planning your wedding, it may be helpful to choose a theme for the occasion. It can help narrow the focus for locations, colors, attire, and all other aspects of the wedding planning.  For example, if you are interested in a beach theme, it will most likely put the color palette in the blue-green range, the invites and cake might feature shells, and the location may be beach-side.  Here are a few wedding theme inspirations by season:

Spring:

Theme: Colors: Symbols: Location: Centerpieces:
Garden Party Bright Flowers, grasses, fruit, herbs, bees Farm, garden Wildflowers, Ball jars, potted plants, tea cups, honey
Vintage Yellow, rust, tan, pearl, pastels Old car, wicker, sun umbrella, lace Barn, Farm Old books, antiques, birdcage

 

Summer:

Theme: Colors: Symbols: Location: Centerpieces:
Beach Blues, greens, white, tan Shells, sand, driftwood, water, rope, starfish beachfront Candles in sand, lanterns, rope, stones
Hawaiian Orange, green, pink, blue Hawaiian print, flip flops, sand, palm trees Destination wedding, Lei, sand with candles, pineapples

 

Fall:

Theme: Colors: Symbols: Location: Centerpieces:
Autumn Burn oranges, yellows, red, brown Leaves, branches, pumpkins Lodge w/ fireplace, field surrounded by trees Pumpkins, cornucopia,  leaves, dry wheat
Masquerade Silver, gold, green, purple Mask, Candy, medallions, Dance hall, ball room Beads, mirrors, lace, confetti
Vineyard Green, maroon, gold Grapes, vines, Wine bottle, wineglass Vineyard, Winery Wine bottles, Corks, Grapes

 

Winter:

Theme: Colors: Symbols: Location: Centerpieces:
Holiday Forest green, Red, Cranberry, Silver, Gold fir tree, wreath, snowflakes, gifts, mistletoe Most likely indoors Wreath, candles, gift packages, “snow”, ornament
Black Tie Black , White Pearls, bow tie, gloves, flowers Historic location Red roses