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Updated Oct 14, 2024Audio Guest Books: The Wedding Trend That's Here to Stay
Ring, ring! It’s your guests calling.
Are you looking for a memorable way for your loved ones to provide well-wishes and marriage advice? Then, you need an audio guest book. One of the top guest book alternatives, this vintage and modern hybrid is a fun keepsake that allows you to hear your guests' special messages. Whether this option is already on your wish list or you haven't heard about this item until now, we've created this all-encompassing guide to inform you about everything an audio guest book entails. With the help of two audio guest book experts, we breakdown what an audio guest book is, how much this nontraditional option costs, how it works and more.
In this article: What Is 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 Is an Audio Guest Book?
"An audio guest book is a vintage rotary phone that records voicemails from loved ones at a special event to put a unique twist on the traditional wedding guest book. After the event, you receive your voicemails on a seamless audio file, a USB or custom vinyl record," says Jacob Yackley, CEO of After The Tone and cofounder with his wife Bailey.
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While you may think of an audio guest book as a physical phone that would replace a physical guest book at a wedding, 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 specialty phones, with some vendors also providing the option for guests to call a specialty phone number on 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 you're looking for, the vendor and whether you're looking to rent or buy the equipment. According to Alaa El Ghatit, owner of LifeOnRecord with more than 15 years of experience in the industry, a vintage audio guest book rental generally ranges between $300–$600. Purchasing just a specialty phone number is a more cost-effective option, with prices closer to the $80–$200 range. (Curious what couples are paying for phone guest book services in your wedding location? Use The Knot Budget Advisor and find out today.)
Buying a telephone that has been refurbished into an audio guest book phone is also an option, most notably on Etsy, with sellers listing phones anywhere between $250 and $750. A benefit of purchasing a phone outright is it gives you the ability to potentially rent out your own 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 in addition to the phone."
How Does an Audio Guest Book Work?
Once you've secured a wedding phone guest book, the process is straightforward. If you're using a physical phone, for the best audio quality, set up your device in a spot that's away from the noise and 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," he says, "you need to tell people what to expect." To do so, 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 throughout the night.
What should guests expect from a wedding audio guest book? Typically, guests can walk up to the phone, pick up the receiver and then leave their message. (Some companies also provide couples with the ability to pre-record an introductory greeting.) Messages are saved and stored in the phone until they are 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?
The short answer is yes. However, there are some considerations you should keep in mind. First, El Ghatit notes that while phones don't need to be connected to Wi-Fi or a telephone line, they do need to be connected to a power source. Many phones are battery operated, but couples planning an outdoor wedding should first confirm with the vendor that's supplying the audio guest book for the wedding.
When it comes to a voicemail guest book being placed outdoors, you'll want to keep the potential for rain in mind. "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 we 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. Remember that you want a company you can trust to capture your memories, store them properly and deliver the highest quality audio," says Yackley. If you're considering getting a trendy, yet timeless telephone wedding guest book, continue reading to preview what's available.
After the Tone
These vintage phone guest books come in pretty much every color of the rainbow—brown, orange, cream, blue, yellow, pink, green, beige, white, red, black—meaning you can pick the perfect hue to complement your wedding day color palette. Yackley adds, "After The Tone's phone wedding guest books are completely wireless, wifi-free, bluetooth-free and rechargeable. The battery lasts 8–10 hours on one charge so feel free to bring them wherever." By using After the Tone wedding voicemail phone, you get a phone in your choice of available colors, instructions for setting up and using the phone, a guide for guests and a prepaid return label. Cut down the After the Tone price by using our exclusive code KNOT15 to get 15% off your order.
After the Tone Reviews: People like how the instructions are self-explanatory, that a custom vinyl record option is available and how they received their voicemails within two to four weeks.
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 in just minutes 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.
LifeOnRecord Reviews: Customers say they're fond of the 16 unique vintage and retro phone designs, the ability to record intro greetings and the online portal that lets them delete, download and edit their recordings.
