November 25th, 2010
I know it’s ridiculous but a little part of me is quite excited that Prince William has (finally) done the decent thing and agreed to marry his long-term girlfriend, Kate Middleton.
Maybe it’s because I still remember the party atmosphere from the ill-fated wedding of Charles and Diana back in 1981. We had a proper street party to celebrate with bunting hanging everywhere and the day off school. Diana was resplendent in her HUGE meringue dress and she looked every bit the princess which she became. Shame about the miserable sod she married.
Or maybe it’s because we get a public holiday to celebrate Will ‘n Kate’s big day (always a good thing!)
Can you imagine being invited that that wedding? What on earth would you buy as a wedding gift for the couple that has everything?
Why not surprise the happy couple with one of our Instant Photo Guest Books which have spaces on each page which hold instant pictures of each guest. Alongside each picture, there’s space for the guest to write their personalised message to the happy couple – whether that’s words of wisdom for a happy marriage or just a drunken ramble, it all makes for a fabulous keepsake of their big day which they’ll treasure forever.
The guest books come in three different formats, holding Fuji Instax (think Polaroid but landscape rather than portrait pics), Polaroid or standard digital prints. And they’re available in a range of colours, so you’re sure to find one to please even the fussiest bride….
Tags: unique wedding gift idea, unique wedding present idea, unusual wedding present idea, wedding gift idea, wedding present idea
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November 11th, 2010
We’ve just updated our special offer for November and December and I’m delighted to be able to offer 15% off our Digital Photo Guest Books and digital photo guest book packages .
Having a digital photo guest book is a great alternative to an instant photo guest book. Although they’re not quite as ‘instant’ as Fuji or Polaroid pics, it’s a perfect solution for smaller events as the photos themselves are great quality.
Even better, if your guests don’t like the first pic they take, they can snap away with your digital camera or mobile phone until they’ve got one they like.
You simply need to plug in your camera to print the pics out and then slide them into the slots on each page. Easy!
Save 15% on digital photo guest books and packages until 31st December by entering the coupon code ‘digital’ at the checkout!
Tags: digital photo guest book, digital photo guest book packages, instant forever discount
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September 30th, 2010
Great news! We’ve just discovered that photos from the Instax Mini and new Polaroid 300 (which is surprisingly similar to the Instax mini (!)) will fit our lovely Pogo Photo Guest Books.
All three photos are sized 3 inches x 2 inches, however with the Instax Mini and Polaroid 300, you simply need to turn the camera 90 degrees to take a landscape shaped photo, rather than portrait.
There will still be a tiny bit of white border showing around the photo, but just a smidgen!
So, if you’re on a budget but still fancy a photo guest book, why not take a look? The Pogo Photo Guest Books are priced at £35.
Tags: fuji instax mini, fuji instax mini guest book, polaroid 300, polaroid 300 guest book
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September 23rd, 2010
For Autumn / Winter 2010 Fuji Instax is still the instant photo guest book package that we’re recommending due to ongoing Polaroid film issues. And now you’ve got an even better reason to use Fuji Instax as we’re running a special promotional offer on all Fuji Hire Packages, ordered between now and 31st October (hire period can be any time until 31st October 2011).
For just £90 (total cost £120, with £30 refunded on safe return of the camera) you’ll receive:
- Fuji Instax 210 Camera Hire (3 weeks)
Fuji Instax Guest Book
40 shots of Fuji Instax Film
And considering that the guest book and film cost £85 on their own, that’s a pretty good deal!
With our hire packages we recommend that you provide us with a delivery date about 10 days before your event, so that you’ve got time to test and familiarise yourself with the camera. Then you’ve got 10 days afterwards to return the camera to us, using our freepost return address. Simple!
As usual, if you have any questions about how many guest books you need etc, just drop me a line to helen@instantforever.com
Tags: Fuji Instax Photo Guest Book, Photo Guest Book Offer
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August 31st, 2010
Achieving your 3/4 century mark is always a cause for celebration. My lovely father-in-law has just celebrated his 75th birthday, however as we’ve just spent the last few days gearing up for his daughters wedding (and just how good a time did we have?) we decided to make it a low-key celebration, with a posh meal in a nearby restaurant.
If you’re looking to celebrate a 75th birthday with a bang, then we’ve got a few ideas.
