Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not sure what I need for all my guests?
How many guests is each album suitable for?
I have more than 75 guests, what can I do?
Do any albums hold more than 30 photos?
How much film do I need for each Adesso Album?
How many albums should I buy?
How many cameras do I need?
I like the look of one of your package deals, but it's not quite right for me?
Camera & film questions?
I heard that Polaroid film and camera aren't being produced any longer?I'm getting married in 2009 - what impact will this have on my guest book?What type of film do I need? What about the Fuji Instax camera and film - will it work?I hear that Polaroid pictures are inferior and they might not last long? Are they going to fade away? What is the life expectancy of Polaroid 600 film? Which type of Polaroid camera do I need?
How best to complete the book....
Who should I ask to do the album?What's the easiest way to ensure that everyone completes the album?Do you find people feel uncomfortable being asked to complete the album on the spot like that?
Tell me more about shipping?
I've left it to the last minute and I need an Adesso Album for my wedding in two days - can you help?Do you post overseas?
Help me with other questions?
What type of pens work best?Why wouldn't I just use a regular photo album or a scrapbook and tape or glue or photo corner the Polaroid photos in the book?
How many guests is each album suitable for?
Well most guests will complete the book in pairs or small groups of 3 or 4 people, so one Adesso Album will accommodate between 60 and 75 guests.
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I have more than 60-75 guests, what can I do?
You have a couple of options here:
- you can take larger group shots, by table or groups of friends for example,
- you can buy more than one album - and if you want to do this be sure to check out our party guest book packages which will save you hassle and money, but you'll still have the 'look' of one album on your bookshelf.
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Do any albums hold more than 30 photos?
We don't hold any larger albums in stock, but we can custom order the Adesso Ultimo which holds up to 60 pages and is leather bound. This is a custom order which retails around $300 US, plus shipping and customs charges which means it works out just under £200 - ish.
An excellent alternative to the Ultimo is to have two albums which has the advantage of allowing both to be completed at the same time - which speeds up the completion process. If you're interested in this, why not take a look at our party guest book packages? By buying a package, you save on the cost of buying the items individually, plus with one of our lovely slipcases to contain your albums, you'll still have the 'look' of one album on your bookshelf..
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How much film do I need for each Adesso Album?
It's best to get 40 shots of film for each album. That's 10 shots more than you need, but it gives you some extra for those people who don't like their first photo, or like it so much that they take it home! For some reason, Polaroid pictures inspire people to become kleptomaniacs...
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How many albums should I buy?
Most guests will complete the book in pairs or small groups of 3 or 4 people, so one Adesso Album will accommodate between 60 and 75 guests. You have a couple of options if you have a larger event than this:
- you can take larger group shots, by table or groups of friends for example
- you can buy more than one album - and if you're considering this be sure to check out our party guest book packages which will save you hassle and money
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How many cameras do I need?
One per Album is usually sufficient.
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I like the look of one of your package deals but it's not quite right for me?
That's no problem. We can tweak or custom build a bespoke package to meet your requirements. You can do this in one of two ways. Either take a look through our package options (Party Guest Book Packages), and select the one matches your needs most closely. Then simply drop us a line and let us know what you'd like to change - for example you might want a Trio kit 3b, but with just one camera?
The second way is to let me know how many guests you're having, then what elements you'd like (guest books, camera, film, nameplates, boxes, slipcases etc) and I'll create a bespoke package to meet your needs. Either way, just drop a line to
helen@instantforever.com
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I heard that Polaroid film and camera aren't being produced any longer?
Polaroid have stopped production of cameras and film, however at the moment we have plenty of stock available which should see us through summer 2008. The film we have currently in stock is due to expire in June 2009, however we understand that another company will pick up licensing rights to continue producing Polaroid film.
I'm getting married in 2009 - what impact will this have on my guest book?
