Polaroid at a wedding. Once you’re married, your guest book will be one of the most treasured keepsakes from your wedding (besides photos, of course). Set aside a special place at your wedding with a beautifully designed book and pens for your guests to write down their warm wishes, words of wisdom, and signatures. This is a sincere way to immortalize this special day and treasure the memory of those who shared it with you.
Handwritten wishes are a touching way to keep the spirit of your celebration alive. But to make your guest book even more special, consider a Polaroid guest book. Photos of your guests, complete with their wishes, will create an unforgettable and unique archive of your wedding.
To realize this idea, ask each guest to take a Polaroid photo, paste it in the guest book, and write their wishes. So, when you look through the book after the wedding, you will be able to remember not only the words, but also the faces of your guests, their mood and emotions on that day. In addition, Polaroid pictures will capture your guests in a more informal atmosphere than traditional wedding photos. And for the guests themselves, it will be a fun way to relax, take a fun shot, and socialize with other guests.
Ready to try this unique idea? Read on to find out how to make a Polaroid guest book and get inspiration from 13 ideas:
1. Polaroid at a wedding. Add specifics
To make sure your guests understand exactly what to do, add a small informational sign to your Polaroid camera and guest book. For example, this wedding used a white sign that reads “Guest Photo Book” with clear instructions: “Take photo, glue, sign.” This simplifies the process and makes everything intuitive. Plus, the sign harmonizes with the style of the wedding.
2. Keep the concept in mind
The Polaroid guest book table must be not only functional but also attractive. In addition to the camera, guest book, and necessary supplies, add decorative elements. For example, the couple in the photo used a lush arrangement of roses with gold accents. Such details bring elegance and emphasize the overall concept of the event.
3. Polaroid at a wedding. All in one place
During a party, when everyone is engrossed in dancing, it can be difficult to draw guests’ attention to other important moments. Therefore, combine several areas with key active elements: a guest book with Polaroids, a greeting card box and a party plan. This will help guests quickly familiarize themselves with important details and not miss important moments of your celebration.
4. Do away with the paper book
For a more informal and simple atmosphere, you can forgo the paper guest book. Instead, ask guests to leave a brief message directly on a Polaroid photo like the example above. This is a more practical and effective way. After the wedding, all the photos can be saved in a photo album.
5. Polaroid at a wedding. Add a little personal
To make your Polaroid guestbook even more personal and memorable, add details that reflect your relationship. For example, place a framed photo of you and your partner’s engagement photo on the guest book table.
6. Add decorative lighting
For an evening banquet indoors, it’s important to provide the right lighting to ensure that the photos turn out bright and clear. In addition to ring lights that accentuate facial features and eliminate unwanted shadows, add flickering candles to create a cozy atmosphere. A wooden frame with instructions and a wooden accessory box also give the area with the Polaroid guest book a cohesive and stylish look.
7. Create ambiance
Instead of hiding photos in a book, allow guests to proudly display their pictures. Use a clothesline with mini clothespins to make it easy for guests to hang their Polaroid photos. Complete the arrangement with garlands, greenery, and other decorative elements to create a cozy and festive atmosphere.
8. Polaroid at a wedding. Collect photos
If you’re not using a traditional guest book, it’s important to organize a system for collecting Polaroid photos. In this example, a ceramic bowl is used to hold the photos in one place. Choose a vessel that harmonizes with your wedding décor.
9. Polaroid at a wedding. By Example
To give your guests a clear example, take a Polaroid photo with your partner before the wedding. Place both photos on the cover of your guest book so guests are clear on how things should be done. Showcasing your photos will add personality to the action.
10. Rely on acrylic
Acrylic signage is perfect for modern weddings or guest books with colorful decor elements. Transparent acrylic allows you to highlight the objects behind it, making them the center of attention. For example, in this case, the wood details and green background look great on clear acrylic.
11. Add photos from the morning of the newlyweds
Many guests don’t get to see all the most intimate moments of the wedding day. Show Polaroid photos from different stages of the wedding preparations, such as the bride getting ready for the ceremony. This will give guests a deeper understanding of your day and your emotions. And then, as guests take their own pictures, they will add their own moments and emotions to your story.
12. Keep the venue in mind
Match the décor for the polaroid guest book with the wedding venue. For example, a vase with exotic greenery would be great for a nautical wedding, while a vase full of bright colors would be perfect for a “backyard” wedding.
13. Polaroid at a wedding. Colorful Frame
To add a bright accent to your polaroid guest book, use colored film. A colored frame around the photo will add playfulness and style, whether it’s a bright pink hue or a sunset-inspired palette.
What will you need to create a Polaroid guestbook?
Creating a Polaroid guest book is an affordable and relatively easy project that you can do on your own. To get started, you will need some essential materials:
Polaroid cameras
The first item on your list is an obvious one: a Polaroid camera. We recommend sticking to a ratio of one Polaroid camera per 40 guests who will be attending your wedding. So if you’re having a wedding for 80 people, two Polaroid cameras will be enough, but for a wedding of 200 family and friends, you’ll need about 5 cameras. In this ratio, there will be enough cameras so that everyone can take a picture without waiting too long in line.
A sufficient amount of film
You will also need film for the Polaroid guest book table. Since guests may need to make several attempts to get the perfect shot, we suggest stocking up on film. Roughly calculate 2-3 shots per guest and you will have enough film for everyone.
Polaroid at a wedding. Guest Book
Don’t forget the hardcover guest book. This is an important attribute that you will keep for a lifetime, so choose a book with a quality binding. Pick a color that matches the color palette of your wedding to create a harmonious look.
Polaroid at a wedding. Table
You’ll need a place to place your Polaroid guest book and all the necessary supplies. A table will do, but you can also use a wooden shelf, which is relevant for a rustic wedding, or even a bookshelf, which will look great at a “literature lovers” style wedding. The area must be large enough to hold all the materials, but also not too large to impede the movement of guests.
Permanent markers
Provide enough writing utensils for guests to leave well wishes and sign their names. Use permanent markers so the ink won’t smudge. This will also add a “nostalgic feel” to your guest book.
Double-sided tape
Your guests will need something to glue their images to. We suggest using double-sided tape, which is easy to use and leaves minimal mess. Avoid glue, as it can stain your guests’ outfits.
We also advise assigning a responsible person to this area, as not everyone is familiar with Polaroid, and a novice can simply ruin an entire package of film. Either a coordinator or an assistant to your main wedding photographer can handle this task.