5 Alternative Guest Book Ideas That Need an Album
We love alternative guest book ideas because they take a time honored tradition such as collecting well wishes and signatures from your wedding guests, but putting a modern and fun spin on it.
Sometimes, you can run into issues with alternative guest books when you don't figure out what you'll do after the wedding or party with the little bits and pieces you had guests sign. Some of the bigger, bulkier ideas are easily displayed by hanging on a wall, but what about the ideas that consist of photos or message cards? These items can be easily lost or damaged if not stored correctly.
That's why we love the idea of having a gorgeous album, fitting the theme of your wedding or party, to display your guest book alternative notes and photos.
The photo guest book is an obvious one, but did you know that a traditional guest book may not be built for three dimensional items? The more photos and cards you add to a book not bound to hold photos, the more you risk of having your book spine splay. The fuller it gets, the more difficulty you'll have shutting it. The end result will be a warped book cover!
2. Post cards
We love all things vintage and travel related, so it's no secret that we LOVE the vintage post card guest book idea! Frame a few of your favorites, and put the rest in a custom and personalized clear sleeve photo album. That way, you can see the front and (most important!) the back with well wishes from your guests.
3. Message Cards
Message cards are a fantastic way to allow guests the freedom to write long messages. Sometimes, when guests have to write on the same page as others in a guest book, they don't write much as they don't want to take up too much room.
Message cards allow you the freedom to place them in an album in the order you'd like. You even have the opportunity to place a photo of the guest next to the message card they filled out once you have the photos from your wedding or party.
You can even mail message cards to guests who weren't able to attend - a great way for them to feel included!
Interactive games are a fun way for guests to stay entertained during the cocktail hour or while they wait for the person (or couple!) they're celebrating. Once guests fill out their madlibs, you can place them in an album for safe keeping. We designed this free wedding advice madlib for your to download and print in case you're still on the hunt for one!
Wishing trees are such pretty displays at weddings and other meaningful events. We love how they serve as a decorative element as well as a way to display the well wishes from your guests. Sometimes, you may not have the space to display your wishing tree in your home after the wedding or party. Over the years, and from move to move, the tree may become worn and damaged, or hanging message cards may fall off and get lost. We love the idea of including a photograph of the wishing tree in an album, along with all the hanging tags!
We recommend: Our Leather Rustic Album - it's rustic, natural, and has that old world look. Not to mention it works well for non-wedding alternative guest book ideas. We love the idea of rows and rows of handwritten tags filling the pages of this album.
Sometimes, you can run into issues with alternative guest books when you don't figure out what you'll do after the wedding or party with the little bits and pieces you had guests sign. Some of the bigger, bulkier ideas are easily displayed by hanging on a wall, but what about the ideas that consist of photos or message cards? These items can be easily lost or damaged if not stored correctly.
That's why we love the idea of having a gorgeous album, fitting the theme of your wedding or party, to display your guest book alternative notes and photos.
Our 5 Favorite Alternative Guest Book Ideas That Need an Album
1. Photo Booths & PolaroidsThe photo guest book is an obvious one, but did you know that a traditional guest book may not be built for three dimensional items? The more photos and cards you add to a book not bound to hold photos, the more you risk of having your book spine splay. The fuller it gets, the more difficulty you'll have shutting it. The end result will be a warped book cover!
2. Post cards
We love all things vintage and travel related, so it's no secret that we LOVE the vintage post card guest book idea! Frame a few of your favorites, and put the rest in a custom and personalized clear sleeve photo album. That way, you can see the front and (most important!) the back with well wishes from your guests.
3. Message Cards
Message cards are a fantastic way to allow guests the freedom to write long messages. Sometimes, when guests have to write on the same page as others in a guest book, they don't write much as they don't want to take up too much room.
Message cards allow you the freedom to place them in an album in the order you'd like. You even have the opportunity to place a photo of the guest next to the message card they filled out once you have the photos from your wedding or party.
You can even mail message cards to guests who weren't able to attend - a great way for them to feel included!
We recommend: Our Classic Albums or Post Bound Well Wishes Guest Book with Message Cards - not only can you have it made in a color of your choice, along with personalization, but the cover comes off so you can take out and rearrange pages. The pages and message cards are archival, so you can add photos as well!
4. MadlibsInteractive games are a fun way for guests to stay entertained during the cocktail hour or while they wait for the person (or couple!) they're celebrating. Once guests fill out their madlibs, you can place them in an album for safe keeping. We designed this free wedding advice madlib for your to download and print in case you're still on the hunt for one!
We Recommend: Our Artisan Albums - we love the way two madlibs look side by side in this 15.5 x 11.75 (inches) album. The pages are lovely, artists watercolor paper with deckled edges. The book is versatile so you can add artwork, madlibs, and photographs for a truly unique guest book album.
5. Wishing TreeWishing trees are such pretty displays at weddings and other meaningful events. We love how they serve as a decorative element as well as a way to display the well wishes from your guests. Sometimes, you may not have the space to display your wishing tree in your home after the wedding or party. Over the years, and from move to move, the tree may become worn and damaged, or hanging message cards may fall off and get lost. We love the idea of including a photograph of the wishing tree in an album, along with all the hanging tags!
We recommend: Our Leather Rustic Album - it's rustic, natural, and has that old world look. Not to mention it works well for non-wedding alternative guest book ideas. We love the idea of rows and rows of handwritten tags filling the pages of this album.
Mar 13th 2015
