Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Guestbook Dilemma

Blog friends, I need your help. I can't decide about a guestbook. I don't want to do a traditional guestbook because I don't know how often I would actually look through people's signatures.

(Traditional Guestbook)

I have a couple of things I like. I am posting pictures below. Here is where I need your help! Which do you like? What are you doing for your wedding or what did you do?

I like the book below. Its by Martha Stewart Crafts. This is similar to what my sister did at her wedding except she had glass hurricanes and guests could drop in a little note. I like the idea of people writing you a note. Its personal and therefore, more meaningful.

Another idea that I have seen lately is purchasing a coffee table book and then guests can sign it. I love this book below. If I went this route, I would purchase one book about Virginia and one about Missouri - to cover both of our home states!

I think this is my favorite idea. Its a tray that guests can sign. Its from "I do engraveables." Although its similar to a traditional guestbook because guests would just leave a signature, I would use it frequently and I would be reminded of our special day and the people who celebrated with us.





27 comments:

Politics to Peaches said...

I went the traditional guest book route and I totally agree with your thoughts - I rarely look at it. In fact, I'm not even sure where it is right now....
I love the coffe table book idea - you could even do a book about your honeymoon destination. Good luck!

Katrina said...

we did a traditional guestbook and a matted photo for people to sign that is now hanging in our dining room. =)

Muffy said...

I like the Martha book. It's really like a keepsake. More personal too!

SLS said...

They are all such great option! I like the Martha Stewart book but I think in the long run you would enjoy either the coffee table books or the silver tray.

The Laceys said...

My friend did the cutest thing at her wedding. They were from Mississippi so they had this amazing photography book(coffee table book) of all these gorgeous pictures from all over the state. All the guests picked a page that pertained to them. For instance a lot of my friends did the university page because that is where we met! The book was such a keepsake and a fun thing to look through. One thing though, be very careful to get a smudge proof pen!

Lauren @ Adventures of a Southern Newlywed said...

I think the engraved plate is neat. I also like the photo book idea that Mallory suggested.

Enjoy your week!

Virginia Living said...

I like the coffee table book. Or you could just get a book on Virginia and Missouri and have everyone sign a page. Good ice breaker too!

Sarah said...

You know I like the coffee table book idea!!! : )

I like the plate too! Can't wait to see what you choose!

Heather said...

I like the coffee table book idea! Heather/grace303

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

i like the coffee table book the best. you'll definitely look through the book again.

i went to kodakgallery.com and uploaded tons of pictures of todd and me together throughout the time that we dated leading up to when we got engaged. i created a coffee table book using kodakgallery.com and had one huge picture per page and left every other page blank. the guests signed the blank pages. we look at it all the time to see the old pictures of us and to see the funny things that they wrote.

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

http://akincarroll.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-wedding-details.html

sorry... that's the link so you can see what it looked like on my blog.

Alison said...

It sounds like you can't go wrong with your alternate ideas! I love the idea of a coffeetable book! I didn't do the traditional guest book either. Our wedding was beach themed, so I had guests sign a ceramic platter with a palm tree on it. The platter came with special pens and directions for firing it afterwards and making the signatures permanent.

Have a great day!

Ms. 122 said...

i think we'll be going with a blurb book
:)

Pink Flamingo said...

I think the Martha Stewart idea is darling...a fun twist and a true keepsake, too!

Hopsy said...

I would go with the tray, though it appears I am in the minority. I think it is something you will use or can at least display it. The coffee table books are a wonderful option too though. If you go with the books just make sure you get a pen that will not smudge!

Mags said...

My sister did the matted photo...I love it. I also like blue-eyed bride's way of a photo book.

Polos & Pearls said...

both the book and the plate are great ideas!!

Kelly B said...

I love the coffee table books. Similar to the blurb books that I've heard about, my photographer just indulged me with an option of what to do with all of the fabulous enagement photos we took -he started doing a coffee table-esque book of the pictures from the shoot. I think it will be a great way for us to utlize these photos of the two of us and get a unique guest book.

The Mrs. said...

Let me chime in with a guest book really is nothing unless people can leave notes. I have one with signatures and I could care less about it. If it had meaningful messages I would be ALL OVER IT!!!

Paula@SweetPea said...

I would choose the engraved plate because it would be useful and would be a conversation piece when you entertain.

I also really like the coffee table book idea.

3gand1b said...

I think that blue eyed bride's idea was wonderful...I am for the book idea...

Unknown said...

I like the coffee table book idea! I can't even find my traditional guest book - must be at my mom's house somewhere.

Ashley Smith said...

i like the state books. I have been married 10 years and rarely look at the guest book. this way it is somewhat useable!

Little Bow Prep said...

The Martha Stewart one is cute.

I love the bow on the traditional guest book!

Miss Lili NC said...

At the wedding I just went to the couple had a book bound of all their engagement pics and the guests signed around the pics. It was gorgeous and I thought it was a cool idea.

Jessi said...

I didn't do a traditional guestbook. James and I had engagement pictures done and I made an album with quotes and space for people to sign or leave a message.

Tara Vorhes said...

We did a photobook that had photosquares on each page so that guest put in a polaroid pic and had the whole page for themselves to write on... so we had a lot of cute messages instead of just signatures and I love that... I doubt I will look at it everyday but it is such a nice keepsake that I know I will love to have in years to come...