Photo book tradition

If you recall my post about finding our photographer, I had mentioned that our package came with an engagement photo session. We weren't sure we were going to have time for the shoot on any of our visits to California. Our final trip before the wedding was in February and we figured if we were going to do it, it had to be then. When thinking of a location for said photos, Mr. Castle and I agreed it had to be Disneyland. Mr. Castle still had some comp tickets left over from when he worked for the company. We thought, "When will we ever have another chance to have professional photos taken at Disneyland?" Never. Then when Mr. Castle said, "Well, what are we going to do with those pictures?" I said, "Well that solves our guest book debate, we'll have a Disney engagement photo guest book!" I was pretty excited...
not only because of the Disneyland photos, but because photo books have become kind of a tradition with Mr. Caslte and I. I have made him a photobook every birthday for the five years we have been together.

Five photo books for five years of being together!

We love going back through and looking at what we did that year in our relationship. It also helps clear up things when Mr. Caslte says things like, "No we went to Disney World in 2009." And I can pull out the book and say, "Sorry babe it was actually 2008."

As I mentioned in a previous post, there are so many unique and awesome ideas out there for guest books. This photo shoot made the decision a lot easier, and really felt like our style. I usually make Mr. Castle's photo books through Shutterfly, which I have always been happy with. After reading some reviews provided by Miss Coyote and Mrs. Meerkat, I thought I would try a new company for our guest book. Even though I love our shutterfly books I wanted something that was a little nicer quality. I had read amazing reviews for Adoramapix not only here in the hive, but from tons of reviews online. It was also the only photo book I found that will open flat.

We didn't even have to pay for shipping because they had an option to pick up your photo book from their NYC store! Score!

The Cover

 Mr. Castle let me include a quote from one of my favorite Disney movies :)

One of the pages for guests to sign

The last page

I have to say the reviews were right, this book is such good quality. The cover and pages are thicker, it opens flat, and even the picture quality is a little nicer. I am SO happy with how it turned out and I think it was well worth the extra money to order from Adoramapix.

Photo by Palos Studio

The Castles in front of their favorite Castle! This picture is in our book but me taking a picture of it in the book doesn't do it justice.

Now that we have our guest book I guess it's time to start finding some pens! Thats where I need help! Anyone else have a photo guest book? What kind of pen did you use?? Did you go for one color or multiple colors?

All Photos personal unless otherwise stated

Guest book ideas

When trying to find the perfect guest book for our wedding I find there are so many options it can get a little overwhelming! I have tried to focus on what kind of guest book we will want in our home after the wedding, rather than what will look cool and impress our guests. What do we want to look at, read, display, etc. to remind us of those who attended our big day? While I would love to do something creative and unique, I am trying to remember this is for us to have as a keepsake forever. We want something we will fondly look back on, not something that just collects dust or becomes a large storage piece.

We could always go the traditional wedding guest book route. A beautiful book with a matching pen.

Image via wedding-splendor.com

This option seems a little too traditional for us. And I think I want something more than just our guests names in a book. I would like them to be able to write us a little note as well.

Luckily there are more "modern" versions of the traditional guest book.

Image via marthastewartweddings.com

I think this one is super cute. It's like opening a card from each guest. This would also probably be really easy to DIY... 

I've also thought about a guest book with our engagement pictures in it.

Image via danielhowellphotopraphy.com / Photography by Howell Photogrpahy

I like this option because not only will you look back and remember the guests that attended your wedding, you will also be looking back on your engagement pictures! It's like killing two birds with one stone! I can see us looking back through a book like this more often than a book with just our guests names.

Sticking with the picture idea, I also like the look of this instant photo guest book. 

Found this photo here on the Weddingbee boards / Photography by He&She Photography

It would be nice to have a photo of every one of our guests from our wedding day. I would just hope people wouldn't waste film on silly pictures...

I've also come across some "game" guest book ideas. The one below is like the game Jenga. Each of your guests sign one of the pieces. Then you and your hubby can play the game each year on your anniversary.

Images via Etsy/ Seller thepaperynook

There is also a puzzle guest book, where each of your guest sign a puzzle piece. 

Image via Etsy/ Seller MemoryLanePuzzles

Each of theses game ideas are so cute and fun, but they don't seem like the perfect fit for us. I would be worried about one of the puzzle pieces going missing at our reception...

And the list just keeps going! Here are some other unique ideas for guest books I came across.

Image via Etsy/ Seller bindingbee

This one is a vintage book with blank pages for guests to sign their names.

Image via www.snippetandink.com / Photography by Oh, Darling!

This guest book lets each attendee write their well wishes to the bride and groom on their own post card. They can then be put in a decorative box, a library catalogue drawer or a fancy mailbox. After the wedding you can put  them all into a scrapbook.

Image via MarthaStewartweddings.com

Guests could write us a note on an actual typewriter. While this would be really cool, I think it would take each guest a little too much time to "sign" the guest book this way. 

Some people like a guest book they can display on the wall after the wedding. 

Image via occupationgifts.com

Image via Etsy/ Seller ssanchez

Our guests could each sign the spine of one of these books. It's like they are signing our 
"love stories."

Image via Etsy/ Seller DefineDesign11

Guests could sign anywhere on this California poster. This one would be special for
Mr. Castle and I since we met in California and are getting married there.


There are so many more options I didn't even include! I basically only included the ones I
have seriously considered. We did finally decide, but you'll have to wait and see! Also it's
not ready yet...

Which is your favorite? What are you using as a guest book?