Is guest book at wedding necessary?

A wedding guest book certainly isn't necessary, but it is a nice and meaningful touch to your big day. Not only does it give your guests a chance to share their best wishes and advice, but it will give you and your partner something to cherish forever. You'll be able to flip through the pages and reminisce on this special moment in your lives, including everyone who came to celebrate you, for years to come.

What can I use instead of a wedding guest book?

If you want to get creative and go with something other than a traditional wedding guest book, there are plenty of other options to choose from. For instance, you might opt for a unique option like a custom globe , advice cards , a custom poster, or a puzzle (to name a few).

How many pages should my wedding guest book be?

That depends on the number of guests attending the wedding, as well as the style of wedding guest book you decide to go with. Generally, it's a good idea to have about 10 pages per 50 guests. If you include photos in your wedding guest book, you may want to opt for some extra pages so there's plenty of space for everyone to add their pictures and signatures.

How much does a wedding guest book cost?

Depending on the amount of personalization you choose, the materials, and the size, a wedding guest book can cost less than $20 to over $150. Customized photo books—like the Artifact Uprising Wedding Guest Book —are at the high end of the range, while simple, off-the-shelf options—including the Minted Silver Floral Guest Book —cost very little.

The 23 Best Wedding Guest Books of 2024

The 20 Best Wedding Guest Books of 2022 — Brides / Chloe Jeong

The guests that come to celebrate you and your partner on your wedding day are a huge part of what makes it so special. That’s why it’s important to pick the right wedding guest book. Wedding planner and writer Jason Kahn prefers guest books that give your loved ones the “freedom to be creative with what they want to write rather than ones formatted as a ledger.” He suggests that “when choosing a guest book, the couples should consider how it will look in their home.”

There’s also the question of whether or not you're looking for a traditional, ledger-style guest book, or, like Kahn, you prefer a sign-in method that’s a little out-of-the-ordinary. For a more unusual option, he suggests “a piece of art that is significant to the couple’s story—like a globe if they love to travel or a wine barrel or case from their favorite varietal.”

To help you find the perfect guest book, we’ve researched the best options that are available on the market right now. From traditional bound books to sign-in décor and out-of-the-box alternatives, there's something for every style and wedding theme.

Read on for the best wedding guest books.

In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Artifact Uprising Photo Album Guest Book

Etsy

View On Artifactuprising.com $165

With this guest book, you can give your loved ones something gorgeous to look at while they sign in. Inside, ultra-thick pages full of your best engagement and candid photos together are arranged in signature-friendly layouts. Plus, fabric binding, foil stamped text, and lay-flat pages ensure that this high-quality guest book will last until death do you part, no matter how many times you take it out.

Who It's For: Couples that want a high-quality photo guest book that can be customized.

Material: Fabric | Size: 8.5 x 8.5, 8.25 x 11, 10 x 10, 12 x 12, 14 x 11 inches | Number of Pages: 20-90

Etsy

View On Etsy $53

If you’re renting a photo booth for your wedding day, this guest book is picture-perfect for the big moment. The simple yet stunning dusty blue hardcover features metallic foil printing, and the choice of blank pages offer your guests plenty of space to paste goofy photos of themselves.

Who It's For: Anyone who wants a personalized guest book with a modern style.

Material: Hardcover | Size: 9 x 6, 10 x 8, 12 x 12 inches | Number of Pages: 50-100

Etsy

View On Etsy $124

Reading that your guests are ecstatic for you is wonderful, but so is seeing it. Use a polaroid photo guest book, like this beautiful option, to have the best of both worlds. The Instax has a dedicated selfie mode which makes it easy for your guests to take and print photos of themselves. Then, they just attach their photo with this guest book’s built-in adhesive strips and write a little note on the lines provided.

Who It's For: Couples who love photo booths and instant photos.

Material: Fabric | Size: 10 x 7, 11 x 10 inches | Number of Pages: 20-100

Zazzle Guest Book with Custom Photo Cover

Courtesy of Zazzle

View On Zazzle.com

Want a guest book so stunning you’ll want to leave it out on the coffee table for all to see? This book’s front cover features a photograph of the two of you, printed on silver halide photo paper and laminated with a glossy finish. You can add photos to the back cover as well (also laminated) and the book has 122 pages, each of which has two lined columns labeled “Names” and “Message” to keep everything neat and organized.