You've got a few options:
- You can buy everything now - the film is currently expiring in June 2009
- You could buy a camera now and then wait for another company to start producing the film
- You could wait as we'll be introducing a Polaroid camera hire service later this year when we get short of cameras
- Alternatively (and this is a very cool alternative) Polaroid will shortly be introducing a replacement for their instant cameras, using ZINK (Zero Ink) technology. We've already got guest books produced for this and they should be available from September-ish when Polaroid launch the Zink enabled printers. At the moment we don't have a firm price for the Zink printers but it's likely to be around £100 - £150. Expensive but you do have a rather fab gadget to keep. You can read more here: Zink Albums.
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What type of film do I need?
Polaroid 600 film.
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What about the Fuji Instax camera and film - will it work?
The album is specially made to hold Polaroid 600 film and we don't recommend the Fuji film because it's a different size.
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I hear the quality of Polaroid pictures is inferior and they might not last long. Will they fade away?
Well, let's be honest...a Polaroid picture is never going to give a professional grade photo. But you're sorting of missing the point. Instant photos are fun (just check out the queue for completion!) and you get to take them with you as soon as the event is over. Polaroid photos from the 1960's are still around and in good shape today. The life of the photos can be 50+ years, as long as they aren't exposed to air and sunlight all the time.
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What is the life expectancy of Polaroid 600 film?
The life expectancy of 600 film is one year from the date of manufacture but the film will generally perform well even long after that.
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What type of Polaroid camera should I use?
As long as it takes 600 film, it'll work!
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Who should I ask to do the album?
Lots of choices here! If you're using professionals to help with your event, for example an event planner and/or a professional photographer, you might ask if they could provide an assistant during the celebration to complete the Adesso Album and present you with it at the end of the event.
Or ask a family member or good friend/s, provided that they are outgoing and will take the job seriously to get the book completed. Alternatively, anyone who doesn't know too many people can use the Adesso Album to "mingle with a purpose" and get to meet loads of people during the course of the event.
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What's the easiest way to ensure that everyone completes the album?
Well, we've had some practice at this (guess what all MY friends receive as wedding gifts...) and we've found that the easiest way is to incorporate the album into the event. For example at a wedding, the bride and groom could complete the book at the end of the ceremony, in front of all their guests. The officiant then explains what is happening and that the bride and groom would like the book completed.
The book is then left at the receoption in a prominent position and someone is in charge of popping back every now and then to change the film in the camera etc. During the speeches the best man or groom reminds everyone about the book - or they pop round each table during dessert or coffee to remind them. A final sweep of stragglers later in the evening (at the buffet table perhaps) usually ensures that everyone has a chance to complete the book.
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Do you find people feel uncomfortable being asked to complete the book on the spot like that?
Actually, we've found that it's often easier for people to express themselves in writing, rather than to say it face to face or in a video clip. Once they understand how it works, everyone wants to take part.
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Do you post overseas?
We certainly do. Simply select 'Ireland and Europe' or 'Rest of World' as your delivery option for a postage quote.
We don't ship guest books to the US because it's much easier for you to purchase them directly from Adesso Albums. However we will ship our other products - please contact us for a postage quote for these.
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I've left it to the last minute and need an Adesso Album for my wedding in two days. Can you help?
We usually ship within 24 hours of receipt of your order. Just let us know if you need your order urgently and we'll do our best to get your order to you in time.
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What type of pens work best?
Ideally an archival quality pen, the type that registrars use is best as it doesn't fade. In practice, these are hard to come by so any good quality pen is fine so long as it doesn't get that "blob" of ink.
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Why wouldn't I just use a ordinary photo album or a scrapbook and tape or glue or photo corner the Polaroid photos in the book?
Well you could do this - but seriously, do you really want the hassle of inserting all those photo corners, or using potentially messy glue? (Glue and posh frocks just isn't a great combo in my opinion...) And, if you leave it until after the event, are you ever actually going to get around to completing the album (talking from experience, our wedding photos still aren't in an album, 18 months after we got married!)
If you want a professional looking (only Adesso Albums go to the trouble (and expense) to die cut each page that turns into a perfect frame for the photos you are taking) hassle free option, then you need an Adesso album.
Also because of the clever design, the Adesso Album lies flat when people are completing it and closes flat when it's full of photos. This is the world's first (and only) instant photo guest book. What are you waiting for?
