Creating A Cherished Wedding Advice Book

A wedding advice book is a fun and creative way to capture memories and well-wishes from your wedding guests. There are many ways to make a wedding advice book, and you can choose an option that suits your style and budget. You can opt for a traditional guest book with blank pages for guests to write their advice, or you can get creative with alternative options such as a puzzle, a message in a bottle, or a video guest book. If you're looking for a more affordable option, you can consider a simple guest book or an advice box with cards. You can also combine the two and have guests sign their advice cards, creating a unique scrapbook.

There are many ready-made and customizable options available online, or you can get crafty and make your own.

Choosing a theme

Rustic Charm

If you're going for a rustic theme, opt for a guest book made from reclaimed wood, with a personalised message or your wedding date screen-printed on the cover. This theme can also extend to the advice cards, with wooden hearts or paper airplanes for guests to write their messages on. You could even provide a wooden box for guests to drop their advice into, creating a charming keepsake.

Vintage Travel

For a vintage or travel-themed wedding, consider using vintage postcards as a guest book. Display them on a card fixture or next to a vintage mailbox for a stylish touch. Alternatively, you could use a globe as your guest book, asking guests to sign it with words of wisdom and well-wishes. If a globe doesn't fit your theme or space, a map of your city or area is a great alternative. Guests can sign their favourite places or leave date night recommendations for you to enjoy post-wedding.

Modern Minimalism

Acrylic signage and decor are very popular at the moment, and they can be a great fit for a modern, minimalist wedding. Display a large acrylic slate for guests to sign with paint markers, keeping the colour scheme monochrome for added impact. Alternatively, a set of stone or wooden coasters for guests to sign can double as a practical and modern memento.

Quirky and Fun

If you're looking for something a little more light-hearted and quirky, there are plenty of options to choose from. A giant Jenga set, with guests writing their messages on the blocks, will be a fun addition to future game nights. Or, for a beach or nautical-themed wedding, ask guests to write their advice on small pieces of paper, roll them up, and tie them with ribbon before placing them in an empty wine bottle for you to read later.

Personalised Touches

Adding personalised touches to your wedding advice book is a great way to make it unique to you and your partner. If you're big music fans, you could use a record as your guest book, asking guests to sign it with paint markers. Or, if you're known for your love of literature, a dictionary guest book with a twist will be right up your aisle – ask guests to circle a word that describes you as a couple and leave their well-wishes on the page.

Selecting materials

Selecting the right materials for your wedding advice book is crucial. Here are some tips to help you choose:

Type of Book

Firstly, decide on the type of book you want to create. You can opt for a traditional hardcover book or explore alternative options like a puzzle, a drop box, or a message in a bottle. If you're feeling creative, you might even design a unique display, such as a signed record, vintage postcards, or a marked-up dictionary.

Paper

The type of paper you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your book. Blank white cardstock pages offer a simple and elegant option, while handmade paper adds a touch of craftsmanship. If you're environmentally conscious, consider recycled paper options.

Cover Material

For the cover, you can select from various materials such as leather, reclaimed wood, or fabric. Reclaimed wood provides a rustic charm, while leather offers a classic and elegant look. If you're aiming for a specific theme, ensure the cover material complements it.

Binding

Binding options include traditional hardcover binding, spiral binding, or even a simple ribbon binding. Consider the durability and ease of use when selecting the binding method.

Embellishments

To add a special touch, you can incorporate embellishments like charms, ribbons, or other decorative elements. These can be matched to your wedding theme or color palette.

Size

Finally, consider the size of your book. A small, compact book might be easier for guests to handle, while a larger book provides more space for messages and well-wishes.

Remember, the materials you choose should reflect your personal style and the overall theme of your wedding. Take the time to browse different options and select the ones that resonate with you and your partner.

