Creative Guest Book Ideas That Will Last Long After the Wedding

Wedding guest books originated from the Victorian Era. It’s purpose was to serve as a formal record of the wedding attendees. Over the years, this tradition has evolved into not just a record of wedding guests, but a way to leave messages to the happy couple and has evolved into a treasured keepsake. 

A wedding guest book is more than just a collection of your guests’ signatures. It truly is a keepsake filled with warm wishes, memories and is something that will spark memories of the day you said “yes” to forever. Traditional guest books are timeless and classic, but many couples are looking for creative alternatives that fit their vibe and go beyond the typical pen and paper. There are many imaginative ideas that will get your guests excited and create memories for the couple for many years to come. 

We’ve compiled some of our favorite guest book ideas to keep the memories alive after the wedding day has passed. 

#01: The Classic Polaroid Photo Book 

We love a good photo booth or classic polaroids. Over the decade, this has become one of the most popular alternatives to the classic guest book. Set up a photo station, or hire a photo booth, with an instant camera and plenty of film. Guests can visit the station, snap a photo or two (trust us – they will have a blast) and glue it in a photo album. Encourage your guests to write messages, or a note next to their pictures. Not only is this a fun way to view all your wedding attendees but you’ll get to see their personalities shine – and let’s face it — IT IS FUN. 

#02: Wishing Tree

You’ll want to look for a tree, fake or real, with nice thick trunks and ample branches. Place a piece of cardstock with simple directions, to include your guests writing their well wishes to the couple, then it can be gently hung on the tree. We’ve seen custom trees made from Etsy, or DIY tresses with branches in floral foam to save on your budget. It’s a fun creative way to engage your guests and looks beautiful in photos!

#03: Signing Something Special 

Often couples may bring in something that is prized to them. Think about something you and your partner love. Perhaps it’s playing music on a guitar, a favorite picture of you two, or a vinyl record of your first song. Leave craft pens for your guests and ask them to sign your item. This will be a beautiful way to display a little something from your wedding day and highlights something you and your partner love. 

#04: Date Jar

This is a fun one and requires a little bit of adventure. Grab a jar, or basket, put out some card stocks and pens and ask your guests to share your best date ideas. This is something that can be implemented for many years to come – maybe you select a date monthly! You’ll have a fun reminder of your wedding and your family and friends will have the opportunity to share things they love and get a little bit creative. 

#05: Recipes and Cookbooks 

Are you a big fan of cooking or baking? Pull out a favorite recipe book of yours and have your guests sign and leave you a message! It will be a fun memento when you’re cooking something delicious. Or, ask your guests to bring a copy of their favorite recipe! This one definitely takes some prep work, as you’ll need to clearly communicate with your guests prior to the wedding. You can add a blank recipe card in the save the date or invitation and direct your guests to bring it to the wedding. Recipes can be compiled at the guest book table in a beautiful recipe box. 

#06: Leave a Voice Note

There are more vendors popping up that support creative guest books! Specifically, we adore vintage telephone guest book vendors! Guests can pick up the physical phone, leave a message and wish the couple well. The message will be recorded and the couple is able to save and playback the messages for many years to come! 

#07: Message in a Bottle 

If you’re holding a beach or coastal wedding – this one is for you! Find a gorgeous glass bottle, sea glass would be a fun addition, too! Ask your guest to write a message, roll it up, and pop it in the bottle. The couple will be able to read your memories for many years to come! It is a great way for couples to express their excitement, love, and share encouragement for your life together. 

#08: You’ve Got Mail! 

Find a cute vintage mail box and some postcards. The postcards can be local or around the world – let the internet and your creativity guide you! Ask your guests to pick a post card of their choice, write a message, and sign their names! They can drop it in the mailbox when they’ve completed it! This is such a perfect addition for a rustic or vintage wedding. 

#09: Type it Out 

Snag an old typewriter from eBay or your local antique store, load it with paper, and ask your guests to type you a message. This is such a fun way to create a custom piece of art work and who doesn’t love classic type font! When the wedding is over, you can frame the messages or bind them in a book as a keepsake. 

#10: Anniversary Bottles 

If you’re a fan of an adult beverage, buy a few bottles of your favorite wines, or a hard liquor and ask your guest to sign their names on the bottles. This collection of bottles can be used yearly on your anniversary, or for special occasions. But, ensure it’s something that will last over time and not go sour. 

Whatever you choose, your guest book should reflect not only your wedding theme, but your personalities and encompass how you want to remember the day. Whether you opt for the classic guest book, or an alternative guest book, having something to cherish the memories of your wedding day and those you spent it with is priceless. Flowers wilt, you may sell that old wedding decor on Facebook Marketplace, but your guest book will be how you remember the people you spent one of the most important days of your life with. Get creative, have fun with it and make it last. 

