Audio guestbooks have gone from a rare extra to something a lot of couples now ask about. The idea is simple: a vintage telephone at your wedding, guests pick it up and leave you a voice message. But is it actually worth paying for? Here's an honest look at the good bits, the less good bits and who it really suits.
What it's like on the day
The phone sits on a table somewhere guests will pass, usually with a sign explaining what to do. A guest picks up the handset, hears a short greeting, waits for the tone and leaves a message. They hang up, and that's it.
No apps, no screens and nothing to charge on their phone. It works for your gran just as well as it works for your mates, which is a big part of the appeal.
Our Audio Guest Book uses a vintage-style telephone, and pricing starts from £350.
The pros
- You hear people's actual voices. A written message is lovely. Hearing someone laugh, tear up or forget what they were going to say is something else. That gets more special as the years go by.
- Guests say more than they'd write. Writing in a guest book can feel like an exam. Talking into a phone feels more natural, and people tend to be funnier and more honest.
- It's easy for everyone. Older guests and kids can use it without help.
- It looks good. A vintage phone on a nicely dressed table is a nice detail in your room and in your photographer's shots.
- It takes up very little space. A small table is all it needs.
The cons
It's not for everyone, and it's better to know that before you book.
- Some guests are shy. Plenty of people freeze when asked to speak on the spot. You'll get more from some guests than others.
- Background noise. If the phone sits right next to the band or the speakers, messages can be hard to hear later. Placement matters.
- Later messages can get a bit loose. After a few drinks, you'll get some brilliant messages and some you might not play to your parents. Most couples see that as a bonus.
- It's not a visual keepsake. You won't have anything to flick through on the coffee table. That's where pairing it with a photo guest book helps.
- It's an extra cost. If your budget is tight, a photo booth with a guest book covers more ground for one spend.
Who it suits
An audio guestbook works best if:
- You've got lots of family and friends who are chatty and close
- You've got older relatives whose voices you'd love to keep
- You like the idea of something you listen to rather than look at
- Your venue has a quieter space away from the dance floor
It's probably less of a priority if your guest list is small and quiet, if your budget only stretches to one extra, or if you know you're more likely to look back at photos than listen to recordings.
How to get more messages
An audio guestbook is only as good as the messages on it. A few simple things make a big difference.
Put it in the right place
Somewhere guests naturally pass, but away from the loudest part of the room. Near the bar, the drinks reception or the entrance to the evening room all work well. Avoid sticking it in a corner where nobody goes, or right next to a speaker.
Use a clear sign
Lots of guests won't know what an audio guestbook is. A sign that says what to do takes the guesswork out: pick up the phone, wait for the tone, leave a message, hang up. Keep it short and easy to read.
Give people prompts
Many guests pick up the phone and go blank. A few prompts on the sign help:
- Your best advice for a happy marriage
- Your favourite memory of the couple
- A prediction for where they'll be in 10 years
- Something they don't know about you
- Sing them a line of your favourite song
Get people going early
Ask your best man, maid of honour or a confident friend to leave the first message and encourage others. A quick mention in a speech helps too. Once a few people have done it, others follow.
Pairing it with a photo booth guest book
This is where an audio guestbook really comes into its own. A photo booth guest book gives you the faces and the fun, with guests sticking in their prints and writing a note. The audio guestbook gives you the voices.
Put them together and you've got something to look at and something to listen to from the same day. If you like that idea, have a look at our guest books and our post on photo booth guest book ideas for weddings.
What you get afterwards
After the wedding, you get the recordings to keep. That's the whole point: a collection of messages from the people who were there, in their own voices, that you can play back whenever you like.
They're the kind of thing you'll want to play back on anniversaries, and messages from grandparents and older relatives tend to become the ones that mean the most.
So, is it worth it?
If you've got a sociable crowd, a sensible spot for the phone and you love the idea of hearing people's voices again in years to come, yes, it's one of the better value extras you can add. If you only have room in the budget for one thing and you want something visual for guests to enjoy, start with a photo booth and guest book, then add the phone if you can.
Either way, it's worth deciding based on how you'll actually use it afterwards, not just how it looks on Instagram.
Ready to check your date?
If you'd like an audio guestbook at your wedding, on its own or alongside a photo booth, get in touch or call 0114 470 1215 and we'll check your date.
