Ginger Ray Gold Date Jar Guest Book Alternative Decoration - Gold Wedding
Because it's the small details that make your celebration truly shine. Molly Allen is a previous bakery owner with expertise in wedding orders, as well as a former event planner. She is now a writer focused on lifestyle, travel, and food and beverage. Photo by Sasithon Photography In the months leading up to your wedding, you're surrounded by so much love. Even in the midst of wedding-planning stress , you likely feel appreciated and celebrated by all of your friends and family members. From your engagement party to other pre-nuptial celebrations , such as a bachelor/bachelorette party and shower, you and your partner receive lots of well-wishes—even before you say "I do." And on your big day, creating an opportunity for guests to express their support of your union is important. Because, ultimately, once your wedding comes and goes, you and your spouse may want to look back on the loved ones who supported you at your ceremony and reception—and reflect on their words of encouragement. Enter: the guest book. While there's nothing wrong with setting up an array of blank pages for your attendees to sign, if you're looking for a different wedding guest book idea, we've got you covered. Your wedding guest book is an opportunity for you to play into your celebration's theme —or showcase something about you and your partner. Maybe you love to travel and give your attendees the chance to write you a postcard from their favorite international destination. Or, perhaps, you're a music fan and opt to have your loved ones sign your favorite instrument. Your guest book doesn't even have to be written. Many couples today decide to have their family members and friends leave them an audio message that they can listen to later. Ready to find the perfect guest book to display on your big day? Scroll on for 30 clever wedding guest book ideas we love. Photo by Steph Sorenson In a nod to the location of their nuptials, this couple opted to have guests wish them well by signing their names on a guitar. It also paid homage to their venue: “Our relationship grew from country music, and nothing better than the Country Music Hall of Fame to solidify that,” the groom said. Photo by Jose Villa Even if you decide to have your guests sign a book, there's no rule that says it has to be a blank one. At their Texas wedding , this bride and groom asked their attendees to sign their name next to one of their favorite words in a vintage dictionary. Photo by Alice Ahn Photography If you and your partner share a hobby, considering using it as inspiration for your wedding guest book. At their California nuptials , this couple had attendees autograph a Lego figure that looked like them. Photo by Liz Andolina Photography Instead of notes, collect voice messages with a telephone guest book. At their Vermont reception , this vintage phone recorded messages from guests for the couple to listen to after. Photo by Sasithon Photography Set up a photo station and ask guests to add a polaroid to your book. Include craft tape and pens to make signing the guest book a playful, interactive experience. This couple had their attendees write a note next to their snap at their wedding in upstate New York. Photo by Meredith Campbell Photography Playing into the theme of their garden-inspired nuptials, this couple matched their guest book to the rest of their décor. Each page included an illustration of a plant—and plenty of room for attendees to write well-wishes. Photo by Kelsey Halm Photography At their wedding, this couple proved that just because your guest book doesn't take up a lot of space, that doesn't mean you can't make a beautiful focal point with it. Surrounding their vintage phone with a bright basket of lemons and a bouquet, this bride and groom created the perfect station for their guests to wish them well. Photo by David Abel Photography To incorporate other loved ones into your special day, arrange your guest book next to family photos. At this couple's Virginia wedding , they surrounded the blank pages with vintage family wedding photos. Photo by Michelle Scott Photography Who needs photos when your guests can leave their own self portraits? These mid-century modern nuptials in Arizona were all about personal touches, including the making of an illustrated guest book. Each attendee was encouraged to leave notes and drawings on a page (or two!). Photo by Lance Nicoll Instead of asking your guests to adds words of encouragement, consider having them paint them. At their romantic backyard wedding in the Bay Area , the newlyweds asked their guests to express their love visually. Photo by Golden Hour Studios Skip traditional lined pages with a photo-forward guest book. This option gives you the ability to showcase all of you and your partner's adventures together, offering attendees an additional peek into your relationship. Photo by Shannon Skloss For a retro take on