FêteFone
FêteFone offers 26 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 even reuse for other events. Your selected FêteFone ships quickly so you'll have it well in advance of your big day. One of our personal favorites, 'The Victoria,' features an elegant black-and-brass art deco design, complete with an integrated drawer for leaving notes to your guests.
FêteFone Reviews: Couples like the playful pursed lips and hamburger voicemail wedding guest book options, how they got instant access to their guests' messages after their event and the ability to listen to their messages directly from 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. The company will also work with you to create a custom phone better suited to your color preference, and you can add your names to the phone for an extra fee as an extra special decal.
At the Beep Reviews: People enjoy being able to keep the rental for the entire wedding weekend, the option for standard greetings (for those who are phone-shy) and that At the Beep provides video versions of their favorite audio recordings to make sharing on social media easier.
The Audio GuestBook
The Audio GuestBook's phone rental features an audio guest book phone with a "Safe Shutdown Button" to ensure your messages are secure. There are eight shell colors: Ivory Cream, Baby Blue, President Red, Very Orange, Pastel Pink, Mustard Yellow, Simply Mint and Classic Black. With this device, you have the option to plug into the wall for power or go the cordless route with 8–12 hours of battery life.
The Audio GuestBook Reviews: Customers appreciate having access to the rental for four days, the three-minute message length provided to each guest and say it's great for reality show-style confessional moments.
Echo Phone
Echo Phone rents out 10 different colors and two distinct designs. They also offer adorably custom vinyls and cassettes and have a crystal heart USB to enjoy your audio after your wedding. This company also can accommodate and will work with customers directly if they want a device and are planning a destination wedding.
Echo Phone Reviews: Couples rave about the frameable sign that comes with the phone rental, the professionally hand-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 (three vibrant colors and a payphone). This company also provides photo booth services if you want to have two interactive wedding guest activities at the reception.
The Joyful Booth Co. Reviews: People value that The Joyful Booth Co. can ship phones 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 option is great for those who plan on using an audio guest book for multiple events, like birthday parties and family reunions. The device has an on and off switch, and comes with a fitted travel bag. The phone even plugs 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 six different styles, and each one has eight hours of battery life. The company also offers a 2-year warranty and quality guarantee that their product will live up to your expectations.
ROOMEDAL Reviews: Couples love how 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 companies have some of the best audio guest books to rent or buy online, don't be hesitant to browse vendors in your area and consider working with someone locally. The Knot Vendor Marketplace features thousands of vendors and allows you to easily filter and read reviews about top-rated companies near you. Below, we've listed a few of the best audio guest book vendors on site.
36T Photo in Bronx, New York
Serving New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, this five-star vendor offers audio guest book rentals in addition to their beloved photo booth services. If you're still in the market for both, consider 36T Photo the ultimate solution. There's only one phone style option at this time, but luckily it has a timeless look that can fit just about any wedding.
36T Photo Reviews: Couples like that there are three audio guest book 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 isn't only available in Santa Clarita, but the company can also help 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 guests left clear messages they'll cherish forever, the turnaround was so quick for their audio 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 happy couple. Pour Vous Entertainment then has the audio which are then pressed onto vinyl as a sweet keepsake. Currently, the only photo booth color the company provides is white, but don't be afraid to reach out and ask about personalization options.
Pour Vous Entertainment Reviews: Customers love the combination of the audio guest book and 360-degree photo booth, the company's ability to to provide the messages as soon as the next day and the professional staff.
Shutterbox Photo Entertainment in Naperville, Illinois
Shutterbox Photo Entertainment serves Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Milwaukee. The company prides itself on crystal clear sound, customizable packages and excellent customer service. Call or email them to get an audio guest book rental quote and see what styles and colors they have for the device.
Shutterbox Photo Entertainment Reviews: Couples say hearing the messages was the highlight of their weddings, that the setup and return process was easy and the staff is quick to remedy any problems.
Additional reporting by Chapelle Johnson and Kate Boswell.
