Signed photo mat Vs. guestbook, PLEASE HELP

We did an 11 X 14 mat with a 8 x 10 opening....

I prefer this over a guestbook. We had 70 people at our wedding and used 2 frames! The picture was an 11x14 and frame 16x20. I think if you were to get the same size frame with a smaller opening, like an 8x10 that should be enough room for 60 people to sign and/or write their well wishes.

I used a guest book and honestly, a simple list of names is just....boring. Use the photo mat...and leave more room than you think you'll need. People like to hog signing space sometimes

I just ordered the big one from idoengravables this weekend, can't wait to see it, I'll have about 150 people, for 60 I think a 16x20 frame should be fine, I think ours is 24x36 or something, i don't remember exact size, it takes an 8x10 pic

Thanks everyone this really helps!!! Any ideas where to get these frames are welcome!! Thanks again!!!

I got mine from www.idoengravables.com, David's bridal and Walmart also sell them and if you do a google search, you'll fine plenty different sites that sells different ones.

I have seen them at Michael's.......and make sure to bring in the 40% off coupon and you should get a great deal!

Michaels & Hobby Lobby both have Signing frames and mats available. I have also seen some at Walmart, but not anywhere near the quality, and probably too small for 60 guests.

If you don;t see anything in the wedding section, try other sections like birthday or graduation. I have seen them in all of those departmetns in different sizes, as well as the framing departments.

We JUST bought one this weekend from Michaels - we're having about 115 guests, so we got a bigger frame though. We bought a 16 x 20 frame from Michaels with a mat that allows for an 11 x 14 picture. You may still want that size, or you may want something slightly smaller - whatever has a mat to hold an 8 x 10 pic, it might be an 11x 14 frame. They were having a sale this weekend so we got our $50 frame for $22.5 (40% off in store, plus an additional 25% off coupon!) and the mat was $10 before discounts... I think we may have just gotten the 25% off with that, but either way, the whole thing was $30. Then we bought 2 photo-safe, acid-free, smudge resistant pens to go with it - a few bucks each. You'd probably be fine with 1 pen though since you have about half the guests. We like the fact that we'll see this all the time rather than have to lug out a book that we'll probably forget about!

If you decide to use a mat board make sure you get a pencil and draw a 1/4 inch boarder on the inside edge of the mat. This will alert people to NOT sign right on the edge. Fh does custom framing and sees this all the time. The customers then get iritated because their guests well wishes are all cut off around the edge after the frame has been put on.

*just my little tip for the day*

Another alternative is the wedding tree. This is what we have chosen to do. each guest will put their thumb print and sign their name next to it. They come in all sizes and be reduced to fit the size of your wedding.

Do you have enough photos where you could put together a book with photos and placed to sign? Try www.mypublisher.com - they are in expensive and then you will have multiple photos instead of just one.

If you go with a mat do a 11x14 mat with a 5x7 or 8x10 photo or do a 16x20 may with an 11x14 or 8x10 photo. You want to make sure there is plenty of room for all 60 guests to sign the mat.

Nicole B - LOVE the wedding tree idea.

I think guest books are a little played out. Plus how many time do you think will pull that out and review the names? I say go with the signing the frame. Looks like everyone has given you great resources.

We are actually doing a large wall mount. We got a a very rustic piece of wood and are having our names and date burned into it. The guest will sign on that

Here is what i used. I had it made a Staples for $10

Out photographer left white spots in our engagement album where our guests can sign. She had the pages done with a linen texture so that the writing won't smear. I can't wait to see how it looks signed after the wedding.

I went to a wedding last weekend and they used a serving platter with special markers. Then it will get glazed so the names will stay on it. I thought it was another fun idea.

I was just at a wedding last fall and they used their photo book of their engagement pictures as a guest book... they used pretty metallic paint pens and it looked beautiful!! Just an extra idea!!

We are also doing a signed photo matt. I custom made a poster and printed it at Walmart. I got an 18 x 24 frame and mat for a 12 x 18 photo. Our guest list is starting at 85 people but I doubt that many will come