13 Wedding Guest Book Ideas
There are certain questions that all of my couples ask me during the time we are planning their wedding together. A few are about guest books. First, they ask “Do I have to have one?” (No.) Second, “What do you recommend?” The second is harder question to answer on the fly, because this can be a cool element of your wedding that goes on to live in your home for many years to come. So today, for the inaugural post of Bellwether Ideas, I am going to share some favorite ideas for your wedding guest book.
With the rise in popularity of vineyard and winery weddings, I’m seeing wine barrel tops being used as an item that your wedding guests can sign, and you can take home and cherish after the wedding day. You could also use a wine barrel from a favorite vineyard, even if you aren’t marrying at that venue.
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Wine Barrel Top
Maybe wine isn’t your thing. That is OK! You can also get a bourbon barrel top for your guests to sign!
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Bourbon Barrel Top
Monograms are always a classic idea. This wooden art piece would look lovely in your home after your wedding.
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Wooden Initial
I’ve had multiple clients use postcards for their wedding guest book. If you want them to be sent to you should address them to your home, and stamp them. You can then allow guests to take them home; to fill out and mail at their leisure. Or you can have wedding guests complete them that night, and task someone to collect them and later mail them to you at their choosing. I’ve also had couples create a photo album of sorts for the post cards.
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Vintage Washington DC postcards
Some couples want to keep with the tradition of a book, but want something a little more interesting and useful than a traditional wedding guest book. Enter the coffee table book, where your guests can sign in the margins. You can pick a book about anything – where you are marrying, where you are honeymooning, where you met, etc.
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Vintage Washington DC coffee table book
Over a decade ago, it was common to take a large format print of your engagement photo and have your guests sign a mat around that photo. I love this modern take on that idea. Who wouldn’t love a custom drawing, including their pets, with love notes from their wedding guests!
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Custom Art Sign (This artist has an incredible amount of variety for these art signs, you should check her out!)
Watercolor is a growing trend in weddings right now, and I love this watercolor skyline art idea! Maybe couples look for ways to incorporate the city where they marry (or the city where they live) and this wedding guest book print is a great idea!
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Watercolor Skyline Art Print
And sometimes a couple wants to pay homage to both of their home states! Still using watercolor, this design is so pretty!
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Watercolor State Print
I’ve been seeing thumbprint guest book ideas for more than a couple years now. I love this print because allows your guests to escape your wedding without any ink on their fingertips!
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Thumbprint Art Poster
But many couples do still opt for the original thumbprint style of wedding guest book, allowing their guests to put their unique mark on the poster!
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Thumbprint Art: VW with Balloons
In DC and in Baltimore there are two fabulous libraries where you can host your wedding. Which means I often have a book or library theme to work with. This is a cute poster for that kind of wedding!
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Library Theme Poster
This is actually what I had at my wedding 11 years ago – a platter that your guests can sign, and after the wedding you “cook” the platter to bake in the ink. This is a great way to go home with something that can be super useful! Just make sure you have enough space for all of your guests – this platter is recommended for 50 guest signatures.
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Signature Platter
This shadow box is an option that allows your wedding guests to write you a longer note, since they will have a slip of paper.
Shop this wedding guest book idea: Love Note Shadow Box
What do you think of these ideas? I hope you found something that you like. For those already married, or getting super close to the big day: what did you use, or are planning to use, for your wedding guest book?
Some of the above product links are affiliate-connected and purchasing through these links helps to support the blog.
