Placing a "traditional" style guest book on a table at your reception will prompt guests to do little more than sign their names and, maybe, scrawl a quick "congratulations."
It hardly makes for scintillating reading years from now: You'll stumble across your dusty old guest book in an attic corner someday and feel a glimmer of nostalgia -- until you open it to read a mere rollcall of names. Back it goes in the box!
More couples are looking for different ways to remember those who gathered to celebrate their special day. Rather than just record the names of family and friends, a guest book can encourage them to express words of wisdom, precious memories or humourous anecdotes. Here are a few suggestions:
Make a Scrapbook
When you mail your invitations, include an insert requesting guests bring a photograph to include in your wedding scrapbook. Have them place the photo (you can supply photo corner mountings) into your guest book at the reception, and write a personal note below detailing where and when the picture was taken.
Record the Day Instantly
Ask a friend or family member to take a Polaroid of each guest or family group as they arrive at your ceremony or wedding reception. Each guest could be asked to write a message on their photo before placing it in an album. (Polaroids do fade over many years, but a professional photo lab can suggest how to make a more permanent archive from the completed set of images.)
Create a Memorable Portrait
Make a poster-sized enlargement of an engagement photo, a favourite picture of the two of you, or individual baby pictures. Mount it in an oversized matte on which guests can sign their names and write a personal message. Have it framed as a wonderful keepsake and conversation piece in your home.
Make a Time Capsule
Make a time capsule, such as a "Tenth Anniversary Box." Purchase a pine box and decorate it with paint and stencils, or cover with fabric. Make it pretty enough to use as a decorative accent in your home. Cut out a slot to insert notes through, and glue the lid shut. Place cue cards, (or decorated heavy-stock paper) on your "Guestbook" table, along with a vase full of pens with a sign reading:
Before the evening ends
Write down your best memory of the day,
words of wisdom, past memories or predictions.
We'll open the box on our 10th Anniversary,
and celebrate with a trip down memory lane
on September 15, 2011!
-- Love, Jane & John
Encourage Kids' Stuff
Purchase a large scrapbook just for the children in attendance and place a huge pile of crayons on a table. Ask them to draw pictures of the wedding or portraits of the wedding party. You'll get great results, and have a treasure you might even save for their own weddings years from now!
History Book
Purchase an ornate or hand-made guest book filled with unlined paper. Use corner photo mounts to place images of the two of you, starting with baby pictures, school years, graduation, and finally, pictures throughout your relationship. Leave room for your guests to write comments in the "era" of their choosing. Family and friends will appreciate the effort you put into it.
Fire It Up!
For the true artiste, why not have guests create a work of art? Purchase an unglazed item of pottery, such as a tray, from a paint-your-own pottery shop and ask guests to sign and draw on it using special ceramics pencils. After the wedding, arrange for the shop to fire the pottery in a kiln to set the glazing. Then display the tray in your home where you can use it everyday.
Have fun planning your memories!
