Top 10 Best Wedding Guest Books in the UK 2021 (Ginger Ray, Kate Aspen and More)

Guest books save loved ones from wasting money, time and resources on buying a card. But when you're looking for the perfect book, there are a few simple ways to make your decision easier and your final choice more satisfying. This guide aims to help you pick one that brings lasting joy!

First, let's weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of the different types of books, inside which your wedding guests can record memories and messages of love. Aside from a traditional, hardback wedding guest book, there are plenty of more unusual options to consider.

An elegant wedding guest book is a wonderful way to keep messages from your family and friends safe in one place. It looks understated and tasteful and will suit simple, classic wedding decor. Hardcover wedding guest books often have up to 200 pages with plenty of room for all your guests to write long messages.

You might want to look for books that have a ribbon page marker, or space for guests to stick polaroids and other photographs. Once the wedding is over, a traditional guest book is easy to store, preserving your loved ones' messages of support in one place. They can even be displayed on a shelf or coffee table, for future house guests to look through and reminisce!

Perhaps a traditional wedding guest book feels a little old-fashioned for you and your spouse-to-be. If that's the case, never fear! There are plenty of inspiring wedding guest book alternatives which will blend well with the decor at a quirky modern wedding. 

The biggest advantage of this type of wedding guest book is that it breaks with tradition and provides a fun wedding activity that's a little different. Some alternative wedding guest books can also be saved as a gorgeous visual wedding memento. Although, others may be more difficult to store conveniently. 

It's time to delve more deeply into more unique possibilities for your wedding guest book. You'll need to contemplate how the book fits into to the overall style and theme of your nuptials, how you plan to store or display your guest book after the wedding, and how long you hope guests' messages will be!

A wedding guest book jigsaw or Jenga style stacking game is a cute alternative to the typical bound book. In particular, blocks or puzzle pieces crafted from natural-looking wood provide a gorgeous rustic touch to a whimsical outdoor wedding. 

Turn writing in your guest book into a fun activity for guests as they leave a note and slot their jigsaw tile in place, or try to stack wooden blocks without them falling over! These guest books are perfect if you're happy with simple, brief messages, and the game element is ideal for weddings where there are younger guests who need occupying.

A potential downside of these gamified wedding guest books is that the space for writing messages is pretty limited. There's room for a name and a few kisses, but not much else. It's also worthwhile keeping storage in mind, as any wedding guest book with numerous, little pieces comes with the risk of losing them.

Another wedding guest book idea that's a little more out-of-the-ordinary, is a globe onto which guests can write their messages. This is the perfect choice for couples who love travel and have enjoyed all kinds of adventures together. Guests have plenty of space to write, and could even circle places where they met or holidayed with the couple! 

Though the surface isn't flat, the globe may be a little more accessible for older guests to leave their messages on than those with miniature pieces. But the biggest benefit of a wedding guest globe is that it can be displayed in your home as a timeless memory, whether on a shelf, at a desk or in pride of place on a mantelpiece. 

Perhaps you like the idea of positioning your wedding guest book as a decorative focal point? There's something reminiscent of childhood fairy tales about a 3D tree onto which your guests can hang their warmest wedding wishes for the day and the rest of your lives, particularly for couples who love fantasy, folklore and the great outdoors.

This kind of guest book would look gorgeous as part of a wedding filled with natural touches, or perhaps even one held outside. Plus, the small hearts allow guests to keep their messages short and sweet. Once the wedding comes to a close, the tree can be displayed in your home as a souvenir of the day you said 'I do'.

Wedding guest books that are already framed are quite popular nowadays, particularly for vintage-style or rustic weddings with a whimsical, bohemian theme. Ideal for displaying long after your special day is over, this type of wedding guest book comes in a variety of guises. 

Some framed wedding guest books have lines of string with little wooden pegs, so guests can pin their notes, as though on a washing line. Others come with tiles or shapes that can be written on before slotting them into the top of the frame so that they fall down to create a pretty collage of messages. 

The frame can be displayed during the wedding too, making an attractive backdrop for photographs, and a talking point for guests!

It may be helpful to consider the type of material your wedding guest book is made from, as this not only affects the price, but also the quality and the way it fits with the decor and style of your wedding day. Embellished paper-bound books are light and tasteful, while ones with a marble-effect cover offer a more sophisticated look. 

You may even like the idea of a classic wedding guest book with a decorative wooden cover. As non-traditional guest books are often also made of wood, it may be helpful to know that while MDF is cheaper than plywood, plywood is less susceptible to water damage. 

Planning a small wedding with just your very closest friends and family? A guest book with space for between 70 and 80 guests to write their messages of love should be perfect. If you have a larger wedding party, look out for guest books with enough spaces for 100 - 200 guests to sign their names. 

Another great tip if you have a very long guest list, is to opt for a guest book with a high number of pages, so multiple guests can write short messages on each page. You could even look for an alternative wedding guest book where there is no fixed area for guests to write. This allows your guests to choose how much space to take up, so the number of messages is unlimited!

While your wedding guest book will feel extremely personal to you, as it contains messages of love from your nearest and dearest, a personalised touch can make your wedding day feel even more special. Opt for a guest book which allow you to add your names and the date of your wedding day to create a memory you'll cherish for years to come.  

Personalised guest books may not be to every taste, but with a playful graphic typeface in a bold colour, the addition of your most important wedding particulars can look truly wonderful. Just be aware that personalised wedding guest books tend to cost a few pounds more on average, so those on a budget may want to skip this option. 

Now, let's reveal to our top ten favourite wedding guest books of the year. Some are traditional, whilst others are more original, quirky and fun, but all are beautiful - and shouldn't do too much damage to your budget! 

It's ever more common to see disposable and Polaroid cameras at weddings these days. Not only can soon-to-be-weds save money on a fancy photographer, they can also get silly, candid photos of moments they may have missed while they were busy mingling with long-lost aunties or interrogating their favourite colleague's questionable new boyfriend. 

If you are planning to let guests snap Polaroids at your wedding, or like the idea of being able to add prints into your guest book after the big day is over, select one with space for photos, whether that be on delegated spots or blank pages. If you're wondering about the best way to organise the Polaroids in your guest book, check out this video for some inspiration! 

In order to ensure your wedding is a wonderful one, you'll need some of the essentials. From decorations to drinks, below are some of our favourite articles for anyone planning knock-out nuptials, even on a sensible budget! 

With the happiest day of your life on the horizon, you now have one more wedding element checked off your list. Whether you plump for a traditional wedding guest book, or a modern alternative, we hope you share a truly magical lifetime together!

Author: Annie Hopkins