Who It's For: Those looking for an elegant photo and guest book to share with loved ones.

Material: Laminated hard cover | Size: 8.1 x 11 inches | Number of Pages: 122

NostalgicImprints Custom Marble Guestbook

Etsy

View On Etsy $50

This book’s shimmering, marbled blush cover makes it a wonderful option for a swoon-worthy romantic wedding. The hardcover product is also highly customizable. Your names and wedding date appear on the front, and the text of your choice appears on the spine: “Happily Ever After,” “Our Guestbook” etc. You can also choose lined or blank pages for your guests to leave messages.

Who It's For: Couples who want a unique guest book that can be customized.

Material: Hardcover | Size: 9 x 6, 10.5 x 8.25, 12 x 12 inches | Number of Pages: 50-100

18thAvenueDesigns Personalized Thumbprint Guestbook

Etsy

View On Etsy $32

As you prepare to plant some roots and celebrate your big day with those you consider family, this sign-in poster will perfectly symbolize the season ahead. It features a hand-drawn tree on which your names and wedding date will appear. And your guests will have a ball adding their thumbprints to the branches.

Who It's For: The couple who treats friends as family.

Material: Heavy textured paper | Size: 16 x 20 inches | Number of Pages: 1

Etsy

View On Etsy $95

You’re each other’s world, so celebrate that fact by having your guests sign in on this elegant globe. You can personalize both sides with the text of your choice, and at an 8-inch diameter, there’s plenty of space for messages and signatures. The globe’s lovely gold stand and accents make it an excellent decorative piece for your home too!

Who It's For: Couples who love to travel.

Material: Plastic globe covered with paper, metal stand | Size: 13 x 9 x 8 inches | Number of Pages: N/A

EvermoreSigns Wedding Guest Book Portrait

Etsy

View On Etsy $174

If you’ve ever wanted a custom portrait of the two of you, now’s your chance! This sign-in canvas features a digital illustration of you in your wedding attire along with your names and wedding date. Your guests will sign the blank space around your portrait, and you’ll have a meaningful reminder of your big day to hang on your wall.

Who It's For: Those who prefer a keepsake to display.

Material: Canvas | Size: 11 x 14, 16 x 20, 16 x 24, 24 x 36 inches | Number of Pages: N/A

Back40life Wedding Reception Mailbox Vinyl Decal

Amazon

View On Etsy $22

Let everyone say just how hard they ship you by leaving fan mail at the sign-in table. These custom mailbox decals (two are included) are terribly cute, and if you put them on a USPS-approved mailbox, you can keep the decals outside your home later. If you go with plain postcards, your guests will have plenty of space to write and/or paste pictures, but you can also look for some new or vintage postcards that complement the theme of your wedding.

Who It's For: Casual couples who want to add a bit of fun to the sign-in table.

Material: Vinyl decals | Size: 12.7 x 6.9 inches | Number of Pages: N/A

Koyal Wholesale Monochrome Woodland Mountains Custom Canvas Guestbook

Wayfair

View On Wayfair $50

If you’re having a mountain wedding or you got engaged during a long hike, this sign-in canvas is what you’ve been looking for. It features a mountain range outlined in black with your names and wedding date below. It’s also made of archival quality medium weight canvas and pre-mounted on a wooden frame, so it’s ready to hang as soon as your guests are finished leaving their names and messages on it.

Who It's For: Couples who enjoy the mountains and the outdoors.

Material: Canvas | Size: 20 x 16 inches | Number of Pages: 1

OurLoveWasBorn Night Sky Guest Book Poster

Etsy

View On Etsy $55

This sign-in poster is perfect for the couple whose love was written in the stars. In the center is an image of the night sky as it appeared on a particular day—the day you met or got engaged or, perhaps, your wedding day itself—from a specific location. After your guests sign it, you’ll have a lovely keepsake to display in your home. No star-crossed lovers here!

Who It's For: Couples who love the outdoors or enjoy skywatching.

Material: Paper or canvas | Size: 11 x 14, 12 x 18, 16 x 20, 16 x 24, 18 x 24, 20 x 30, 24 x 30, 24 x 36 inches | Number of Pages: 1

Papier

View On Papier.com $75

If you enjoy nature and minimalistic decor, this lovely guest book is ideal for a spring or summer wedding. The crisp, white hardcover features only your names and wedding date, encircled by an elegant wreath of green foliage. And inside are 96 thick, textured, blank pages, along with a gray ribbon page marker. So sweet and simple!

