Fingerprint trees and how to use them
I love Wedding Fingerprint Trees because they are a welcome alternative to the traditional wedding guestbook, which can feel a little uninspiring. I never know what to write! Of course, there’s a place for classic guestbooks, but I like the idea so much more of a keepsake a newlywed bride and groom can take home and hang on their wall. Once placed inside a frame, it will be something they will treasure forever – rather than a book that they’ll likely forget is in storage in the loft or back of a cupboard.
What is a Fingerprint Guestbook?
A Fingerprint Guestbook (or a Fingerprint Tree) is an illustration of a tree with space for every wedding guest to add their fingerprint. The thumbprints, stamped onto the artwork with ink look like the leaves on the tree. Sometimes there are allocated spaces for the guests to print onto, other times there are no guide spaces, and guests are encouraged to write their name by the side, or on top of the fingerprint leaf they’ve added to the tree.
The outcome of each wedding guest contributing to a single piece of artwork is a special memento piece to display in the couple's home. They are beautiful, personal pieces of artwork, for the newlyweds to enjoy looking back on for years to come.
What makes a Fingerprint Tree special?
It will create a fantastic talking point amongst your wedding guests. Each guest will be able to enjoy being part of creating a piece of artwork, especially for you. Think of a piece of fingerprint artwork as a metaphor for the print that your friends and family make on your life. By commissioning one, you’ll have all of your loved ones' very own 'stamp' incorporated into your one-of-a-kind piece of art to enjoy after your wedding day, forever.
Does fingerprint artwork have to include a tree?
No. Definitely not! The beauty of choosing something so personal for your alternative guestbook is that you are not limited to just thumbprint trees. You can choose to incorporate balloons (or more specifically, the strings that are tied to the balloons) into the design. Then the guests’ fingerprints become the balloons. A bunch of balloons work well 'tied' onto a bicycle, carrying a house through the air, or being held by the bride and groom. If the ink is too messy, then choose for each of your guests to write their name on each of the leaves or balloons instead. If you’d prefer little messages, you may require slightly larger spaces for your guests to sign – these can be whatever shape you'd like. Alternative ideas are to have print spaces in the form of flying birds, dainty hearts or pretty stars in the sky. By the end of the wedding, the tree or design will be covered in little fingerprints, handwritten names or notes.
Are fingerprint guestbooks only for weddings?
No, absolutely not. Whilst usually they are used for weddings, they can also be used for any number of events including baby showers, birth announcements, graduations, hen dos, milestone birthday and family reunions.
I have a few simple tips for other things you’ll need to consider, to create your display at your event, and the best way to present it for maximum effect.
What you will need
A Fingerprint Tree or illustration
Speak to me to commission yours. My fingerprint tree guide will give you inspiration for your artwork. I can arrange to have this printed and framed for you, or you can choose to get this professionally printed elsewhere. You can also buy your own frame. Ready-to-buy frames are a great way to make this a really cost-effective wedding memento.
Ink Pads and/or Pens
Ink Pads: Look for one which are fast-drying, archival inks. You’ll find them online and in most craft stores, and they come in lots of colours. Choose one or two colours to coordinate with your wedding palette or go for multiple shades to create a really colourful piece of artwork.
Pens: When choosing appropriate pens for your guests to use, make sure you pick up ones which are acid-free with archival-quality, pigment inks (so they won't fade or turn yellow). Choose fast-drying, fade-proof and non-bleeding ones, so that they stand the test of time. Test them on a scrap piece of paper, to check they look how you'd like them to. If you're going to be asking your guests to sign their names on top of their fingerprints, make sure you test the pen over the printed ink too.
Helpers
I always advise that your fingerprint artwork is supervised whilst your guests are adding their prints to it. At a wedding, you could ask an usher or the wedding venue staff to assist with this. It works well to ask wedding guests to add their prints to the artwork as they enter the dining space for the wedding breakfast. That way you will make sure nobody forgets to contribute and then you can store it safely somewhere for the rest of the day. This will save any disastrous smudges or crumples happening (often caused by sticky-fingered children or tipsy family members).
Picture Frame
The best way to display your artwork is in a frame (whether it’s a shop-bought one, or a handmade frame included in your quote), with the glass/clear plastic removed. If you keep it in the frame, it will save the paper from getting 'dog-eared' at the edges and prevent it from rolling up. You can position the framed piece either on an easel or on a tabletop. Once everyone has added their fingerprint or message, the glass can be put back into the frame to keep it clean and protected, until you are ready to hang the picture.
Extra bits and pieces
Baby-wipes are handy for your guests to clean their inky fingertips on. Also, position a small bin or basket nearby, for the used wipes to go into. Keep a few sheets of paper or a notepad on-hand to dab off any excess ink, or use to practice on before printing onto the artwork itself.
I would love to bring your ideas to life. Consider what you’d like to include in your drawings – yourselves, your pets or your wedding venue. My fingerprint tree page tells you everything you need to know about commissioning your fingerprint wedding artwork.
If you have any questions, please get in touch.
