Unique Wedding Ideas: Guest Book Alternative

There are weddings all the time, everywhere, every day. Finding a unique way to celebrate and put your own special touch on your wedding is a continual challenge for couples. I recently attended a wedding of a mature couple whose family had some very special and unique ideas for the wedding of their parents. I would like to share with you one special one of their Unique Wedding Ideas: Guest Book Alternative.

As a Guest Book, the family had a pen and ink picture made of a tree with branches and a tire swing suspended from it. In the trunk of the tree, a heart was carved with the initials of the bride and groom. A Guest Book Attendant gave each guest a choice of colors of ink pads from which to choose a color for their "leaf": brick red, mocha brown, golden amber and moss green. They were then asked to place a thumbprint "leaf" on the branches to create a beautiful tree with fall leaves hanging from the branches. Guests are then given a wipe so they can remove any remaining traces of ink before entering the wedding venue. Be sure to keep a trashcan or basket handy for the used wipes. It was a lovely memento and everyone was more than willing to accommodate the wedding couple's request.

It was a small wedding, but the tree had a wealth of individual thumbprints decorating its branches. The leaves could have been full and lush and even falling with a colorful ground cover. As a fall wedding guest book, it was perfect. The bride and groom had a beautiful reminder of their wedding day to hang on their wall while offering each guest a special place to give their "stamp of approval" on the wedding!

For winter, the tree drawn on a blue background with white fingerprints would leave the impression of snow. For spring, the use of pink would leave the impression of cherry blossoms. For summer, shades of green would fill it full and lush.

You can opt to have the thumbprints only, or to have guests add their names to their "leaves". It is up to you! It is your guest book, your memento from this special day. Think about what you would like and be sure to give your guest book attendant specific instructions. It was a lovely way to provide an alternative guest book for a unique wedding!

Photo and Text Copyright 2011 Deborah M. Carey