Making it interactive

Making your wedding advice book interactive is a great way to engage your guests and create a memorable experience for everyone. Here are some fun and creative ways to make your wedding advice book interactive:

Unconventional Signature Items:

Choose an item that represents your interests and hobbies as a couple. For example, if you love reading, use a giant dictionary as your guest book, or if you're avid travellers, have guests sign a globe or a map that you can display in your home. Other unique signature items could include wooden plaques, suitcases, or even a vintage typewriter where guests can type out their messages.

Thumbprint Drawings:

Set up a station with a stamp pad, small pieces of card paper, and wet wipes. Guests can make thumbprint drawings or cartoons, adding a fun and creative element to your advice book. This idea is especially great for entertaining children attending your wedding.

Question Pages on Guest Tables:

Combine conversation starters with guest book entries by providing each table with a page that has a fun prompt or question. For example, "Give us your best marriage advice" or "Where should we travel to next?". This encourages guests to interact and share their thoughts and advice.

Polaroid Photo Booth:

Set up a photo booth with a Polaroid camera, allowing guests to capture instant memories and attach their photos to your advice book. You can also provide extra film so guests can keep a copy of their photos.

Group Art Project:

If you and your partner love art, involve your guests in creating a memorable art piece. Provide a poster or a clear shadowbox where guests can sign their names or write messages on wooden hearts. Another creative idea is to collect antique keys and hang them on a plaque with note cards for guests to write their advice.

Popsicle Stick Date Ideas:

Provide large Popsicle sticks and pens for guests to write creative date ideas for the newlyweds. Collect all the sticks in a jar, creating a fun and interactive advice book that the couple can refer to for future date nights.

These interactive ideas will not only make your wedding advice book unique but will also bring your guests together, resulting in a cherished keepsake for the happy couple.

Adding personal touches

• Customisation: Etsy offers a wide range of customisable wedding advice books. You can add your names, the wedding date, or a meaningful quote to the cover. This will make the book unique to you and your partner.
• Photos: Consider incorporating photos into your wedding advice book. You could include photos of you and your partner, your engagement, or even photos from the wedding day itself. This could be in the form of a photo album with spaces for messages, polaroid pictures, or disposable cameras for guests to capture their own memories.
• Themes: Choose a theme that reflects your interests and personalities. For example, if you love travelling, you could use a globe as your guest book or incorporate vintage postcards. If you're having a beach wedding, you could ask guests to write their advice on pieces of paper, roll them up, and tie them with ribbon before placing them in a bottle.
• Textures and materials: Think about using different textures and materials to create a unique and rustic look. For example, you could have a guest book made from reclaimed wood, or ask guests to sign wooden coasters or a quilt.
• Keepsakes: Turn your wedding advice book into a keepsake by including mementos from your wedding day. This could be anything from a record of your first dance song to a puzzle with a photo of you as a couple.
• Involving guests: Encourage your guests to get involved by signing their names and leaving messages of advice, well wishes, or date night ideas. You could also ask them to sign their cards so that you can create a scrapbook of advice cards and display their signatures.

Displaying the book

Table Display

Place the book on a table at the reception, along with some cute notes explaining that guests are welcome to write in it. You could also leave some markers or pens for guests to use. This will encourage guests to share their well wishes and advice for the happy couple.

Photo Opportunity

Consider setting up a photo opportunity with the book. For example, you could have a polaroid camera on the table, so guests can take photos of themselves and then stick them in the book alongside their messages. Alternatively, you could provide a fun backdrop and some props, and encourage guests to take photos with the book, which they can then add to the pages.

Decorative Display

If you want the book to be a decorative feature at your wedding, consider displaying it on a stylish coffee table or vintage trunk. You could also prop it up on a table or easel, with some sharpies or markers for guests to use. This will create a rustic look that will add to the overall aesthetic of your wedding.

Sentimental Display

If you want to emphasise the sentimental value of the book, consider displaying it alongside some other sentimental items. For example, you could have a table with the book, some vintage postcards, and a mailbox for guests to post their travel recommendations. Or, if you're a music lover, you could display the book alongside a record player and some records for guests to sign.

Frequently asked questions