Reception Fun

I suppose I could have a traditional guest book or registration book, but I'm not sure what the point of them is. I mean, I invited all the people, I should know who's there right? They (assuming) RSVP'd, so what is the point? Is there one? WWEPD (What Would Emily Post Do)?

Well, I've seen and read a lot of creative options - anywhere from Polaroid pictures (an AWESOME choice, but pricey) to write-on platters. I wanted to have something that I could look back on with interest and love on our special day. What the heck would that be? I did a lot of searching and I thought that a time capsule of some sort would be cool. Have people write messages to us 1, 5, 10 years later that we could open on our anniversaries. I thought that might be a bit much to get set up, so I came up with another idea that The Candyman was OK with. He really doesn't get why I'm doing a lot of the things I'm doing. Well....because. That's why. I really have no idea. Because it's fun. At least I think it is. And, I have all this left over card stock and I wanted a useful project.

So here we go! The idea for the set up came from a great source called The Guestbook Store. I really think what they offer is reasonable and totally cute. I'm all for it. I think if you're not a DIY kinda bride, this might be the way to go. They have other options for birthdays and showers. Check it out! However, I am a crafty bride so figured out my own way to do this.

First, I decided what I wanted the guests to tell us. I wanted to know who they were, where they came from and how they knew us. I have a section for predictions, newlywed advice and special memories they want us to recall. Because I don't have special artwork software, I did a lot in PowerPoint and Word using free online clip-art, fonts and tweaking colors. I printed the front and back page on one side of the card stock and the interior stuff on the other side.

Getting ready to assemble.

The inside of the booklet.

1/8" chocolate brown ribbon from Michael's at $.50 a roll, with a 20% off coupon! Love my coupons.

A 1/4" heart shaped punch. The Candyman loves this thing! It really is fun to punch out hearts! I got this at Michael's too for $5.99 with a 40% off coupon.

To fold the card stock so that it looks professional and pretty, I scored the booklet on the inside first using a bone folder ($5.99 at Micheal's with a 20% off coupon).


Then I folded the booklet with the score on the inside, matching up the corners and then sliding the edge of the bone folder along the crease to make a nice, professional fold.

Then I punched the heart shaped holes on the outside edge of the booklet. I cut about 2-1/2" of ribbon, created a loop and slid it through the heart shaped hole and threaded the ends through the loop to keep the booklet closed. I know a lot of the loops will get lost when people fill this out, but that's OK. I think it looks sweet.


So the plan is to have these and a bunch of pens out during cocktail hour for people to fill in and have some fun! We plan to read through all of these on our first anniversary.

Are you having a traditional guest book? If not, what are you doing?