Introduction

Capturing memories from your wedding day goes beyond photos and videos. A photo guest book offers a space for your loved ones to preserve personal messages, combining both visual and written memories in one convenient format. This guide will walk you through each step: from design to printing, making it easy to create a polished, professional-quality guest book with Mixam.

What is a Photo Guest Book?

A wedding guest book is a keepsake that allows attendees to write messages, wishes, or advice for the couple. Unlike traditional guest books, which typically feature blank or lined pages for signatures, a wedding guest book with photos incorporates images such as engagement shots, pre-wedding shoots, and candid snapshots. You can also include pictures from milestone events, such as anniversaries, travels, or even behind-the-scenes moments to deepen the emotional connection with guests. Including photos in your book creates a richer, more immersive experience that sets the mood of your wedding day in a tangible, interactive way. Guest books can include:

• Printed photographs with adjacent spaces for guests to write messages
  
   
• Blank pages for Polaroids, doodles, or other creative elements
  
   
• Pre-designed sections for photo strips or instant camera snapshots

Considering Your Print Options for Your Wedding Guest Book

Paper Finish: Matt vs. Gloss for Photos

Your choice of paper will ultimately affect how photos appear in print. Matt paper is ideal if you want to give your book a subtle, elegant finish. It’s a smooth, coated paper stock with a slight sheen that makes text and graphics appear sharp and well-defined. On the other hand, gloss paper is also a coated paper stock with an ultra-smooth surface and a high sheen. It enhances colour vibrancy and contrast, making it ideal for graphic-heavy projects. Explore our guide on matt vs. glossy paper to compare your options in more detail.

Binding Options

Mixam offers a range of binding options to fit your design and preferences, including:

• Hardcover Books: The inner pages are bound to a spine with strong adhesive. They’re then encased in rigid cardboard covers wrapped in printed paper. This format offers durability and gives your guest book a high-end feel.

• Paperback Books: Perfect binding secures folded inner pages (signatures) to the spine with adhesive. These pages are then covered with slightly heavier paper covers, creating a neat rectangular spine. It’s a cost-effective choice and works well if you want a clean, modern look.

• Layflat Books: Layflat binding is a type of hardcover bookbinding. Single-sided printed sheets are laminated on one side, folded in half, and glued to the blank side of the next sheet. These sheets are then assembled into a block and attached to the spine and covers. The result: pages that open fully flat, with no binding line interrupting your photos - perfect for images that span across two pages.

Custom Book Covers

A wedding guest book with photos needs a cover that sets the tone for what’s inside. A strong cover design should feel personal, reflect your wedding’s theme, and invite guests to open the book and contribute. Consider including elements like your names, wedding date, or an important photo to give it a personal touch. The choice of typography, colours, and imagery can all reinforce your style, whether it’s formal or relaxed. With Mixam’s high-quality printing, you have the freedom to combine text, photos, and design elements in any way you like.

Explore our guide to the best fonts for books to find styles that will make your guest book cover both readable and elegant.

Designing A Photo Guest Book

Choosing the Right Layout

Choosing your layout depends on the number of photos you include and the type of interaction you want from your guests. When creating a wedding guest book with photos, your layout should balance imagery and personal messages. Consider the following layout options:

• Grid layout: Ideal for multiple small photos, keeping pages organised and clean
  
   
• Full-page photos: Perfect for showcasing key moments or highlights
  
   
• Collage style: Combines different photo sizes and orientations for dynamic storytelling.

Mixam's Recommended Print Settings

• Image Resolution: Image resolution refers to the number of pixels in a digital file. The higher the number of pixels, the more detailed the image. For best results, design your files at 300 dpi to ensure your digital designs translate accurately to paper. For a deeper dive into image resolution, check out our blog post on DPI for printing, to ensure every photo in your guest book looks crisp and professional.
  
   
• File Formats: You can upload files in various formats. However, the PDF format is ideal because it preserves all formatting, style, and image information from your original file and remains scalable without compromising on quality. 
  
   
• Bleed Settings: Bleed refers to the extra space added around the edges of a print file. It compensates for slight variations in the cutting process, ensuring your artwork appears as intended. A 3mm bleed prevents unwanted cropping on most items like paperbacks, but hardcover items require a bleed of 20mm for the cover and the standard 3mm bleed for the inner pages. Read our guide on what bleed means in printing to gain a deeper understanding.

Why Print Your Wedding Guest Book with Mixam?

At Mixam, printing your wedding guest book with photos online is fast, easy and affordable. You can generate free instant quotes and take advantage of transparent, unbeatable pricing. Every order is produced in consistently exceptional quality using the latest technology, and every book we print is in expert hands. 

You also have access to free downloadable templates and automatic file checks to help you avoid common pitfalls. You can view your project as a free, shareable virtual flipbook and download proofs before placing your order. With thousands of print options, fast shipping, and support available whenever you need guidance, Mixam ensures your projects come together smoothly. Read our guide on our reliable online printing services to explore what Mixam offers in more depth.

Conclusion

A photo guest book captures your wedding day in a way that traditional guest books cannot. By combining images and messages with a thoughtful design, you can create a book that will endure long after your special day. 

Ready to create yours? Start designing your Wedding Guest Book with Mixam today and make your memories last longer in print. Simply select your print specifications, upload your files and see an instant preview before confirming our order. You can also download Mixam’s free Book Printing Guide to learn how to print a book, and our PrintLink Guide to help you start printing books on demand. 

Main Image Credit: Unsplash