electra films blog

What about a guest book?

posted by: Karrie on 20 April 2008

Bored with the guest books where Auntie Flo writes 'Be happy' and your bridesmaids make dodgy references to the hen party?

An original guest book alternative from All Fired Up

We film around 50 weddings a year so we see loads of great ideas.  We offer video guest messages which are really popular with guests and great to have at the end of your film.  Our tip is to film them somewhere fairly private to give guests the option to re-do their message if they feel nervous (or for a crowd of your friends to have fun!)

Our wedding blog gives guests a chance to leave you a message after the wedding, so you’ll know what a great time they had - like Aimee and Shaun’s guests in this example here.

A few more ideas to consider:

• A large photo of you both with a border for guests to write a message. (You could put black card over the space for your photo.) Put it on an easel with an attached pen for signing, and frame it later.

• An ‘invitation guest book’ - send guests a page to either sign or decorate before the wedding, including a self-addressed stamped envelope and helpful ideas such as photos, stories about the bride and groom, meaningful quotes, drawings or stickers.  It’s really personal and includes guests invited who can’t be at the wedding. You could compile a book for display at the reception!

• A signing plate. You choose a design and receive your plate with a special pencil. During the meal pass the plate round tables so guests can sign, then return it to the company for an artist to paint over the pencil signatures. It is glazed and baked so the memories stay permanent. All Fired Up offer this service from £109 including delivery.

• A ‘Wish Jar’.  Put gift tags by a large cookie jar and ask guests to make a wish for you and put it in the jar. Later you can put the wishes into a book or album and use the cookie jar for ... cookies! 

• Supply gift tags, a pen and ribbon so guests can hang marriage advice on your ‘Tree of Marriage Knowledge’, or ‘Wish Tree’ using pretty twigs arranged in a vase!

• A stainless steel tray with an engraving diamond tip pen for signatures.

• A plain apron with fabric dye pens. You may get useful recipes or household tips, but decide who’s wearing the apron!

Anyone got other ideas?  Share them by adding your comment or email me.