Baby Shower Photo Booth, Advice Jar & Guest Book Ideas

A photo booth, advice jar and guest book give guests something meaningful to do without stopping the room for a formal game. They can remain open throughout the shower, which suits staggered arrivals, mixed ages and guests who prefer to participate quietly. The key is to give each station a clear purpose so people do not write the same message three times.

Give each station a different job

• Photo booth: capture people and relationships.
• Advice jar: collect short practical ideas, traditions and wishes.
• Guest book: record names, connections and longer personal messages.

How to set up the photo booth

Choose a well-lit wall with enough room for small groups to stand without blocking a doorway. A plain fabric backdrop, one sign and a few lightweight props are enough. Mark the standing area on the floor and keep bags, cables and furniture out of the route.

Use prompt cards to make photographs easier: “people who met at school”, “family from both sides”, “guests wearing the same colour”, “three generations” or “recreate an old pose”. Avoid props that obscure vision or encourage unsafe movement.

Decide how photographs will be shared

Tell guests whether the images will be printed, placed in a private album or shared online. Provide a clear way to opt out, and do not assume every guest wants their image on social media. If guests use their own phones, display one album link or QR code and nominate someone to organise duplicates after the event.

Advice jar prompts that are easy to answer

• A small kindness that makes a difficult day easier.
• A family tradition worth keeping.
• A favourite children’s book, song or local place.
• An idea for a low-cost family day out.
• A wish for the baby’s first year.
• Something you appreciate about the parent or parents.

Keep the prompts away from medical, feeding, sleep or discipline advice. Guests can sign their cards or leave them anonymous. Use different coloured cards if some messages are meant to be opened on a future birthday.

Guest book formats

Traditional bound book: best for longer messages when there is space for the book to lie flat.

Loose-page album: several guests can write at once, and photographs can be added later.

Prompt-led cards: useful for a large group or short venue booking.

Photo guest book: leave room beside each instant print for names and a short note. Use photo corners rather than wet glue at the event.

How to avoid queues

Place the photo booth and writing table several steps apart. Provide at least three working pens, duplicate popular prompts and keep the guest book open on a fresh page. A small sign can explain that guests may return later. Ask one helper to replace supplies and move completed cards into the box.

A combined station layout

• Left: photo backdrop and prompt cards.
• Centre: instant prints or album-upload instructions.
• Right: advice cards, guest book, pens and finished-card box.

Keep food and drinks on a different table. Leave enough clear space for seated guests and mobility aids, and place the instructions where they can be read without standing.

Ready-to-use sign wording

Photo booth: “Take a photograph, choose a prompt if you wish, and add it to the private album.”

Advice jar: “Share one kind idea, family tradition or wish. Sign your card or leave it anonymous.”

Guest book: “Tell us how you know the family and leave a message for the years ahead.”

After the shower

Back up digital photographs, label instant prints and scan important cards. Remove any message that a guest asks to keep private. Store the advice cards in envelopes or a small box and assemble loose guest-book pages only after the ink and adhesive are dry.

More relaxed alternatives

For craft tables, storytelling and a complete no-games schedule, visit the baby shower alternatives hub. If guests would enjoy a facilitated memory activity, use one of the baby shower memory and storytelling games. For activities whose results become a book, card set or favour, see the keepsake game guide.

Include one optional paper game

If you want one structured round alongside the self-serve stations, the Forever Lily Baby Shower Games Bundle contains six coordinated games in guest packs for 10, 20, 30 or 40 people.