Make yourself an alternative Guest Book!
Author: Szabó TeklaPublished:
Updated:
In this post you will find some tips for using greeting cards and labels.
Each occasion requires different decorations, which is why we've come up with some simple and great forms to add to your celebration and enhance your mood. These are small things throughout an event, but in the end it will show that you take care of every little detail.
Believe me, your guests will appreciate it!
What is a guest book?
The custom of the guest book or memory book has been adopted from the West. It is used especially at weddings and baptisms, where the events of the "Big Day" are recorded, and guests have the opportunity to leave their wishes in a lasting way. The classic guest book is a decorative book or notebook that you can bind with colored paper or, even simpler, purchase it ready-made. There are various versions of the guest book, most often taking the form of a box or a cage, in which guests put their well wishes on small notes. Another version is a flat surface where tags with messages are fixed under predetermined shapes. It can be a tree, heart, baby, etc.
Now, let's give you some ideas for creating a guest book in the form of a picture.
This guest book will certainly not gather dust in the depths of a hidden drawer! Although each occasion requires a different setting, we offer you two easily adaptable templates, one for a wedding and one for a baptism. Here, the tags with wishes will be fixed with clips on ribbons attached to the frame of a picture.
Let's get started!
Fortunately, as simple as it is, you may already have everything you need at home. If not, you can easily order or buy the missing items from hobby stores and bookstores.
First, you will need a nice picture frame. If you expect more guests, I advise you to use a larger one. If it's old, you can leave it as is for a vintage atmosphere. They can also be easily repainted. Try to choose a neutral color to match the theme of your event but also your home. Decide now where it will be displayed and make several attempts during execution to make sure your work will look good.
You will also need push pins, a hammer, thin ribbon/lace, or a sturdier string. Let's begin! Attach the ribbon with the help of push pins to the back of the frame. If you don't want to use a hammer, you can also wrap the frame with ribbon. Ribbons look good in regular horizontal rows but also irregular ones, for example, in the form of a spider web. It's your choice!
The next step is to create a template for the wish tags. Look for images you can use. For a wedding, cake shapes, silhouettes of men and women are suitable, for a baptism, I advise you to choose toys, little clothes, letters with the baby's name. If you're not very skillful at drawing, you can print several templates. You'll be surprised how many free templates you'll find on the internet after a short search! Choose one with a relatively closed outline, without small protrusions, so it's not difficult to cut and doesn't tear easily! Copy it onto a transparent foil (like the back of an old file holder) or cardboard and cut it out.
For tags, use matte surface paper, cardboard, as they are the easiest to write on. Fix the new template on the paper, draw the shapes, and cut them out patiently.
Congratulations! You're almost done!
All you need to do is attach the tags with small ribbon clips! Now it's time for finishing touches. Look carefully at the finished object from a distance. If you find your alternative guest book a bit empty, you can also glue decorative objects to the frame. These can be shells, lace, pearls, beautiful buttons, small toys. But remember, what is not missing, doesn't need to be added, too much decoration can become kitsch. And I'm sure you don't want that...
The big day has come! Place the tableau with the alternative guest book in a highly trafficked area. It's good to arrange a quiet corner here where your guests can sit comfortably and write. The more attractive this corner is, the more wishes will be recorded!
There must be a person responsible for "promoting" the guest book, showing guests where to leave messages for the couple. It shouldn't be you, because you surely won't have time for that. It's an ideal task for a maid of honor, for example. It's advisable not to be insistent; no one should feel obligated to leave a wish...
Believe me, this little detail of your wedding will bring much joy; it's worth taking care of!
Wishing you lots of happiness!
