Guestbook alternatives

I think guestbooks are lame. I understand that they are useful in recording who was at your

wedding, but signing your name on a line is so boring. Most don't even have a spot to write well wishes for the couple. This is why I will be using a scrapbook as my "guestbook." I planned on making a scrapbook of my wedding day anyway since I think they're more personal and fun to look at than plain albums, so this idea should be perfect. I'm going to put some scrapbooking pens up at the guestbook stand and have guests write little messages yearbook-style on the pages, then when I get my photos back from the wedding I can put them in the scrapbook and use the guest signature pages to space them apart. That way everytime FI and I look back on our special day we can read the comments of all our loved ones who shared the day with us.

Here's an example of what the book will look like.

For anyone else who wants an alternative to the standard guestbook, I found a few other unique ideas.

Polaroid guestbook: This would be great for brides who are renting a photo booth for the wedding. Those machines usually give copies so guests can take one home and use the other to put in a book using glue sticks or specially ordered books that come equipped with a window you can slide photos down into. If you're not so priveleged to have a photo booth you can always accomplish this type of guestbook with a Polaroid camera. After guests have their picture in the book they can write a sentimental note beside it to be cherished for years to come.

Photo mat guestbook: Guests sign their names around a large photo of the couple and then it is displayed in the bride and groom's home. This same idea can also be applied to a decorative serving platter. I've seen this done at lots of weddings.

Quilt square guestbook: I recently attended a wedding where the wedding planner had cut white fabric into little squares and placed them on a table beside some Sharpie fabric markers. All the guests took a piece of fabric and wrote their sentiments to the bride and groom and then placed their square in a basket. After the ceremony the squares were taken and made into a quilt. How sweet!

Puzzle guestbook: I think this is a really fun idea. I came across a site called mgcpuzzles.com that specializes in puzzle piece guestbooks. You simply submit a favorite photo of you and your significant other or some kind of love themed picture or poem and the fine folks at this website will make a custom puzzle for you. During your wedding leave the puzzle apart and let guests write a message on the back of the pieces. Later on when your and your hubby are putting the puzzle together, you can take a moment to read what all your guests had to say.

Wishing tree guestbook: You can put long, cascading branches in a vase and decorate them with beaded/crystal garland or spray paint them for some color. Have slips of paper on the guestbook table with a ribbon loop attached so that guests can write a wish for the couple then hang it on the tree. Google some images of a wishing tree guestbook and you'll see how beautiful this can turn out.