I am not a fan of the traditional guestbook.
Borrring.
Image via My Dream Wedding
Luckily, I have seen so many fun and creative ideas for ways to record guests’ attendance. I am having a hard time choosing one that I like best!
Thumbprint trees (also cute when the person signs the thumbprint):
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Image via Wedzu
A signature frame:
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Image via Wedding by Color
Adding signatures to a poster with your wedding date and info and a colorful graphic:
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Image via Martha Stewart Weddings
To get away from framed paper, you could ask for advice:
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Image via Marry This
Or maybe just forget the paper completely and have guests sign Jenga blocks instead?
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Image via Style Me Pretty / Photo by Taylor Lord Photography
Or how about a bench?!
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Image via Mrs. Sand Dollar on Weddingbee
We won’t be able to do anything too large, like a bench, as we won’t be able to get it back home from Texas to NYC! (Kind of a bummer, because I think the bench is really neat—and I have since learned that this is actually the one Mrs. Sand Dollar made for her wedding!)
So, to keep it simple but still a little different, I think I will go for something that is kind of a mash-up of the signature frame and the poster, like a cool print that everyone can sign. I really like the idea of being able to hang it on our wall afterward.
This print is the front-runner at the moment:
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Print by thebigharumph on Etsy
I’ve asked if the seller can make the print on a larger paper size in order to have enough room for everyone to sign around it, and that is definitely possible. I also like that it incorporates our wedding location but isn’t overtly wedding-y. Mr. C and I are not fans of creating a “wedding altar” at home. (You know what I’m talking about!)
What do you think? And what are you planning to do for your guestbook?
I love it. I’m not sure whether we will do something similar that can be framed, or a photo book.
I really like this idea, especially since you’re having an “away from home” wedding, it’s a great way to have something from the place you tied the knot.
I love this idea! I am now trying to think of a way to incorporate this into our wedding, lol. We are doing a wishing tree for ours, and we are scrap booking the wishes after the wedding and keeping the tree as decoration.
MY FI is a musician and i wanted to make sure his great passion in life was represented at the wedding so we chose a white electric guitar and will be having all our guest sign it! Because honestly doesnt everyone want to sign a guitar at some point like a rock star?! It will then take up a hook on our wall, along with the other 20 guitars in our home. -lol- and will be a piece of art to enjoy for a long time. 
We’re doing the photobook. I just love it! We ordered it from Shutterfly and it turned out amazing.
I love this idea, a great way to remember your wedding without it screaming “Cauldron Wedding”. Also, my Aunt had a wedding altar (or shrine), it was …weird.
We did a calendar and had all of our guests sign their name on their birthday! They loved it and it is a really fun (and useful) keepsake for us!
Thanks all!
@madger: That’s a great idea…stay tuned for another post from me on this same topic!
I love the idea of the framed cutout. We did a frame with photos spelling our last name.
We’re using a vintage typewriter!
I totally love unique guest book alternatives. The framed graphic of Texas is awesome. We’re having our guests sign a hockey jersey!
super cute idea! I like how the art will reflect you and your wedding, without being so in your face! It will make incorporating it into your home much easier!
I was going to do the tree with thumb prints for my wedding, but that jenga idea is so awesome that it might be in the running now.
I love the idea of the Texas print!! We did a finger print house as opposed to a tree.. I drew it like the UP house, and the finger prints were balloons (well, some of them were, anyway!). People seemed to really like it, and I adore how it came out!
So you just gave me my idea I think!
Now I want to make a large map of the pacific northwest (where everyone will likely be from) and have people sign near where they live. Will get crowded if its not huge – but we love big maps!
OMG! I LOVE the calendar idea!!! I just googled “leatherbound calendar” and found a REALLY nice leather book that has about 10 lines for each day. That way my guests can write their marital advice under their birthday! Oh man – WHAT a GREAT keepsake and something I will DEFINITELY look at again! WOW! I’m so happy I logged on today!
Miss Cauldron, New York City/Austin Age and Occupation: 33, Human Resources Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Technology Engagement Date: October 8, 2011 Wedding Date: September 2012 Venue: Pecan Grove at the Salt Lick About Me: I grew up in the Lone Star State, but moved to NYC after college to get a taste of the Big Apple, and never left. I love baking, yoga, Mr. C, and sunshine (not necessarily in that order)! Mr. C and I met on Match.com back in 2007, and our second date was at a Texas barbecue restaurant in Manhattan. It’s only fitting that after almost five years together, we are getting married at an iconic Texas barbecue joint. (Shiner Bock and brisket, anyone?) I’m proud of the life we have built together around our love for each other, Mr. C’s crazy dog Bosley, and fun sailing adventures on our boat, and I’m looking forward to celebrating our marriage at one seriously awesome party in September.
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