Who It's For: Couples who love all things green, including plants.

Material: Hardcover with silk finish | Size: 11.25 x 8.5 inches | Number of Pages: 96

Galison Frank Lloyd Wright The House Beautiful Guest Book

Amazon

View On Amazon $20

If you share a love of Frank Lloyd Wright, geometric designs, or shiny things, this hardcover wedding guest book has your names written all over it. The intricate, gold art deco design on the cover is nothing short of glamorous, and the book contains 128 lined pages and a gold bookmark. Your guests are going to feel like they’ve just walked into The Great Gatsby as they enter your reception.

Who It's For: Lovers of architecture and art deco design.

Material: Hardcover | Size: 7.8 x 10.85 inches | Number of Pages: 128

Ginger Ray

View On Co.uk

Is there anyone who doesn’t love tiny envelopes? We think not. There are four small envelopes attached to each page of this book, and each one contains a paper card that your guests will fill out and slip back in to the spiral-bound book. Loved ones can get as personal as they want, since no one but you will see what they have to say, and you’ll have so much fun opening each envelope to read their messages.

Who It's For: Sentimental couples.

Material: Paper | Size: 8 x 8.27 inches | Number of Pages: 80 cards, 80 envelopes

Pottery Barn

View On Pottery Barn $149

Looking for something simple and sophisticated? This Italian leather-bound guest book is exactly that. It contains 160 pages of premium, ivory writing paper, and its cover simply reads “Guests” in gold. The book comes in gray, white, and blush, all of which complement practically every wedding color palette. Get your hands on it, pronto!

Who It's For: Couples who are looking for a simple, elegant option.

Material: Leather | Size: 8.5 x 6.75 inches | Number of Pages: 169

Amazon

View On Amazon $89

This tree-shaped puzzle is just the thing for a couple who fits together perfectly. Have each of your guests sign a piece and then have fun reading their well-wishes as you assemble it. Use an adhesive to secure the pieces within the maple border provided and use the attached hangers to display your unique “guest book.”

Who It's For: Couples who love puzzles and natural wood materials.

Material: Maple plywood | Size: 24 x 20 inches | Number of Pages: N/A

RIZONE Rustic Wedding Guest Book Heart Drop Guest Book

Amazon

View On Amazon $43

This heart-shaped display is unbelievably cute–it features a carved wooden frame with an acrylic glass cover. Guests can write short messages on small wooden hearts and drop them through a slot at the top of the frame, where they fall between the wooden back and its glass covering. You can also display the dropbox using the stand included or hang it on the wall so you can glance at your guests’ heartfelt messages whenever you pass by.

Who It's For: Sentimental couples who love heart themes and rustic decor.

Material: Plywood, acrylic | Size: 15 x 12, 16.8 x 13, 20 x 15.5, 21.5 x 16.7, 23.5 x 18.2 inches | Number of Pages: N/A

Amazon

View On Amazon

This mad-lib-style advice and wishes cards are great for those who need a little help expressing themselves. They come with five prompts which guests can provide serious or not-so-serious responses to, and there’s a signature line so everyone will remember to add their names. You’re sure to get some good advice and some good laughs out of these.

Who It's For: Couples with a sense of humor.

Material: Cardstock paper | Size: 4 x 6 inches | Number of Pages: 50

Ginger Ray

View On Co.uk

There’s no better sign-in method for a rustic wedding than this clothesline-style frame. Strings of twine are attached to the interior edges of the frame, and guests use the tiny clothespins and craft paper tags provided to hang notes on them. Friends and family members can also attach photos, flowers, and whatever else they see fit. After the frame is filled, it will make a charming addition to any home.

Who It's For: Casual couples who enjoy keepsake notes.

Material: Rustic frame, twine, craft cards, clothespins | Size: 15.75 x 15.75 inches | Number of Pages: 70 cards

Mark & Graham

View On Markandgraham.com $130

This full-grain, calf-skin, leather-bound guest book from Marks & Graham exudes style and elegance. There are five colors to choose from (tan, white-gold, white, navy, and black) and 160 lined pages for your guests to put pen to paper. You can add two lines of foil-debossed monogramming to the front of the guest book (up to 48 characters) to commemorate the special day.

