Time Capsule Guest Book

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You guys, I have been so excited to show you one of my favorite DIY projects from the whole vow renewal - our time capsule guest book.  When A. and I were brainstorming and this idea came up, it was like “yes, that’s perfect!”.  We were celebrating ten years together and many years of friendship with our guests, and what better way to do that than by creating a treasure box of memories that we will have for the rest of our lives?

{Jenna}

{Jessica Claire}

If our event had a true theme, I suppose it would be classified as “vintage treasures”. Our RSVP keepsake boxes gave the first clue, as guests were asked to bring a small, non-perishable item to the ceremony that represented their life today. Those objects made up one part of our time capsule. Items brought ranged from a computer part brought by the best man to a hammer (because there’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a hammer!).

{Jenna}

Each guest was also provided with a folder (check out the drool-worthy Laura Hooper calligraphy!) containing cards to fill out:

* Their contribution to the time capsule
* 2009 resolutions
* Favorite memories of us
* Predictions for the next 10 years
* Their favorite things today

I designed each of the cards in Photoshop using frames drawn by Laura and gocco printed the designs onto Paper Source superfine soft white cardstock.  The folders were DIY school folders custom-made by me into a 5.75 x 6.75″ size out of Paper Source luxe cream cardstock.

{Jenna}

{Jenna}

Something helpful to note when goccoing cards larger than 3×5: create a pattern that is split in the center, and to conserve screens, make the pattern mirror image.  For example, take a look at the card below that says “Favorite Memories” (top right of the picture).  The card is 5×5 square, a size that is not printable in one pass of a PG-11 screen.  To print this, I burned one screen with the top flourishes and top half of the side flourishes, along with the text.  I then printed the top half of the cards and set aside to dry.  The bottom half of the card is a duplicate of the top half (without the text).  To cover the text, I ran a piece of computer paper through my Xyron sticker maker and covered the text area.  Turn the cards around, print the bottom half, and voila - you have printed on a larger sized card AND saved bulbs and screens!

(The Xyron tip works well for eliminating pesky carbon dots too!)

{Jenna}

All of our friends and family got into the task and we had SO much fun reading their completed cards and seeing just how much thought they put into the items that they brought.

{guest collection}

The completed folders went into this lovely French-inspired trunk (purchased for $12 on sale from Home Goods!).

{guest collection}

Everyone had two more tasks.  Scattered about were small trunks containing photos of S. and I, of Charlie, and of all of our guests.  I printed labels for the backs of the photos with the date the photo was taken, who is in the photo, and where we were or what we were doing at the time.  We had a blast looking through all of the old photos!

Guests were instructed to find their favorite photo from the keepsake boxes…

{Jenna}

… and using the portable printer we brought, print their favorite photo from that evening…

{Jenna}

… then put both pictures into our photo album!  All of our guests wrote why they chose the pictures that they did and we all relived some wonderful memories together.

{Jenna}

{Feisty Tourist}

We completed the time capsule by putting in one of our programs, that day’s newspaper, and other various keepsakes from the event.  And perhaps if we are crazy enough to have a 20 year vow renewal that time capsule will get opened then.  :)

So, let’s have it - what are you doing for your guest book?  I’ve seen typewriters, scrapbooks, signed surfboards, postcards, beautiful traditional guest albums… anything goes - give us your ideas!

E.

Previously: Choosing My Venue, Out of Town Baskets, Do Not Disturb Signs, The Welcome Party (Part 1, Part 2), Lighting the Lawn and Porch, Bathroom Baskets, DIY Coat Check Tags, Ceremony Music, Our Same Day Edit Video, Getting Pretty, Portraits, The Ceremony, Cocktail Hour Decor, DIY Wine Glass Charms