Once a cut
and dried element of the wedding, the classic guest book could
often be substituted by a copy of the guest list, if it is simply
approached by guests as an invitation for each person to sign
their name.
An
enlargement of your engagement photo can be displayed on an easel
with a mat designed to hold signatures and sentiments of those who
attended your event. These products are usually available through
your photographer and are also advertised in bridal magazines.
Notecards
and pens can be left on a table at the reception entrance or
placed at each persons place setting. Make certain that there are
several people dedicated to spreading your intention by word of
mouth. Ask for a good wish, a piece of advice or other acquired
wisdom. The finished cards might be tucked away in a special box
and ceremoniously reviewed for anniversaries or other occasions or
formally incorporated in a custom album.
Products
are also available for which guests can have a Polaroid photograph
taken and put into a individual book page on the spot. Then they
can memorialize their written sentiments on that same page.
If you are
fond of journaling, you could purchase leaves of paper and capture
the special moments that occur between you and your fiance from
the moment of the engagement. Don’t be afraid to document the
details as you wind your way through the planning stages. Remember
that this is all part of the process and is the beginning of how
you learn to share your lives. On your wedding day, loose pages
can be made available to your guests with the requests mentioned
above. Finally, a journal of your honeymoon will polish off this
“Book of Us” and can be custom bound, a memento to be passed
down for generations to come.
Consider
having a tablecloth and fabric pens available for your guests.
Their signatures and good wishes can later be embroidered for a
family heirloom.
One caution
to be mentioned: if your reception is to be held in a party
atmosphere, ask someone to monitor the photo mat or tablecloth and
remove it later on, ensuring that your treasure is maintained.
These
tokens have the magic to take you back to that very first day, the
day you said “I do.”
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