Product Spotlight: Heart Drop Shadow Box Guest Book

Guest books for any event are a wonderful thing. Years later, you can look back and read your loved ones’ kind words and remember exactly who was there celebrating with you. 

The problem with more traditional guest books is they tend to get lost on a bookshelf or forgotten in a box filled with pictures and memorabilia. No matter how good our intentions are, items like guest books are usually eventually considered clutter and are put away somewhere.

That’s just one reason among many couples are choosing alternative guest books more often. One gorgeous alternative to a book is this shadow box with silver and gold wooden hearts for guests to sign. The box has hooks on the back, so you can hang it on a wall – meaning no clutter and no lost cardboard box full of wedding momentos for this guest book! It’s only 1.5 inches deep, too, so it won’t stick out too far on the wall.

Source: Shadow Box Display

The plexiglass can be etched as well, allowing you to personalize your box with either two lines of text (anything from your names and the wedding date to your wedding’s social media hashtag) or a single initial, in addition to the floral prints above and below.

Check out how one of our customers designed hers:

Photo Credit: Emma Cleary Photo & Video

These shadow boxes make excellent gifts at different events as well. Are you going to a baby shower? This shadow box can be hung in the baby’s room, so she/he can grow up reading the names on the hearts and know how many people love her/him. Is a bride having two bridal showers? The guests at each party can sign one color of the hearts; the mingling of the colors inside the shadow box represents the mingling of two families. Birthday parties, graduations, anniversary parties – the possibilities for this beautiful box are endless. The simplicity of the box paired with the color and design options also ensure this box will fit any theme or color scheme at the party.

Source: Gold, Silver

After the party, it’s sure to grab anyone’s attention hanging on your wall, and this can lead to even more stories about the event. You will add to your memories time and time again over the years with the box always in sight.

Elizabeth graduated from The University of Findlay with a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she is employed in the real estate business and is particularly enjoying the local cuisine. As a writer, Elizabeth believes in a quote from one of her favorite TV shows: "We have only two jobs on this Earth. The first: to learn. The second: to cope." A deep desire to learn struck Elizabeth when she was young, and now she hopes to help you cope by sharing information, and helping you apply the knowledge. Weddings and event planning can be overwhelming; sometimes it's okay to take a little advice from a stranger on the internet.

Wedding Guest Signature Puzzle Guest Book Alternative

Brides are getting more and more creative with their wedding guest books - using something meaningful to the couple to collect names and well wishes from friends and family attending their wedding. Outside of the traditional keepsake book there are so many options! One of our favorites is this personalized wooden puzzle, pieced together with memories of those closest to you.  

Assemble the puzzle before your wedding day to display on the guest receiving table. On the big day, place a sign next to the puzzle encouraging guests to sign a puzzle piece or pieces. The bridal party can sign it first, crossing puzzle piece lines in various ways as an example for guests to follow.

If you know you have some puzzle enthusiasts in your family, consider leaving the smaller puzzle pieces in the box with only the large center puzzle piece on the table next to the pen. Place a sign on the table encouraging guests to take a piece from the box and add it to the center piece and sign. This method is a bit more complicated as guests will have to find and match coordinating puzzle piece, working from the center outward.

After the wedding, the puzzle can be glued together and framed to hang on a wall in your home or disassembled and placed back in the box for a lifelong wedding keepsake. Make a tradition out of putting it together on your anniversary every year and sharing a memory of the person who signed the piece you just fit into place. 

A unique guest book alternative and wedding keepsake all wrapped into one, this all-wood, 113 piece jigsaw puzzle and puzzle box is personalized with your choice of three letter monogram or 2 lines of custom print on both the large puzzle centerpiece and the puzzle box lid. Adding to the cuteness factor, each of the 112 interlocking wood puzzle pieces feature heart-shape tabs and blanks. Guests will love it, and you and your spouse will treasure it always.

Happy puzzling!

6 Guest Books That Aren't Actually Books

How many books do you have sitting on a shelf right now? How many have you read? How many do you look at regularly? Probably not very many. What about photo albums—how often do you look through those? In a world as busy as ours, it’s easy for books of all types to get left behind.

