Do-It-Yourself Wedding Projects
These vintage guestbooks were inspired by the bride’s grandmother’s collection of antique Reader’s Digest books…using vintage and blank pages, they bound this amazing book…add a photobooth and gluesticks, and you have such a great keepsake!
To Make the Vintage Guest Book…
I created a beautiful custom book this summer for a bride who wanted to utilize her grandmother’s collection of antique Reader’s Digest books for their guest book at their wedding reception. we handpicked vintage pages and combined them with blank pages and rebound the whole volume to create a one of a kind guest book. This happy couple had a photobooth at their location and with gluesticks handy, guests simply pasted their photos into the book to create an instant scrapbook effect.
With or without a photobooth or bookbinding skills, I think this same guest book idea can be molded into an easy do-it-yourself for any bride to be.
01. simply go to your favorite local rare bookshop, your attic, ebay, or your grandpa’s bookshelves and choose a wonderful sturdy antique book. one that is deliciously thick with a lovely cover and magnificent spine. pages should be well intact and not too fragile.
02. if you want a few sporadic blank pages, simply cut pretty stationery to size and paste onto the pages. blank pages aren’t necessary. it’s all the more fun to leave a thick marker or calligraphy pen on the table and allow your guests to write between the lines and scrawl their CONGRATULATIONS in cursive across the printed page. a bit like marking up a precious yearbook.. the mingling letters will add charm.


Comment by Morgan Dahl on 17 December 2007:
I am absolutely in love with the save the dates for the 10th anniversary party. I can’t believe that someone actually created them diy! They look professional, especially the lace, beadwork and vintage closure on the front. The photo shows the beautiful overall effect but if you look closely it is clear there was significant attention to detail. wow.
Comment by Rebekah on 17 December 2007:
Love the save the dates! I could be partial because Elizabeth designed them! But they really are so beautiful. The pictures don’t do it justice!
All of the projects are so great!
Comment by Alissa on 17 December 2007:
Love the guestbook idea! I’ve been trying to think of ways to make it different-more of a scrapbook that I’ll really want to look back through instead of just a list of names.
Comment by sandye on 17 December 2007:
My mom has that same Reader’s Digest book with the “Here Comes the Brides” story. Maybe I better snag the book and save it.
Comment by abby larson on 18 December 2007:
Oh you definitely should!!! I love that project.
Comment by Robin on 20 December 2007:
PLEASE tell me you are going to list the step by step directions for these save the dates. They are amazing!
Comment by Courtney on 1 October 2008:
What a wonderful idea for the guest book! Love the personal touches and the vintage feel. I borrowed your idea and made one for my girl friend from one of my albums and it was a hit at the wedding!
Comment by Travis on 27 November 2008:
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