Creative Ways To Craft A Unique Wedding Guest Book

A wedding guest book is a great way to capture the names and well wishes of your guests. While a traditional guest book is usually a pen and bound paper, there are many creative ways to accomplish this. For example, you can have your guests sign a wooden slab, a custom puzzle, a vinyl record, or even a giant wine bottle! The options are endless and you can choose something that is meaningful to you and your partner. In this article, we will explore different ideas for wedding guest books and provide tips on how to make your own.

Polaroid guest books

A Polaroid guest book is a fun, interactive way to capture your wedding guests' well-wishes and words of wisdom, alongside a photo of each guest. It's a unique alternative to the traditional guest book, providing a visual keepsake of each individual guest, which professional wedding photos often don't capture.

Materials

• Polaroid camera/s: A good rule of thumb is to have one camera for every 40 guests.
• Film: Buy extra film, as guests will likely take a few photos each.
• Hardback guest book: Opt for a high-quality book that ties in with your wedding colour palette.
• Table or display area: Choose something that fits with your wedding theme and is large enough to accommodate all the materials.
• Writing utensils: Permanent markers are a good option to avoid smudging.
• Adhesive: Double-sided tape is an easy, mess-free option.
• Hand sanitiser: An optional extra, but a thoughtful addition to the table.

Tips for Set-Up

• Choose an accessible, visible area for your table, perhaps next to the seating chart.
• Avoid congested areas, like beside the bar.
• Pay attention to lighting to ensure photos aren't ruined by harsh shadows. Natural light is best, or a ring light for indoor receptions at night.
• Provide instructions for guests, such as "Snap it, stick it, sign it."
• Enlist someone to monitor the table to ensure guests know what to do and to keep an eye on the film.
• Consider hiring a photo booth company to run the Polaroid guest book experience for you.

Ideas for Your Polaroid Guest Book

• Add signage with instructions and decorations that complement your colour scheme.
• Combine the Polaroid guest book with other stations, such as a card box and the evening's itinerary.
• Forgo a physical book and have guests write their messages directly on the Polaroid photos, which you can then store in an album.
• Add personal details, such as a framed photo of the happy couple.
• Include mood lighting, such as candles or fairy lights.
• Create an installation with a clothesline and mini clothespins for guests to display their photos.
• Display example Polaroids of the happy couple on the front cover of the guest book.
• Use a lucite sign for a modern, minimalist look.
• Display Polaroids from different scenes of the wedding day, such as the bride getting ready.
• Channel your wedding locale with decorations, such as exotic greenery for a tropical setting or colourful flowers for a garden site.
• Offer colourful film for playful photo frames.

Custom puzzles

Choosing the Design:

Select an image or design that resonates with your wedding theme or your personalities as a couple. It could be a favourite photo, a scenic landscape, or something that represents your shared interests. If you have engagement photos, those would be perfect!

Creating the Puzzle:

Use online platforms like The Missing Piece Puzzle Company to turn your chosen design into a custom puzzle. You can personalise the puzzle by choosing its size and the number of pieces. Ensure you have enough pieces for each guest to sign, or you can opt for guests to sign only one piece as a couple.

Using the Puzzle as a Guest Book:

Instead of a traditional guest book, your guests will now pick a puzzle piece and write their names or a short message. Provide a variety of writing instruments like ballpoint pens or markers, depending on the puzzle's background colour. Brighter colours tend to show up better, but avoid shades that might blend with the puzzle image.

For larger weddings, consider assigning someone or your wedding planner to oversee the puzzle signing process. A small sign with simple instructions can also help guide your guests.

Displaying the Puzzle:

Presentation is key! Display the puzzle pieces attractively to encourage guest participation. Place them in a beautifully decorated basket or scatter them on a table with a sign inviting guests to pick one. You can also display the puzzle box with your custom image, so guests know what they are contributing towards.

Assembling and Preserving the Puzzle Guest Book:

After the wedding, assemble the puzzle with your partner, reading the sweet messages as you go. Once completed, you can choose to frame and display your unique puzzle guest book in your home. To protect the messages, use a clear puzzle preserver or mod podge.

Extra Tips:

• Do a test run before the wedding by writing on a spare piece to ensure the ink doesn't smudge and is visible.
• Consider the puzzle piece size, ensuring they are large enough for guests to write comfortably.
• For guest convenience, you can add laser-engraved numbering on the backs of each piece for easy assembly.
• Displaying the assembled puzzle in your home will serve as a constant reminder of your special day.

Fabric squares

A fabric squares guest book is a fun and unique way to remember your wedding day and the guests who attended. Fabric squares can be a wonderful alternative to the traditional guest book, and can be made to fit any wedding theme or colour scheme. This is a simple DIY project that you can make your own, with a few basic steps.

