Early on in the wedding planning process, Matt and I alloted some money in our budget to have a scrapbook page-making table at our wedding. We love reading the words of friends and family and thought it would be a neat way to capture guests' well-wishes.However, a few months before the wedding, we cut this item from our budget because a) we wanted to maximize the amount of money we were putting toward the food and, more significantly, b) we also went to a wedding that had one of these tables. Although the pages looked awesome (they went all out with stickers and even a photo booth), the message were pretty mediocre. Things like "We're wishing you a very happy marriage!" and "We wish you many happy years to come!" come to mind.
Luckily, my best friend, Andy, was busy creating his own scrapbook behind our backs. He e-mailed all of our friends and family members and asked them to say nice things about Matt and me. Andy then compiled them into a book that he self-published on Lulu. Our guests wrote some of the most heart-felt and tear-inducing things. I think it's because they were in their own homes, and they had some time to pull their thoughts together. He presented us with this gift the night before our wedding.
During the reception, we set the book on a small table near the TV where our wedding DVD played. I was surprised by the sheer number of people who picked up the book, sat down on the couch, and read it from cover to cover. It helped contribute to the immense sense of community and connection that characterized our wedding.
I would definitely encourage you to make your own book. It provides such amazing insight into the way all the important people in your life feel about you and why they want to be near you on your wedding day.
2 comments:
Do you know what your best friend wrote or said to encourage friends and family to do this? I'd love to do something similar (mostly because I'm that person that can't think of anything fun, witty or touching to write in other people's guest books/photo mats/team jerseys at their weddings!) but I'm struggling with how to make the request. My partner and I started out as a long distance relationship so I'd really love to be able to have something that combines our two life stories in a such an amazing way. It'd also be great to know little stories about him that maybe he's forgotten about or to have something to jog my memory so I can share more with him.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
Here's what Andy wrote to everyone...hope this helps! :)
Dear friends of Sara and Matt,
Please take a few moments right now to contribute to the top-secret Sara and Matt Project, and tell Sara and/or Matt what you think about them as people, how they've impacted your life, or anything else you want to share. All of our responses will be compiled together into a book that Sara and Matt will receive.
Just go here and fill out the form: [form page on his personal website]
And please forward that URL to any of Sara or Matt's friends or colleagues you know who might not be on this list (there are a lot, I'm sure). And of course, don't mention this to Matt or Sara.
Thanks!
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