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 20 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

The Best Tips for Out-of-Town Guests to Feel Extra Loved on Your Big Day

Planning a wedding is full of decisions, high and low emotions, and anticipation. Through the chaos, one important detail that can sometimes be overlooked, is how to care for your guests who have traveled wide and far to celebrate with you. It’s often easy to forget how much of an effort your loved ones make to make it to your wedding. Whether it is just a few hours of travel, or jet setting around the country or globe, your guests work hard to be at your celebration. Showing them a little extra love and appreciation can go a long way in making your wedding weekend unforgettable for everyone. 

If you are wondering how to make your out-of-town guests feel truly welcomed and cherished, we’ve compiled some tips to ensure their experience is just as memorable as yours! 

#01: Send Save the Dates Early 

If your guests need to arrange travel, early notice is absolutely essential. Be sure to send out your save the dates 6 to 8 months in advance, especially if your wedding is during a busy travel season, or located at a popular destination. This gives guests ample time to look for affordable travel options, book flights, request time off of work, and secure accommodations. It is also helpful to include any additional information for your guests, whether on your save the date, or on a separate accommodations and itinerary card. 

#02: Accommodation Support

It’s helpful to take the guesswork out of accommodations for your guests. If they are not from the area, it is helpful to recommend areas or places to stay, or reserve a block of rooms at a one or two hotels close to your venue. Try to offer different price points for your guests, traveling does get expensive. Then, guests can select the accommodation that works best for them. This helps your guests save time and money, typically you can get a discount for booking a block of rooms. You’ll want to include hotel or accommodation names, addresses, and booking codes. Ensure you provide a deadline to book the reservation. All of this information can be included on accommodation information cards or on your wedding website. 

#03: Welcome Bags

One of the sweetest ways to greet guests who have traveled far, is to give them a welcome bag or basket at check in. This doesn’t have to break the bank, but can include a few items. 

Some items to include are: 

• Bottled water 

• Snacks (local, sweet and salty) 

• Mini toiletries

• A weekend itinerary 

• A local map or guide

• A hand written note 

• Anything else fun or local!

This helps guests feel immediately informed and appreciated. If you’re interested in welcome bags for your guests, be sure to visit our blog on how to create budget friendly welcome bags that your guests will actually want!

#04: Build a Wedding Website

You don’t have to be a programmer to build a wedding website. There are so many user-friendly platforms out there. We highly suggest you create a wedding website for guests to check in and receive updates on information. Your wedding website should serve as the central location of information. It should include everything your guests need to know for your wedding day. You will want to include: 

• Hotel and accommodation recommendations 

• Hotel block information

• Venue addresses, with maps or links

• Transportation options 

• Dress code 

• Weather updates/reminders

• Weekend itinerary 

• Local attractions and emergency contacts 

Guests can reference your wedding website anytime they want. And the best part, is you don’t have to answer the same question over and over via text or call. 

#05: Offer Transportation (If Possible) 

If your ceremony and reception are in different locations, or if the venue is off the path, consider booking a shuttle to transport your guest. Many hotels offer shuttles and may be able to accommodate for an extra fee. It helps reduce the stress of navigation and driving, especially if it’s an unfamiliar area. It also decreases the need for your out of town guests to spend additional money on rental cars. 

#06: Host a Welcome Night 

You don’t have to roll out the red carpet, but you can host a casual welcome party. Order appetizers for the party as a whole and have fun. This allows you to mingle with your guests outside of the wedding and spend quality time, especially those who came from out of town. It’s the perfect time to break the ice and kick back before your wedding day. 

#07: Be Gracious 

Take a moment during your speech or toast to acknowledge those who traveled long distances to be there. It doesn’t have to be a long segment, but a heartfelt thank you goes a long way.

Your guests will feel seen and appreciated, and your acknowledgment may be one of their favorite moments from the evening. After the wedding, take time to write personal thank-you cards to your guests, especially those who traveled far. Mention their presence specifically and how much it meant to you that they made the journey.

Your out-of-town guests have invested time, money, and energy to be by your side, so finding ways to return that love, even in small gestures, will be greatly appreciated. These thoughtful tips not only enhance their experience, but they also deepen the meaning of your celebration by creating a warm atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and loved.

At the end of the day, your wedding isn’t just about you and your partner, it’s about the community that supports you, near or far. So go ahead and shower your traveling guests with a little extra love. You’ll be creating unforgettable memories for everyone involved.

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 20 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

From Vision Board to Reality: How to Turn Your Pinterest Pins into a Wedding Plan

It always starts with one innocent click. Then another and another. You pin a dreamy bouquet, a twinkling tablescape, or the perfect lace dress, and before you know it, you’re knee-deep into a pinterest board titled “Dream Wedding”. While in actuality, there are 335 pins and new real clue to even begin. Does this sound a little bit familiar? Whether you are newly engaged or finally ready to turn your wedding dreams into action, your Pinterest board can be either your biggest asset or biggest overwhelm. The good news? With the right strategy, you can absolutely turn that digital dreamscape into a tangible organized wedding that is totally you and your partner. 