Fun Experience Gifts
Let’s face it. By the time you get to 75, you’ve probably got as much ’stuff’ as you need. So why not gift some ‘doing’ to the birthday boy / girl. As we did, you could celebrate with a special meal in a posh restaurant. Or why not try something a little more adventurous, maybe a hot air balloon trip or paragliding?
This is your life DVD
It’s really easy to scan old photographs into your PC now, so why not use images from the honoree’s past to create a ‘This is your Life’ DVD. Perhaps the house where they were born, images of their parents, holiday snapshots from their childhood. Set the images against a background of appropriate music and you’ll create a photo montage to delight, bringing smiles and maybe tears too.
Platinum Party
Platinum is the metal relating to 75th celebrations, so why not theme your party with silver cups, plates and banners. Alternatively ask the guests to wear an item of silver clothing, or bring silver wrapped gifts, perhaps a pewter coloured instant photo guest book?
Instant Photo Guest Book
As with an birthday celebration or special event, an instant photo guest book makes a fantastic gift. Combining the fun and spontanaeity of instant photos alongside heartfelt messages from the party guests, an Adesso album creates a keepsake which will be treasured forever.
Tags: 75th birthday gift, 75th birthday gift ideas, 75th birthday party ideas
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August 24th, 2010
Reddoor photography
‘We’re having 120 guests to our wedding during the day and a further 30 in the evening. We really like the idea of having a photo guest book but aren’t sure what we need. What would you recommend?’
Format
For your size of wedding we’d recommend an instant photo guest book option rather than digital. That’s because the instant photo option is faster to print, so it speeds things up for your guests. The digital photo guest books are better for more intimate weddings, where one person would be in charge of printing the photos after taking them.
At the moment the only instant photo format we can recommend is the fuji instax photo guest book because at the moment Polaroid film isn’t readily available and in a stable format. (More info here)
How many guest books do I need?
For 150 guests we recommend two guest books. Each book holds 30 photos and is therefore suitable for up to 75 guests (think couples or small groups of 3 or 4). We don’t offer larger books because logistically it’s much quicker to have two (or more) guest books which can be completed simultanaeously, and if you want the ‘look’ of one guest book, you simply use one of our slip cases.
What about camera and film?
For up to 2 guest books, one camera will be fine and you can buy or hire the cameras as part of the packages.
We’d recommend 80 shots of film – 30 for each book, plus 10 extra shots for each book for ‘redo’s’. All our packages have ‘upgrade’ options for up to 225 guests, however we can create bespoke packages for up to 400 guests if necessary.
Don’t forget, our instant photo guest books aren’t just great for weddings, but are a fantastic way of capturing the instant, forever for your special birthday celebration, christening or naming ceremony.
Tags: fuji instax guest book, instant photo guest book, polaroid guest book, unique wedding photo guest book, wedding guest book
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August 17th, 2010
It’s tempting when planning a wedding to spend a fortune on monogrammed napkins which match your colour scheme exactly, or favours which are forgotten and left behind.
You want to make your wedding enjoyable and memorable (for the right reasons) so what should you be focusing your attention on? Here’s some ideas which have the ‘WOW’ factor:
Fantastic food and drink
I can clearly remember the best wedding feast we ever attended – and yes, it was a feast! It was held at a small chateau in France, the sun was shining, the ceremony was over and we had champagne on the lawn, served with oysters and foie gras. After that there was a 5 course formal dinner, including fish and duck, followed by cheese and dessert and all served with matching wines. It was fabulous and we had a marvellous time, even if we were rather full by the end.
But food doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable. Having a cheese cake instead of a traditional wedding cake is a great talking point and tastes great too.
Or maybe you could have a cocktail bar, a la Tom Cruise, complete with professional mixologists who provide entertainment while they pour.
First Dance (ish)
We’ve all seen youtube video of some fantastic first dances (the ‘Dirty Dancing’ one immediately springs to mind for example). But if you’re that way inclined, you might want to consider an alternative, perhaps a duet karaoke style? Friends of mine performed a Blues Brothers duet, complete with porkpie hats and sunglasses which went down a treat!
Instant Photo Guest Book
Polaroid instant photos might not be readily available at the moment, but you can still have a fabulous wedding photo guest book using the Instax camera from Fuji. Guests simply take their photo, slide it into the pages of the guest book, then write their messages alongside. Your wedding is captured in an instant and kept forever.
