Wedding Guest Book

I guess the main reason for a Wedding Guest Book is to add to the wonderful memories of your day and help you remember everyone who came. Traditionally guest books were exactly just that, a blank book for guests to write their names in. Which is what I got for my own wedding and ended up getting rid of it a few years later. In all honesty, it really wasn't that much fun to look at a bunch of signatures, most of which I couldn't figure out who they were. Plus, we had 120 guests and maybe 30 or 40 people signed the book.

The good news is that brides and grooms have tons of options now and don't need to settle for a boring guest book that no one wants to sign :). For small weddings (30 - 40 guests), I've seen albums where there's a pocket for a polaroid picture of the guest and then some room for them to write right above or below their photo. The downside to this is that the line can get long, some people give up and polaroids don't last very long. But I think it encourages guests to write a little more than just their names. I've also seen ceramic platters where everyone can use a special marker to write their names and you can later "fire" the platter in the oven. If you like this idea but is hesitant due to the fact that the platter can easily break, I've heard you can buy a silver tray instead and use an engraving pen. This is definitely not my style as I'm not sure what I'd use it for (?).  Another popular variation for guest books is a framed photo with a large mat for guests to sign their names. Again, this is such a personal decision, but I'm very picky about what goes up on my walls. I guess it could work on a hallway by itself or with snapshots in the same style frame.

My favorite type of guest book is an album with the photos from your engagement session with room for your friends to leave notes and their best wishes for you.
I love it because you get to keep all of your engagement photos in one place and will never be able to misplace a photograph. Also, it will always be fun to look at not only your guests notes but also your photographs. 

Here are some pictures of Aimee and Loreto's guest book. I love it that the pages are pretty thick and lay completely flat making it easy for guests to write on.

Here are some up-close photos of Krista and Kelby's guest book. The cover:

One of the layouts:

The last page:

The back cover:There are a lot of options available for these books. You can get a custom photo cover or a leather cover in a variety of different colors as well as foiling engraving on the leather covers. There's also a variety of sizes to choose from. The brown leather one below is a 12x12 and the other two are 8.5 x 11.

And thanks to my second photographer Beka, who took some of the photos below of Mary and Bret's guest book at their wedding. The other thing I love about these albums is that it gives the guests a little entertainment while they are waiting for the ceremony to start. It's cool to see everyone gathering around to look at the bride and groom's photographs.

I hope this helps some of you bride and grooms out there choose the best guest book option for you! It's important to know that it will be something that you will enjoy for a long time to come :).

Jessica and Janelle's Debutante

Oh I had sooo much fun! This is Janelle (in the gorgeous teal dress), Jessica (in the fabulous pink dress) and their awesome 36 best friends! I was so excited to be a part of their 18th birthday party! These girls are so sweet, smart and so much fun to spend time with!

And did I mention beautiful:

The whole room was teal and pink:

Each one of the 18 girls lit a candle for Jessica and Janelle and then each one of the boys gave them a lily. All of their toasts were so special! Some were really funny and others were really touching. I also learned a little more about the girls from their friends toasts which made me like them even more.

After their toasts each of the girls pulled a string which had a wrapped charm at the end of it. So fun!

Happy Birthday!

These cupcakes were the best I've ever had! Sorry Sprinkles. They were made by the chef at Arizona Grand Resort.

Jessica and her dad:

Crazy dancing fun:

Thanks, girls! I hope you are having a fun summer. Good luck at U of A and stay in touch!

Christina & Eric

I just met up with Christina and Eric yesterday for their engagement session and they are getting married in just 2 weeks! When I talked to Christina over the phone she said she wasn't worried at all because she knew she would find the perfect photographer. Hmm, I guess that would be me :) Anyways, I love Christina's laid back attitude which came in really handy on our way to their session since the freeway was closed and it took us one hour to get downtown!

Christina tried to tell me she's not a shoe girl. I'm not buying it...

As Tyra would proudly say: "Fierce, girl!"

Couldn't resist:

Thanks guys! Eric, I'm sorry you had to be outside on a 100 degree heat on your day off! I hope it was worth it :)

Brittany & Dave

A few weeks back I got to second shoot a wedding with Megan Resch. I love to second shoot! I had never met Megan before but I had seen her work so I super excited when she called me to ask to second shoot for her. We got along soo well! I loved working with her as much as I'd just love to hang out with her. She so sweet and so much fun! (Thanks, Megan)! 

On to the wedding... It was at Boojum Tree which was a first for me and ohmygod, it's soo gorgeous! I would definitely have my wedding here!

Sometimes I feel bad for other photographer because I feel like I get to have all the awesome couples so it's fun to second shoot and see that other photographers have amazing couples too. These two were so in love and so great together!

Here's their first look. I love the happy/nervous/my-heart-is-going-to-come-out-of-my-chest look on Dave's face:

Yes. I cried.

There were so many great moments from the ceremony! Tears, hugs, smiles... Here's one of my favorites right after Brittany's grandmother sang a song for them. It was beautiful! 

Brittany's nephew did such a good job as the ring bearer! Isn't he the cutest?! Plus I love it when the rings are actually on the pillow!

Married! 

A few details and a few portraits:

I don't usually post the "formal portraits" but I know brides are always looking for ideas and I thought it was great how they all "matched" even though they were all wearing different dresses and ties.

The joys of being the second shooter! You get to have fun even during portrait time :)

I wish I had a picture like this with my grandmothers:

First dance:

Not only can they slow dance they can also boogie out on the dance floor. Boogie is such a funny word! I don't think I've ever actually said it aloud... 

Love this:

And because I loved the bouquet so much, you get another picture!

Such a great wedding!