Source: Traditional Guest Book

The same thing happens to guest books. At my high school graduation party, my mom put out a notebook for people to sign and leave me advice. I read one piece of advice in it the night of my party, put it in a stack of books and notebooks, and forgot about it until after my first year of graduate school. On the other hand, I used my card bucket every day for years after my party. The party was Dr. Seuss-themed, and the card bucket was one of those giant cheese ball containers that we had painted in colorful stripes to mimic Oh, the Places You’ll Go! I took that bucket to college with me and used it every day. As a trash can, sure, but I still looked at it every day.

No matter how much we cherish the printed word, traditional books are being left behind. But that’s okay, because it means we get to update our idea of what “book” means – and find new options for guest books. Luckily, there are tons of options – the hard part is picking which modern guest book will work best for your wedding, engagement party, bridal shower, or other event.

Let’s think long-term. You want something that will be beautiful or fun or hands-on; something you’ll be able to use over and over again after the event but won’t look quite so practical at the event. I have a few ideas for you.

Puzzles

Source: Wooden Puzzle Guest Book

My personal favorite: a blank, wooden puzzle! You can use light-colored wood and just about any color marker to write on the pieces to match your wedding colors. Or, you can use a dark-stained wood and use silver, white, and gold markers. You can write on both sides, so a guest can write a message on one side and sign their name on the other side. The best part is what comes after. If you enjoy puzzles, you can put the puzzle together whenever you want and as many times as you want.

Make a tradition out of putting it together on your anniversary every year and sharing a memory of the person who signed the piece you just fit into place (bonus points if the memory is from the event!) Or, if you prefer the satisfaction of putting together a puzzle only once, you can do so and then glue and seal it, frame it, and hang it on your wall. It’s more decorative than a book and a better talking point because you don’t have to pick up a book and read through it – you can just glance at the puzzle and pick out a name. Another option, if you have young people in your family, is to leave it out for them to play with. It would be a good way for them to learn about family members as well. Check out one of these wooden puzzles here.

Jenga

Source: Jenga Yard Game

If you prefer a more competitive type of puzzle, use Jenga blocks. You can yell at your friends later when you pull your name and they cause the tower to fall, because of course it was their fault! There are different sizes of Jenga games, too, ranging from travel-sized to giant (almost as tall as an adult), which makes for an exciting yard game.

Beer or Wine Growler

Source: Wine Cork Guestbook Growler

Here’s an idea that’s becoming more and more popular: a growler. Sort of like a shadow box, a beer or wine growler is an awesome alternative to a guest book for those who enjoy a good drink. Guests sign a wine cork (or bottle cap!) and drop it inside the jug. Unlike a shadow box, though, the growler can be reused. Take out the signed tokens and make your own wine, cider, or beer! If you’re not interested in investing that much time into a drink, though, it makes a great decorative item as well. A growler is big enough to sit on the floor in a corner but small enough to not overwhelm a coffee or side table, either. Put flowers or seasonal items in the top and use it as a centerpiece. Have a bar in your house (or wish you had one)? This is one of the best decorations you could find.

Sporting Equipment

Source: Surfboard Guestbook

For the more active, sporty couple, use a favorite piece of equipment. A snowboard, surfboard, or ski is a good surface for signing; then you can use it as it was intended, and remember your event every time you use it, or hang it on a wall and be reminded of both your favorite activity and your favorite event when you see it. Maybe you and your significant other met at a sporting event. Get your favorite player’s jersey and have guests sign that. Or, if the two of you argue constantly over which player is better, make a game out of it and get an answer once and for all! Get a jersey for each player and have guests sign their favorite. Later, count the signatures on each jersey. The loser has to wear the winning jersey for the rest of the season!

Shadow Box

Source: Shadow Box Guest Book

Of course, we can’t forget about the shadow box, an item that quickly became a favorite way to show off memorabilia. This shadow box offers cute wooden-shaped hearts as tokens for your guests to sign and drop in the box. The black frame sets off the silver and gold hearts in an elegant way that is sure to draw an eye or two.

Signing Stones

Source: River Rock Signing Stones

Signing stones have also become popular. I love this one because there are so many things you can do with the stones – before and after they’re signed. At the event, you can set them out in a bowl on the gift table so guests can sign as they’re dropping off gifts. Or, use the stones in your centerpieces or scatter them across the tables. Guests can sign them whenever they’re ready throughout the night, and you can leave a vase or bowl near the exit so guests can drop them off before they leave. Afterwards, you have tons of options for the stones. Put them in a vase and use it year-round. Spread them through a stone walkway or scatter them through your flower garden. Create a beautiful incense tray. Line the tray with the stones and succulents and place your incense holder on top.

