No guest book?

LOL hey ive been to weddings where I gave gifts and STILL didnt get a thank you card... you'll be fine with no guest book... unless you REALLY REALLY REALLY want to remember all the people that were there. and trust me you wont remember them all with out that.

Our guest list is only around 100, so I don't think it'd be TOO bad, but I was trying to think of a way to remember everyone without the guestbook since I'm sure it'll just end up taking up space in a closet. I guess going by un-claimed escort cards, I could at least narrow down who didn't come. Either that or I was thinking of having everyone put their escort cards into a drawing to win a small gift or "free" drink or something since we're having a cash bar.

Why don't you blow up one of your engagement pics, put it in a big mat, and set it up for everyone to sign on their way into the reception?

Consider doing something different from a book for people to sign. Maybe a pack of blank index cards and a box of crayons. Very cheap and they can still leave you a message. You could get a wide picture mat for everyone to sign. With 100 people, though, it might get crowded. You could have your photographer go by and snap pics of each of the tables. I like the idea of saving the escort cards for a prize. You might even want everyone to put a message on the back of it. Use them for the thank you cards and then toss them when you're done or keep them in a scrapbook.

If you do the guest book, you should need to have an attendant because most people these days will walk right by it.

If you want, you can send a thank you card to ppl who attended w/o a gift. Totally up to you. Best thing to do is to send a special christmas card with your wedding pic in/on it like an announcement and thank them in there if you wish for those who attended but have not yet sent a gift etc. That way it is casual but nice.

BTW the biggest disappointment is to focus on getting gifts. Do not depend on cash gifts in the economy as part of the wedding budget. Many will surprise you with their generosity and quite a few will surprise you with their thoughtlessness but then again some will take extreme measures to even show up and support you and your wedding day. Go with the flow.

Im having my guests write a little note on a paper leaf and hang it on a tree. Im going to use those to keep track of who came. Then Im going to use them to decorate my scrapbook.

Thats Cute Dannie

I am still not sure what I am going to do. I don't like the guest book idea. (What will I do with it when I am done?) I am ocilating between the picture and wishing tree though.

We are doing a turkey platter and having people engrave their name in it. Its a small wedding with family only who live all across the country, so on holidays when they aren't there in person, they are there in spirit on our turkey platter! (or as FH says it, we get to eat turkey off of them but mine sounds nicer lol) Check out www.idoengraveables.com

I asked my daughter to trust me with her guestbook, as she was not sure about having one.

Her guests will sign scrapbook papers, in their colors. So, now you know where the guest book will end up. ;-)

I thought about it, and realized that I have no clue where my guest book is...but I do know where my photos are. Sooooo. ;-)

I bought a huge brandy snifter from Michaels and some card stock with the scalloped edges and we are asking guests to write a nice message and sign then throw it into the bowl. I thought it was cute and different (Martha Stewart)

I'm doing something like that libra.... but going to have the wishin well for them to put it in.

We're doing a wooden guest mat (I guess is what you would call it). like this but probably not so much with the hearts

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44513992&ref=cat2_list_15

Not sure where it will go in the house once it's signed but it fits with our theme and we both liked it better than a guest book. There are tons of alternatives to the traditional guest book. Etsy is a great place to find different ideas.

We're not having a guest book. I got a nice picture frame for Bed, Bath and Beyond and going to have anyone sign the mat. I wanted something I'm going to look at all the time because want do you do with a guest book, you put in a drawer and never look at it again-at least that's the way I feel about guest books.

I made my guest book I love crafts so I went and bought a spiral bound think cardstock book and just added in pictures on one side and then a place to sign on the other....that way when it's all said and done I have a phtoalbum of pictures of us with some nice signatures and well wishes. I added lots of flowers, embellishments, etc. We are having a few family memebers sit at the "guest book table" where people can also leave cards and buy drink tickets...so it works out well.

We do an all guest photo at some weddings. After the ceremony get all the guest together outside, including the bridal party, and take one big photo of everyone. Even with 100 people. It's super fun, gets all the people who don't know each other together in something fun they just did together. That way you get to see everyone who was there. Between you and your groom you should be able to figure out who was there. My hubby and I did that at ours and it is fun to look at that photo and remember those we forgot who were there!

Consider doing a seating chart, instead of escort/place cards, with a very nice wide boarder, where your guests can write their warm wishes.

I love that idea, Libragurl! Do you mind if I use it, too?

I came up with the idea for a wedding quilt. I want to incorporate the scrap fabric from my gown and ribbons from decor. I have been thinking of having scraps of fabric (in our colors) for the guests to sign, and write messages on. It would be a guest book you can curl up together under. I also liked Dannie's messages on a tree and saw that on another site (I don't remember which one), and had been toying with the idea. You can also buy nice plates, and have guests sign them with sharpie, and hang them in your dining room.

@ Erica - I knew a girl who did the quilt thing and it was beautiful...I love quilts and that is actually what my soon to be mother-in-law made me for one of my bridal showers and everyone signed the back...very meaningful and will be used forever!