Draft:Audio guest book

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An audio guest book (also audio guestbook) is a recording device used at weddings and other events to capture voicemail messages from guests using an landline telephone without needing a connection to a physical telephone line. The recordings are typically delivered digitally using web portals or file sharing services, on physical media (including USB memory sticks, cassette tapes, or vinyl records), or available for playback through the telephone itself.[1][2][3] By the late 2010s and early 2020s, audio guest books had become a popular alternative to traditional sign-in books, consistent with broader trends of updating classic wedding rituals with interactive elements and technology.[4][5]

Common uses

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Audio guest books are most commonly found at weddings, as couples often appreciate the emotional value of capturing loved ones’ voices.[6][7] Increasingly, however, they have been used at milestone birthdays, retirement parties, funerals and celebrations of life, corporate events and trade shows, concerts, and other live events.[8][9]

History

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Before physical audio guest books, companies like LifeOnRecord offered call-in services that let invited guests call a telephone number from their mobile devices to leave a message for the event hosts.[10][11]

By the mid-2010s, self-contained telephone guest books began being offered to the public.[12] FêteFone, for example, launched in 2016 and was profiled that year in The Knot and event-industry press for letting guests “record your guests’ well wishes with the help of an antique telephone."[13][14] The offering was then quickly recognized in the events industry: FêteFone won BizBash’s Event Style Award for Best Interactive Technology for Events (2016, announced 2017),[15] and received Special Events magazine’s 2017 Gala Award for Best New, Innovative Event Product/Technology.[16] The International Live Events Association (ILEA) also recognized the format with its 2017 Esprit Award for Best Industry Innovation.[17]

By the early 2020s, additional audio guest book companies began offering similar devices, capitalizing on the trend's growing popularity among event hosts.[18][19][20]

Variations

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Purchase or rental

Some audio guest book services allow customers to purchase a telephone to keep and reuse, while others exclusively offer rental devices, in which a refurbished phone is shipped to the event host and mailed back after the event for processing.[21][22][23]

Outgoing greetings

Some telephone guest books are designed to replicate the calling experience: guests lift the receiver, hear a custom greeting recorded by the hosts, and leave a message after the beep.[24][25][26] Other audio guest books begin recording immediately after lifting the handset, without providing the guest with auditory feedback.[27]

Call-in options

Many providers still offer call-in lines in addition to physical phones, enabling guests who cannot attend the in-person celebration to leave messages as well.[28][29][30]

Message delivery options

Messages are typically delivered via file sharing services, USB drives, custom cassettes, or custom vinyl records. Some companies also offer noise reduction, volume leveling, professional audio engineering, or an edited highlight reel of messages.[31][32]

Phone booths and lounges

Event planners sometimes style a dedicated “phone booth” or lounge to integrate the audio guest book into the event design.[33][34][35]

Playback options

In addition to message recording, some audio guest books let hosts play messages back through the telephone itself, which allows them to display the phone in their home as a keepsake and listen to one or more recordings at any time.[36]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Wedding guests can add the gift of gab when 'signing' an audio guestbook". Associated Press. 2024-07-03.
  2. ^ "Audio Guest Books: What You Need to Know & Where to Buy". The Knot. 2025-07-07.
  3. ^ Strauss, Alix (2023-12-28). "Classic Wedding Traditions Find a New Groove". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Strauss, Alix (2023-12-28). "Classic Wedding Traditions Find a New Groove". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Audio Guest Books: What You Need to Know & Where to Buy". The Knot. 2025-07-07.
  6. ^ "Wedding guests can add the gift of gab when 'signing' an audio guestbook". Associated Press. 2024-07-03.
  7. ^ Sinichak, Jessica (2024-02-01). "Audio Guest Books Make for a Unique and Nostalgic Way to Hold Wedding Memories". Pittsburgh Magazine.
  8. ^ Hoffman, Claire (2021-11-04). "Event Tech Check: 8 Tools for Engaging Virtual Attendees, Improving Breakout Sessions and More". BizBash.
  9. ^ "Buzzzz-o-Meter: Harry Styles' Audio Guest Book--and more!". Us Weekly. 2023-02-05.
  10. ^ "Audio Guest Book – Toasts & Tributes from Family & Friends". LifeOnRecord. 2023-02-06.
  11. ^ "Wedding guests can add the gift of gab when 'signing' an audio guestbook". Associated Press. 2024-07-03.
  12. ^ "Best Interactive Technology for Events (Winners & Finalists)" (PDF). BizBash Best (print ed.). 2017. pp. 273–274.
  13. ^ "Now Trending: Phone It In" (PDF). The Knot (Fall 2016, print). 2016. p. 100.
  14. ^ "Out of the Box". BizBash. 2016-11-15.
  15. ^ "Best Interactive Technology for Events (Winners & Finalists)" (PDF). BizBash Best (print ed.). 2017. pp. 273–274.
  16. ^ "The Special Event Announces 2017 Gala Award Winners". Rayce PR (recap of Special Events Gala Awards). 2017-01-19.
  17. ^ "Best Industry Innovation -- 2017 ILEA Esprit Award Winners". International Live Events Association (Esprit Awards program, print listing). 2017-08-11.
  18. ^ Strauss, Alix (2023-12-28). "Classic Wedding Traditions Find a New Groove". The New York Times.
  19. ^ "Wedding guests can add the gift of gab when 'signing' an audio guestbook". Associated Press. 2024-07-03.
  20. ^ "Audio Guest Books: What You Need to Know & Where to Buy". The Knot. 2025-07-07.
  21. ^ Strauss, Alix (2023-12-28). "Classic Wedding Traditions Find a New Groove". The New York Times.
  22. ^ "FêteFone® -- The Original Audio Guest Book". FêteFone. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  23. ^ "After The Tone". After The Tone. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  24. ^ "FêteFone® Frequently Asked Questions". FêteFone. Retrieved 2025-09-06."Out of the Box". BizBash. 2016-11-15.
  25. ^ Strauss, Alix (2023-12-28). "Classic Wedding Traditions Find a New Groove". The New York Times.
  26. ^ "FêteFone: The Fun Wedding Guestbook Alternative You've Always Wanted!". Black Bride. 2017-12-22.
  27. ^ "After The Tone Setup Guide". After The Tone. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  28. ^ Hoffman, Claire (2021-11-04). "Event Tech Check: 8 Tools for Engaging Virtual Attendees, Improving Breakout Sessions and More". BizBash.
  29. ^ "Virtual Audio Guestbook". The Audio Guestbook Co. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  30. ^ "Remote Call-In Numbers". FêteFone. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
  31. ^ "Wedding guests can add the gift of gab when 'signing' an audio guestbook". Associated Press. 2024-07-03.
  32. ^ "Audio Guest Books: What You Need to Know & Where to Buy". The Knot. 2025-07-07.
  33. ^ "This Wedding Proves Home Is Where the Heart Is". Style Me Pretty. 2018-02-06.
  34. ^ "This Beautiful Wedding at Scripps Seaside Forum Celebrating Home Will Capture Your Heart". California Wedding Day. 2018.
  35. ^ "Creative Twists on Wedding Trends; Let's Spice Things Up!". District Bliss. 2017-08-02.
  36. ^ Strauss, Alix (2023-12-28). "Classic Wedding Traditions Find a New Groove". The New York Times.