Nontraditional Guestbook Books

Can’t seem to give up on a book? I get it. And you, book lovers, have some alternatives too.

Use a photo book instead of a journal. Get a polaroid camera and have guests take a quick selfie and write a message on the back.

If you and your significant other have a favorite book, set out a copy. Ask your guests to find a passage or phrase they enjoy and sign their name next to it.

Love to travel as much as you love the feel of a paperback in your hands? Use an atlas! Guests can sign on the page with their favorite place or somewhere they’ve always wanted to go. When you travel to one of these places, make sure you send a postcard to that person!

Source: Polaroid Guest Book, Atlas Guest Book

Your wedding, or any other special event, deserves an incredible memento – one that won’t get lost on a shelf or forgotten in a stack of journals.

Elizabeth graduated from The University of Findlay with a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she is employed in the real estate business and is particularly enjoying the local cuisine. As a writer, Elizabeth believes in a quote from one of her favorite TV shows: "We have only two jobs on this Earth. The first: to learn. The second: to cope." A deep desire to learn struck Elizabeth when she was young, and now she hopes to help you cope by sharing information, and helping you apply the knowledge. Weddings and event planning can be overwhelming; sometimes it's okay to take a little advice from a stranger on the internet.

Wood Wedding Guest Book Monograms

Your wedding guest book is something that you will want to treasure forever with notes, well wishes, and signatures from your family and friends. The struggle with guestbooks, though, is that they tend to be stored out of sight and out of mind with other family mementos. These trendy wood monograms are the perfect solution, as they can be painted any color to match your wedding theme or home decor, and then displayed in your home for years to come as a reminder of your special day and loved ones.

These monograms are crafted from birchwood, and make a beautiful focal point at your wedding reception where guests can use paint and permanent markers to leave sentiments and warm thoughts. Guests will love the more interactive guest book display, and you will love the timeless keepsake they create. 

Hang your wood monogram as a 'wow' piece in your gallery wall, or above your bed, kitchen table, or sofa as a touching memento and fun conversation starter when you have company. Display your monogram by propping it on a mantle, table, or shelf, or hang using command strips, nails, or ribbon. There are so many options for showing off your custom monogram, you will be sure to treasure it long after your wedding day has passed.

We suggest using a two-in-one paint and primer spray paint, and applying several thin coats for a smooth finish. Paint pens and permanent markers work perfectly for signatures and messages. If you prefer, you can even apply a clear topcoat to preserve the finish for as long as possible.

Wood Monogram Guest Book Alternatives

Leave Your Paper Guestbook in the Stone Ages with Signing Stones

Not all wedding traditions are set in stone, but your guest book can be. Instead of using a traditional bound paper book for your guests to leave you a message in, consider having them each sign a stone. Guest signing stones are a unique and interesting way to capture your guests' names and good wishes for your marriage, and your guests will love this fun guest book alternative. 

Why? You may be hesitant to let go of the idea that you have to have a guestbook at your wedding, because that’s “what has always been done.” Here are a few reasons to reconsider:

• A book will eventually be placed on a bookshelf, or maybe even in a box, and won’t be looked at except for perhaps on your anniversary.
• The stones can be displayed in a vase or bowl or in a garden or terrarium, where they can be enjoyed by everyone.
• No tradition is forever. If you want to change something, change it. This is your wedding and you can have whatever sort of guest book you’d like!

How? These signing stones are super simple. All you need to do is set up a table near the door to the reception hall. Scatter the stones on the table with a couple markers (a fine point permanent marker writes well on stones) and a note telling your guests what to do. Then relax and let your loved ones write a special message to you and your spouse!

Another great way to incorporate this natural accent in your wedding is to write your guests’ names on stones and use them as placeholders at the tables. Provide one or two markers at each table. Your guests will be able to write their note to the bride and groom while they are enjoying the reception. This will also give them all night to think about what they want to write.

Tell us in the comments below what you think about a stone guest book!

Image Credits:  Glass Vase with Decorative Base, Square Concave Glass Vase with Guest Signing Stones, Stone Place Cards

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.