Your mother was married in the 70’s. Where is her guest book? It was most likely the traditional “guest book” and is now in a box, tucked away in the closet and not seen for years; fast forward to the 21st century. When choosing wedding guest books, today’s brides have more options then those available in her mother’s generation and these alternative, unique wedding guest books are much more useful and decorative.
The most popular of these alternatives is the signature platter. A unique wedding guest book where friends and family sign their name by different means on different materials like trays, platters or ceramic plates. The newest trend is pewter or sterling sliver serving trays into which guests actually engrave their names with a special non-mechanical pen.
Other alternatives include quilts, which guests can sign with a special marker; ceramic platters signed with a marker; or a picture of the bride and groom, or a piece of artwork, with guests signing the mat.
These unique guest books can be displayed on a wall. Or, if using the ceramic signature platter or pewter or sterling tray, they can also be displayed in a china cabinet and become a conversation piece when used for serving at parties and family gatherings.
When using a guest book alternative, the bride and groom are “creating their first family heirloom”, that can be handed down for generations.
Helpful Hint – Whether using the traditional guest book or one of the new alternatives, be sure it is present at the rehearsal dinner. So often, after the wedding, the bridal party forgets to sign the guest book. After their wedding duties and posing for pictures, they are ready to kick back at the reception, enjoying the food and libations. The rehearsal dinner is a much more relaxed and less structured event. The bride and groom have the time to make certain that all of the bridal party, as well as close relatives and friends attending the rehearsal dinner, have the opportunity to sign.