Here’s how to go from pinning to planning, without losing your mind, or your budget. 

Step 1: Clean Up Your Vision Boards

First thing first, it’s time to downsize those pins. Let’s face it, your board probably needs a little decluttering. Chances are, you’ve pinned everything from a rustic barn wedding, to a luxe ballroom affair. And while dreaming big is part of the fun, having a hundred different styles on one board won’t help you make the real decisions. 

To clean up your vision boards, ask yourself these simple questions. 

• What pins do I keep coming back to? 

• Are there any repeating colors, styles, or vibes?

• What feels like us.. And just not what looks pretty.

Create mini boards that are based on categories to help you clean up your choices. Start with the categories that online your florals, dresses, reception decor, lighting, and overall wedding themes or vibes. This will help you organize the chaos of one big board and you’ll start to notice trends of items you’ve pinned. 

Step 2: Define Your Wedding Style 

Once you’ve narrowed down and cleaned up your boards, it’s time to get clear and define your overall wedding aesthetic. This does not have to be super specific at first, but you’ll need to think in terms of moods and feelings. Are you going for… 

• Romantic and elegant? 

• Boho and laid back? 

• Modern and sustainable? 

• Classic with a Twist 

Think of this as your wedding brand. It will help guide your decisions from venue to dress and signage. Choose 3-5 words that describe your ideal wedding. For example, intimate, colorful, joyful or timeless. These will become your wedding compass. 

Step 3: Match Your PIns to Reality and Budget

Pinterest is inspiring. But, it can be unrealistic when it comes to many budgets. It is full of $10,000 flower walls, couture gowns, and tablescapes that took 12 hours to set. And honestly, with the increase of AI, many of these pictures are not real. 

You’ll need to be honest about what you love and what you can realistically do. You’ll need to think about the elements that matter most to you (think about your priorities!) and whether you’re wanting to DIY or if it’s best to just hire a pro. 

You can pin a hanging floral installation, and perhaps you can figure out the logistics to recreate it with greenery and local blooms. Or you may opt for a simpler version over your sweetheart table rather than your whole ceiling. 

Step 4: Build Your Real-Life Mood Board 

Now that you’ve curated and clarified your Pinterest vision, it is time to translate it into something actionable. It’s time to enter the wedding mood board. 

You will want to include: 

• Color Palette (try to use 5 core tones, 2 base colors, 2 accents, and 1 pop) 

• Textures (linen, wood, metallics etc.) 

• Key inspirations – key word is KEY (max 10 photos)

• Font or type style you like if you’re designing signs or stationary

• A few vibe words for context

You can create your mood board digitally, we love using Canva for this. Or you can go with old-school printed images and snag some fabric swatches. This mood board is important. It is your guide for vendors, your planner, and everyone else. It keeps your team on the same page. 

Step 5: Use Your Pins to Guide Vendor Conversations 

This is where all of your work with Pinterest starts to pay off. You’ll meet with vendors, whether it is a florist, planner, or baker. You can bring your curated board and mood boards along. 

Show, don’t tell – photos honestly help communicate ideas more clearly than words alone. Be open to their feedback, a good vendor will tell you what’s feasible, what's not and what's a smart alternative. You can ask how they’d interpret your vision – their creativity might surprise you. 

Vendors love a prepared couple. But, vendors also thrive on flexibility. Be open to their suggestions while staying true to your aesthetic.

Step 6: Turn Pins into a Practical Checklist

You’ve dreamed it, Now it’s time to do it. Use your favorite pins to start shaping your wedding checklist. Each pin you love likely represents a task or decision, such as: 

• Ceremony backdrop: hire a rental company or DIY it? 

• Reception lighting: venue-provided or do you need to hire a vendor?

• Signature cocktail: do you create a custom menu card, or hand written sign? 

Break down your pins into actionable items and deadlines, so your inspiration leads to actual planning. Use a wedding planning app, or create a spreadsheet to track which pins turn into plans and which ones can be archived. 

Step 7: Stay Grounded and Have Fun 

Here is the thing about PInterest or even instagram. It is never ending. You can pin forever. But, there has to be some point, where you pause the inspiration and start embracing the real magic, which is the part where your wedding day becomes a living breathing celebration of love. You’ll want to avoid the trap of comparing your wedding to styled shoots, AI, or influencer events. Avoid feeling like your wedding isn’t “enough” and don’t get stuck in perfection mode. At the end of the day, the most unforgettable weddings aren’t “Pinterest perfect” they are filled with joy, love, connection, and personality. 

Your Pinterest board is more than just pretty pictures. It’s a roadmap to the wedding you’ve imagined and the kind that feels like you and your partner. With a little intentionality, some thoughtful edits, and a whole lot of heart, you can absolutely bring your pins to life in a way that’s personal, practical, and completely beautiful. So have some fun, pin that bouquet, send your favorite screen shot to your best, and dream big. But don’t forget, the best part of any wedding is the love story behind it. 

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Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 20 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.