Video Guestbook Ideas: 30 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Guests
A video guestbook is a set of short video messages from your guests, recorded on a camcorder or phone during the wedding. Set up a quiet corner with good light, a chair and a card of prompts such as "Give us your best marriage advice", and ask a friend to invite guests over during the drinks reception and the evening do.
A paper guestbook gets signed and put in a drawer. A video guestbook lets you hear your grandparents' voices, your best friend's terrible advice and your uni mates' toast, years from now. Here's how to set one up and what to ask.
How to set up a video guestbook corner
- Pick a quiet spot away from the band or DJ, so the microphone picks up every word.
- Face the light. Guests should face a window or a lamp, never have it behind them.
- Add a chair and a sign such as "Leave us a message!" so it's obvious what to do.
- Use the flip-out screen so guests can see themselves and stay in frame.
- Put a friend in charge for half an hour at the drinks reception and again in the evening.
30 questions and prompts
Advice and wishes
- What's your best piece of marriage advice?
- What do you wish for the couple in the next ten years?
- What should they never argue about?
- What's the secret to a happy home?
- What should they do on their first anniversary?
Memories
- How do you know the couple?
- What's your favourite memory with them?
- When did you first meet one of them?
- What did you think when you heard they were together?
- What's the funniest thing they've ever done?
Predictions
- Who will do the cooking?
- Who's going to cry first today?
- Where will they be in ten years?
- How many kids, dogs or cats?
- Who wins every argument?
Just for fun
- Describe the couple in three words.
- Show us your best dance move.
- Sing one line of their first dance song.
- What would you name their first pet?
- Give them a nickname.
- Rate the wedding out of ten so far.
- What's the best thing about today?
- Who's the best-dressed guest?
- What's your prediction for the dance floor tonight?
- Do an impression of one of them.
From the heart
- What do you love most about them as a couple?
- What do you want to say that you've never told them?
- What makes them right for each other?
- What do you hope they never change?
- Finish this sentence: "Today I'm so happy because…"
Tips for great messages
- Keep each message under a minute.
- Film in landscape so messages fit nicely in the edit.
- Catch older relatives early in the day, before the evening gets loud.
- Groups are great too: film a whole table at once.
With Wedding Crashers, your camcorder doubles as a video guestbook. Ask your editor to put the messages together at the end of your film, or keep them as a separate keepsake. See our packages.
Frequently asked questions
What is a video guestbook?
A collection of short video messages recorded by your guests during the wedding, instead of or as well as a written guestbook.
When is the best time to record guest messages?
During the drinks reception and early evening, when guests are relaxed but it's still quiet enough to hear them.
