Your wedding is an extraordinary moment in your life. Still, if you ask any married couple how they felt they will probably tell you that on their big day time flew way too fast. There are lots of emotions going through and you might forget who you talked to from your guests, how you felt, or the general atmosphere. A unique way to keep all those moments and remember your wedding guests is through a wedding guest book.
Before we dive in, you need to know there are plenty of wedding guest book ideas, from the classic approach to modern alternatives. The choice depends on the theme of your wedding, the number of guests and your personality, of course. Whatever you choose, it will be perfect, because it will become a part of your special day.
Let’s now see some great custom guest books to inspire and help you choose the most suited for you and your spouse.
I found that some of the best-personalized guest book options can be found on Etsy. Sure there are other companies who sell them, too, but for custom orders you can easily keep track of, Etsy would be my recommendation.
A traditional guest book is definitely an elegant choice for your photo book. You can choose from different textures, materials, lettering options and make it a wonderful keepsake that you will always treasure.
Traditional linen cover wedding guest book
Image credit: Green Antlers Photography
£28 | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Image credit: Etsy
£91+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Wedding guestbooks will offer plenty of space for your guests to write their sweet messages and wishes. This is an important detail especially if you aim for a large guest list. It also gives your guests something fun to do throughout the evening.
For married couples, memories become more and more precious with the passing of time. You can make it even more special from the very beginning by getting a custom guest book. A personalized cover using gold, silver, or metallic foil guest book is a sweet touch and an easy way to personalize it. You can also add your wedding date on the cover. I found some lovely options for Etsy I really wanted to share with you.
Image credit: Etsy
£45+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Image credit: Etsy
£45+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Watercolour custom wedding guest book
Image credit: Etsy
£45+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Maybe you like the traditional wedding guest books, but you still need some original touch.
Here you have custom guest books with minimalist details such as wood or handwriting font.
Image credit: Etsy
£33+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Image credit: Etsy
£45+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Polaroid camera for your wedding guest book
If you like this idea, another great option is to get a polaroid camera. You engage your guests into taking selfies and turn it into a wedding guest book full of polaroids. Guests can also add their best wishes as well, of course!
These are some of the most popular Polaroid cameras I see at weddings.
Photo Booth with wedding book
You will need quite a few films for your polaroid throughout the evening, so a better use for your money would probably be to hire a photo booth instead. You would come to roughly the same price, but your guests also go home with a copy of the print from the booth. They can also take as many as they want throughout the night, so definitely worth the price.
So it happens, we do own one of the best photo booths in the Cotswolds and you also get a guest book, of course! See more details about Mad Hat Photo Booth here.
Leather cover custom wedding book
Image credit: Etsy
£27+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Rustic wedding guest book ideas
Also, everything revolving around the rustic wedding theme will have a lovely touch.
Choosing a rustic wedding guest book with a modern touch, are some creative ways to blend with all the decorations and become a real statement.
These types of wedding guest books come in different sizes or shapes and you personalize them as you wish. Check this one out:
Image credit: Etsy
£28+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Wooden Wedding guest book
Definitely, this one is a great idea with hand-painted and engraved wooden covers that make it a piece of art in itself.
Image credit: Etsy
£43+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
This wooden wedding guest book has such amazing floral details that will fit just perfectly in a wedding garden reception and afterward in your home.
Image credit: Etsy
£22+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Heart-shaped alternative idea for guest book
There are so many fun options to choose from, so this modern heart-shaped wedding guest book is such a fun twist, isn’t it?
Image credit: Etsy
£28+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
If you might prefer a more modern approach, then you need to know that possibilities are neverending. The shape, the material, and the ways to personalize it turn your choice of an alternative wedding guest book into a labor of love. A fun and creative one, for sure!
Image credit: Etsy
£84 | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Custom name guest book idea
Image credit: Etsy
£28+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Image credit: Etsy
£20+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
If you feel that your wedding guest book needs to stick in your house as a decoration and remind you of your truly unique day, then you need to check out these ideas:
Image credit: Etsy
£54+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Image credit: Etsy
£72+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
An alternative wedding guest book can also come in the shape of a couple’s portrait on a canvas. The Etsy seller will design it with the help of your photos and will add whatever you wish, including your pets. Your guests will make it extra special with their wishes on.
Image credit: Etsy
£72+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Jenga blocks for guest wishes as alternative to guest book
I could not stop here without also sharing these and if you fall for one, an Etsy seller will be able to customize it to your liking.
Image credit: Etsy
£27+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Image credit: Etsy
£33+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
What is even better is that your guests will play along. Sweet messages will be delivered in an original shape, such as this original canvas:
Image credit: Etsy
£90+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
Most creative idea for wedding guest book
If you feel like escaping the writing part, then a thumbprint wedding guest book with handwritten names can be what you are looking for. What is truly special is that your guests’ thumbprints will be set on musical lines and become your unique song. 
Image credit: Etsy
£36+ | BUY HERE OR SEE MORE DETAILS
THE END/ TIPS / THOUGHTS
How to choose my wedding guest book?
When choosing your wedding guest book, consider the general theme, the amount of space you need for your guests to write, your own personality, and how you would like to store it afterward.
There is no such thing as perfect wedding guest books. Whatever you fancy, this is the best time to do it.
What is an alternative wedding guest book?
Alternative wedding guest books come in various shapes, other than plainly printed books. Made of canvas, wood, glass, or even games, such as Jenga or puzzle, they bring an original touch to your wedding reception and afterward as a possible home decoration.
What are the best choices for a traditional and an alternative wedding guest book?
My soft spot in the list of traditional wedding guest books is one with a flowery design and gold foil. It has such impressive details that will turn it into a beautiful keepsake. You can opt for a more modern guest book, with so many gorgeous options for you to choose from.
On the infinite list of alternative wedding guest book ideas, the utmost original idea is the wedding guests’ thumbprints that make up a song on a spreadsheet.
A really fun thing to do on your first year anniversary (in your new home may be) would be to go through your guest book, of course! Many fun memories will come to mind.
Since our beloved other business is Mad Hat Photo Booth, I’ll end with this: if you’re planning for a guest book, why not also add some entertainment to the evening in the price? you will have hours of fun for everyone and such great memories to treasure after!
Happy wedding planning!
