Mrs. Lovebug, Tucson
Age and Occupation in 06: 31, Writer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Professional Game Show Contestant
Engagement Date: February 18, 2007
Wedding Date: April 19, 2008
Venue: Historic Inn
About Me: Likes: blogging, wikis, semi-colons, cuddling, fragrant flowers, syntax, and spooning. Dislikes: typos, dangling modifiers, flypaper, citronella candles, and run-ons. If I had my druthers, I'd exchange simple vows in a candlelit library. But I lost my druthers long ago...anyone seen them?
Our Wish Paper Basket
March 27th, 2008 @ 1:54 pm by Mrs. Lovebug
In lieu of a traditional guest book, I wanted to do something along the lines of a wish book or wish tree - but with a twist on our theme. So, taking our cues from our ubiquitous, trusty vintage typewriter, we came up with our guest book interpretation…the Wish Paper Basket!
It’s a (hopefully not too high-) concept in three parts. First, the typewriter announces what the set up is:
Then, there’s a stack of “Wish Paper” sheets. They have goofy examples at the top and instructions at the bottom to explain what we’d like guests to do (write a wish, crumple it up, and toss it in the basket):
As a header, I crossed out a couple of over-the-top “badly written blessings”.
At the bottom, simple instructions encourage guests to be silly and creative.
And finally, part three - the “Wish Paper” Basket to drop the wishes into:
We’ll have a few crumpled up sheets in there already, to show guests that we really do want them to crumple their pages up.
Originally, I had wanted to let guests use the actual typewriter, but I figured that would probably be a bit too complicated and labor-intensive (and potentially frustrating). This way, they’ve got a nice big space to write on and some nice fat Sharpies to work with. Much less pressure.
And speaking of pressure, I have newfound respect for early 20th century typists. For authenticity’s sake (no typewriter font can imitate a typewriter like, well, a typewriter), I typed up the master version on Mr. Typey himself…can you say REPEATED TYPOs??
After inexplicably misspelling “portraits” for the eighth time, I let Mr. LB take a crack at it:
Naturally, he got it on his first try. Then I just crossed out the first two cheesy wishes:
…printed a stack of pages up in blush pink resume paper, and voila! Our Wish Paper Basket is ready to be filled!
Even though it’s a bit unusual, I’m really happy with how it came out. It’s very “me”, as I’m always chucking draft after draft of whatever I’m working on (not to mention I got to sneak in some classic Lovebug wordplay). Plus, it kind of reminds me of Snoopy and his “One dark and stormy night…” And I think a book of bound with all the pages will look neat and kind of vintage-chic, what with the de-wrinkled papers.
We’ll put the set up on a table that sits just outside the reception room, between the bathrooms. Hopefully, a spot where they can’t miss it!
Anyone have any good tips on how to make sure guests actually sign the guest book (or interpretation thereof)?
52 Responses to “Our Wish Paper Basket”
aww! I can’t see the pictures! I love the idea, though! we’ve been looking at cool ways to do our guestbook. I love what you came up with.
That is really cute! Cute and fun! The typewriter is such a lost art. That’s a good way to stir up some nostalgia!
I would love to see what you came up with, but I can’t see the pictures either.
The pictures aren’t showing up for me either, Miss Lovebug! 
I can’t see the pictures but I love the concept.
I would have your MC/DJ remind everyone to give a wish. A lot of people forget about the guest book in the rush to get food and drink. There have been times when I never even saw the guestbook.
Spread the word with about 10 key people (from different groups) ahead of time with a full explanation of what you’ll want to do. Its not a terribly complicated set-up, so with a few key people with full explanation and a DJ or MC reminder, you should end up with a book-full of crumpled wishes!
the pictures are not showing up, but if you click on them…they pop right up! 
If you click each picture they open up. And they are awesome!
Such a neat idea!
Sounds fab, but I wanna see photees!
This is an AWESOME idea.
Thanks for the tip, smarter princess. Photos do open if you click each one!
I think this is a really cute idea. I love all your old typewriter themed stuff! We are also doing a variant on a wish tree, with 4bar sized cards. I am going to put them on their own table with instructions, pens, and some sort of clever receptacle as yet undefined. I read somewhere that if you want everyone to sign the guestbook you actually need a guestbook mafia to haul it around to the tables during the reception to catch everyone who didn’t take the time upon arrival. Since we are not doing a receiving line, I though we could either place extra cards, pens, and instructions on each table, or take them around with us, and people who hadn’t already completed one could conveniently do it right at the table and drop it in the basket (or whatever) at any time. You could do that with your sheets as well - maybe designate some of your attendants to take them around at some point in the reception.
that is so freakin’ adorable! what are you planning to do with the crumpled paper after the wedding? my lack of creativity in that areas is what keeps me from exploring some of the non-book guest book options.
Ok…
A) I love you
2) I can see the pics and they rock
3.f) we got everyone to sign our wish tree by having the band leader announce it a few times during the evening. Any by everyone, I mean, even I signed it…but somehow neither sets of our parents did. The excuse being…”I just never got over there”. Uh…I GOT OVER THERE!!!!
sorry…I digress.
