Creative Ways To Craft An Unconventional Wedding Guest Book

A guest book is a great way to capture the well-wishes of your loved ones on your wedding day. While a traditional guest book is a timeless option, you might want to switch things up with an alternative wedding guest book that reflects your personality and interests. From vintage typewriters to vinyl records, here are some unique ideas to inspire your own creative take on the wedding guest book.

Vintage Typewriter

A vintage typewriter is a unique and timeless wedding guest book idea that will be sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests. Here are some tips and ideas to create a vintage typewriter guest book for your special day:

Sourcing a Typewriter

Firstly, you will need to source a vintage typewriter. You can find these at antique stores, flea markets, or online marketplaces such as Etsy and Amazon. When selecting a typewriter, consider the aesthetic you are going for and choose one that fits your wedding theme and colour scheme. Ensure that the typewriter is in good working condition, especially if you plan to have your guests type their own messages.

Setting up the Typewriter

Place the typewriter on a table at your wedding venue, preferably near the entrance or gift table so guests can easily spot it. Provide plenty of paper and encourage guests to type out their well-wishes, words of encouragement, and notes of love. You could even provide different coloured papers or cards to add a playful and interactive element. If you want to make it even more interesting, provide different typefaces or fonts for guests to choose from.

Adding Decorations

To create a beautiful focal point, decorate the table with items that complement the vintage typewriter theme. For example, you could include a bright basket of lemons, a bouquet of flowers, or vintage family wedding photos. If you want to add a touch of glamour or elegance, consider gold detailing or other decorative accents.

Hiring a Typist

If you don't want your guests to do the typing themselves, you could hire a typist to pen the notes of encouragement. This could be someone who is already attending the wedding or a professional service. The typist can transcribe the messages onto paper, or for a unique keepsake, you could have them typed directly onto a special item such as a vintage dictionary or a set of polaroid photos.

After the Wedding

Once the wedding is over, you can compile the typed messages into a scrapbook or album to create a lasting memento of your special day. Alternatively, you could frame some of the notes and display them in your home as a reminder of your celebration and the loved ones who shared it with you.

A vintage typewriter guest book is a creative and memorable way to capture the thoughts and sentiments of your wedding guests. It adds a unique, timeless element to your celebration that your guests will be talking about for years to come.

Vinyl Records

If you're a music lover, a vinyl record guest book is a fun and unique way to remember your wedding day and the loved ones who were there to celebrate with you. Here's a guide to creating your own:

Choosing the Vinyl Records

First, decide on the records you want your guests to sign. You can opt for records that hold a special meaning to you and your partner or choose records based on their aesthetic value. If you're worried about damaging your personal collection, you can purchase vinyl records from thrift stores or online marketplaces. Alternatively, you can create custom records with a variety of songs from your wedding day or other meaningful tracks.

Preparing the Records

Before the big day, ensure the records are clean and free of dust or fingerprints. If you want to add a personal touch to the centre of the record, consider creating a custom label or sticker with your names, the wedding date, or other designs. You can find customisable stickers online or create your own using craft supplies.

Writing Implements

When it comes to writing on the records, opt for metallic sharpies or paint markers. Standard-sized markers with a slightly brush-like tip will work best to seamlessly write over the ridges of the vinyl. It's important to note that writing on the record itself will likely render it unplayable, so make sure you're comfortable with this before proceeding.

Displaying the Records

To display the records at your wedding, you can set up a table with the records, markers, and a sign instructing guests to sign their names or leave messages. You can also have a guest book attendant to ensure the records are filled out evenly. After the wedding, you can frame the signed records and display them in your home as sentimental décor.

Number of Records

As a general guideline, for a wedding with 120 guests, 3-6 records should be sufficient, especially if guests are only signing their names. However, if you anticipate longer messages, you may need more records or have guests sign in shifts.

Additional Tips

• If you want to preserve the playability of the records, consider having guests sign the sleeves or jackets instead. You can also create custom inserts or booklets for the sleeves that guests can sign, allowing you to read their messages while listening to the records.
• For a music-themed wedding, you can incorporate other musical elements, such as using a vintage typewriter or telephone for additional guest messages.

Polaroid Guest Book

A Polaroid guest book is a fun, interactive way to document your wedding day and elevate the traditional guest book. It involves providing Polaroid cameras for your guests to take photos of themselves, which they can then paste into a book alongside a message. This will give you a visual of each guest to accompany their names and well-wishes, which professional wedding photos often don't capture.

