How to Choose a Guest Book

Guest books are a wedding tradition that can be a wonderful keepsake for years to come. You can find guest books in the wedding section of many craft stores, as well as in bridal shops and on-line. If none of the traditional wedding guest books suits your style, you can also use guest book alternatives to collect the signatures and well-wishes of your guests. Some guest books come as part of matching sets that may include pens, unity candles, photo albums and more. If you like the matching look, you may want to purchase all these items as a set or at the same time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• guest book
• pen
• cardstock

1. Look for a guest book that matches the style of the wedding. You can find guest books for beach themes, Celtic themes and Christian traditions (some even include scripture verses on the pages), or with simple hearts, bows or wedding cakes.
2. Consider adding custom touches to a plain guest book, such as gluing a bow or ribbon to the front that matches the bridesmaids’ dresses or wedding colors.
3. Consider ordering a personalized guest book that includes the bride and groom’s names, monograms or even a photo. Make sure to place your order far enough in advance to receive the personalized guest book in time for the wedding.
4. Look at guest book alternatives, such a photo frame with a mat that guests can sign, or a scrapbook with pictures of the bride and groom. You may want to simply provide guests with small pieces of decorative paper to sign, which you can add to your scrapbook later. You can even have guests sign their names on a ceramic platter or vase.
5. Make sure the guest book has enough room for all the guests to write their names (and a note, if you so choose). Traditional guest books have lined pages to help keep everything tidy, but part of the fun of guest book alternatives, such as photo frames, is the casual look.
6. Choose a pen or pens to go with the guest book. You may want a fancy pen that rests in a stand, or simple ballpoint pens in assorted colors. If you choose a guest book alternative, such as a photo frame or ceramic platter, make sure to use the pen that came with it or a permanent marker.

Tips & Warnings

• Display the guest book in a convenient location, such as the entry way or a table in the reception hall. Make sure to include the pen, or pens, nearby.
• You may want to add a small sign, such as "Please sign our guest book" or "Please write us a note or favorite poem" on your guest book table, especially if you're using a guest book alternative that guests may not realize they're supposed to sign. You can print the sign on card stock, then fold the card stock in half to make it stand up on the table.

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