Unique Ideas for a Wedding Guest Book

Having your guests sign your wedding guest book has been a tradition for years. But what do you do with it afterwards? Instead of keeping around a less than useful item into your marriage, why not try these unique ideas for a new type of wedding guest book.

Mat board 'guest book'

Purchase a thick Mat board with an accompanying frame. You can find these at a craft store or a framing store. You will want the Mat board to be thick, sturdy, and wide so that guests can write 'well wishes' and their names directly onto it. If you want to place a photo of you and your beloved in the center of the Mat board you can, but it isn't necessary until after it is signed. Keep an acid free set of pens beside the Mat board on a table where your guests walk in; be sure to include a sign that tells them to write on the board so they will know what it is for. After the wedding you can frame it with a wedding picture (black and white ones look great for this) and hang it on your wall. This way you can make use of the tradition in a way that it can be displayed all year long.

Vintage trunk 'guest book'

You can use a small craft trunk or a box for this 'guest book.' Keep a pen near the trunk or box that will write on the surface without bleeding; scrapbooking pens usually work well for this. Although it is a little bit more difficult to write on this type of shape, your guests will find it interesting. You can find vintage looking trunks at craft stores or novelty stores for less than $30. Be sure to get a small one so that it will be easily displayed in your home when the wedding is over. You can hold other keepsakes from your wedding safely inside as well.

Wedding bears 'guest book'

You can't use really fuzzy stuffed bears for this idea, but the beanie baby style works perfect. Choose a pair of white bears and add wedding accessories (a bouquet and veil to the girl and a top hat and tie to the boy). Using acid free markers that are designed for writing on fabrics, place these bears where they can be signed by your guests as they come in. You might want to check on them ever so often during the reception to make sure that a child has run off with them. They are just that cute.

Scrapbook page 'guest book'

If you are planning on making an elaborate scrapbook of your wedding day than using a scrapbooking page will facilitate the process. You will need to already have the scrapbook and design picked out so that you will know that the page is the right size, shape, and color for the finished project. Leave different colored markers and let your guests make the 'design' of the page for you. Afterwards you need only insert it into your scrapbook for memories to last for years to come.