Materials

To set up a Polaroid guest book, you'll need:

• Polaroid cameras – one for every 40 guests.
• Film – assuming guests will take 2-3 photos each, multiply that by the number of guests and buy more film than you think you'll need.
• A hardback guest book in a colour that matches your wedding palette.
• A table or shelf to set up the station – somewhere visible and accessible but not obstructive, congested or prone to wind.
• Writing utensils – permanent markers are best to prevent smudging.
• Adhesive – double-sided tape is less messy than glue.
• Hand sanitiser – an optional but thoughtful addition.

Tips

• Provide instructions for guests, e.g. "Stand 6-10 feet away from the camera, take one picture, glue the image in the guest book and sign a short message."
• Enlist someone to monitor the photo station to prevent film wastage and help guests unfamiliar with Polaroids.
• Display a framed photo of you and your partner, or Polaroids from different scenes like the bride getting ready, to give a personal flair.
• Add decorations to the table to make it visually appealing, e.g. a lush arrangement of flowers or candles.
• Combine the Polaroid guest book with other stations, like a card box or itinerary outline, to maximise space.
• For a more straightforward option, forgo the physical book and have guests share messages on the Polaroids, storing them in a photo album after.
• Offer colourful film for playful patterns and designs.

Globe Guest Book

A globe guest book is a fabulous alternative to a traditional guest book and is a great way to incorporate travel into your wedding. It can be used for any wedding style or aesthetic and can be decorated to match your wedding colour scheme.

You can buy a globe guest book from a variety of places, including Etsy, Ginger Ray, and The Knot. When purchasing your globe guest book, you can often personalise it with custom text, colours, and sizes. For example, TheLetteringStudio on Etsy offers a 10-inch globe guest book with custom calligraphy in either black or gold text.

If you want to get creative, you can make your own globe guest book. All you need is a blank globe and some paint markers. You can even create your own stand to display the globe at your wedding.

To use the globe guest book, simply ask your guests to sign their names directly on the globe. You can provide different coloured markers for guests to use. This is a fun and interactive way for your guests to wish you well.

After your wedding, you can display the globe guest book in your home as a unique reminder of your special day and the loved ones who shared it with you.

Wooden Heart Guest Book

A wooden heart guest book is a fun and creative way to remember your wedding day and the loved ones who were there to celebrate with you. Here's a guide to help you create your own:

Choosing the Right Wooden Hearts

First, you'll need to select the wooden hearts for your guest book. You can find these online or at craft stores. Consider the size of the hearts, ensuring they're big enough for your guests to write their names, wishes, and short messages. The number of hearts you need will depend on the number of guests you're expecting. Each heart can fit around 10 words, so plan accordingly. You may also want to choose a colour or style that fits your wedding theme.

Preparing the Hearts

Before the big day, you may want to prepare the wooden hearts by adding some decorations or instructions. You could add a simple message or illustration to each heart, or even leave a prompt for your guests to respond to. If you're feeling creative, you can use any pen, crayon, pencil, or marker to write or draw on the hearts. Just be sure to test it on a spare heart first to ensure it doesn't smudge or bleed.

Setting Up the Guest Book

On the day of your wedding, set up a table or designated area for your wooden heart guest book. You'll need a container to hold the hearts, such as a decorative box or a frame with a slot at the top. You could also create a "drop box" by cutting a hole in the lid of a box. If you want to display the hearts, consider using a clear container or a frame with a glass front. Add a sign with instructions for your guests, such as "Please sign a heart and drop it into the frame."

After the Wedding

Once the wedding is over, you can turn your wooden heart guest book into a beautiful keepsake or decoration. You could display the hearts in a frame, creating a unique piece of art that captures the love and support of your guests. Alternatively, you could store the hearts in a special box or container to look back on in the future.

Additional Tips:

• If you want to hang the hearts as decorations, consider punching a small hole in each one and providing string or ribbon for your guests to use.
• For an extra personal touch, you could ask your guests to add their names or messages to both sides of the hearts, creating a 3D effect when displayed.
• Don't forget to provide good-quality pens or markers for your guests to use. This will ensure their messages are legible and won't smudge or fade over time.

A wooden heart guest book is a unique and whimsical way to remember your special day, and it's sure to be a talking point for years to come!

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