Couples Are Leaving Traditional Wedding Guestbooks Behind And Opting For Audio Guestbooks: A Trendy New Way To Record And Save Voicemails From Wedding Guests
One of the hottest new wedding trends has reinvented the age-old wedding guestbook and replaced it with a tech-savvy alternative: audio guestbooks.
Guestbooks are a tried and true way for loved ones to leave words of wisdom, congratulations, or well-wishes for newlyweds. And don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this classic practice.
After all, you get handwritten notes that can be kept and re-read for decades to come.
On the flip side, though, audio guestbooks have upped the ante. Instead of just reading notes from your guests after you tie the knot, you can actually listen to voice messages recorded by friends and family members on your big day.
So, how exactly does this work? Let me break it down.
Audio Guest Books
On social media, you may have seen brides and grooms using classic vintage rotary phones as their devices of choice. This not only adds a classy yet retro feel to the whole activity but also makes for some awesome Instagram photo ops.
If a rotary phone is not really up your alley, though, you can essentially set up any recording device you like– from a different kind of phone to a digital tape recorder.
Regardless, the idea is that you set up a table in one section of your reception. Much like where you would traditionally leave a guestbook, include a sign with instructions for your guests to pick up the phone and start talking to the newlyweds.
maynagashev – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
You can also decorate the table area with floral arrangements, candles, and any other decor to match the rest of your wedding’s aesthetics.
Then, once the phone is set up, guests simply walk over and leave their own recorded voicemail during your wedding reception.
Pros & Cons Of Audio Guestbooks
Now, this trend has become insanely popular over the last 12 months for a few key reasons.
First of all, newlyweds love listening to their guest’s completely authentic and off-the-cuff messages. The fact that they are recorded rather than written also adds another level of sentimentality, too.
Brides and grooms may catch their guests getting choked up or laughing after cracking a joke and can hold onto these “voicemails” for years to come. This enhances the emotional experience since guests’ tones can be truly conveyed over the phone.
Another obvious upside is the chicness of the whole trend– since rotary phones or other vintage recording devices make for adorable picture opportunities. The set-ups lead to great conversation starters among guests, too.
Finally, audio guestbooks allow spouses to tune into some parts of their wedding that they might have missed– like a song playing in the background or a hilarious group conversation.
At the same time, though, this leads me to point out some cons with this wedding trend.
Primarily, you want to make sure that you can actually hear your guests over music or other background noise. Due to this, you might opt to set up your audio guestbook table in a quieter corner of the venue.
And to make sure your loved ones don’t miss the table, you can put up a sign and instruct your DJ or band to make an announcement about the audio guestbook’s location.
Another con relates to actually using the recording device. If you have older or non-tech-savvy guests at your wedding, they may need assistance figuring out how to leave a message.
The best way to address this potential issue is to pre-program the rotary phone or other recording devices to record continuously.
That way, all your guests have to do is pick up the phone, speak, and then hang it up once they are finished. You can even create a sign with instructions that guests can read if they are unsure of what to do.
Finally, one last potential downside pertains to the event of a malfunction. It’s not common, but it is possible that a guest audiobook could stop recording. However, there are now various guest audiobook companies that help with table set-up and have precautions in place to prevent such a disaster.
Why Not Do Both?
If you are worried about the potential downsides of an audio guestbook– like user-friendliness or malfunction– you can always opt to include both a classic, handwritten guestbook and an audio one.
That way, guests can choose to leave a voicemail, a written note, or both! This provides you with a fool-proof backup plan in the event of any incidents– like too much background noise or a guest spilling a drink on your written guestbook.
If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:Weddings