DIY! Guest Book Goes to the Birds

I think guest books - or at least the idea of recording who was at your wedding and any special wishes - are important. One of my favorite projects, or even challenges you might say, is to find new ways to do just that. So, to kick off the year, I created a guest book vignette for a wedding, shower, birthday, or any other special occasion...like New Years!

I may not plan weddings as much as I used to but the thrill, the romance, the creativity of brides and grooms and the events they create is still close to my heart. Many, so many couples ask how to create a guestbook without it being a guestbook. Did that make sense? The guest book is one of my favorite projects to revamp.

Now, I love little birdies and would be truly giddy to do a stylish birdie inspired wedding. Until then, I have created this display that can be used for a non traditional guestbook at a wedding.

The back of the cards read "draw a picture - write a poem  - share your words of wisdom." The guests would select a card write or draw a special something to the couple and drop it in a large glass bowl when done.I would do 3 of these displays and then have the remainder of the cards in a pretty crate or basket - depending on the size of the wedding.


The whole point of this is to get guests to eave creative well wishes in their own unique way. Have pens and markers, and even crayons out for the guests to go to town!

I do think this would be FAB if you hung the branch with pretty ribbon and had the birdie postcards hanging from the wires.

See I am all excited talking weddings!!

For those non-weeding folks, you can also do something similar at a bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, or other special event like New Years.

The key component to this display are the absolutely fabulous Chelsea Groves Postcards from Moo. As soon as I saw them, I loved them. Each and every different bird is sweet and colorful and chic and I think I may be framing some...I think I know the perfect place!

Supplies

• Moo postcards in design of choice - be careful you may be over there for days! So many GORGEOUS choices. 
• Gorilla Glue
• Branches (I used only one branch for this display...and found it in the yard)
• Drill with small bit (how technical is that)
• 16 gauge copper wire (or color of choice)
• Moss, optional
• Wire cutters

DIY IT!
Go check out THE DIY CLUB for the FULL TUTORIAL!
PDF coming tomorrow (a girl has got to sleep!)

It is January Project Party Time at The DIY Club!

Two weeks to come up with a Fab project and have a chance to win SUPER prizes!

Check out the vendors  - you must use a vendor sponsor product to enter...but get this sponsor products cost as little at a couple of dollars for craft paint...and did I already mention you can win cool prizes.

To decorate the table, I used natural elements - burlap, twigs, branches, etc. - mixed with some vintage pearls and buttons and finally a crystal or 2.

There are so many possibilities! 
Did you have a guest book at your wedding?

Great Ideas for Your Wedding!

I am always thrilled when I find something fun and new to do at a wedding, especially when it is a detail that brings even more meaning to an already wonderful occasion. Here are a couple of idea I ran across that are fabulous and have so much potential to work with so many weddings.

Jenny at Simcoe Street had a great idea for her wedding too!

Check out what she created for her wedding guest book table.

"What we did was get wedding photos of as many of our guests as we could - our aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, grandparents, parents and friends. Sometimes this meant calling the kids of our parents' friends and asking them to secretly scan and email us the pic. For a lot of them, our Moms had copies of pictures that we made copies of and used. Everyone was completely surprised by this, and it was fun to show weddings of all styles and decades and highlight the amazing tradition of weddings."

This idea is fun and what a great way to celebrate marriage!

************************

First, from Restoring Tracey, inspired ideas from a DIY Wedding.
I am particularly fond of the ladder used as a display...FAB idea!

Thanks ladies for the amazing ideas and inspiration!

An Idea to Book

I L-O-V-E bloggers and their creative ideas.

This amazing Monday,

I bring you one truly fantabulous project from

Jacqui at craftymcgee!

When I saw this, I instantly had visions of

how great this project is and the additional

creative possibilities it holds.

So check this out!

A great memory book filled with cards, memories

and well wishes from the guests...

All made out of an old BOOK!

Jacqui's idea was inspired by a wedding she

attended for a couple who loves their books.

It is a wonderful way to capture the style, personality

or theme of a couples special day.

It will look great sitting on your

coffee table or bookshelf for years!

You can read all about Jacqui's process HERE.

 

All photos from craftymcgee

Creative Guestbooking

Hey everyone!

This is a repost from awhile back, but I thought...

there are always new brides, and it is getting

to be that time when Spring and Summer brides should be

thinking about guest book options...

So here it is, some scoop on creative guestbooking!

