Weeks, months, years, even decades after your wedding day, you’ll stop, smile, and remember the day’s events. If nostalgia hits you hard, you may feel the urge to flip through your scrapbook. How can you make it special? All you need is the help of a camera and a little imagination.
Think of a Polaroid guest book as a way to remember your wedding day. The guest book is usually a hardcover photo album and contains both Polaroids from your guests and thoughtful messages for the couple. In advance, experts Jessie Whitfield, Natasha Miller and EJ Dilley explain how to create a Polaroid guest book – including inspiration from real couples!
Meet the expert
- Jessie Whitfield is the founder of MISGIF, a photo booth rental company in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Natasha Miller is the photographer and owner of Tashography.
- EJ Dilley is a Colorado-based elopement photographer.
What you need for a Polaroid guest book
Setting up a Polaroid guest book is both affordable and easy. If you’re ready to tinker this part of your reception yourself, there is no need to buy expensive equipment. Here’s a quick shopping list to get you started:
- Polaroid camera and film. “The first item you need is a Polaroid camera with film – two if you’re having a big wedding,” says Whitfield. You should also get film packages for your guests. Remember, guests can make two (or three!) Attempts with their photo. Buy additional film just in case!
- Guest book. Next, you’ll need a bound guest book. Opt for a good quality hardcover book as this is a keepsake that you will want to keep for a lifetime. “If you run out of space in your guestbook and need to add extra pages, don’t forget to put away a few extra pages,” says Whitfield.
- Highlighter. Don’t expect your guests to bring their own pens. “You also need a handful of markers for guests to use to write their message in the guest book or on the Polaroid photo, whichever you choose,” she says. “We recommend black permanent ones for a more nostalgic atmosphere.”
- Double-sided tape. Avoid playing around with glue. “You need a couple of rolls of double-sided tape so that you can easily add the Polaroids to your guest book.”
- Hand sanitiser. “We also recommend a hand disinfection station if guests want to disinfect their hands after touching the objects or if they have a marker on their hands,” she offers. You could put a large bottle of disinfectant on the table or transfer it to a cute dispenser so you don’t ruin the mood.
If you want to add some pizazz to the day (and it suits your wedding style), you can also invest in some photo props for the pictures. Before choosing yours, think about how this will fit your reception.
Where can I set up a Polaroid guest book?
Once you’ve gathered all of the materials, it’s time to start thinking about where to set up your Polaroid guest book. The exact location depends on your venue. However, there are a few pointers to note. Put simply, your ward should be in an area that is easily accessible to guests, does not get too crowded, and has enough space.
“The best place to set up a Polaroid guest book is an area that is well-lit and that your guests can see all night and an area that is dry and not windy,” explains Whitfield. “Some of the places not to set up your Polaroid guest book include next to the bar because it’s too crowded, next to the band or the DJ, or out of sight.”
Needless to say, your wedding reception is likely to be a busy affair. The last thing you want is the photo station to get in the way of the soiree. Instead, guests should see it the moment they walk through the door so they can wish you all the best, take a quick look at themselves, and write it down in the guest book.
“Choose a location where the booth won’t get in the way of the party or the doors, but also where guests won’t miss the train station,” Miller adds. “This could be next to the seating plan for the reception.” It’s your decision!
Polaroid guest book tips
Are you ready to have your guests say cheese? Before you go to work, there are a few additional tips you should need. Let’s check out some expert advice to make your Polaroid guest book a recipe for success.
Appoint a guest book monitor.
Is there a specific person you can trust to monitor the photo station? “Guests who are not familiar with Polaroids could ruin entire film packages. So be aware of that,” reveals Dilley. “Since the film is quite expensive, I recommend that one person or a few people take turns overseeing the guest book.”
Write instructions for guests.
Don’t let your guests guess! While photographing and writing a message is hardly rocket science, loved ones may need a helping hand. “Have a list of instructions for your guests to do,” Dilley adds. “For example: ‘Stand 6 to 10 feet from the camera, take a picture, paste the picture in the guest book, and sign a short message under the picture!'”
Set up some photo stations.
Are you afraid that your photo station will get too full? You might want to set up a few tables for guests to do their thing. “If guests are taking their own photos, consider setting up more than one station as this can create a bottleneck,” says Dilley.
Use natural light.
The lighting can create or destroy an image. Keep this in mind when choosing where to set up your Polaroid guest book. “Indirect sunlight from a window is great when you’re inside at noon, covered shade when you’re outside at noon, and constant light when you’re inside at night,” says Dilley.
Or put some lights on.
No natural light in sight? No panic. “You could set up a simple ring light for the station or face the booth across from a window with daylight if the reception is during the day,” says Miller. “Some couples put a series of warm white or colored lights on their background with fairy lights or a light.”
Consider hiring an expert.
The cheapest thing to do is to have a DIY photo station at your wedding. However, should you have room on your budget, hiring an expert could make this keepsake look professional. “If you are able to hire a photo booth company to deliver your Polaroid guest book experience, we strongly recommend doing so as it streamlines things and ensures you a quality guest experience,” says Whitfield.
Are you looking for inspiration to help you with this? We got you covered. Here are some of our favorite Polaroid guest book examples to keep your creative juices flowing.