A guestbook is often used for large events such as a wedding, a large birthday or wedding party. Thanks to a guestbook you can see which people have been there and usually it is also used for a message such as success, strength or a personal piece of text. An official guestbook is a possibility, but there are more options for a guestbook. Especially if you are getting married, you may want to look at more options. In any case, always make sure that the guestbook is properly indicated or that it is specifically pointed out, it is nice if every guest uses it.
An official guestbook
You can buy a guestbook through various wedding webshops and the Bruna or other shops with school and / or office supplies. A guestbook is somewhat like a photo album. The book is usually large in size and provided with a sturdy cover. There are several guest books available, some you will find only empty pages, in others there are boxes in which you can write and there are also books where you fill in a page with a number of questions such as how you got to know someone and the possibility to write text. . The advantage of a guestbook is that it does not have to be that expensive and it is easy for the guests. The disadvantage is with a book where you can fill in something freely, some guests may only write their name and address. An official guestbook has a formal appearance and is therefore regularly used for funerals.
Wish bottle mail
This is especially a very nice concept if you have a wedding on the beach or, for example, at a location on the water or on a boat. You take a large glass bottle or a vase that looks like a bottle with such a small opening. You could choose one that also fits well with your own interior in terms of color.
If you choose a transparent vase or bottle, you can optionally add soft sand or decorative stones to the bottle to fill the bottom. Place paper next to the bottle, A5 is a great size to use. You can buy luxury handmade paper at hobby shops, but choose paper that is not too thick.
In addition, a pen is needed or several pens, rope and scissors. It is the intention that the guests write down their wish for the bridal couple, for example, roll up the note and put a string around it. At the end, the bottle will be filled with rolled-up notes and the strings will hang from the bottle so that you can easily grab the notes. You could put an explanation with the bottle or put a letter in it yourself as an example.
The disadvantage is that there is really time to be made and the guests need some instruction. The advantage is that people often write a little more and it can then be visible as decoration in the house.
A video message
To really get a picture of what people were like back then, it is great fun to see the video messages again after a few years. This way you can see how people have changed and you can really experience what the day was like again. There are several options for allowing guests to leave a message. For example, you can rent a video booth. It is a kind of display on a stand where the guests look at the screen and can film their video message. Afterwards you will receive the images from the landlord. The disadvantage is that the pole is not really movable, so all images are taken from the same angle.
You can also hire a cameraman / videographer. It costs a bit more, but he or she can record the whole day. It is a professional with basically the experience to film the best images and most important moments.
Then there is also the option to purchase a go pro yourself. A go pro is a small camera that you can put on a stick, for example. This way, every guest can pick up the camera and walk around with it. People can hold the camera in hand and thus record the most surprising images. On a phone you can download an app that allows you to immediately see what is visible on the camera. A go pro is in most cases cheaper than hiring someone for the whole day, while you can also use the camera for all kinds of things afterwards.
Instax photos
With an Instax camera, the photos come straight from the camera. You can choose a nice background at the location and possibly place props such as crowns, wine glasses, hats, text plates, etc. for the guests to use. Make sure someone is appointed to take the photos or make sure that the guests take alternate photos of each other. You can place a photo album on a table where the guests can directly paste their photo and write a text. The film rolls for an Instax camera are quite pricey. Because the photo will be visible quickly, a failed photo can be made again.
Coasters
You can buy blank coasters at various stores, such as wooden coasters. You can also look for small discs from branches / trees instead of coasters. You can provide a permanent marker for the guests to write on the coasters. You could possibly finish the coasters afterwards for a nice shine and so that the coasters are resistant to moisture. If you receive visitors, you can give the visitors their own written coaster.