Bring on the Guest Book

I've always loved special, handwritten notes from friends and important people in my life. I display all my thank you cards and special notes at work at my desk, and save every birthday and holiday card I get in storage at home. For some reason, I can't bring myself to part with these special, personal words that people took the time to write to me!

 

The only problem with this is that, over time, this starts to take up a lot of space... especially when you consider the fact that I very rarely ever revisit these cards and notes. Kind of hoarder-ish of me, I guess.

 

Wedding guest books fall under this same category for me. Like photographs and wedding videos, guests books are another sentimental way to remember who you shared your special day with and the caring words and well-wishes they shared with you. For me personally, I would hold onto my wedding guest book forever, even if that means I only dig it up and read it on our anniversary.

 

I've become super into guest book alternatives, for the simple fact that it's a new experience for your guests, and can somehow be incorporated into your post-wedding life without being forced upon your home décor or hidden away in some trunk in your attic.

 

 

This idea really stood out to me the first time I saw it! I know growing up, we had a globe in my house. It helped with learning my geography, capitals, history, etc., and was also fun for creative reasons, picking a random place on the globe with my Dad and planning imaginary trips to far away destinations. For a wedding, having your guests sign a globe can serve multiple purposes. If you have a lot of guests who traveled to attend your wedding, they can sign where they came from (which is also a nod to them for their dedication to make it to your nuptials). If your wedding is travel themed (passport invitations, suitcase escort card display, etc.), this is another adorable way to tie in your theme and entertain your guests.

Photo by Byron Loves Fawn, as seen on Style Me Pretty

 

 

Another unique way to collect notes from your guests that you can stylishly incorporate into your home. After guests write their words on rocks and stones, you can place them (like shown) in a glass case for display on your mantle or side table. It's subtle, yet special, and something that can be with you every day as your married life grows in your home. P.S. Eco-friendly!

As seen on Babble

 

 

I thought this was such a fun and non-traditional way to involve guests in the wedding. Each card is a "puzzle piece" of the larger photo of the couple. Each guest's place setting has one of the puzzle pieces at it, along with a number on the back that corresponds with where that piece goes on the board to form the overall picture. The back will also ask guests for well-wishes. Post-wedding, the couple can read them all, then frame the completed picture and hang in their house as a really sentimental piece of art for a wall in their home.

As seen on That's Happy

New Year, New Business, New Blog!

Well... It's my first blog post for One & Only Productions. I've been wanting to have my own wedding blog for a while now, ever since the planner I worked for in Santa Barbara had me write some blog posts for her as a part of my internship a few years back. That was in the time period where I was realizing this whole "wedding thing" is what I want to do, like for real. Part of this path involves blogging, as wedding ideas and trends these days are heavily reliant on internet exposure for vision boards, exposure, and sharing!

 

While my business is growing and I accumulate a portfolio for myself and my company, I'll focus most of my posts on other things. The topic of the day: signage!

 

To me, signage is muy importante. I hate when I feel that guests don't know what to "do" next. My ideal wedding flows effortlessly, with organic movement from one space of the venue to another. While staff can play a great role in this (wedding coordinator pointing guests to where they should go next, catering staff waiting in the next destination with passed hors d'oeuvres in hand), signage place a huge role in this. Signs are also cheaper than hiring staff, and can be yet another avenue to add flare, design, and theme to your wedding and venue. Have you ever been at a wedding or event and wondered, "Will there be dinner later, or are these appetizers all I'm getting," "Where the heck is the bathroom," or "I need a drink... WHERE can I get a drink..."? The more little spots you can tie in with your theme, the more your guests will say to themselves "Wow, she thought of EVERYTHING!" That, my friends, is my goal.

 

Here are some signage ideas I love, pulled directly from my Pinterest page.

 

 

I love this idea. The use of symbols, rather than words, is playful and super easy to understand.

Photo by Alison Conklin Photography

 

 

This is another great way to subtly let your guests know what's going on. These signs not only add to he design of this wedding, with their exlectic, rustic feel. They also provide a schedule for the wedding night, letting everyone know what time they can expect everything to happen. The less confusion your guests feel, the better time they will inevitably have!

Photo by Gina Cristine Photography

 

 

All too often, guests approach the guest book table and just...don't get it. People are veering away from the traditional "Guest Book" and are opting for more unique, updated versions of this popular practice to send and receive well wishes. Adding a simple sign, like this, alleviates any confusion and can beautiful any boring guest book table or presentation.

Photo from etablirshop.com