Every wedding has some kind of guest book. Whether it is the traditional hard-backed book where guests are encouraged to write their name and a message with a posh fountain pen, or an updated version with a modern twist, the guest book is here to stay.
Last year we served crepes from our traveling crepe stand at a wedding near Guildford, Surrey and we were encouraged to sign the guest book. Except it wasn’t a guest book, it was a wooden jigsaw, with very large pieces. The pieces were blank on both sides and wedding guests (and wedding crepe chefs!) were invited to write their name on one side of a piece and either a message or drawing on the other. The intention was clearly for the bride and groom to put the jigsaw together at a later date. Perhaps it was something for them to do to pass the time on their honeymoon?
It was obviously easy for us to write our names on a piece each (we always have two crepe chefs at every wedding, for speedy service!) using the gel pens provided, but – what to write or draw on the other side? Drawing a crepe or pancake isn’t difficult – they are just a circle perhaps with a bit of a brown squiggle on there to represent nutella or something – but would it be obvious that is what it is supposd to be?
We didn’t know the bride or groom so didn’t think a personal message work too well and would be insincere. It’s difficult to think of something relevant, witty or amusing to say about crepes or pancakes at the best of times, (I should know, I write a blog on the subject!) but in the context of a wedding, when time is short and there is a queue forming behind you, then it’s virtually impossible.
So in the end, we didn’t really know what was appropriate and just drew a pattern on the reverse side. From looking at the completed pieces in the box, it seems we were not alone.
So maybe you regard the jigsaw idea as an interesting, quirky idea which adds a bit of definition to your wedding. On the other hand, if guests can’t think out-of-the-box or are put on the spot, don’t be surprised if you just end up with a load of signed jigsaw pieces with a completely random pattern on the other side.
Which will probably make for a very boring honeymoon indeed.
