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Updated Oct 14, 202434 Wedding Guest Book Alternatives You've Never Seen Before
Go off-book with these unexpected options.
Illustration by Abby McCartin for The Knot
Guest books are a timeless wedding tradition, but you don't have to follow the status quo of using an actual book if that's not your style. A wedding guest book alternative gives you the best of both worlds: a great way to remember your day and the loved ones who were present while you celebrated, combined with a unique idea that feels true to your personalities. (Although if you are interested in a traditional guest book, The Knot Invitations offers an array of options that you can filter by style, color theme, season and more.)
You might have come across some popular guest book alternatives, like messages in a bottle or instant photos, but we're sharing even more unique wedding guest book ideas, from digital guest books to DIYs. Set up one of these creative options next to your reception venue entrance or wedding gift table so guests can spot it right away. Psst, don't forget to save the ideas you love from this article to Your Favorites folder on The Knot by clicking the heart icon on any of the images below.
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In this article: Unique Wedding Guest Book Alternatives | Interactive and Creative Wedding Guest Book Alternatives | Fun Guest Book Alternatives | Beach Wedding Guest Book Alternatives | Rustic Wedding Guest Book Alternatives | Where to Buy Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
Unique Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
Part of planning the best wedding ever is filling it with the best wedding details ever. That's where these unique wedding guest book ideas come into play. From trending audio guest books to custom pet portraits, we love these standout wedding guest book alternatives.
1. Vintage Phone Audio Guest Book
Talk about an out-of-the-box idea (literally). Guests spoke their well wishes into a phone at this wedding via an audio guest book, and the newlyweds ended the wedding reception with a recording they could listen to for years to come. (You can also consider a video guest book if you're interested in going the digital route!)
2. Illustrated Pet Portrait
Celebrate Fido by incorporating him in your wedding guest book signage, as this couple did.
3. Hanging Cards on Wishing Tree
While some couples will pen handwritten notes to their attendees and set them at each guest's table setting, this couple turned that tradition on its head. Guests were encouraged to write a note to the newlyweds and then tie it to a branch on a beautiful wishing tree.
4. Baseballs
As a nod to the groom's career as a professional baseball player, guests were asked to autograph baseballs set atop wooden blocks.
5. Postcards
Ask guests to sign their well wishes onto postcards like these newlyweds did. The postcards can be collected from places you've visited together, feature an image that has personal significance, like a favorite food or animal or be a custom photo of the two of you.
6. Colorful Piñata
At this wedding reception, the couple asked attendees to write well wishes and place them inside a piñata.
7. Vintage Typewriter
This couple set out a vintage typewriter at their reception and asked guests to punch out a note of love and encouragement.
8. Quilt Square Coloring
Guests at this event used fabric pens to decorate quilt squares that bore an uncanny resemblance to adult coloring book pages. After the special day, the squares were sewn together into a keepsake quilt.
Interactive and Creative Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
Whether you're into music, art or paying homage to the place(s) where you grew up, these creative wedding guest book ideas are totally customizable and unexpected.
9. Retro Vinyl Records
This music-loving couple had a few custom acrylic vinyl records with their initials on display for guests to sign. You could also include records from your favorite recording artists.
10. Heart-Shaped Wood Tokens
Each guest signed mini wooden hearts before dropping the chips into an acrylic shadow box-like frame.
11. Custom Caricature Picture
One couple commissioned a custom caricature, around which guests left well wishes for the couple. While doable at any size, we think this is a great guest book alternative for a small wedding.
12. Instant Camera
Since it will take a few weeks for your professional photographer to edit your wedding photo album, instant snaps from the day are a great option for couples who want to be able to reminisce immediately following the wedding day via a DIY Polaroid wedding guest book. Additionally, consider integrating this guest signing book idea with your photo booth so guests could take one picture home with them and leave another one for you to keep.
13. Ski-Themed Illustration
This couple had their stationer print a wedding sign with ski-themed illustrations that matched the rest of the stationery for their snowy winter wedding. After guests signed the border, the framed piece was ready to be hung in the couple's newlywed home.
14. Illustrated Hometown Sign
Since a guest book is supposed to commemorate your wedding, it's a great idea to include a nod to your wedding destination, hometown, wedding date or even your monogram as part of the guest book.
15. Acrylic Sign
This couple had a gazebo painted in the middle of a wedding sign that doubled as their guest book.
16. Painted Globe
What better for a destination wedding guest book alternative than a globe? The best part about a globe guest book is that it can fit any wedding style or aesthetic. If travel is central to your love story, have a globe guest book that can become home decor in your new home. You could even have guests mark destinations they think belong on your travel bucket list.
Fun Guest Book Alternatives
Featuring fun ideas from board games to pottery, these ideas for guest signing at weddings will leave a lasting wedding memory for both you and your friends and family.
17. Deck of Cards
Celebrate being lucky in love with this fun guest book idea! Lay out a couple of decks of cards (1-3 should do the trick, depending on how many guests you have) with a few markers and encourage guests to sign their names and well wishes on the face side. Next time you play a game of poker or blackjack, you'll be able to shuffle through all the great advice. Bonus: Create custom decks featuring pictures of you and your S.O. on one side, with lines on the other, making it even easier for guests to leave a message.
18. Vintage Dictionary
For a bookish couple, a vintage dictionary is the way to go. Guests find a word that describes the newlyweds or one that's related to their own relationship with them, like an inside joke or special memory. It'll look beautiful on display and can be tucked away on a shelf until you need to look up a word...or take a stroll down memory lane.
19. Pot Signing
A wedding is all about beginning a new journey—and what better thing to symbolize that than a plant! Loved ones can sign a pot (or two!) as a guest book alternative. Later, the couple can plant a few seeds and watch their flowers (and love!) bloom.
