| Your wedding is a momentous occasion that you will | | | | dropped into a big vase or basket designated for |
| always want to remember. One nice memory is all of | | | | that purpose. This is a great idea for a bride who |
| the guests who helped make your day special. A | | | | enjoys scrapbooking, as she can later combine the |
| great way to keep a record of the people who | | | | notes with photos of the guests who wrote them to |
| helped you celebrate your marriage is with a guest | | | | make a very special momento. |
| book. | | | | Speaking of photos, sometimes couples will set out a |
| Traditionally, the guest book is an attractive small | | | | Polaroid camera and ask that the guests take |
| book with lines for the guests to sign their names. It | | | | pictures of themselves and each other in lieu of a |
| is usually placed on a table near the entrance to the | | | | regular guest book. Put out a couple of Sharpies so |
| reception, so that all of the guests will have the | | | | that the pictures can be "autographed" by the |
| opportunity to sign it. Placing a person in charge of | | | | subjects. You could even set up a glamorous |
| the guest book (although in reality, they don't do | | | | backdrop for the subjects to stand in front of while |
| much) is considered a way to give them a role of | | | | being photographed. It would be a really cute idea for |
| honor without having them in your wedding party. It's | | | | a Hollywood inspired wedding. |
| a perfect assignment for your grandmother or | | | | A wonderful idea is to set up a wishing tree. Take |
| chatty aunt. Guest books are often sold as sets with | | | | tree branches, and paint them a color that |
| matching pens. | | | | coordinates with your wedding scheme, such as |
| If you will have a creative crowd attending your | | | | white, silver, gold, or red. "Plant" the branches into a |
| wedding, consider putting out a scrapbook instead of | | | | decorative container. Then dress it up by decorating |
| a lined guest book. This will encourage your guests to | | | | the branches. A very elegant idea is to hang teardrop |
| do more than sign their names. Supply a variety of | | | | crystals from the branches - it is a perfect |
| colored markers and other materials so that your | | | | complement if the bride is wearing crystal bridal |
| guests can really put a piece of themselves into the | | | | jewelry. Even if the bride is wearing pearls instead of |
| project. You are likely to end up with a lot of funny | | | | crystal bridal jewelry, the sparkle of the crystals on |
| messages, good wishes, sweet quotations, and even | | | | the wishing tree will add a special touch to the |
| a few pieces of original art! | | | | reception. Provide little notecards with ribbons on |
| Some couples like the idea of a momento, but prefer | | | | them for the guests to write a special wish to the |
| something other than the traditional guest book. One | | | | newlyweds that they can hang on the wishing tree. |
| popular idea is to have a picture frame that your | | | | Your guest will love this idea, and the tree can be |
| guests can autograph. After the wedding, the | | | | reused in the future at Thanksgiving - have everyone |
| newlyweds will use it to frame their favorite wedding | | | | hang a little note naming something for which they |
| photo. This can be a nice idea if you want to keep | | | | are thankful. What a meaningful tradition to start. |
| the list of your guests out where you will see it on a | | | | The friends and family members who attend your |
| daily basis. | | | | wedding will be a big part of what makes the day |
| There are other creative alternatives to a traditional | | | | special. Remember your guests by choosing one of |
| guest book. Sometimes the bride and groom will put | | | | these variations of a guest book. Whether it is |
| out small blank pieces of paper and pens. Have a | | | | something that you see every day, or pull out on |
| framed note on the table requesting that your | | | | your anniversary each year, you will be glad to have |
| guests jot down their names and wishes for the | | | | something to help you remember who was there on |
| bride and groom. The pieces of paper can then be | | | | your wedding day. |