welcome table essentials and unique guest book ideas

Your wedding day is a celebration of love and the beginning of a beautiful journey with your partner. As you plan every detail, from the venue to the decor, don't forget about the welcome table – the first impression your guests will have of your special day. In this week's blog post, we'll explore what goes on a welcome table and share some unique guest book ideas to make your wedding unforgettable.

what goes on a welcome table?

Guest Book: Your guest book is a keepsake that you'll cherish for years to come. Instead of a traditional book, consider creative alternatives like a fingerprint tree where guests leave their thumbprints as leaves, a vintage typewriter for guests to type well wishes, or a polaroid camera with a scrapbook for instant photo memories.

Welcome Sign: Start with a beautiful welcome sign that sets the tone for your wedding. Whether it's a rustic wooden sign, an elegant calligraphy piece, or a modern acrylic board, choose a sign that reflects your wedding theme and personality.

Framed Photographs: One of the most heartwarming additions to any welcome table is a collection of framed photographs. Display snapshots of you and your partner throughout your relationship, from your first date to memorable vacations and milestones. These photographs not only add a personal touch to your welcome table but also serve as conversation starters for guests as they reminisce about fond memories shared with you.

Programs or Order of Events: Provide your guests with a program or order of events so they know what to expect throughout the day. Whether it's a printed booklet, a fan for outdoor weddings, or a decorative scroll, include details such as the ceremony schedule, wedding party names, and special readings or performances.

Gift Table: Create a designated space for guests to leave cards, gifts, and well wishes. Decorate the table with a beautiful tablecloth or runner, and consider adding a decorative box or birdcage for cards. Don't forget to assign someone to keep an eye on the table throughout the event to ensure nothing goes missing.

Flowers and Candles: Transform your welcome table into a captivating focal point by incorporating fresh flowers and flickering candles. Arrange a beautiful floral centerpiece or bouquet to add a pop of color and elegance to the table. Surround the flowers with candles of varying heights to create a warm and inviting ambiance. Not only do flowers and candles fill up space on the table, but they also set the tone for the romantic atmosphere of your wedding.

Wedding Favors: Show your appreciation to your guests with thoughtful wedding favors that they can cherish long after the celebration ends, as well as serve a useful purpose for the actual ceremony. For winter or cooler weddings, consider providing cozy blankets to keep guests warm during chilly outdoor ceremonies or receptions. For summer or sunnier weddings, offer fans or parasols to provide relief from the sun and keep guests comfortable throughout the festivities. These practical and stylish favors will make your guests feel appreciated and pampered.


10 unique guest book ideas

Wishing Stones: Provide guests with smooth stones and permanent markers to write their well wishes or marriage advice. After the wedding, display the stones in a decorative bowl or vase in your home as a meaningful keepsake.

Where you can buy:

Etsy Amazon

Audio Guest Book: Set up a recording booth or station where guests can leave audio messages instead of written ones. Provide prompts or let them speak from the heart, capturing their voices and laughter for you to listen to for years to come.

Where you can buy:

Amazon Etsy FêteFone

Jigsaw Puzzle: Have guests sign individual puzzle pieces with their messages. After the wedding, put the puzzle together and frame it as a unique piece of art for your home.

Where you can buy:

Etsy Amazon The Knot Shop

Message in a Bottle: Ask guests to write their messages on small pieces of paper and place them in a decorative bottle. Seal the bottle and save it to open on your anniversary each year for a heartfelt reminder of your wedding day.

Where you can buy:

Etsy Amazon The Wedding Outlet

Polaroid Camera: Set up a polaroid camera and a blank guest book for guests to take instant photos and write messages alongside them. This interactive guest book will capture spontaneous moments and provide cherished memories for years to come.

Where you can buy:

Target Amazon Urban Outfitters Walmart


Travel Map: For couples with a love for travel, provide a map where guests can mark their hometowns or favorite destinations. Frame the map and display it in your home as a personalized piece of art.

Where you can buy:

Etsy Amazon

Recipe Cards: If you and your partner love to cook, provide guests with recipe cards to write down their favorite recipes or marriage advice. Compile the cards into a recipe book to treasure for years to come.

Where you can buy:

Vista Print Zazzle Minted Etsy

Thumbprint Tree: Create a tree outline on a canvas or paper and provide ink pads for guests to leave their thumbprints as leaves. Ask them to sign their thumbprint and write a message beside it. This interactive guest book doubles as a beautiful piece of art for your home.

Where you can buy:

Zazzle Etsy Amazon

Wine Cork Guest Book: Ask guests to sign wine corks with metallic markers and drop them into a decorative shadow box. This unique guest book idea not only captures your guests' well wishes but also provides a stylish piece of decor for your home.

Where you can buy:

Joy Wedding The Knot Shop Etsy Amazon

Vinyl Record Guest Book: For music-loving couples, have guests sign a vinyl record with metallic markers. Display the signed record in a frame or shadow box as a cool and personalized piece of wall art that celebrates your love of music.

Where you can buy:

Etsy Amazon FêteFon


As you plan your wedding, remember that the welcome table and guest book are opportunities to showcase your personality and create lasting memories for you and your guests. Get creative, have fun, and make your wedding day truly unforgettable.

Need more wedding signage ideas? Check out another blog post about what signs you need at your wedding! Click Here

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