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Updated Apr 28, 2026The Audio Guest Book Is Here to Stay, Here's What to Know
Ring, ring! It’s your guests calling.
Photo: Janey Pakpahan Photography,Audio Guestbook: After the Tone,Florist: Noonan's Wine Country Designs
Are you looking for a memorable way for your loved ones to provide well-wishes and marriage advice? Enter: the audio guest book. One of the top guest book alternatives, this vintage-modern hybrid is a fun keepsake that allows you to hear your guests' special messages, not just read them. Whether this option is already on your wish list or you haven't heard about this item until now, we created this all-encompassing guide to inform you about everything a wedding phone guest book entails. With the help of two experts, we put together a wedding guest book FAQ for this nontraditional option, like what an audio guest book is, how much it costs, how it works and much more. Plus, see the affordable and top-of-the-line choices we've gathered for you below to make your shopping experience easier.
In this article: What's an Audio Guest Book? | Audio Guest Book Cost | How Does an Audio Guest Book Work? | Where to Rent or Buy Audio Guest Books Online | How to Book an Audio Guest Book Locally
What's an Audio Guest Book?
"A unique twist on the traditional wedding guest book, an audio guest book is a vintage rotary phone that records voicemails from loved ones at a special event. After the celebration, you receive your voicemails on a seamless audio file, a USB or custom vinyl record," says Jacob Yackley, the CEO of After The Tone, which he cofounded with his wife, Bailey.
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While you may think of the phone itself as the audio guest book, the term "audio guest book" more appropriately refers to the finished product—a compilation of audio recordings made by wedding guests that you and your new spouse can cherish forever. But audio guest books aren't limited to stand-alone specialty phones; some vendors also provide the option for guests to call a phone number or scan a QR code to record their well wishes from their personal devices.
How Much Does an Audio Guest Book Cost?
Much like other digital guest books, audio guest book pricing varies depending on the type, the vendor and whether you're looking to rent or buy the equipment. According to Alaa El Ghatit, the owner of LifeOnRecord with more than 20 years of experience in the industry, a vintage audio guest book rental generally ranges between $250–$400. Purchasing just a specialty phone number is a more cost-effective option, with prices closer to the $80–$120 range. (Wondering if you have enough room in your budget to get an audio guest book? Use The Knot Budget Advisor to find out today.)
Buying a telephone that's been refurbished into an audio guest book phone is also an option, most notably on Etsy, with sellers typically listing phones anywhere between $180 and $550. The benefit of purchasing a phone outright is that it gives you the ability to rent out the device after your wedding. However, El Ghatit notes that renting is often the better option—"especially if you work with a company that can supply other aspects of the experience."
How Does an Audio Guest Book Work?
Once you've secured an audio guest book for the wedding, the process is straightforward. If you're using a physical phone, set up your device in a spot that's away from the noise for the best audio quality, and that's visible so it won't be overlooked by guests.
For your setup, El Ghatit highlights the importance of signage and communication: "Even though the instructions can be simple, you need to tell people what to expect," he says. Place a wedding guest book sign or two around the telephone and have your DJ or band make an announcement reminding your guests to leave a message at some point during the night.
But what should guests expect from an audio guest book phone? Typically, guests can walk up to the phone, pick up the receiver and then leave their message. (Some companies also give couples the option to prerecord an introductory greeting.) Messages are saved and stored in the phone until they're transferred by you or your vendor to a computer and then turned into your keepsake.
Can I Use an Audio Guest Book for an Outdoor Wedding?
Yes, however, there are some considerations to keep in mind. First, El Ghatit notes that phones, while they don't need to be connected to Wi-Fi or a telephone line, do need to be connected to a power source. Many phones are battery operated, but couples planning an outdoor wedding should confirm the device's functionality with the vendor. "None of the phones offered by any company are waterproof," says El Ghatit. "If it starts to rain, you should ensure the phone is sheltered."
Where to Rent or Buy Audio Guest Books Online
Now that we've laid the groundwork for these unique wedding guest books, it's time to highlight some of the most reputable vendors in the industry right now. "With a ton of audio guest book companies out there these days, it can be hard to know which one's right for you and your partner," says Yackley. "You want a company you can trust to capture your memories, store them properly and deliver the highest quality audio." Embrace one of our favorite reception trends and find the best audio guest book for your wedding right here.
After the Tone
Offering a vintage phone guest book in pretty much every color of the rainbow, such as Olive Green and Baby Blue, After the Tone makes it easy to pick the perfect hue to complement your wedding color scheme. Yackley adds: "After The Tone's phone wedding guest books are completely wireless, Wi-Fi free, Bluetooth free and rechargeable. The battery lasts up to 12 hours on one charge, so feel free to bring them wherever." By choosing the After the Tone wedding voicemail guest book, you get a phone in your choice of available colors, instructions for setting up and using the phone, and a prepaid return label.
Want to ensure your guests know how to use the device? After the Tone has a free, printable and customizable sign template as well as acrylic signs you can personalize available for purchase.
Cut down your After the Tone price by using our exclusive code: KNOT15 to get 15% off your order.
After the Tone reviews: Buyers like how the instructions are self explanatory, that the recordings can be added to a vinyl record and that they got their voicemails back within 24 hours (after the company received the phone in the mail).
LifeOnRecord
El Ghatit's LifeOnRecord is a family-owned company that's been helping individuals celebrate milestones via audio messages since 2006. The company's baseline wedding package—the LifeOnRecord Service—provides couples with a toll-free number and an online portal that's accessible for a full year. Also, all audio is digitally enhanced with Dolby Clear Voice Technology to ensure the best quality. For an additional fee, get a personalized QR code that guests can scan with their phones to dial in instantly and record their messages.
