opinion
As I was thinking about guest books yesterday and all of the many options for one, I came to another question.
What is the rule with guestbook table ‘overseers’?
An engaged friend of mine has asked myself and another good friend to be in charge of the guestbook at her wedding. What exactly does this entail? Is it necessary? I was thinking back to the last wedding I was at…. they had everyone sign a platter with one of those etching pens. I don’t remember anyone standing there, but the table was right in the path to the reception so it was hard to miss…
Did you/will you have someone in charge of your guestbook? If you did, how long do they stand there for? and if you didn’t, did you find that a lot of people didn’t sign? (I realize most of you aren’t married yet, so tell me what you are planning to do and your reasoning behind it)
She already asked us so I am not using this to go to her and say “See! people don’t even do that anymore!” I just realized that I didn’t know much about this position I now play in her wedding, and whether or not I need to get someone to be in charge of my guestbook.
Thanks!
11 comments
I’m new to commenting here but thought i’d put in my two cents.
I don’t think you have to “stand watch” at the guest book. My interpretation is you just make sure it gets where it is supposed to be. At the church/ceremony place you make sure it is visible and people sign it. Then you make sure the book isn’t forgotten after the ceremony by bringing it to the reception venue. I unofficially did this at a friend’s wedding by bringing the guest book and extra programs to the reception. At the end of the reception you make sure of who is taking it home so it gets to that person.
Really you can casually ask someone to be “in charge of this” even the day of the wedding. A groomsman’s wife/girlfriend is a good person, because you know they’ll be there for the duration!
And don’t be afraid to ask your friend what exactly she wants you to do so you don’t disappoint her.
Good luck.
Andrea: Thanks for the 2 cents!
I did this for a friend of the family when I was in HS. Wow, can you say boring? I think sometimes it’s a courteous way to include people in your wedding ( I wore a corsage) but honestly, it was really boring and in my opinion unneccessary!
We had some friends “watch” our guestbook table and it was pretty lame
people were fine about signing it. But sadly what happened was everyone IN the wedding didnt. Since they were busy running around taking pictures and such they completely forgot to sign it. We just ended up having them sign it after the wedding 
but still that is what happened with us! Funny I just posted about guestbooks this week too 
I personally think this is one of those really unnecessary things. I have done this gig a few times at various weddings, and it kind of sucks. Unless you feel strongly about having someone do this job, I’d ask one of your reliable bridesmaid if she could remember to put the book out & grab it at the end of the night. Not necessary to ask someone to do it. Sometimes I think brides feel like they need to give you a job so that you feel important… But that is just my 2c!!!
I had my future sister-in-law do this … back in 1983 … I guess it was the thing to do. She just stood there and made sure people signed it and maybe told them where to put the gift(s).
smudges and spills …. maybe not…
I agree it’s sometimes a way to include someone in the wedding, but not really necessary.
We can always have someone walk around with it while we’re all drinking and eating
I’m so glad I just have to find a dress to wear … ha ha ha … right Heather?
mom: haha, yes! All you have to do is find a dress and you are good
My step-sister had me do that at her wedding… and she only had about 20 people there. Basically, I just went around to everyone and asked them to please make sure to sign it… and then when they didn’t, I tracked them down by the end of the event.
If you do decide to have guest book that requires more than just signing a book then be very specific with your attendant. We had people sign notecards that are going to be used in an art piece. Well the area they were originally using was becoming too congested so they decided that they would just pass them out to guests later. That didn’t happen and I didn’t find out until later. Fortunately most of our family stayed over and I was able to get their signatures the next day.
This reminds me of that SATC episode where Miranda was put in charge of the guestbook and then announced that it was a B.S. job. I agree that people know what to do with a guestbook – unless you have some instructions or are doing a photo guestbook, I dont see the need for someone to man it plus thats one person not really getting to enjoy the wedding as a guest.
When I’ve held that role at weddings, it’s usually also encompassed something of a greeter/program distributer role as well as encouraging people to sign the guest book, not strictly a “stand here and watch the guest book” role.
And when the couple has established some sort of an exit item after the ceremony (bubbles, sparklers, whatever) the greeter/gust book person has been involved in their distribution.
Sort of a go-between person to put between the door and the ushers…
But everyone treats it a little differently.
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