Weddingbee Blog

Recently, Mr. Snow Cone turned to me and made this official proclamation: “We should figure out what we’re going to have people sign at the wedding.” I met this comment with a combination of surprise and bemusement; he rarely contemplates wedding-planning details, let alone taking the initiative to bring them up in conversation. But when he does, it’s quite endearing, to say the least.

Anyhow, his comment got me thinking about the different guestbook options we have. There’s always the traditional route of having people simply sign their names in a lined book so the couple has a record of who attended their special day. However, in today’s wedding world, there are so many more options with a bit more personality. After a bit of thought and a bit of online research, here’s a completely un-exhaustive list of ideas, broken into categories based on what you want out of your guestbook selection.

For those interested in showing off a passion:

You can have all your guests sign a cherished (or personalized) jersey or piece of sporting equipment, showing off your favorite team!

Image via Chica and Jo

Have guests sign a handful of your favorite bottles of wine. Some couples even assign a specific milestone to each bottle, denoting when they will open it in celebration, such as their one-year anniversary, closing of their first home purchase, birth of their first child, etc.

Image via Saskatoon Bride / Photo by Picture That Photography

For those interested in having something to display year round:

This one’s made its rounds on the blog circuit, but that doesn’t make it any less charming. Have your friends and family “leaf” you a note, courtesy of their fingerprints and signatures.

Image via GreyDogDesigns on Etsy

Lots of couples pick a favorite piece of art or a great engagement picture to have matted, and the guests add their John Hancocks to the mat, making a display-worthy guestbook.

Image via The Wise Bride’s Guide

For those interested in having a guestbook that can be stored out of sight:

If you’re looking for an opportunity to have your guests write some advice, as opposed to just a signature, then marriage advice cards are a good option for you. Put the advice cards in a photo album, and it’s a snap to slide it onto a bookcase, out of the way.

Image via EdenWedding Studio on Etsy

A bunch of sites produce really high-quality photo books—Snapfish, AdoramaPix, and Mixbook, for example. Create a digital scrapbook of your favorite engagement pictures and/or your favorite pictures from your courtship, leaving space on the pages for your guests to sign.

Image via Fairy Tale Wedding

Not interested in seeing more of yourself? Consider a coffee-table book highlighting your wedding location, where you met, or your honeymoon destination. Here’s one featuring Washington, D.C.

Image via Wish Special Events

Which option is your favorite? What guestbook options did I miss?