Wedding guest books originally were small books for those in attendance to sign as witnesses to your marriage. Now, like many traditions in wedding planning, they have evolved to be a creative way to represent who you are as a couple.
Couples can use to represent themselves and serve as a reminder of their wedding day. Regardless of what you choose to have as a wedding guest book, have a sign explaining it to guests so that they know what to sign and where.
Are you looking for some ideas that go above and beyond the traditional wedding guest book? Here are 8 great ideas for Non-Traditional Wedding Guest Books
Photo Wedding Guest Books
There are many options for a photo guest book. You can make your own Custom Photo Wedding Guest Book using engagement photos. With this, leave plenty of blank space for guests to write messages. You also can hire a photo booth and have guests sign their photos with a message. Have duplicates of the photos printed and this can double as a favor for guests.
There is also the option of a Polaroid Scrapbook - this is a fun, nostalgic DIY option of a photo wedding guest book. Provide guests with the camera and ask them to take a photo of themselves or together in groups. Guests leave their photo, along with a short message in a scrapbook as a keepsake. Alternatively, you can have guests clip their photo onto a pinboard.
Your Favorite Game
This is a great idea for the couple who loves to host Game Night. Keep it simple and fun by having guests sign your favorite Game Board. Individual Jenga blocks, or even a Cornhole Board are fun options. If you want to be even more unique, have a custom puzzle created and have guests sign the pieces. Every time you use the game or puzzle, it will bring back memories of your special day. Be sure to get the appropriate pens so that the signatures and messages will last thru the years!
An Item You Both Love, Something for Your Home
There are so many different options you can choose from for this option. There are the traditional choices such as platters, photo mats, and wooden boards with monograms. We have also seen a set of skis, a bowling ball, and even a set of Adirondack Chairs. You can provide guests with a basket of blank coasters (and permanent markers) at each table. Guests can jot down advice or funny memories. Leave a collection basket in one place to be used throughout the nigh. These will be a great memory, and you’ll be able to use them in your home.
Audio Phone Message Wedding Guest Books
This is a wonderfully creative idea. Make a phone call with a telephone guest book! Guests can pick up the phone and leave a message for the couple. There are several companies that will ship and provide the phone – many times for free shipping! The audio recordings are usually digitized into a keepsake that can be listened to for years to come! There are even some companies that will press the recording into a vinyl record for a display.
Wishes or Messages in a Bottle (or other container)
This can be as simple as providing pens and cards. Ask guests to write messages, to give little bits of marital advice, or to share funny memories with the couple. This guestbook gives your guests a lot of freedom and creativity in what they want to say. You can also provide some guidance for guest advice. For example, provide cards with specific anniversaries that you will open on those dates. Or have guests fill out a guided marital advice cards- they can get really fun. There are many variations of containers and message paper for this book, find something that is personal to you.
Shadow Box Art
These are usually a wooden shadow box and small items or tokens that guests can sign. Then they are dropped into the shadow box to be displayed behind a thick pane of glass. There are many different shapes, sizes and colors available for both the shadow box frame and wooden tokens, so you can find one that symbolizes the two of you as a couple. Another variation of this is having guests sign a small leaf or other token and attach it on to a signature tree. These treasures can be displayed for a lifetime.
Coffee Table-Art Books/Other Books:
Have your guests sign an atlas or a globe — especially if you are a travel loving couple — and highlight their favorite locations. Bonus, as this creates an instant bucket list for traveling! If you’re a Scrabble or Wordle loving couple (or even if not..) — you can set out felt pens and a dictionary. Leave a sign explaining to guests to circle a word that describes you two and sign. A fun idea if you’re having a destination wedding is to get a book of local art or photos, and have guests sign their well wishes on different pages. This will serve as a memory of the day, and of the magical location you were celebrated together.
Holiday Décor
This is especially popular for weddings scheduled around the holiday season. Whether you get married around the holidays or not, you can have guests sign glass ball ornaments and use them to decorate your first Christmas tree! Provide guests with permanent markers (or paint markers) so they can draw on or sign one. This is such a memorable idea, the ornaments may be so intricately decorated that they even take up a permanent residence on your tree each year!
These are just a few of the many different ideas on how you can commemorate and record your wedding day. Work with your wedding coordinator so they know how to get your idea all set up and have instructions easily viewable for guests. Pro tip – ask someone to write the first signature or piece of advice (even if it is just the date and some hearts or something generic) before guests even start showing up – that way no guest will feel awkward being the first one to sign or participate.