The idea, or should I say, tradition of a guestbook has been around for what seems like forever. Over the last several years the guest book has taken some twists and turns. Probably the most popular reincarnation of the guestbook has been the matted engagement photo, where guests sign their well wishes on the matting surrounding the photo. However, there are many other creative alternatives that deserve some time in the spotlight. I am going to spend a few posts here and there, highlighting some of the best guest book ideas I have seen or heard of.

For the first installment, I am going to start with a really easy and fun alternative. For one super fun couple I worked with we simply purchased a spiral bound scrap book style photo album, like this...

Canson All Black Photo Book 13.25x11

Then I bought crayons, markers, and good 'ole regular pens. We placed these items in a cool container by the book, and created a frame with the phrase "Draw a picture. Write a poem. Share some words of wisdom."

To give guests a clue as to what we were doing (because it was different), I brought the guest book to the rehearsal dinner and had the parents and wedding party do their signing there. Guest love visuals!

Other great {and less DIY} guestbook options include:
Adesso Albums - You can check out a post I did about Adesso HERE.
and
The Guestbook Store

HIP TIP: The family and wedding party are really busy on the wedding day. By taking the guestbook to the rehearsal dinner they will have time to sign it and leave their well wishes without being rushed...and of course you don't want them to be left out of this special keepsake.

Oh yeah...come back on Friday...I will be giving away a copy of The Everything Wedding Etiquette Book!

Happy Planning!
Holly

Instant Gratification

This is your chance for "Instant Gratification."

Adesso Albums, the world's original instant photo guest book captures the images, feelings, and sentiments of the wedding day. These albums are so much more than just guest books..they are photographic event journals for your amazing day.

Simple...Beautiful...Affordable!

How can you go wrong!

This is an exciting time in your life, but it does pass all too quickly. Don't forget, an Adesso Album is also perfect for a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, bachelorette party,
bridal tea, honeymoon...or any other event.
Check this out...just because you are hanging out at hip weddings,

enter hip2010 at check out for a 10% discount on your purchase.

Here's the Scoop on the Albums...

What Do You Do?

Instant photos are taken of the guests as they arrive (ask a friend to be in charge of the picture taking...it makes it so much easier!). Then the photo is placed in the album where the guest can write a special note to the bride and groom.

What Do You Need?

Adesso originally used Polaroid cameras for the guest books, but Polaroid is "no more" {sob, sob}, and the Fujifilm Instanx 210 Camera has stepped up to take over {yippeee!}.

The Adesso Instant Photo Guest Book™ for Fujifilm Instax 200 Begin Now Kit Includes:

1. Photo Album: Covered in custom dyed Japanese fabric, inyour choice of colors (black, natural, pastel pink and pastel blue, brown and pewter). 

2. Fujifilm Instax 210 Instant Camera

3. Fujifilm Instax 200 Instant Color Print Film (ISO800) (Twin Pack)

Go check out Adesso Albums to see their collection
of guest books and accessories.

They even have an Instant Digital Photo Album Begin Now Kit.

A Little Note...

Should you have a Polaroid you would like to use, film is available and the original Polaroid guest book is too available...OR should you like the idea of the Polaroid, and do not own one, Adesso does rent Polaroid cameras.

Don't forget...

enter hip2010 at check out for a 10% discount on your purchase.

Happy Planning!
Holly

Here's my little disclosure/disclaimer. This is not a paid or compensated endorsement/advertisement. I just love these albums...ever since my days in L.A.

To Guest Book or Not to Guest Book

The idea, or should I say, tradition of a guestbook has been around for what seems like forever. Over the last several years the guest book has taken some twists and turns. Probably the most popular reincarnation of the guestbook has been the matted engagement photo, where guests sign their well wishes on the matting surrounding the photo. However, there are many other creative alternatives that deserve some time in the spotlight. I am going to spend a few posts here and there, highlighting some of the best guest book ideas I have seen or heard of.

For the first installment, I am going to start with a really easy and fun alternative. For one super fun couple I worked with we simply purchased a spiral bound scrap book style photo album, like this...

Canson All Black Photo Book 13.25x11

Then I bought crayons, markers, and good 'ole regular pens. We placed these items in a cool container by the book, and created a frame with the phrase "Draw a picture. Write a poem. Share some words of wisdom."

To give guests a clue as to what we were doing (because it was different), I brought the guest book to the rehearsal dinner and had the parents and wedding party do their signing there. Guest love visuals!

HIP TIP: The family and wedding party are really busy on the wedding day. By taking the guestbook to the rehearsal dinner they will have time to sign it and leave their well wishes without being rushed...and of course you don't want them to be left out of this special keepsake.

Happy Planning!

Holly