the classic guest book, select a rotary phone and record the messages on vinyl, as this couple did at their Dallas nuptials . “We plan to play the vinyl record each year on our anniversary to hear the recordings and the song selections from our wedding day,” the bride said. Photo by Birds of a Feather Photography Love to travel? Put together a display of postcards and have your guests write a note to you and your partner on their favorite one. For an additional interactive element, ask them to drop the letters in a custom mailbox. Photo by Don Hwang Photography and Haseok Chung Studio While this wedding guest book may appear to be fairly traditional, the color of it held significant meaning for the couple. Displayed at their Korean wedding , the plum cover represented strong educational values. Photo by Hugo Coelho Photography This vineyard wedding in Portugal swapped a conventional guest book with a record player for guests to sign. It was a fitting choice to match the couple's record-store proposal. "I always said music was our love language," the bride said. "I guess he was listening.” Photo by Logan Cole Weddings Bring a classic game into the mix by putting out a display of blank Jenga blocks, and ask guests to sign their own block with a marker. Every time you and your partner play the game , you'll be reminded of all of the loved ones who attended your big day. Photo by Laura Memory Photography & Videography Love the polaroid look? Include a few cameras and pens and let your guests snap a picture before signing their name. Designate someone to collect each photo at the end of the night. Photo by Caroline Tran There's no shame in keeping it simple and traditional. Opt for a classic guest book with a linen exterior, and customize the front with your names and wedding date. After you say "I do," you and your partner will have a timeless memento to look back on. Photo by Du Soleil Photographie If you and your partner are music lovers, consider having your guests autograph a vinyl record. This couple laid out a set of their favorites for guests to sign at their Philadelphia nuptials . After your big day, hang them on your walls as sentimental décor. Photo by Juliana Moreira Pessoa of Brett Matthews Gallery Planning a glamorous or elegant wedding? Choose a guest book that matches your aesthetic. A traditional book featuring your names, the date of your wedding, and your location is elevated into something spectacular with gold detailing. Photo by Jodee Debes Photography Wine lovers, this is your chance to recycle those corks. Whether you choose to create the "book" yourself or purchase it, have each guest pen their name on the toppers. After your wedding, you'll be able to use it as a decorative display piece in your home. Use corks from your wedding wine or special bottles from relationship milestones for a personalized and commemorative touch. Photo by Emily Melissa Photo Looking to ditch paper completely? Opt for video. One couple decided to use VideoAsk for their guest book, which allowed attendees to record video messages of well-wishes. Photo by Du Soleil Photographie We love the idea of using a coffee-table book in place of a traditional guest book. At their backyard wedding, one couple selected a book with a vibrant cover and colorful pages for guests to sign. To complete the aesthetically-pleasing display, they added candles and fans to the outdoor table. Photo by James & Schulze If you're avid travelers or adventurers , celebrate that spirit with your guest book. Find a book that mirrors your passion with a map of the world—and have your guests sign their name next to one of their favorite places. Photo by O'Malley Photographers For an ultra-personal option, commission a custom guest book. We can't get over how stunning this hand-painted watercolor guest book was for a tropical wedding. PHOTO BY JANA WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY If you love surfing, bring it into the mix at your nuptials with your guest book. At this couple's beach-inspired wedding , which was designed by Ro & Co. Events, they had all of their guests sign surfboards. Photo by Joel Serrato Channel a vintage feel at your celebration with a typewriter. Set it out on a table (with plenty of paper!) for guests to be able to type their well-wishes to you. If you don't want attendees to do the work themselves, hire a typist to pen the notes of encouragement. PHOTO BY KAYLEE CHELSEA PHOTOGRAPHY Planning to put a beautiful welcome sign out for your ceremony? Consider repurposing it later in the evening as your guest book. Once the ceremony ends, move the piece to your reception space to serve as the perfect canvas for signatures and notes. Photo by Sylvie Gil If you and your partner enjoy spending time on the water, ask your guests to sign a canoe or kayak paddle. (Just make sure to include waterproof markers!) Photo by Valorie Darling Obsessed with Scrabble? Have your guests sign their names on pieces