We’ve just taken delivery of this lovely little video which shows what a fabulous idea our photo guest books are, just see for yourself!

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.

• Relax and take it as easy as possible.  We’re arranging an Indian Head Massage for the ladies on the day before my sister-in-laws wedding in August.
• Make sure that the cake is where it needs to be –this is a great job to delegate!
• Have a manicure (this applies to grooms also!)
• Grooms have a hair trim if necessary and a good shave (if you’ve got a barber nearby it might be worthwhile to go for the whole hot towel treatment).
• Grooms, consider a proper shave at the barbers shop.
• If you’re staying overnight elsewhere on your wedding night, pack your overnight bag and either put it in the car or give to someone to take to where you’ll be staying.
• Try and get an early night – and don’t make it too boozy, you really don’t want to be hungover on your wedding day.

Your big day!

08.00     Get up and have a relaxing shower or bath.  We recommend this lovely weleda rosemary bath milk, which smells great and promises to overcome excessive perspiration and improve the general circulation in the legs.  Got to be a winner on your wedding day!

08.30     Have a decent breakfast.   Probably best to avoid a fry-up which may sit like lead in your stomach all day!

09.30     Have your hair done.  Obviously it’s easier if the hairdresser will come to you, but you’ve got plenty of time.

11.00     Best man to collect any cards / telegrams etc

11.30     The bridesmaids, flowergirls and any pageboys arrive.

12.00     Have a quick bite of lunch, even a piece of toast will settle your tummy and any last minute nerves

12.45     Do your make-up (or have it professionally done)

13.00     Your photographer arrives to take any pre-arranged photographs of you getting ready (dress hanging up, shoes, make-up etc)

13.30     Bride, bridesmaids and flower-girls to get dressed.

14.30     The first wedding car arrives to take your mother , the bridesmaids and flower-girls to the venue for your ceremony

14.45     The second wedding car arrives to take you and your father to the ceremony venue. The bridesmaids, flowergirls and pageboys will be waiting outside to meet them.

14.55     The bride and her father enter the venue together, with the bridesmaids lined up behind.

15.00     Your wedding ceremony. Have an amazing day.  Relax and try to spend as much of it with your new husband/wife as possible and make sure to take your own photo for the front of your photo guest book.

1 month before

• Arrange the final fitting of your wedding dress.
• Have the hen and stag do (preferably 10 days ahead of time to allow for any bruises to fade!)
• Finalise your seating plan and provide to whoever is creating your table plan for you (or make it yourself).  This also needs to be passed to the caterer.
• Prepare table placenames and pass to stationer to prepare.
• Arrange a date for your wedding rehearsal, if necessary.
• Contact any guests who haven’t replied to your invitation (rude people!)
• Organise a date to collect the wedding party outfits.
• Write the wedding speeches  for the groom, best man and father of the bride.  Doing it well in advance gives you a little time to practice and get over any nerves.
• If it isn’t giving anything away, wear-in your wedding shoes so you’re comfortable on your big day.
• Reconfirm arrangements for:
  • your reception venue.
  • the caterer.
  • the florist.
  • the photographer.
  • any wedding transport.
  • your entertainment.
  • your honeymoon.
• If you haven’t already done so, it’s not too late to sort out your photo guest book…

7 Days before

• Have your wedding rehearsal.
• Run through the order of the day with everyone involved.  Give the best man a list of contact details for everyone involved in your big day and ensure that they have his number also
• Prepare your emergency brides handbag containing: makeup, tissues, paracetamol, blister plasters and cooling leg spray.  Chance are you won’t need all of this, but better to be prepared!
• Give your ‘order of service’ sheets to the minister.
• Pack for your honeymoon.  Most importantly put your passports and tickets in a safe place alongside your suitcases – you can replace anything else you might forget
• Order any foreign currency you’ll need.
• And remember, it’s STILL not too late to arrange your instant photo guest book as we can have a package with you in 48 hours!

Next week, we’ll update you with your final checklist for the day before and the big day itself!

Photo Guest Book Colour Options (Digital pictured)

We often receive calls from anxious bride-to-be’s who can’t make a decision on what colour of photo guest book to go for. But colour decisions are tricky no matter what type of party you’re planning for.

Our photo guest books for Polaroid, Fuji Instax and Digital all come in a range of colours: black, white, natural, red, chocolate brown, pewter grey, baby pink and baby blue. But what if your wedding is a sage green and ivory theme for example – what to choose?

Think Timeless

Our black and white albums are elegant and timeless – in 30 years time, you’ll barely remember what colour ‘theme’ your wedding was, but your black or white photo guest book will still look great. In addition, many photographers will provide wedding albums with either a black or white cover, so your photo guest book will look great alongside it. I’m often asked ‘which colour would you choose’ and I always recommend black – in fact it’s what I give to friends as a wedding gift.

Baby Albums Colours

Think Neutral

Again, neutral colours will always look good. For peace of mind, you could also consider a protective cover to protect a lighter coloured album against grubby fingermarks etc?

Think Occasion

Obviously, for a ruby wedding anniversary party photo guest book, go for a lovely rich red album. For a christening or naming ceremony guest book, choose baby pink or baby blue. Our pewter coloured photo guest book is perfect for Pewter wedding anniversaries (10 years) or a great silver (25th) wedding anniversary party idea.