Low Cost Alternatives to Wedding Guest Books

Guest books are traditionally used by guests at the wedding to write down special messages to the bride and groom. There are many sizes, styles and colours available so fitting them into a theme can be relatively straightforward. Of course you could always stick the same trims from your stationary onto a plain guestbook to make it match your other items without spending too much. People like to try alternatives now, so here are some low cost examples of what you can opt for if you don’t want the traditional guest book.



Message Trees


Make a tree with willow branches and provide guests with bits of card with ribbon attached so that they can write down their messages and then hang them on the tree. You can make the tree look pretty with hanging decorations and other decorations such as flowers and birds glued on the tree.



Message Notice Boards


You provide cards and pins for people to write their messages and then pin them on the notice board. You will obviously want to decorate the notice board to make it look pretty by painting, adding trims and how about adding a few photos of the couple to it as well.



Message Line


Inspired by washing lines! Basically have a line which guests can peg up messages. Maybe decorate the line slightly to make it more special looking for example with decorative butterflies, fairies, birds etc.



Post Boxes


You need to provide card and envelopes for the guests. They can then write messages, seal them in envelopes and "post" them to you. It allows people to express themselves a bit more freely as they will not be worried about people looking at their personal messages.


You can use any sort of container you want to adapt the post box idea or just use the wedding post boxes that you can buy. I have heard of people using watering cans and bird houses! So any bowls, vases, boxes, household items or strange items can be used.



Bird Cages


Similar to the post box idea, but some couples love the idea of an elegant bird cage to use instead of an actual box.



Wishing Wells


The wishing well idea was formed to help couples accept money but is also used to accept small messages from guests. Wishing wells are ideal for a fairytale themed wedding and great if you want one item to do two jobs; receiving both money and messages.

You can get some more ideas on Guest Book Alternatives at Bunnydog Weddings