- Written: easy to display, but messages tend to be short.
- Audio: the most emotional to replay, and less camera-shy than video.
- Video: the most complete record, but fewer guests take part.
- Phone-based guestbooks let guests choose, with no rental equipment to return.
1. A written guestbook
The classic book, card box or Polaroid album at the entrance. It’s familiar, needs no technology, and becomes something you can put on a shelf.
- Easy for every guest
- Looks good on display
- No power, signal or setup
- Messages are usually a single line
- Busy guests walk past it
- Only one person can sign at a time
2. An audio guestbook
Guests leave a voice message, either by picking up a vintage-style phone at the venue or by recording on their own phone. Voices carry tone, laughter and accents that a written line can’t, which is why many couples say these are the recordings they replay most.
- Emotional to listen back to
- Less intimidating than being on camera
- Grandparents and kids both take part
- Rental phones need setting up and returning
- A loud room makes recordings hard to hear
- Messages need a quiet corner
A rental phone is a fun prop, but only one guest can use it at a time and it lives in one spot. Recording on guests’ own phones means anyone can leave a message from their seat, at the after-party, or the next morning.
3. A video guestbook
A booth, an iPad on a stand, or guests filming themselves on their phones. Video catches faces, outfits and the room around them, so it’s the fullest record of the day.
- Faces and voices together
- Great for a highlights reel
- Fun for groups
- Camera-shy guests skip it
- Booth rentals add cost and space
- Large files to store and download
The three side by side
| Written | Audio | Video | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effort for guests | Low | Low | Medium |
| How personal it feels | Medium | High | High |
| Easy to display | Yes | Play it back | Play it back |
| Works in a loud room | Yes | Needs a quiet spot | Needs a quiet spot |
| Extra equipment | A book and pens | A rental phone, or none | A booth or tablet, or none |
Based on what hosts tell us; your crowd may differ.
Which one is right for you?
- Pick written if you want something to display at home and your crowd is happy to grab a pen.
- Pick audio if you want the voices of grandparents, friends and kids, and a keepsake you’ll replay on anniversaries.
- Pick video if you want a highlights reel and your guests love being on camera.
- Mix them if you can’t decide. A phone guestbook lets each guest choose, and you can still keep a book at the door.
All three, from guests’ phones
Sharefetti’s guestbook lets guests write a note, record a voice message (up to 2 minutes) or a video message (up to 1 minute) in their phone’s browser. Voice and video are included with Celebration ($79 CAD / $59 USD, paid once).
Frequently asked questions
What is an audio guestbook?
An audio guestbook collects voice messages from guests instead of written notes. Guests either pick up a phone handset at the venue or record a message on their own phone.
Is an audio guestbook worth it?
Many couples find voice messages more moving than written notes, because they capture tone and laughter. A phone-based audio guestbook avoids rental costs and lets every guest take part.
How do guests leave a voice or video message without an app?
With Sharefetti, guests scan the QR code, tap Leave a message, and record in their phone’s browser. No app or account.
Can I download the guestbook messages?
Yes. Hosts can play every message in the dashboard and download them all to keep.
Written by the Sharefetti team. We build QR code photo sharing for weddings, birthdays and company events, and we test every tip at real events.