20. Wooden Block Pieces
Want to make your next game night memorable? Use Jenga or a tumbling tower game as your guest book alternative. Wedding attendees will sign game pieces and share a word of advice or funny anecdote. At the end of the night, you can even set up a game to play!
21. Signed Guitar
Newlyweds who love music should consider using a guitar as a cool guest book idea. Attendees can sign their name, write a message or share a song lyric or album that reminds them of the happy couple.
22. Jigsaw Puzzle
Make every guest feel like a piece of your love story with this fun puzzle guest book alternative. For this one, we recommend having a custom puzzle made (a heart shape or one that features a photo of the couple, for example) with slightly larger pieces for guests to sign their name or write a message.
23. Paper Plane
Let your love take flight with this fun and interactive wedding guest book idea. Once guests sign the paper planes, collect them and frame your favorites as 3-D mementos, or unfold them and bind them into a keepsake guest book.
Beach Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
If you're hosting a beach wedding, turn to original wedding guest book ideas like wooden surfboards, seashells and other coastal-inspired elements.
24. Tropical Surfboard
At this destination big day in Hawaii, the couple paid homage to getting engaged while surfing by asking attendees to sign a surfboard.
25. Adirondack Chairs
Live out your best coastal grandmother-inspired life by having guests sign a pair of white Adirondack chairs on the wedding day. Once you've applied weatherproof sealer to protect the signatures, set up the chairs in your backyard for your new favorite spot to unwind together (with glasses of wine in hand, of course).
26. Canoe Oars
Boating hobbyists should scour flea markets (or even Etsy or Amazon) for cute oars that guests can sign.
27. Assorted Seashells
If you always return home after every beach trip with dozens of seashells in tow, you'll love this beach wedding guest book alternative. Showcase the signed seashells in decorative vases throughout your home as little reminders of your wedding day.
28. Vintage Life Preserver
Once guests have added their names, this vintage-inspired life preserver would look so interesting as framed wall decor in a nautical-themed space.
29. Messages in a Bottle
Give your guests the chance to share their "messages in a bottle" for you with this unique guest book idea. Depending on the number of people you're inviting, you might need to provide two or three different bottles to collect all of the notes.
Rustic Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
With nature-inspired designs and natural materials, these non-traditional guest book ideas are a perfect match for your rustic theme or outdoor wedding venue.
30. Wood Plank
At this rustic wedding, the couple asked guests to write on a wooden plank that they later used as home decor in their new home. Talk about an interesting wedding guest book idea!
31. Rustic Wooden Bench
For crafty, DIY couples, consider building a bench that can double as your guest book and future home decor.
32. Tree Stump
This rustic wedding guest book alternative is sweet and simple. Have guests write their names onto part of a tree stump—even better if it comes from someplace that holds meaning, like your backyard or a childhood home.
33. Anniversary Wine Bottles
Instead of pulling your guest book out every year, you can reminisce by reading notes and well wishes written onto wine bottles (or other bottles) designated for your major wedding anniversaries. Another option: Designate the bottles for future marriage milestones, like purchasing a new home or welcoming a baby.
34. Miniature Wooden Barrel
A unique guest book idea for a wedding at a rustic vineyard? Ask your guests to inscribe their names onto miniature wooden barrels. This one has a slot on the top so that the barrel can double as a wedding card box.
Where to Buy Wedding Guest Book Alternatives
Now that you have some fresh and fun ideas for wedding guest book alternatives, you're probably asking yourself where to buy them. While some items can certainly be thrifted or DIYed, we've shared some of our favorite retailers for wedding guest book alternatives below.
- After the Tone: If you decide that an audio guest book is right for you, After the Tone offers this exclusively. Choose from 11 real vintage phones from the '50s, '60s and '70s in a variety of colors, including white, cream, black, green, blue, pink, red, orange, yellow, brown and beige. At the wedding, guests can leave a message using one of the phones (which don't require WiFi, Bluetooth or a landline to be connected) and after the big day, you can hear your messages online or request a USB or vinyl record as a keepsake. After the Tone also offers a Virtual Guest Book service for loved ones who couldn't attend the ceremony. Use exclusive code KNOT15 for 15% off at After the Tone.
- Amazon: You can get nearly everything on Amazon these days—and we do mean everything. Whether you're interested in a custom wedding guest book alternative, like a deck of cards or jigsaw puzzle, or you just want to purchase items like markers and envelopes, Amazon can be the alternative guest book website of your dreams.
- Etsy: Who doesn't love Etsy? We have no doubt that you'll be able to find all of the wedding guest book ideas above and maybe more! The independent maker marketplace is home to creators all over the world. You're sure to discover a special alternative that, whether you choose to personalize it or not, will leave a lasting impression on both you and your guests.
- Uncommon Goods: This unique marketplace features uncommon items from all over the world, curated by the Uncommon Goods team. Not only is the company environmentally conscious and encourages artists to use recycled or sustainable materials whenever possible, but they also partner with various non-profits—every purchase you make is paired with a $1 donation to a partner of your choice.
- Personalization Mall: Personalization is what this online mall does best. Whether you want to include your name, initials, wedding date, photo or something else, Personalization Mall boasts thousands of unique gifts that can be customized to make your big day truly one of a kind. Use code KNOT15PM for 15% off your entire order at Personalization Mall.
- Thrift and antique stores: While customizing a wedding guest book alternative is a way to personalize it, it's not the only way to have a truly unique wedding feature. We recommend searching thrift shops, antique stores and donation centers for some of these wedding guest book ideas, especially ones like the guitar, vintage dictionary or pot—you may even get lucky and find an Adirondack chair or oars (you'd be surprised!). Plus, if you go shopping as a couple or with your wedding party, it can create another special memory.
Additional reporting by Shyla Watson
