Analee’s Guest Book Was More Than a Wedding Detail—It Was a Love Story in Print

How one bride used Mixbook to create a meaningful keepsake—and how you can, too.

When Analee Steffan started planning her wedding, she wasn’t looking for just another task to check off her list. She was searching for something special—something that would capture the essence of her and her partner Dylan’s love story.

“I wanted something for our guestbook that felt really personal and beautiful—not just a plain book with lines, you know?”

She turned to Mixbook after hearing about its design flexibility, but what she found was so much more: a way to bring her favorite moments to life in a book their guests would feel as they flipped through it.

Tip 1: Let Your Photos Set the Tone

Analee chose a minimalist layout that let her engagement photos shine. Rather than cluttering pages with too many elements, she used white space and full-bleed spreads to let the emotion in each image speak for itself.

“I kept the design super minimal because I wanted our engagement photos to really stand out... It felt luxe but still really sweet and sentimental—perfect for the vibe of our wedding day.”

Tip: Choose a design that reflects your wedding’s aesthetic—romantic, rustic, modern, or vintage—and think of your photos as visual cues for your guests. It helps spark heartfelt messages and makes the guestbook feel like an extension of your day.

Tip 2: Add Prompts to Encourage Personal Notes

While Analee opted for full-page photos with space for guests to write freely, you could take it a step further by sprinkling in prompts:

• “What’s your favorite memory of us?”
• “What’s one piece of advice for our future together?”
• “Draw something that reminds you of our love story!”

This not only breaks the ice for guests but fills your book with personality.

Tip 3: Use Layouts That Do the Work for You

“The coolest part of the whole process was how easy it was to lay everything out... I didn’t have to stress about making it perfect because the layouts just worked so well.”

Mixbook’s drag-and-drop tools made it easy for Analee to explore different designs, test how many photos to include on each page, and keep the process stress-free.

Tip: Don’t overthink the structure—Mixbook’s layout options do the heavy lifting. Start by uploading your favorite photos, then play with spacing and arrangements until it feels like you.

Tip 4: Think Beyond the Wedding Day

What moved Analee most was seeing the final book in her hands—before a single guest had signed it.

“It’s such a surreal feeling seeing this little idea you had in your head turn into something so beautiful. And now, knowing our guests are going to fill it with sweet notes? I love that it’s not just a book—it’s a keepsake we’ll actually have on display forever.”

Tip: Design your guest book with longevity in mind. Choose durable, thick pages and a timeless design so it feels right at home on your coffee table or bookshelf for years to come.

One Page That Says It All

“My favorite photos in the whole book are the ones of Dylan lifting me up with the birds flying behind us in the city where we met. That spot means so much to us—it’s literally where we fell in love.”

Whether it’s a location, a pose, or a look that captures your love story, let your book reflect those moments. That’s what turns a guest book into a family heirloom.

Ready to Create Yours?

Analee’s story is just one of many that prove your guest book doesn’t have to be traditional—it can be intentional. With Mixbook, you can design something beautiful, meaningful, and completely you. Browse custom guest books on Mixbook to get started.