If you want your guest book to be more than just signatures on a page, listen up!
In this blog post, we’re sharing the most unusual wedding guest book alternatives to prove there’s more than just a book you can flip through once (and place on a bookshelf for years to come).
From vinyl records to wall art, and tumbling tower games to wine barrels, we’ll show you all the cool and unusual ways to ask loved ones to sign in at your wedding with a fun alternative.
We’ll also cover some frequently asked questions: does anyone use a guest book anymore? Actually, now more than ever… find out why!
Are guest books still used at weddings?
Yes! Guest books of all kinds are still in use at weddings. I think all weddings should have one, even if it is very simple; it is nice to have a ledge of guests’ names and a guest book makes a wonderful keepsake. With the alternatives now available, we’re finding couples using guest book alternatives more than ever.
What is a guest book alternative?
Simply put, an alternative is a twist on the original, which was a simple book with lines for guests to sign their names. A book is cool and all, but you can make it more memorable with one of these alternative wedding guest books. We’re calling them “books” but most of them are not books at all, but rather a collection of signatures of guests.
What is the most popular guest book for 2023?
The audio guest book is the most popular; the second choice is the vinyl record guest book. And thirdly, the wedding guest book with photos is another popular alternative.
Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
1. Audio Guest Book
Ah, the audio guest book: perhaps one of 2023’s best-kept secrets! Here’s how it works: guests pick up the phone and leave a message at the tone. The message is saved digitally and you get the file at the end with guests’ audio messages. How cool is that? You can get a phone built for an audio guest book, or try a serice like FeteFone.
Then you’ll use one of these guest book signs so guests know how to do it! Sign by SweetRainPaperie.
2. Vinyl Record
The vinyl record guest book is a fun retro look you’ll love: guests sign on a real vinyl record with these metallic markers and the signatures pop! You can display the record in a frame on a wall or in a custom record sleeve as a keepsake. By AmazengThings.
3. Wedding Guest Book with Photos
You need to get this wedding guest book with photos inside. It’s one part guest book, one part cool photo book. I love this idea: it may be my favorite of the wedding guest book alternatives on this list! By Arcoalbum. The cover is made with luxurious velvet and looks like this:
4. Photo Guest Book
Guests will snap photos of themselves at your wedding and place them inside your unique guest book, a brilliant keepsake of photos and signatures on thick, luxurious black cardstock. I love this style! By NewWoodCreations. The front is beautiful, too: your book will feature an engraved wood cover.
5. Guest Book with Photo Slots
Here’s another example of a photo book you’ll love to use: it is a guest book with photo slots for instant pictures guests can place inside. By CatchThisMoment.
6. Cork
You will love this one: a heart made of corks, designed for guests to sign! Great for wine-themed weddings or if you’re tying the knot at a vineyard. By DesertCoastalStudios.
6. Personalized Initial Letter
Use your monogram in your guest book design! This wood initial allows guests to sign directly on it and you can hang it up on a wall at home.
7. Heart Drop Box
In this creative option, guests sign a small wood heart and drop it into the larger heart vessel. By WeddingByEli.
8. Rustic Wood Plank
If you are planning a rustic wedding, this unique wood plank makes a lovely place for guests to sign in; you can display it at home. Handmade by BlueRidgeMountainCo.
9. Wood Blocks Guest Book
This is a fun twist: guests sign on these classic tumbling tower blocks and you’ll have a fun game to play at home! When you pull the wood pieces as you play, you’ll see signatures and well-wishes from your friends and family.
10. Letter Drop Box
In this unique twist, guests sign letters and place them inside this non-traditional guest book box. I love this one! By RusticLoveandWood.
11. Puzzle Guest Book
Give your guests a puzzle to sign and then put it all together! You will love to assemble this interactive guest book on a future anniversary. By WeddingPuzzleShop.
12. Acrylic Letter
Give your guests a unique guest book to sign: a clear acrylic monogram. It will look beautiful at your wedding and make a lovely keepsake at your home. Guests can sign onto it directly with white paint pens like these. By WeddingByEli.
13. Round Drop Box
These types of wedding guest books are interactive with their drop-box style. This particular one is by WildWoodWedding and is round in shape.
14. Guest Book Tree
When your guests sign your unique tree, their signed names will give the illusion of leaves! Lovely idea by GuestBookEnvy.
15. Celestial Guestbook
This unique celestial guest book is a perfect option for your wedding day. It features the starry night sky on your wedding day, as well as the first day (when you met) and the yes day (proposal)! By OurLoveWasBorn.
16. Mountain
This unique 3-D mountain-inspired guest book is a unique way to work your theme or location into a lasting keepsake. By Girlinair.
17. Custom Portrait
Create a large statement piece for your wall with this portrait, made from a favorite photograph of yours. Guests sign around the portrait and you have a beautiful keepsake art piece. By BySarp.
18. First Song on Acrylic
You will love to see your photo and first dance song on this custom acrylic memento, perfect for guests to sign! By KNRCustom.
19. Mini Envelope Guest Book
Guests will fill out little notecards of sweet wishes and put them inside these mini envelopes, seal them, and you get to read the notes together on a future date or anniversary (paper anniversary, perhaps?!) Cute idea! By InspiredByAlma.
20. Round Wood Wedding Sign
By HeritageSignCo.
21. Wooden Bench
One of the most non traditional guest book idea — and you will adore it! This charming wood bench is perfect for guests to sign and you get to enjoy a furniture piece at home. By WooddenShop.
22. Bourbon Barrel
This real bourbon barrel head gets a fresh repurposing as your guest book alternative! Guests sign directly on the wood and you have an incredible wall decoration piece. By WhiskeyMade.
23. Large Heart Drop Box
This is one of the most popular wedding guest book alternatives Amazon has to offer! It has rave reviews you can read here. By Rizone.
24. Modern Wooden Guestbook
This chic style will look lovely in your home. Guests sign on the black wood cut-out with white marker pens, like these, and it really pops! By AscHandcraftedWoods.
25. Pumpkin
If you are planning a fall wedding, get this pumpkin guest book from OhLivvyCreations.
26. Marriage Advice Box
By WoodCookStudio.
27. Map
This cool gold map makes a unique alternative guest book for couples who like to travel. By PaperGrapeDestinations.
Guest Book Sign Ideas
For any of the alterative guest books, you’ll want to include a sign so your guests know what to sign and how to do it.
If you need to obtain a sign for your guest book, I recommend finding them on Zazzle. You won’t have to buy a template and print it yourself; you’ll edit the design and the sign will be printed and mailed to you. It’s very affordable and they offer many guest book signs for any of these creative alternatives.
– Browse signs here!
Where to Buy Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
If you love one of these non-traditional guest book ideas, click on the photo of it or the link to shop directly. You’ll see pricing, details, and you can purchase yours.
On to you: which of these ideas is your favorite? Tell me in the comment box below!
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
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