from the game. Later on, the personalized tiles will make game night just a bit more meaningful. Wedding guest books serve an important purpose - they allow wedding guests to leave their well wishes and advice for the newlyweds to look back on for years to come. But let's be honest, not every couple wants yet another book full of scribbles sitting on their coffee table. Luckily there are so many awesome guest book alternatives to choose from! Keep reading for our favorite unique ways to capture guest messages that better fit your wedding style! Beyond the traditional pen-and-paper guest book, couples today have endless options to gather meaningful messages from their guests while better reflecting their personalities. Looking for a truly one-of-a-kind way for guests to share their love? Here are some of our favorite wedding guestbook ideas. Have guests press their fingerprints onto a tree illustration on canvas using ink pads. Choose a simple black-and-white tree silhouette for the best contrast against the colorful prints. Set up the station near the entrance so guests can contribute as they arrive. Set out cards where guests can write down marriage tips, words of wisdom, or wishes for the couple. Display the sage advice in a frame or tie it with a ribbon to flip through on your anniversary. Provide a range of card designs and pens fit for short messages. Etch guests' messages onto wooden hearts, then string them together post-wedding for a rustic decorative guest book. Set out wood hearts, paint pens, and glitter glues so guests can get creative. Provide mini glass bottles, scrolls, and pens for guests to seal away notes to be opened later. Store them in a shadow box or large apothecary jar. Make it easy for guests by having pre-cut parchment paper scrolls ready to write on and tuck inside the bottles. Have guests sign fabric squares to be sewn into a personalized wedding quilt. What a cozy way to remember everyone who celebrated with you! Offer an array of fabric markers and squares in your wedding colors to unify the quilt. Use a Jenga set for guests to write on, then use the blocks as a decorative bookend or accent piece. Set out a few Jenga sets so multiple guests can contribute simultaneously. Mount a globe and pinpoint where guests hail from using push pins and tiny flags. Provide a large tabletop globe and a map showing hometowns for easy flag placement. Provide embroidery floss and have guests tie friendship bracelets with personal notes attached. Frame your favorites from the day. Set up simple bracelet looms and floss for guests to easily craft bracelets on-site. The guest book is a staple at most weddings, but creative couples are ditching boring papers and pens in favor of innovative ideas that better capture their personalities. With so many possibilities, you're sure to find a fitting creative wedding guestbook option that delights your guests while creating a keepsake to cherish. Decorate a box with a slot to anonymously collect thoughtful marriage advice cards. Provide a variety of colorful cards and writing utensils so guests can easily contribute heartfelt messages. Have guests fill out silly mad libs about the couple to generate a hilarious one-of-a-kind story. Print out pre-made mad libs templates that include inside jokes or wedding themes to create a personalized storybook. Set up a video station for leaving video messages to be compiled into a wedding day time capsule. Make it easy on guests by providing prompt questions and having a videographer manage the equipment. Use photo booth photo strips to create a sentimental flipbook guest book. Provide metallic gel pens for signing around their photos after photo booth sessions. Print recipe cards for guests to share cherished family recipes for your new home's kitchen. Include pantry cards too for gifting spice blends, dry ingredients, or homemade mixes. Leave out markers for crafty guests to illustrate cartoon well wishes. Provide prompts like speech bubbles and captions to make it fun and easy to contribute. Pass out paper squares in your colors for guests to doodle on, then frame them into group art. Give guests charcoals, pastels, or watercolors to create a multimedia masterpiece. Have guests sign wooden puzzle pieces you can assemble into a custom work of art. Opt for an oversized puzzle with thick wood pieces perfect for markers. Supply a picture frame and decor items like stickers and washi tape for guest embellishment. Include photos of you and your spouse for guests to creatively decorate and give wedding advice. Looking for a polished, sophisticated guest book alternative that elevates your wedding aesthetic? Ditch the rustic country vibes in favor of these guest book ideas with refined and elegant style. Bring some glamour and luxury to your guest book station with these chic twists on the tradition. From floral accents to metallic touches, here are unique ways to gather cherished messages in a posh fashion. Have