Do you get total stage fright when it comes to signing the guest book at a wedding? I certainly do! I usually end up copying whatever the previous guest has written. You know … something along the lines of “Congratulations!”, “We’re so happy for you!”, “Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness!”, etc. Wouldn’t it be nice to offer your guests a more creative, fun way to leave their well wishes? I think so, too! Read on for some fabulous alternative guest book ideas…
Wish Paper Basket - This is a really cool idea! Simply stage a vintage typewriter, a pre-typed piece of paper with instructions (so your guests know what to do), and a waste paper basket. Place a stack of paper next to the typewriter for your guests to write their well wishes, marital advice, recipes, etc. on. Your guests will then crumple them up and toss them into the basket. Tip: Have a few crumpled up sheets in there already, to show guests that you really do want them to crumple their pages up and throw them in!
Photo credit: weddingbee.com
Photo credit: weddingbee.com
Rolodex Guest Book – This is a different take on a rolodex project I found on the Brooklyn Bride Blog. Instead of using a rolodex for seating cards, the rolodex could be used for guests to write a message to the bride and groom, along with their current address. Guests would then file their card away under the corresponding letter.
Photo credit: bklynbrideonline.com
Photo credit: bklynbrideonline.com
Fingerprints Tree – This is definitely one of my favorite guest book ideas! All you have to do is draw a tree with lots of empty branches on a poster, then put up a sign asking guests to “leaf” a fingerprint, along with their name.
Photo credit: jonaspeterson.com
Photo credit: jonaspeterson.com
Memorabilia/Photo Guest Book - Why not turn all of your engagement photos into a book to be signed by your wedding guests? You could also include other relationship memorabilia, such as movie and concert ticket stubs, etc. You can create a hardcover photo book on blurb.com for as little as $24.95.
Photo credit: snippetandink.blogspot.com
Chalkboard Guest Book - Here’s an awesome idea from welovelaughkiss.com. 
Simply hang a patterned cloth or other backdrop to serve as a makeshift photobooth. Provide your guests with chalkboards and chalk and leave a sign instructing them to write a message and take a picture with it. You’ll have great photos of your guests, along with sweet messages, to cherish for a lifetime!
Photo credit: welovelaughkiss.files.wordpress.com
Wishing Tree – Simply place some branches from a cherry blossom, manzanita, or magnolia tree in a pot. Attach ribbons to cards and ask guests to write their well wishes or advice and hang the cards on the branches.
Photo credit: mydiyweddingday.com
Dirty Laundry – This idea, from loveandlavendar.com, is one of the cutest ever! Simply write instructions on a detergent bottle asking guests to “air out their dirty laundry” by writing funny stories about the two of you on little cards shaped like pieces of clothing. Provide guests with clothespins to clip their cards onto a clothesline. Love it!
Photo credit: loveandlavender.com
Mailbox Guest Book – I totally heart this idea found on marthastewartweddings.com. Rather than signing a traditional guest book, guests at this wedding were given postcards, with the bride and groom’s address printed on the back, to fill with good wishes during the reception and drop in a copper mailbox displayed in the lobby. The cards were then mailed the next day by a friend so that the newlyweds would return from their honeymoon to a mailbox overflowing with love!
Photo credit: marthastewartweddings.com
Calendar Guest Book – Here’s another great idea from Martha Stewart! Want to ensure you have the birthdays of all of your friends and family? Place a calendar at the reception and ask guests to print their names on the appropriate date on the calendar.
Photo credit: marthastewartweddings.com
Fall Engagement Photos by Kerry Brooks Photography
Today we have another fabulous Fall engagement session! Kerry, of Kerry Brooks Photography, has sent us Rob and Casey’s beautifully bold engagement photos.
Kerry Brooks Photography specializes in wedding photography and focuses on keeping it light and fun for the couple while getting some amazing photos in the process! It is important to Kerry to provide couples with photos that are unique, personal and far from cookie-cutter. His goal with each wedding or engagement is to create an exclusive look for each couple.
Photo Credit: Kerry Brooks Photography
I just love Rob and Casey’s engagement photos! … Talk about colors that POP!
Photo Credit: Kerry Brooks Photography
Photo Credit: Kerry Brooks
Photo Credit: Kerry Brooks Photography
Thanks for sharing Kerry! … and Congrats to Rob and Casey!
Photo Credit: Kerry Brooks Photography