Who It's For: Couples with a classic style.

Material: Leather | Size: 6.75 x 8.5 inches | Number of Pages: 160

Minted

View On Minted

The silver gilded edges of this casebound guest book give it an elevated look. There are 120 lined pages in the 7 x 9-inch book for your wedding guests to share their thoughts. The classic style is ideal for couples who like to keep things simple, and the foil stamps on the cover give it a bit of elegance.

Who It's For: Couples looking for a simple, budget-friendly guestbook.

Material: Hardcover | Size: 7 x 9 inches | Number of Pages: 120

Shutterfly

View On Shutterfly.com

This guest book makes it simple for your guests to add their thoughts to paper with this customizable personalized photo book. In addition to plenty of room for photos of the happy couple, this guest book has space for tips and guided questions for friends and family to answer. You can choose from six sizes and three cover types (soft cover, hardcover, and leather). The cover and each page have gold details. Each standard guest book contains 20 pages, but you can add more by customizing it if needed.

Who It's For: Couples who want a customized guest book.

Material: Soft cover, hardcover, leather cover | Size: 8 x 8, 8 x 11, 10 x 10, 11 x 8, 11 x 14, 12 x 12 inches | Number of Pages: 20

Rifle Paper Co.

View On Riflepaperco.com $50

This sweet guest book from Rifle is sure to win the hearts of couples who love windflowers and nature. The neatly embroidered cloth-covered hardcover guest book is filled with 144 pages for friends and family to leave notes, create drawings, or add photos for the new couple. The book has a lay-flat lining, and each page is half-blank and half-lined. This guest book also includes a grosgrain ribbon bookmark.

Who It's For: Couples who love flowers and nature.

Material: Cloth covered hardcover with embroidery | Size: 8.25 x 10.25 inches | Number of Pages: 144

What to Look For in a Wedding Guest Book

Size: Consider how many people are attending your wedding. You'll want to remember everyone who came to celebrate, so make sure your wedding guest book has enough space for everyone to write their name, personalized messages, or even paste pictures. For larger events, we love the NostalgicImprints Custom Wedding Guestbook, as it offers plenty of free space for guests to include their messages.
Style: A wedding guest book can be more than a bounded book. Consider the theme of your wedding, your and your partner's individual personalities, and how you'd like to save it after the big day. Leather-bound hardcover books—such as the Pottery Barn Leather-Bound Guest Book—are great for elegant and sophisticated weddings and are ideal for displaying in your home. But you can also find soft cover and spiral wedding guest books that are ideal for the more casual couple. In addition, you could opt for a more creative option like a personalized canvas, date jar, or even a plant pot.

FAQ

Is guest book at wedding necessary?

A wedding guest book certainly isn't necessary, but it is a nice and meaningful touch to your big day. Not only does it give your guests a chance to share their best wishes and advice, but it will give you and your partner something to cherish forever. You'll be able to flip through the pages and reminisce on this special moment in your lives, including everyone who came to celebrate you, for years to come.
What can I use instead of a wedding guest book?

If you want to get creative and go with something other than a traditional wedding guest book, there are plenty of other options to choose from. For instance, you might opt for a unique option like a custom globe, advice cards, a custom poster, or a puzzle (to name a few).
How many pages should my wedding guest book be?

That depends on the number of guests attending the wedding, as well as the style of wedding guest book you decide to go with. Generally, it's a good idea to have about 10 pages per 50 guests. If you include photos in your wedding guest book, you may want to opt for some extra pages so there's plenty of space for everyone to add their pictures and signatures.
How much does a wedding guest book cost?

Depending on the amount of personalization you choose, the materials, and the size, a wedding guest book can cost less than $20 to over $150. Customized photo books—like the Artifact Uprising Wedding Guest Book—are at the high end of the range, while simple, off-the-shelf options—including the Minted Silver Floral Guest Book—cost very little.

Why Trust Brides

Mckenzie Eggers is a freelance writer with over seven years of experience. She holds a PhD in English literature from Penn State University and has been writing for Brides since September 2020, covering gifts and registries. Preserving good memories is important to Mckenzie. She knows you want to do everything you can to remember the details of your big day, and she’s carefully selected guest books and guest book alternatives that will help you do just that.