At my shower, I got a gift from my fiance’s Aunt. It is a recipe notebook that has sleeves to put recipe cards in with a ton of blank cards.
I have a TON of store bought cookbooks that I barely use. I am also not much of a cook. Never really learned much. Odds are pretty slim that I would be jotting down any recipes that I come up with. Typically, I open a box or can, sprinkle in some seasoned salt and call it dinner.
So I was trying to come up with a way to USE her gift. There are a ton of those blank recipe cards in the book, and she included MORE cards separately.
My idea is to come up with a cute poem or something asking each couple to share a favorite recipe with us and have them either add it to the card box, or mail it to us later. Then, if at least some of the guests do return the card, I will end up with a cookbook that is full of recipes from our friends and family.
Any ideas? Any suggestions on how to make this cute?
I think it would have been a good thing for the shower too. But considering it was a gift that I got AT the shower, it was kind of late.
The invitations are already out and the RSVP’s are coming in…
Have it come from the groom like a help letter, make light of the fact you aren’t a great cook 
Dear Aunt Jane,
Jane cooked a romantic dinner last week and I still havn’t figured out what it was….Please, save me from a lifetime of Hamburger Helper by picking out your favorite family recipe and sending it back on this card.
Love, Matt
Include a picture of him staring into a pot looking scared or a pic of him looking really hungry.
That sounds like a great idea. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!
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Most people don’t carry around or memorize them so they will have to do it later and most won’t. It’s a cute idea but would have been better for the shower and not the wedding.
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I think that is really cool, not only are you getting good recipies but then the cook book will mean something to you also! Congrats and best wishes on the marriage!
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that’s actually a very common thing to do…
here’s the poem
Enclosed for you is a recipe card.
To fill it in shouldn’t be hard.
(Bride’s name) might like to try your favorite cake,
or whatever it is you like to make.
So don’t forget this card on this special date.
Fill it in now, don’t hesitate.
At the shower will be a recipe box to fill.
So bring this recipe card, if you will.
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Just be honest about it. Tell them that your not much of a cook and you need some recipies to use for your future hubby and kids.
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I think this is a super cute idea! You can say something like (Insert you and hubby’s name here) recipe’s of love. You can ask people to write down there favorite recipe or wisdom on love and ask them to drop them off or you could even make them postcards so people can mail them back.
I really really really love this idea. I’m jealous i didn’t think of it when I got married!
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Doing it the way you described is already cute! They did this at a bridal shower I didn’t attend (lol) a few years ago.
I am the same kind of cook you are. Besides recipes you could also ask people to write their ways of making things that aren’t recipes, like the way I simply take chicken patties and throw them in the GF grill and dump cheese and sauce on them for chicken parm.
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Have it come from the groom like a help letter, make light of the fact you aren’t a great cook
Dear Aunt Jane,
Jane cooked a romantic dinner last week and I still havn’t figured out what it was….Please, save me from a lifetime of Hamburger Helper by picking out your favorite family recipe and sending it back on this card.
Love, Matt
Include a picture of him staring into a pot looking scared or a pic of him looking really hungry.
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I can’t cook either…don’t worry honey. I used my bridal shower as a chance to have a "cooking class" lol
You made it cute. You’re very creative.
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Yes, it is a good idea. I suggest asking the guests to fill out two types of cards. One card for an easy to make recipe, and one card for a favorite kitchen tip. The more I think about this idea, the more I like it
Good luck!
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When I sent out my invitations, I made the response cards into a postcard and asked people to write us a message on the back when they RSVP’d. I got a lot of them back with sweet messages, some with drawings and cute quotes! I have them in a photo album much like your recipe book. I think it is a darling idea.
Maybe setting them next to the guest book with your poem on a little sign asking for recipes, kitchen tips, "recipes" for a good marriage, etc. would get you started. People could take them to their tables and write something while waiting for dinner and/or the bride and groom to arrive during cocktail hour.
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it would of been for the shower. but it wouldn’t be a favor because people take favors home so it would be an activty. it is also a great idea thats really is sentimental. maybe if you ask them to do it at the reception before or after they eat
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that is a great idea for a favor for the wedding. you will have so much going on at the wedding that you may not have time to do that as an activity. you might want to have them mail it to you because even though most people do have fave recipies they may not know them by heart.
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Send one to each guest in the mail now. They can bring it with them to the wedding. Its a good idea, you dont need anything to make it cute.
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I think it’s a good idea. You might frame it, not so much as something "cute" as something sincere: you’re sharing the joy of your first day together with your family, and you’d like to keep that joy growing in the warmth of the family kitchen, KWIM?
Since most good family gatherings end up in the kitchen anyway, it would be appropriate to start your marriage by gathering your families "in your kitchen."
You might include the recipe card inside a greeting card which shows a family gathered around a table for a big meal (doesn’t have to be a holiday, just the general feeling of sharing, warmth, togetherness…you get the idea). You can explain your idea in the greeting card. That way, your guests have a way to remember your gesture, and they’ll have the thought in mind as they pick out their recipe.
Sounds very thoughtful. Go with it. Good luck–
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you aren’t going to get too many recipes since people don’t have the measurements memorized for the most part. having everyone write down a memory or wish to you on the cards is cute.. maybe you can market it to your guests as sort of a "reciepe book for a good marriage" instead of having a guest book! then you can put the cards back into the book you originally received.
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my mom mailed out the cards with my shower invitation and then everyone brought their recipe to the shower and my mom put the book together to give me.
Send the recipe cards with the invitations and encourage the guests to send them back with the RSVP cards. And if anything, keep it for your daughter when she has her bridal shower!
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How far away is the wedding? If you still have a few weeks or more (and have the time), you (or a bridesmaid) could send the cards to everyone that you sent an invitation to (with a note explaining) and have them bring them to the wedding. Then you can have a big bowl or decorated box near the entrance to the reception for them to drop them in.
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That is a great idea, and it just might help you become a great cook! You could also send them out in your thank you notes w/ a prestamped envelope to mail them back in.
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No, not for the wedding. It is often used for showers.
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Yes, this is a very good idea. Place it near the guest book at the wedding and reception. It is a great way to get those family recipes that you won’t find anywhere else! Best wishes!
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I’m a wedding officiant
http://www.lovewithnoboundaries.com