Tags: special wedding touches, unique wedding touches
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August 10th, 2010
I’ve just been updating one of the ‘picture walls’ in my house and it got me thinking. When was the last time I actually printed out and held a photo?
Don’t get me wrong. I look at photos all the time. As screen savers on my PC and mobile phone, posted on my facebook pages, emailed to friends and family. But I can’t remember the last time I actually printed a photo. That will all change this weekend of course when I’m in charge of creating a wedding photo guest book for my sister-in-law which I’m really looking forward to.
When Polaroid was discontinued last year, we thought that the Polaroid Pogo would step up from the classic Polaroid Instant Camera, allowing digital photos to be printed instantly. However because the pictures themselves are quite small (just 2 inches by 3 inches) they didn’t quite make the mark. And for many professional people, the digital images just don’t fit the bill. The passport office, forensic technicians and the police all need old-skool analog pictures because they’re tamper-proof.
Which is why it was such a relief when Fuji Instax launched their full-size Instax 210 which produces landscape layout instant photos at the press of a button.
I’m looking forward to the wedding and seeing everyone’s face light up when they see their instant photo. I’m going to encourage them to be creative and make their photo and guest book message memorable. The problem will be trying to stop everyone from taking them home….
Tags: fuji instax guest book, instant photo, instant photo guest book, polaroid guest book
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August 3rd, 2010
If you’ve been invited to a christening or naming ceremony it’s traditional to take a little gift for the youngster involved. Back in the day, traditional gifts would have included silver spoons or other silverware which was thought to represent ongoing financial security for the child.
However for many people these items are simply put in a drawer and forgotten which seems to be a real shame. Here’s a few alternative christening / naming ceremony gifts for you to consider.
Height Chart
Our eldest son received an aeroplane shaped height chart for his christening. It was an inspired choice which has been on the back of his bedroom door ever since and there are many variations available in all colours and themes.
Hand-made stool
Two of the best presents received by my youngest children were hand-made stools. They’re just a perfect size for little ones to be able to at least see the worktop in the kitchen and ours receive use every day. Although given that they now use them to climb up and get things that they shouldn’t do from the worktop, maybe that’s not such a good idea!
Bookset
Another great idea for a christening gift is a set of (hardbacked) books. My children have the ‘Thomas the tank engine’ collection, plus all the Roald Dahl books and Audio CD’s. Books can be enjoyed by both parents and children alike and are a great excuse for a snuggle before bed-time.
Instant Photo Guest Book
Our last alternative is one of our Instant Photo Guest Books. Just ask everyone attending the christening or naming ceremony to complete the book, taking their picture and writing a message underneath for the child. It could be a piece of wisdom you wish to pass on, something frivolous or whatever you like really, but it will be a marvellous keepsake for the child to look back on in later years.
Instant Photo Guest Books come in a range of formats, including digital and fuji instax and are priced from £50 for the guest books alone, to £125 for kits including camera, guest book and film.
Tags: alternative christening gift ideas, alternative naming ceremony gift, unique christening gift, unique naming ceremony gift
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July 27th, 2010
OK, you’ve decided that having a photo guest book is a great way to commemorate your wedding or special event (after all, how else can you capture your guests messages and photos together – instantly?)
You’ve decided on your format (we’re mostly recommending Fuji Instax because there are problems sourcing polaroid film, however Digital photo guest books are great for smaller weddings.
You’ve got your camera, film and guest book in front of you. What now?
Test & check your camera – BEFORE you’re going to use it
Even if your camera is brand new, test and familiarise yourself or whoever is taking the pics with the camera. If you’ll be using it in the evening, test it in the evening to make sure that the flash works. Please don’t leave this until the day of the event – at that stage if there is a problem it will be too late to rectify it.
Make sure that you’ve got enough film
We always allow 10 extra shots per guest book for people who don’t like the first pic they take – or like it so much that they take it home.
Have spare batteries on hand
Especially if you’re going to be using the flash on the Instax camera – it’s quite greedy on the battery front and takes 4 x AA batteries at a time.
Get yourself a nice pen
Any pen will do as long as it doesn’t leave blobs of ink (which may smudge or damage your pics).
Follow our top tips on How to make sure your guest book gets completed and you’re all set! Easy.
Tags: how to make photo guest book, photo guest book hints and tips
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