Many couples don’t even think about having a guest book at their weddings anymore because the traditional concept is so dated and boring, even though they would love to have a memento from their guests to cherish forever.

I thought I would list some modern alternatives to give you all some inspiration.

Canvass personalised with your monogram

Your guests first introduction to your special day is when they receive their invitation. Many couples have a customized monogram designed which includes their initials and is used on all the stationery elements on the wedding day. Why not print this monogram on a canvass with your wedding date and ask guests to sign it on the day? You can then frame it after the wedding and hang it in your home to cherish forever.

World Globe Guest Book

Many of my clients are ex South Africans living abroad and therefore have many guests attending from around the world. A World globe can be used as a guest book in 2 ways. You can either ask your guests to sign it on the country they came from OR you can ask them for suggested travel locations once you are married. This will then become a treasured conversational piece to keep in your newlywed home.

Surfboard Guest Book

I had a groom who was very passionate about surfing and since the bride loved the beach, they happily agreed on using a surfboard as a guest book at the wedding. The guests had so much fun signing it on the day and it now hangs proudly in their Australian home reminding them of their special beach celebration in Cape Town. You can apply this concept in different ways to your special day too.

A Vintage Classic

If you love a more vintage theme and look, why not hire an old (good looking!) typewriter and set up a station for your guests to type a message of congratulations or advice for the happy couple etc. You can have a beautiful, customized guest book with an assortment of washi tape to place in the book decoratively.

Wine Bottle Guest Book

If you love the Winelands in South Africa so much that you decide to get married in the area, a wine bottle guest book idea will suit the occasion! Buy your favourite white and red wines from a local wine farm and stick labels customised with your monogram and wedding date for guests to sign, on each bottle. Every time you need a glass of wine, these will bring fond memories!

Wishing Tree Guest Book

We had a couple who chose a meaningful tree that was temporarily placed at the venue as a decor feature (and then planted in their garden post the celebration), with a beautiful sign titled (wishing tree), and alongside were little tags where guests could write a wish for the couple, along with a message, and hang them from the tree. By the end of the evening, the tree was adorned with beautiful wishes, love and blessing, making both the tree and all the cards a very beautiful keepsake for their home.