Fairytale Wedding

The traditional coffee table book has become much more personal over the years. Now offering personalized, custom “story books” for any or all milestones in your life.  One of my favorite wedding guest book ideas are the well wisher/message books.  One idea better is a message book with pictures!

A wedding guest book that’s really a photo album or scrapbook is usually available through a photographer.  Or simply make one yourself and bring it on your big day. Be sure to leave space for guest comments!  “Our Story” or “Our Romance” are popular theme ideas for choosing and arranging photos that you will use in your ”wedding guest book”.

My sister has always been the creative kind, so it was no surprise that most of her wedding items were DIY!  But one of the things that really stood out for me was how she took a regular white guest book and turned it into a collage of her and her man’s life together and hobbies.

The perfect wedding guest book!  This wedding story collage picture frame reminded me of what my sister did and I thought, “what a great way for us not-so-creative types to do the same thing!  Display a story for our wedding guests.  After all, this is our day!

Careful thought of your intentions after the wedding day can help you decide what guest book is right for you.  This is especially a good idea if you are having trouble deciding what type you’d like to have.  Will you store your book or display it?  A vase will take up shelf space whereas a photo signature mat can be hung on the wall …

There are so many styles of wedding guest books it may seem like a daunting task to choose the one best for your wedding.  Aside from the many colors and styles of register books, there are also signature photo mats, vases and well wisher books to choose from!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional satin, lace, ribbon and bows, but 2010 weddings are all about bold color, texture and artful folds. Folds? Yup, I said folds.  That origami swan cloth napkin is nothing compared to the stylish pleats available this season.  You’ll see it in gowns, floral design and even wedding guest books!

So if you’re the bride-to-be who’s been waiting for a modern, bold, artsy style wedding, you’ll readily find wedding decorations, accessories such as sexy satin sandels with a row of looped ribbon, or jewelry items like drop earing that resemble a glass ball tree ornament or asian party lantern moreso than a traditional pearl jewelry set.

With the holidays quickly approaching it’s easy to and almost impossible not to have to back-burner your wedding day plans.  Depending on when you’re big day is of course!  If you are having a winter wedding, a Christmas or Valentine’s day celebration then you may be interested in appropriately themed wedding accessories, such as this collection pictured for a winter wonderland wedding.

Of course themed wedding guest books don’t end with the holidays, there are flowers such as calla lilies, daisies or roses for a garden party, butterflies for a spring fling, Celtic styles for the Irish (or Irish at heart), beautiful faith embellishments for a spiritual wedding, happily ever after for the fairy tale themed wedding . . . the list goes on and on.  So whether you’ve chosen a specific theme or not, you’re sure to find a guest book and pen set that will fit the occasion.

Before deciding on the type of wedding guest book that’s right for you, ask yourself what you want long-term from your wedding guest registry.  First of all, do you even want a guest “book”? Would a signature vase, platter or photo matt that you can display in your home after the big day suit your personality or lifestyle better?

Obviously, wedding guests books aren’t just “books” anymore!  There are ”well-wisher” cards and instant photo scrapbooks, where the guests are encouraged to give their blessings and/or advice.  So think about what you will do with your wedding registry list after the big event and let that help you decide what the right wedding guest book is for you!

The moment I read about an idea for a wedding guest registry table, I knew I wanted to put my own spin on it for my wedding.  The bridal portrait had been taken with the bride wearing her grandmother’s wedding dress.  The picture was in a large, old-fashioned frame and set on an easel beside the guest book table.  On the table next to the guest book was her grandmother and grandfather’s wedding portrait.  

I wanted my wedding guest book and table decor to match this concept. I wanted something more modern but elegant and nothing plain or old-fashion looking (since that’s not me!). Plus, both my mother and fiance’s mother had bridal portraits taken in more modern (for the time) gowns, so I’ve decided I’ll display all three portraits in large, modern frames behind my guest book on a round table.  (I’m very close to my fiance’s mother, so this feels like a nice way to include her.)  I will use several brighter colors (that compliment my wedding colors) for the fabric on the table.   My guest book table will be in the entry of a long hallway to the ceremony, so it gives me the ability to have a sort-of “stand-alone” display.  I’m very excited about this idea!

While planning our wedding, many of us may not consider our accessories as part of the wedding decor.  Even though mix and match is doable, it should be within the scope of the wedding theme or style.  I know I find myself overwhelmed by the many options of wedding accessories and I love so many styles! Everything from sassy and unique to sophisticated and elegant.

I began planning my wedding with the hopes of having a fairy tale wedding theme.  I was very excited to find so many wedding accessories that were embroidered with “Happily Ever After…” such as ring bearer pillows and even unique wedding guest books. But I recently found myself in a pickle trying to coordinate everything.  After contimplating my colors for awhile, it came down to ivory and gold or red and turquoise, based on the availability of coordinating items out there.  Most of the wedding accessories that I like are white.  I was lucky enough to see the ”Happily Ever After” Collection I was going to purchase at a bridal show and I noticed that the accessories are all embroidered with orange and silver thread.  Right now, I’m really just happy I decided to give myself plenty of time to browse before the final wedding plans must be made!

I can’t think of a better way of honoring loved ones, a way to make them feel special and a part of your wonderful day, then a photographic display on your wedding cake or guest book table.  Childhood or wedding day photos of generations of family members is a thoughtful memorial.

A twist that one creative bride put together was a display of several unique photographs.  These included photos of eachother’s set of parents when they told them the news of their engagement, a collage of images of bridesmaids and the bride at a bridal shop trying on different dresses,  a picture of the groom as a boy with his father and grandfather fishing, one of the couple with many of their friends that we’re attending their wedding camping, etc.  The picture frames all coordinated nicely with each other as well as the camouflage style wedding guest book and pen set to go along with the “outdoor” green and blue wedding theme.  They hung a banner behind the small circular table that stated, “Making More Memories” along with their names and wedding date.

If I had to choose one great thing about today’s wedding world, it would be the diversity.  Finding the perfect gown, wedding accessories and bridal jewelry is a real possibility.  Although a bit overwhelming at first, you start to realize that, yes, “perfect” (what I really want) is out there.   There’s no settling for this bride!  Unique wedding accessories with personality and style that truly reflect ”you” are available to the modern bride.

Accessories that are outgoing, dramatic or sophisticated.  Truly vintage bridal jewelry set or just a vintage-look? (I’ll never tell!)  Like retro, bright colors and large flower petaled prints? I’ll bet your flower girl will look adorable in a pastel colored dress!  How about a camouflage ring bearer pillow or jet black bridal garter?  If you don’t want a traditional guest book, consider a signature picture frame or platter.  My point?  Don’t be afraid to show your style modern bride, because there’s no right or wrong on your special day!