Your wedding guest book is one of the most special memoirs from your wedding. However, the time-honored tradition of the paper guest book in paper is slowly changing and many new innovative ideas for wedding guest books are becoming popular. If you are willing to take a walk on the wild (or mild) side, please consider one or more of the following ideas for your upcoming ceremony.
Lampshades Aren't Just For Party Hats
So what if you are not the party animal you used to be? Now you can put that neglected corner table lamp to use by using the lampshade as a guest book. Just place the lamp on the reception table with a permanent marker, and your guests can sign their names and wedding wishes for posterity. Simply explain that people will be writing on the shade and it should complement your wedding theme. The lamp then becomes a daily memory of your special day when you bring it back home, perhaps finally in a better location!
You've Been Framed
Every couple has at least one favorite wedding photo. And it goes without saying that you will proudly display your wedding photo in a lovely frame. So rather than sign a traditional guest book, you can have your wedding guests sign photo frames. Save your first kiss or other treasured moment for family and wedding party signatures, and let your other guests sign additional photo frames.
Is This Thing On?
For a modern-day interpretation, you can have an audio and video wedding guest book. Of course this isn't really a book, but it serves the same purpose: a living record of your wedding day. Use a professional videographer or ask a friend or family member to interview a few guests documentary-style about their thoughts on your matrimony. Some editing may be required!
Knit One, Pearl Two
You can turn a custom a quilt into a wedding guest book. At your wedding ceremony, set up a table with the pre-cut quilt squares and a few acid-free permanent markers. You can provide larger squares for those who deserve extra room such as the wedding party members. After the wedding, you can have the quilt professionally sewed, creating a lasting treasure that can also keep your feet warm on winter nights.
Getting Engraved Many couples are opting for engraved or hand-painted wedding invitations. Did you know that you can purchase a hand-made guest book that will match your invitations? Local artists are often an excellent source for these special guest books, and an eBay search for "custom wedding invitations" will often put you in touch with the right vendors.
As you have seen, the wedding guest book is no longer just any book. In fact, it may not be a book at all. I hope you have enjoyed some of our guest book ideas that blend traditional and unique concepts. And make sure no one trips over the cord when they're signing your wedding lampshade!
Do you remember as a little kid trying to stand out and show off in front of your family and friends? Maybe you danced or sang a song. Played an instrument. Then as teenagers you dressed outlandishly. Maybe even had colored your hair orange--and it wasn't even Halloween! We did lots of unique and different things to stand out and get attention.
Be a contrarian. Be different.
We need to do the same thing with the books we want to write. Do you want to stand out in a crowded book market? You can if your book is different. Have a unique idea and twist it a little. That is the secret--be different.
While you are in the planning stages of your book, before you even write one word, you have to decide your slant, your purpose, your reader, and will it be different than the other books on your subject? If you do this, you could have a great book.
How to determine the unique purpose of your book:
As an entrepreneur you are going to write a book with solutions for your client and your reader. They want this book. They need it. You are the only one who can write it from your perspective and expertise. Listen to your clients. When they thank you and praise you what do they like about what you did for them.
Keep notes on your successes. Tell your clients and friends you are writing a book. Ask them what would they like to know that would be helpful to them. Once you have enough notes and ideas you are ready to write you book. Now is the time to decide how can your book be different from all the others out there. Again, you can ask your clients and friends for their ideas. People love to help successful people. Always keep in mind that you want your book to be different.
The market wants your book with a twist:
Years ago I thought every weight loss program had been written. There isn't any more to write. Hah! That didn't happen. Another author always comes up with a new book on weight loss and many of us jump to buy it hoping it is our answer to losing weight. How about cookbooks? Isn't there enough of them out there? Apparently not, because new books pop up every day and readers welcome them. Books on writing have great titles to interest us such as "How to Write A Book in 14 days," or "7 Days," or 28 Days, or mine is "90 Days." A unique title for fixing cars could be, "10 Easy Ways To Fix Your Own Car." All of these titles are unique and will catch the readers' eyes.
Find your niche at the bookstore:
Gather all your ideas and check out the books at the bookstore. Look at the book covers. Which ones catch your eye? We know the book cover design is important. To be different could mean an eye-catching cover and title for your book. Look at all books in your category. Are you asking yourself, "Will my book be better than these?" I hope so because you are developing your niche, your creative ideas, and how you want to present your book.
Now you are ready to write!
You've gathered all your notes. You've been to the bookstore and know what your book will look like. You have identified ways to make your book different and unique. You are now ready to write your great book with a twist. Get started. Your reader is anxiously waiting.
Both Andrew Morris & Joan Clout-kruse are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Andrew Morris has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Adware and Writing. Do you want to learn how to save over 50% on your wedding and how you can plan it in less time? Click below and learn where to buy , gowns, ha. Andrew Morris's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
Joan Clout-kruse has sinced written about articles on various topics from self improvement and motivation, E Books and Marketing. America's Book Coach, Joan Clout-Kruse, helps entrepreneurs and business professionals write a biz book that will get them recognized as an expert, attract more clients and boost their income. Get a roadmap on how to write, publish, market and promote you. Joan Clout-kruse's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.