guests hang notes from a beautiful wreath made of faux florals, foliage, ribbons, etc. Choose blooms and accents that coordinate with your wedding flowers for a cohesive look. Set up an ornate glass bowl or vase for collecting handwritten paper hearts. Provide calligraphy pens and heavyweight cardstock to encourage beautiful scripted notes. Designate a framed chalkboard for creative guest messages. Supply metallic chalk pens and whimsical templates for next-level doodling. Pass out acrylic paint pens to sign a blank canvas that matches your decor. Opt for a geometric abstract style canvas and gold or silver pens for on-trend art. Provide linen handkerchiefs and fabric pens for guests to stitch their initials onto. Set out iron-on monogram patches so guests can quickly personalize them. Guide guests to place river rocks engraved with well wishes along a garden path. Offer marble, granite, or quartz stones and calligraphy guides for an elevated look. Hot glue decorative spoons into a frame for an elegant metallic message board. Use vintage silverplate spoons to build a textured display of notes. Have guests sign rounds of wood to create a rustic-chic stacked "book." Choose sleek wood like black walnut and metallic pens for contrast. Supply glass bulbs and glitter pens to store miniature scroll messages. Use clear glass ornaments and gold accents for guests to create cherished keepsake ornaments. Print custom drink stirrers with your names and date for guests to use and take home. Upgrade to luxe materials like marble, gold, or rose gold for glamorous stirrers. Place elegant trinket dishes at each table for collecting small rolled messages. Opt for jewel-toned glass or gold dishware to complement your reception decor. Hire a calligrapher to hand letter notes in a stylish offline guest book. Provide premium thick cardstock and wax seals for guests to pen fancy notes. Glue book pages into the shape of your initials or heart for literary messages. Use vintage hardcover books in your wedding palette to craft an elegant book art piece. Going green for your wedding and want an environmentally friendly guest book? Luckily there are many creative options that skip paper waste and single-use plastics. Reduce your carbon footprint while still collecting special messages from loved ones. We've rounded up these party guest book substitute ideas perfect for the eco-conscious couple. Compile video messages into a website or digital flipbook to share. Set up a computer station for easy videotaping powered by a portable charger. Have a custom hashtag for wedding wishes and advice over social media. Print out a decorative sign with your hashtag for photos to encourage online guestbook contributions. Let guests pin Polaroid pictures, notes, and mementos to a framed corkboard. Provide reusable pins and natural fiber string for an earthy display. Print calico-patterned napkins for signing at the reception. Opt for unbleached organic cotton or linen napkins to keep it green. Provide plant-based paint pens for leaving messages on stones from the venue. Source smooth natural stones like river rock for decorating. Embroider or fabric marker sign tablecloths, runners, or napkins. Upcycle vintage lace or linens found at secondhand stores. Fill seed packets with wildflower seeds and message cards. Use biodegradable seed paper for messages to plant. Fill a glass jar throughout the night with signed notes, confetti, and trinkets. Suggest recycled paper for notes and dried flowers for a zero-waste memory jar. Have guests press personalized wooden stamps into sealing wax on cards. Opt for rubber stamps with non-toxic inks to customize. Provide mini polaroids and metallic pens for snapping and signing. Select a reusable polaroid camera and biodegradable film for sustainable photobooth fun. If you're unsure about skipping the guest book, these non-traditional guest book answers should help! No, you absolutely don't need any type of guest book if you don't want one! Some couples opt to forgo a guest book altogether so they can focus on celebrating with loved ones in the moment rather than collecting signatures. And with digital photography and video being the norm, you'll still be able to capture memories with all your guests without a physical book. The day goes by so quickly, so don't feel obligated to have any type of guest book station if you'd rather use that time to mingle and dance the night away. Get creative with how you showcase your alternative guest book memento! Display a signature puzzle or custom artwork on the wall in a sleek frame. Prop up a globe or oversized book sculpture on the mantel or console table. Arrange a glass bowl of signed hearts or bottle messages on the coffee table or bookshelf. Group together a set of signed Jenga blocks or wooden hearts on a floating shelf. Turn signed vinyl records or guitars into functional wall art. For fabric guestbooks, have a quilt made or display knotted fabric scraps in a hoop.