From the very beginning this has been our wedding. We’ve included lots of elements that are strictly us and I’m very fortunate in that mommy Macarons has been on board with just about everything. What’s the one point of tension?
Image via TheWeddingOutlet
Macs and I aren’t exactly fans, I loathe them in fact. I always feel under pressure to write something amazing and it’s only made worse because I know other guests can read what I’ve written. Since a guest book is meant to serve as a reminder of those that celebrated with you, why not have something with a little more presence?
Image via Etsy seller Bleu de Toi
We too fell in love with the thumbprint guest books that have become oh-so-popular, but with good reason; they’re absolutely beautiful. When I showed Momma Macs several months back she was a bit confused and our conversation went a lot like this:
“Okay, but what about your guest book?”
“This is our guest book”
“No. That’s not a guest book”
Lets just say I quickly changed subjects and never brought it up again. Fast forward to my final dress fitting (it was perfect by the way!) where she broached the subject again.
“Did you ever get a guest book? Because I bought you one”
“Oh…what’s it look like?”
“Here, what do you think?”
Lets just say if we were to get one in addition to our thumb print one it wasn’t what we had in mind. I had two options:
We went with option 2. Etsy has a lot of nice options but it was a bit of a challenge finding one ready to ship like yesterday. Here were a few of our contenders:
This one by EmersonBindery is a bit more traditional but I love the open binding.
Peridotart makes these mini hardcover books which I find totally adorable.
Renovatedbooks converts old books into journals. While I love the graphic simplicity of the cover I thought our guests might be a bit confused when they flip through and see recipes every few pages.
So what did we go with? A book wrapped in a old photo of the Seine.
Image via Darkfireworks
Sure it doesn’t go with the rest of our decor but on the last day of our Bunnymoon we took a cruise around Paris. It wasn’t something we originally planned to do but I’m so glad we did. It gave us a different perspective of Paris and is one of my favorite parts of our trip.
Are you having two guest books as a means of keeping peace?
You could always use the kind that have little envelopes inside, so guests can write personal notes and not have them read by everyone else that is writing one!
Way to compromise! Gah I love that Thumbprint one, it’s so fun. What you chose is beautiful and I love the meaning!
I am fully expecting to hear a story on the news one day about someone that’s gone missing, but luckily their thumbprint was on a friend’s “guestbook” and was used to track them down.
We have a traditional guestbook, but I’m so drawn to the poster-style ones that who knows – I just may add it at the last minute. I love the way the thumbprint ones look after the fact, but I’m still so fussy and wondering if people will want to walk around with inky hands. I know, I know – it doesn’t seem to be an issue, and you can always do hand wipes or something. But it still bugs me for some reason. I do love the ones you can sign, though, like the Martha Stewart printable Love poster.
Good compromise! I’m slightly obsessed with the thumbprint guestbook, makes me wish I had done that! Our original guestbook fell through (due to a flaky etsy vendor) and we pulled one out two days before the wedding. So we kinda had two.
We are having two guestbooks – one formal and one informal. The formal guest book will be at the church only – it was a gift from my Aunt. The informal book is a hard cover book we made with our engagement pictures which guest are invited to sign, give best wishes, or tell a story.
I was all excited about guestbooks at first, but now I wonder what we’re supposed to do with it after (and if we should even bother with it!). I also have yet to go to a wedding where it was anything but the typical book – I wonder if people would understand the thumbprint ones! Though I think they are a cool alternative!
I’m barely two months into planning and… yep.. Finger print and a photo guestbook with our engagement pics and blank space to sign.
I’m with you. I have guestbooks… But mom seemed so sad when I said we wouldn’t have a signing book…
@Miss Ladyfingers: GAH! Now you’ve got me irrationally worried about inky fingers touching my dress! I picked up a box of baby wipes for the table, hopefully they’ll do the trick.
I was wondering the same thing about ink on fingers for the fingerprint guestbook!
My manperson is a police officer. I showed him pictures of thumb print guest books (guest pictures?) and he just laughed and thought everyone would be super suspicious of why we’d want their thumb prints…
I’m super jealous and congrats!
Mrs. Macarons, Tampa Age and Occupation: 26, Graphic Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Renaissance Man Engagement Date: September 12, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Lange Farm About Me: I'm creative at heart and a graphic designer with an unhealthy obsession with type. I love roller coasters, spicy foods, and a good glass of Crianza. We’re planning a soft and lovely vintage-meets-modern wedding in a state that’s known for its beaches, glitz and glam. I have a ton of DIY projects and lots of little details I’m dying to share and can't wait to celebrate with our closest friends and family.
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