couple recording a video message on a tablet on a tripod for a birthday party
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Video Guest Book

ByMatt James

the idea

Capture the love by setting up a tablet on a tripod for guests to record video messages for the guest of honor

couple raising their wine glasses and recording a video guest book message on a tablet on a tripod stand at a party
tablet on a tripod stand with a remote control

the how

  • Pick up an inexpensive tablet tripod (approx $20, see link below)
  • Buy a 128 GB or 256 GB micro SD memory card to insert into the tablet to ensure you have sufficient capacity to store all the video messages (see link below)
  • Set up in quiet space off your welcome area with a printable ‘Video Booth Instructions’ sign
two young couples recording a video guest book message on a tablet on a tripod stand at a party
video guest book instructions printable sign saying "share a story, give advice, sing a song, make us laugh"

the why

This Idea

  • Contributory; sharing a memory, anecdote, photograph, or well wishes allows guests to participate in something meaningful
  • Personal; celebrates the guest of honor and your relationship with them
  • Feel good; makes the guest of honor feel special, loved, and appreciated
  • Touching; gives people the opportunity to articulate things they might think, but rarely say
  • Keepsake; creates tangible memories for the guest of honor to revisit in future
  • Thoughtful; shows you’ve made an effort to create something special for the guest of honor
  • Unusual; a less common party idea to impress guests
young couple recording a video guest book message on a tablet on a tripod stand at a party
tablet on a tripod stand

party activities

  • Engagement; essential for creating atmosphere and ensuring people have a good time
  • Circulation; activities encourage circulation, which raise energy levels
  • Atmosphere; keeping guests moving, exploring, and discovering creates a lively atmosphere
  • Mingling; activities help prevent guests clustering in corners with people they came with
  • Flow; giving guests things to engage with diffuses crowds, prevents bottlenecks, and helps flow
  • Introductions; allows guests who arrive alone or don’t know many people to connect with others
  • Ice-breaker; arrival activities let guests ease in gently before walking into a room full of people
  • Conversation-starters; funny, creative, or quirky activities give guests things to talk about
  • Interactive; allows guests to participate so everybody feels included
  • Bonding; a shared experience creates a bond and unites different groups as one; people that are all important to the guest of honor
  • Entertainment; activities keep guests entertained and prevents boredom or leaving early
  • Distraction; gives guests an excuse to change the subject or extract themselves from awkward conversations
  • Memorable; gives guests something to talk about, photograph, share, and remember
  • Experiential; guests leave feeling as though they’ve had an experience
senior couple recording a video guest book message on a tablet on a tripod stand at a party
couple recording a video guest book message on a tablet on a tripod stand at a party

ADVICE FROM A PRO

Matt’s tip

Matt James professional event planner

“Remember to set up in an area that’s quiet and won’t create congestion, such as curtaining off an area or re-purposing a nearby cloakroom or closet.

Be sure to leave the tablet plugged in and charging while in use to prevent it running out of juice halfway through the party.

Alternatively, rope in a teenage family member to invite guests to contribute a message as they arrive and supervise the recordings.”

where to buy

SHOP video guest books

  • For more info and prices check out the links below
browse tripods
memory cards
browse signs

Note: This post contains affiliate links so I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

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Event Producer

Matt is a professional event producer with over 25 years experience.

Clients include Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stella McCartney, Kevin Spacey, and more.

He is the winner of 30 industry awards and author of 'Become an Event Planner: Secrets for Getting Hired from Employers, Recruiters, and Event Professionals'

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