Signature Style

Traditional guest books give way to personalized items that capture more than a guest’s John Hancock

 "THE TRADITION OF SIMPLY WRITING your name in a book is gone,” says wedding coordinator Jessica Gillon of Events by Design in Rancho Bernardo, “and thank God for that.” She and other planners now have a variety of choices to present to brides and grooms who want to capture more than their guests’ signatures. In place of lined books are artistic and innovative alternatives, tailored to fit the personalities—and idiosyncrasies—of every couple.

FOREGOING THE TRADITIONAL BOOK

For one of her clients, photographer Terri Rippee created a sign-shot album, filled with black-and-white photos of wedding guests holding signs with messages both funny and endearing for the bride and groom. “The guests love it and couples tell me they are still talking about it after the wedding,” she says. “It's my way of getting photos of all the guests during the reception.”

“It’s important to let the guests be creative,” says Gayle Feallock, owner of Just Imagine Weddings. “More and more guests are wanting to say a wish or blessing rather than write their name and the fact that they attended the wedding.”

Her clients, Joe and Ann Thompson, didn’t want the traditional guest book, figuring that everyone would sign it and they would never look at it again. Instead, the couple—who were married at the San Diego Wild Animal Park—bought a large ceramic serving platter and placed it at the welcome table for guests to sign. After the wedding, they had the platter glazed and it’s now displayed on their kitchen shelf as a reminder of their favorite day.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

Kimberly Parker, owner of India Ink in Little Italy, sees many of her customers opting for custom-crafted scrapbooks over generic guest books. What’s more, the creativity behind these books is being elevated with an abundance of unexpected materials. Made by One Girl creates one-of-a-kind books using vintage wallpaper, maps and other memorabilia. India Ink adds calligraphy for a truly unique memento that guests can further personalize with advice and wishes. 

Feallock also created a scrapbooking opportunity by setting up a “wishing well” for one of her clients. At the reception, guests wrote messages on small cards and dropped them in a decorative glass bowl for the newlyweds to read and arrange—allowing another opportunity to reminisce about their big day. Other couples have even opted to hang the messages on a small tree at the reception.

Prompting guests with questions such as “How did you first meet the bride or groom?” or “When did you first know they were in love?” ensures the couple will have a score of stories to read after the wedding.

CANDID CAMERA

While Polaroid photo sessions have long been a reception favorite, Feallock says today’s wedding parties are shooting for “a little more sophisticated presentation.”

For those with adequate space, a photo booth from Peekaboo Photo Booth or Foto Cabina allows guests to put on their best faces—and capture them—throughout the night. It also creates a fun-filled carnival atmosphere, resulting in memorable impromptu photo sessions. Guests can instantly print a strip of keepsake photos to take home, while adding the second strip to the couple’s scrapbook before the night is done.    

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