I’m delighted to share that my handmade wedding guest books are featured in Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding, the go-to sourcebook for local wedding inspiration, advice and suppliers. This month’s issue shines a spotlight on handmade weddings and you’ll find my guest books on page 63. It's such a privilege to make personalised heirlooms for couples planning their wedding day.
Your wedding day is filled with moments you’ll want to remember forever. One of the most meaningful ways to capture these memories is with a handmade guest book, where your loved ones can leave their thoughts, messages, words of advice and well wishes. My personalised Guest Books and Memory Books (scrapbooks) are designed with love and careful attention to detail, using only the finest natural materials, making them a truly special addition to your celebration.
Each guest book is entirely handmade by me, Susan Green. I aim to offer beautiful, tactile books that will become family heirlooms – something you simply won’t find on the mass-produced wedding market. Whether you’re drawn to a simple, classic design, something more rustic, or a luxurious feel to reflect your wedding style, your guest book really can be as distinctive as your day.
Square 'Romantic' Wedding Guest Book bound with silk ribbon.
Each and every one of my wedding guest books is entirely hand crafted by me from start to finish using traditional bookbinding tools, materials and techniques. The hand sewn pages, the carefully chosen leather for the covers, and the delightful finishing touches all come together to create something special that will last for many years – even generations - after your wedding day thanks to their archival quality materials and binding style. These books are not just a place for signatures; they are heirlooms and cherished keepsakes you will want to look through in years to come.
I take great care in selecting only natural materials that feel luxurious to the touch, creating an experience that will delight both you and your guests. Whether it’s the rich texture of the hand-stitched binding or the understated elegance of the cover, each detail is designed to make your wedding day even more memorable.
You might prefer a natural linen ribbon as with my Rustic Wedding Guest Book style (below), a smooth silk ribbon as used on the Romantic Guest Books, a Nostalgic touch of velvet, or a Luxurious style with an exquisite decorative ribbon made by renowned silk weaver Robert Ely, whose ribbons feature in many period costumes in film and television.
'Rustic' Wedding Guest Book bound with eco friendly linen thread and ribbon, A5 medium landscape
As couples increasingly seek out sustainable options for their weddings, I’m proud to say that my Guest Books are a wise choice. Every book is designed not only with quality, longevity and functionality in mind, but also to celebrate the beauty of natural materials and respect the environment.
Whether you choose pages of the highest quality ‘Superfine’ writing paper that’s manufactured by wind power, or 100% recycled cartridge pages made from coffee cups instead, you can feel good about your decisions. Especially as the binding thread is linen, one of the most sustainable textiles on earth, and the leather is sourced from a British tannery that works to the highest standards.
Personalised Wedding Memory Book with names printed in a font to match the couple's wedding stationery. The Memory style book has spacers in the spine to allow for inclusions like photographs and cards, meaning you can use your Guest Book as a scrapbook!
Choosing a handmade wedding guest book is about more than just finding a nice product; it’s about selecting a piece of craftsmanship that reflects the heart and soul of your celebration.
Each handmade guest book is a unique piece, made to capture the memories of your day in a way that feels personal, authentic, and meaningful. It’s a beautiful reminder of the love and care that went into crafting your wedding, and something that will become a part of you and your family’s story for years to come.
When you choose a Bound by Hand book, you’re supporting a small business and celebrating craftsmanship at its finest. You might find it reassuring to know that I’ve been in business since 2008 and I’m also a selected member of the Crafts Council Directory and of Find A Maker - both organisations represent only the highest quality British makers. And you might have seen my work in Country Homes & Interiors magazine, too!
'Luxurious' Wedding Guest Book bound with a woven silk floral ribbon, A4 large size.
I’ve made wedding guest books for couples not just in Dorset and Hampshire, but across the UK and in fact all over the world! Here are just a few of the reviews my customers have been kind enough to share over the years:
“The wedding guest book itself it just stunning! It is evident the time and effort that goes into making this piece. The book is definitely unique, timeless and will be cherished forever.” – Kirsty, Shropshire UK
"The leather and craftsmanship quality are A+, the packaging is beautiful too! Susan was an absolute pleasure to work with on customizations and the wedding book she created exceeds my expectations (which were high)!" - Tally, Texas USA
"Thank you, Susan for the [wedding guest] book. It is beautiful and the bride and groom love it and put it to grand use over the course of their wedding and subsequent holiday." Gail, WA Australia
If you’re looking for a handmade guest book that brings a sense of refined craftsmanship and tactile beauty to your special day, all whilst being kind to the planet, I’d love to help. Don’t worry if you’re short on time, as I often have guest books that are already made and can be with you in just a few days. These have ‘Happily ever after...’ printed on the first page in a romantic, elegant font and you’ll find them in my Ready to Ship collection.
If you have a little more time, you can choose a custom, personalised guest book. This is really where your imagination and personal sense of style comes in to play. You might like a really colourful book, for example - you don't need to stick to white leather. Some couples have chosen Navy, Teal and even Red leather covers, or pair a colourful silk ribbon with traditional white covers.
Bespoke Wedding Guest Book bound in white leather with raw edge 'Sea Foam' silk ribbon. Do get in touch if you'd like a similar Guest Book.
You can also ask me to print text on the first page of your book – your names and wedding date are a popular option. You have several sizes to choose from, landscape, portrait or square, and you can choose the colour of your book’s covers, binding and ribbon so it co-ordinates with your wedding’s colour scheme.
Why not browse through my styles here to get a few ideas, take a look at your Bespoke options, then get in touch via my contact form to let me know what you have in mind. There's no obligation to purchase, I welcome all enquiries!
I look forward to helping you create a guest book that’s as memorable and unique as your wedding day. I'm very happy to answer enquiries and provide quotes for bespoke books with no obligation to buy. And my thanks to editor Oliva Gibson at Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding for including my work in the Handmade feature.
Susan
contact form | info@boundbyhand.co.uk | +44 (0)7748 759371
P.S. I’ve got some great ideas for making sure people actually write in your wedding guest book over here.
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