Great job,
Dooce
PS - any ideas on how to keep people from actually throwing out their trash in the bucket? Or worse…your venue trashing all of them because of the receptacle?
This is hands down the best, most creative idea I’ve seen! How much would you charge to plan my Manhattan wedding? (I’m not joking.)
ok corn, YOU got over there?? what the heck did you write to yourself?!?! you crack me up!
la-bug: i echo corn’s points A and 2. i plan on having the DJ and ushers help remind the guests to sign, especially during the cocktail hour when people are most bored.
your ideas continue to rock my world. good job lovebug!
jann - i wrote a message to mr corn about how glad i was to have married him that day.
Perhaps the most insanely sweet and creative thing I’ve seen in a while. This is so awesome!
Love love love - is it weird that I now want a typewriter theme for no reason than it’s really cool?!
Although, thanks to Mrs Corn, I’m now really scared that your venue will chuck out all the notes at the end of the night … eeek!
Please make sure you tell them about it!
Maybe stick a note to the bottom of the inside saying “I know you did NOT just throw those in the trash!”
this is the best idea i have ever seen
Ah I love it. Miss Lovebug… you are my bee crush this week. This is a rockin guestbook. Can I toss something in the waste basket too???
Love the idea — it’s perfect for your shindig.
FI and I also want a unique guestbook, and the idea about which I’m most tickled is a calendar book, of sorts.
We’d like to ask our guests — who are celebrating such an important day with us — to help us remember THEIR important days (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) by writing them (along with a quip, well-wish, etc.) in a book.
The book’s the tricky part…I’m looking at custom-designing something (www.blurb.com?) that LOOKS like a date book, but doesn’t have specific days of the week for each date. So, December 25 is just December 25 — not tied to a Monday, or something like that. (Get it?)
I would SO use something like this, because I’m Little Miss Greeting Card — I could singlehandedly keep Hallmark in business — but it’s tough to keep everyone’s occasions straight, you know?
Anyway, sorry for the gargantuan post…I guess I was excited by your fun idea, and hoping to put mine out there for the Bees (and us wannaBEES) to read…and respond, if you so choose!
Fun concept! .. Except that it may be a lot of work to de-crumple each page and smooth it out for individual hole-punching. Maybe you should consider hole-punching them while they are still flat and stackable.
So cute!! You have the best ideas Miss LB. I have to get a xyron since you did so many cute things with it.
I echo Mrs Ant’s pre-hole punch idea— unless you plan to put them in sleeves or laminate them afterward.
As far as making sure it doesn’t get “emptied” by the cleaning staff, why not use my favorite tool– DUCT TAPE? Tape the bottom of the basket to the table along with a note, so if they do manage to pull it up, they will see “DO NOT EMPTY THIS BASKET– NOT TRASH!” The
sample crumpled papers would cover the note and duct tape comes in colors, so you could get black and have it blend in.
I would NOT put it by the bathroom, however. I think it would be too easy for someone to see the trash can and toss in their beer bottle or used Kleenex BEFORE they realize what its real purpose is.
Are you having a band or DJ? I’d stick it near them so they can direct people to it AND it’ll be easier to keep an eye on. You could also have it prominently placed during the cocktail hour.
What a unique idea (unique being quite the accomplishment in the wedding world) - your guests will get a big kick out of this! Bravo!
This is SO brilliant!!!
How about threading it with ribbons through the top and putting a “wishes only” tag on it?
Yay! I was convinced this idea was just going to get a bunch of “ummm…ok..?” responses. But you guys get it! *happy dance*
Ant and Kathy: AWESOME ideas, I will definitely do both of those things. And beanchar I prolly throw some duct tape on there, too, because duct tape needs to be in my wedding.
Will also make sure our catering manager knows the score.
Dooce: also a great idea; will tap the DJ to pull “reminder duty”.
E: ha! My ego thanks you, and I so would take a crack at it - alas, I am across the country.
Gingerbread: going to compress and compile them in a book for keepies.
Don Lovebug, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your daughter’s wedding [pause] on the wedding day of your daughter’s wedding [pause].
This has to be one of the greatest guest books in the history of wedding themes.
What kind of typewriter is that Miss Lovebug?
::covets the precious::
I have been following your wedding and your quest to include the typewriter/writing theme in every thing - this idea is the most incredible ever! very very good thinking, wow. I love it.
xoxo
Marla
http://ringdreamin.com/aisledreamin
lol, hilarious!
Sarah:
Thanks! That’s exactly what I’m talking about…still might DIY it somewhat, because I want it to fit with our colors, have fun pics interspersed, etc.
You “had planned” — did you not carry out the idea?
maybe you can put someone in charge of making sure the wastebasket is collected before the end of the nite and keep it in a safe spot for you two.
What a great idea!
This is so great… um… you’ve made my guestbook seem rather lame
I have to say, you have some really great ideas, I love reading your blog (and not just because I’m a fellow UA alumna who loves your pics of Tucson!).
seriously, you have to stop being so creative. love the idea!
Where did you get the pink resume paper? I am looking for something similar for my programs and can’t find it anywhere (love the guestbook idea also- fantastic!).
Genius Roark!
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