Wedding Guest Book Ideas: Written Memories to Cherish Forever

After all the checklists you have carefully reviewed, all the wedding plans that have been carried off perfect (and those that went astray), the wedding day finally arrives. In a whirl of taffeta, silk and tulle, the day is over in what seems like an instant. When the confetti settles, the excitement wanes and all the guests go home, the newlyweds will be left with pictures, memories and the sentiments left behind in the wedding guest book. It may seem like such a minor issue during the planning of the big event, but wedding guest book ideas and how to best position your signing table are important if you want your guests to feel comfortable leaving notes and best wishes.

First, let’s talk about real estate – on your wedding day, whether it is at the ceremony or at the reception, everyone and everything has a place… their own little piece of real estate. The maid of honor stands beside the bride and the best man stands beside the groom at the alter, the cake goes on the designated wedding cake table and the gifts go on the assigned wedding gift table. At the reception, the floral arrangements are custom made for each of the dining tables, and the wedding party always sits at the head table. It is a simple matter of real estate, and at most weddings the guest book gets the wasteland. In actuality, at your reception, the wedding guest book should receive prime real estate, front and center where everyone can see it and remembers to sign it. Here are a few excellent wedding guest book ideas…

Use the arbor from your wedding ceremony and create an alcove over a small table. Dress the table up with a lovely tablecloth, perhaps a floral arrangement and your wedding guest book and fancy pen set. Create a unique sign on your computer before the wedding that reads something like “Take a Moment to Sign Our Wedding Guest Book – Your Thoughts are Important To Us On Our Special Day. Love, Bob and Suzy.”. Print out the sign and place it in a large 11×14 inch inexpensive picture frame and place it on your guest signing table where no one will miss it. Be sure to have a comfy chair by the table so your guests can relax and write from the heart. By creating a cozy and PRIVATE spot for your guests to leisurely leave comments in your guest book, you are inviting them to take their time, do it in complete privacy and leave quality thoughts that you can read later and for years to come.

Another good wedding guest book idea is to assign a member of your wedding party, perhaps a bridesmaid or groomsman (or both) to go table to table and have guests sign the book. This can be a fun way to ensure everyone signs your book. Keep in mind that this generally only works well with small weddings where there are less than 50 guests – otherwise your helper will be working all night getting signature and miss out on the wedding fun completely! You may also find that guests are rushed a tad, since the bridesmaid or usher is standing over them, waiting for the book back. Consider leaving the book at each table for 30 minutes, which allows everyone ample time to share their thoughts in writing.

Final wedding guest book ideas include actually finding the perfect guest book! Basically buy what you love; choose a guest book that tickles your fancy! It might be in a color that matches your wedding theme with perhaps a luxury cover and gold foil lettering on the front. Perhaps you want a wedding guest book that reads “And They Lived Happily Ever After” across the front – then buy it! Or you may want to stay with your chosen wedding theme, such as camouflage for the armed services couple, seaside allure for a beach wedding, romantic vintage western for the country duo, or butterfly dreams for the dreamy romantic duo.

Think about your best wedding guest book ideas, where you will place the signing table and how you want the table to look and feel to your wedding guests. Then choose a book that will go with that ideal perfectly – if you follow your heart, your wedding theme and your instincts you cannot go too far wrong!