Who - Designate someone you trust to "man" or "woman" the guestbook table. He or she will invite your guests to sign in, regulate the flow of traffic, and can answer questions. They are also a great pair of eyes to make sure nothing on the table gets broken. This person should be someone who has no other job or obligations at your wedding, someone you trust, and someone who will be cordial to your other guests.

What - So what are you going to use? I used vintage reproduction post cards, pens, a mailbox, and a typewriter for ambiance and instructions. If you opt for a typewriter, you will need to decide if it will be used or just for decoration. If using the typewriter, ensure it is working order and all the components are ready to go (ink ribbon, instructions, etc). Etsy has tons of guestbook alternatives including art and fingerprint mosaics. Do some research before you decide.

When - If your ceremony and reception take place at different venues, decide when your guestbook will be available. I made it available at both because we had guests that could only come to one or another. Make sure your reception venue will have a spot for it and that it's not hidden away from sight. We gave Patrick a break at this point so he could party down. People still need to know it's there and perhaps your DJ or MC can make an announcement to make sure everyone has signed.

Where - Most wedding ceremony venues will provide you with an area or table for your guestbook. Should you choose to do something else, make sure the table or area you are given will accommodate what you have in mind. I saw and measured the table at our garden ceremony venue way in advance and planned around it. When we transported all of our items to our wedding reception, we put just the "tools" necessary at the end of the candy bar.

How - The sooner the better. Keep a list of what you would like to include in your display. Start this as early as you can, especially if you have items that need to be purchased. Use butcher paper to cut out a template of the surface area of your guestbook table and do a mockup of how things will be arranged. In the final stages of planning, you can trace and label the items onto the paper and give the "map" to whomever is setting up the table on your wedding day.