Firstly, source your fabric. You can choose any fabric you like, but a medium-weight fabric is best suited for this project. Cotton or linen are good choices as they are easy to write on and provide a sturdy base. You will need enough fabric to cut into squares, with one square per guest. Allow for extra squares, as some guests may come as couples or families and will want to sign separately. You can also allow for some spares in case of mistakes or last-minute guest additions.

Next, cut your fabric into squares. A good size is 4-6 inches, allowing enough space for guests to write a message. You can either hem the edges of the squares or leave them raw for a more rustic look. If you wish to add stabiliser to the back of the fabric, you can do so before assembling the squares. This will provide a firmer surface for guests to write on and will also prevent any ink from bleeding through to your table.

Now, decide on your display method. You can choose to display the squares individually or assemble them into a book. To display them individually, you can provide a basket of the squares and some pens, and then ask guests to pin their signed square to a board or length of string. This creates a fun, interactive display. Alternatively, you can assemble the squares into a book form, by attaching them to lengths of ribbon or by sewing the squares together, back-to-back, leaving a length of fabric to bind the 'book'.

Finally, provide some fabric pens or permanent markers for your guests to sign their names and messages. You can also add a sign to explain the guest book and provide any instructions. This unique guest book will provide a wonderful keepsake of your special day.

Typewriters

Using a typewriter as a wedding guest book is a unique and fun idea, especially if your wedding has a vintage theme. Here are some tips and ideas to help you create your own typewriter guest book:

Choosing a Typewriter

First, you'll need to get your hands on a typewriter. You can find vintage typewriters in antique stores, thrift stores, or online marketplaces. If you're lucky, you might even have one in your family as a cherished heirloom. Look for a typewriter that is in good working condition and has all the necessary components, such as the ribbon, keys, and carriage.

Setting it Up

Once you've chosen your typewriter, set it up at a table with a sign inviting guests to type a message. You can provide a reel of paper or have individual sheets for guests to use. If you're concerned about the complexity of using a typewriter, you can leave instructions or even hire a typewriter poet to assist your guests. Consider providing pens and paper as an alternative for guests who prefer to handwrite their messages.

Displaying the Messages

After the wedding, you can compile the typed messages into a keepsake book. You can roll up the paper like a scroll and secure it with a ribbon, or bind the individual pages into a book. This way, you'll have a unique and elegant memento of your special day, filled with heartfelt messages from your loved ones.

Customisation

There are many ways to customise your typewriter guest book. You can choose a typewriter with a colour that fits your wedding theme, such as a cool blue vintage typewriter. You can also decorate the table where the typewriter is set up with vintage-inspired or rustic elements. Additionally, you can create a personalised cover for the final bound book of messages.

Guest Experience

A typewriter guest book provides a fun and interactive experience for your guests. It adds a creative twist to the traditional guest book and encourages guests to leave thoughtful notes. It's a great conversation starter and can be a unique activity during the reception.

By following these steps and customising your setup, you can create a one-of-a-kind typewriter guest book that will be a memorable part of your wedding day.

Wooden slabs

A wooden slab guest book is a unique and rustic option for your wedding. Here are some tips and ideas to create your own:

Choosing the Right Wood

The first step is to select the type of wood you want to use. Popular choices include cedar, maple, and pecan. You can choose a slab with a live edge, giving it a more natural and organic feel, or go for a smoother finish. Consider the size of the slab as well—a larger slab will accommodate more signatures, while a smaller one might be more portable and easier to display.

Preparation and Finishing

Once you've chosen your slab, you may want to treat or seal the wood to ensure the signatures don't bleed into the grain. You can ask your supplier about the best finish for their particular slabs. It's also a good idea to test different pens and markers on a small sample of the wood to see which ones work best. Opt for quick-drying pens with fine or ultra-fine tips to ensure legibility and prevent smudging.

Display and Presentation

When it comes to presenting your wooden slab guest book, consider how you'd like it displayed during the wedding. You might want to include a stand or easel, or even a simple wooden block to prop it up. You can also add decorations around the slab, such as flowers, greenery, or other rustic elements. Don't forget to provide clear instructions for your guests, perhaps with a small sign, encouraging them to sign their names and well-wishes.

After the Wedding

Finally, think about how you'd like to display or store your guest book after the big day. You might want to hang it on a wall, treat it with a protective coating, or even frame it. This will ensure that your unique guest book becomes a lasting memento of your wedding day.

Wooden slab guest books offer a beautiful and natural alternative to traditional books, allowing your guests' well-wishes to truly stand the test of time.

Frequently asked questions