Your wedding day is one of the most memorable moments of your life, and what better way to cherish those memories than with a creative guest book alternative? Sure there’s always the Polaroid Photo DIY Guest Book, but let’s take the ideas up a notch! Here are 5 unique wedding guest keepsakes that capture the essence of your special day while also having a functional purpose to enjoy for years to come:
1. Anniversary Wine Bottles:
Anniversary wine bottle guest books are a unique and romantic twist on the traditional guest book concept. Instead of signing a book, guests write messages on individual wine bottles to be enjoyed by the couple on future anniversaries (or first milestones as a married couple such as “first baby”, “first home”, “first holiday”).
2. Guest Book Bench:
Have guests sign a wooden bench or stool with markers. After the wedding, place the bench in your garden or entryway as functional seating with sentimental value.
3. Travel Map Guest Book:
Use a map of the world or your favorite travel destination as a guest book. Have guests sign their names or write messages on the map, then frame it as a reminder of your shared adventures. Cool maps make great wall art in a home office. And when you’re ready to teach your future kids about the world, you’re well prepared!
4. Self-Published Recipe Book:
This idea takes a bit more advanced planning, but the results are worth it! Gather a mix of your friends and families most loved recipes prior to your wedding, and use a self publishing site to create your custom family cookbook. At your wedding, gather the finishing details (photos of friends and family and hand written messages) that you’ll add in to the book. At your family members place settings, have the name of their recipe on a recipe card to write their name and wedding wishes to you. After the wedding, upload the images of the hand written recipe-card messages and wedding photos to the keepsake recipe book templates. Voila! This is a book you’ll use often and even pass on down to future generations. (Try Heritage Cookbooks or Mixbook.com )
5. Have Guests Sign Something That You’ll Use in Your Joint Hobbies. Like music? Sign vinyl records. Like to play guitar? Sign a decorative guitar. Love to make homemade pizza together? Sign a wooden pizza peel.
Your wedding guest book doesn't have to be just a book gathering dust on a shelf. With these creative alternatives, you can capture the love and well wishes of your guests while also incorporating functional decor into your home. Choose the option that best reflects your personality as a couple, and enjoy reminiscing about your special day for years to come.