LifeOnRecord reviews: Customers say they're fond of the 16 vintage and retro phone rentals, the ability to record intro greetings and the online portal that lets them delete, download and edit their recordings.
FêteFone
Photo: FêteFone
FêteFone offers unique audio guest books for weddings that you can purchase for the same price as renting. Choose from retro or novelty designs to keep and reuse for other events. Your selected FêteFone device ships quickly so you'll have it well in advance of your event. One of our personal favorites is "The Smooch," which is perfect for maximalist weddings and early-2000s lovers because of its blush hue and Bratz-style lip shape.
FêteFone reviews: Couples like the playful hamburger voicemail wedding guest book option, how they got instant access to their guests' messages after their event and the ability to listen to their messages directly on the device.
At the Beep
At the Beep's audio guest books are modeled after the classic GPO phone design and available in a variety of colors, like orange and gold. Want to personalize your device even more? The company is considered to have some of the best audio guest book options because they'll work with you to create a custom color for the phone and add a name decal to the device for an extra fee.
At the Beep reviews: People enjoy being able to keep the rental for the entire wedding weekend, the option for standard greetings and that At the Beep provides video versions of their favorite audio recordings to make sharing on social media easier.
The Audio Guestbook
If you're worried about messages getting lost in the shuffle, you won't have to with this company. The Audio Guestbook's phone rental has a "Safe Shutdown Button" to ensure every message is secure. There are eight shell colors—our favorites are Mustard Yellow and Classic Black. Plus, you have the option to plug into the wall for power or go the cordless route with a battery pack that lasts 7–10 hours.
The Audio Guestbook reviews: Customers appreciate having access to the rental for four days, the five-minute message length provided to each guest and say it's great for reality show-style confessional moments.
Echo Phone
Echo Phone rents out rotary phones in 10 colors and a chic, white-and-transparant option called "The Marilyn." They also offer custom vinyls and cassettes and a USB shaped like a heart to enjoy your audio after your wedding. Plus, this company can easily accommodate those planning a destination wedding.
Echo Phone reviews: Couples rave about the free, frameable sign that comes with the phone rental, the professionally edited audio and the customer support hotline.
The Joyful Booth Co.
Simply plug in The Joyful Booth Co.'s audio guest book and your loved ones are able to leave you heartfelt messages after the beep. The company offers two standard phones (Retro Black and Retro Silver) and four limited-edition phones (teal, blush pink, yellow and a pay phone). If you want to have two interactive wedding guest activities at the reception, this company also provides photo booth services.
The Joyful Booth Co. reviews: People value that The Joyful Booth Co. can ship rentals across the continental US, the extensive communication leading up to the wedding and that the phone can plug into any standard outlet.
LeaveUsAMessage
This buy-to-own phone seller is great for those who plan on using an audio guest book for multiple events, like birthday parties and family reunions. LeaveUsAMessage devices have an on-and-off switch (which many audio guest books don't have) and come with a fitted travel bag. Their phones even plug into a PC so you can download your files easily.
LeaveUsAMessage reviews: Customers are delighted by the weight of the phone (noting it makes it feel more authentic), the sound quality and the helpful video instructions.
ROOMEDAL
Have plans on using the audio guest book beyond the wedding? Then buy this one from ROOMEDAL. The device comes in 11 different styles, and each one has eight hours of battery life. You can also record a greeting in just a few simple steps.
ROOMEDAL reviews: Couples love how well the support team answers their questions, how easy the setup process is and how convenient it is to transfer the audio files from the phone.
How to Book an Audio Guest Book Locally
Even though the above businesses have great audio guest books to rent or buy online, don't hesitate to look at sellers in your local area. The Knot Vendor Marketplace has thousands of pros and allows you to easily filter and read reviews about top-rated companies near you. Below, we've listed a few vendors on our site for phone rentals.
36T Photo in Bronx, New York
Serving New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, this Black-owned business offers audio guest book rentals in addition to their beloved photo booth services. 36T Photo only has one phone style option at this time, but luckily, the phone has a timeless look that can fit just about any wedding.
36T Photo reviews: Couples like that there are three packages offered (two of which include a photo slideshow), the great in-person customer service and how the vintage phone seamlessly matched their decor.
Propzilla Photo Booth in Santa Clarita, California
Propzilla Photo Booth is based in Santa Clarita, but also serves couples in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. Propzilla's audio guest books are available à la carte or as an add-on to a photo booth package. While filling out their rental form, don't forget to mark if you want a black or pink rotary phone for your audio guest book needs.
Propzilla Photo Booth reviews: People say they appreciate renting their device through this company because they have clear messages they'll cherish forever, the message turnaround was quick and the staff was friendly.
Pour Vous Entertainment Group in Austin, Texas
This Austin-based audio guest book provider uses a phone booth to let guests record messages for the newlyweds. Pour Vous Entertainment Group has the audio pressed onto vinyl record as a sweet keepsake. Currently, the wedding phone booth colors are red, white, black and Burnt Orange, but don't be afraid to reach out and ask about custom options.
Pour Vous Entertainment Group reviews: Customers love the combination of the audio guest book and 360° photo booth, the company's ability to to provide the messages as soon as the next day and the professional staff.
Dialed In Guestbooks in Columbus, New Jersey
Dialed In Guestbooks is a 2025 and 2026 The Knot Best of Weddings winner for a reason. Serving New Jersey and Philadelphia weddings, this business has six phone rental options for you to choose from, like their red retro audio guest book and gold vintage phone. They even have video phones that come with their own luxurious booth.
Dialed In Guestbooks reviews: Couples rave about the excellent and professional experience they had with the staff, how quickly they got their messages back and the high-quality audio they received.
Additional reporting by Taylor Carson.
