Audio Phone Guestbook Setup for Weddings [AFFORDABLE DIY GUIDE]

Looking for a budget-friendly way to capture heartfelt audio messages at your wedding, baby shower, or special event? This DIY guide will show you how to set up an audio phone guestbook without the hefty price tag.

Traditional audio guestbook rentals can cost up to $500, but with this DIY approach, you’ll save money while still preserving those priceless memories.

Plus, unlike the expensive services that require weeks of waiting, your guests' audio messages from this DIY approach will be available instantly—ready for you to listen to and cherish right away.

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What you'll need

1. GuestCam Event: Your purchase also includes a shared photo album for your event, allowing guests to easily share the photos and videos they take, capturing even more special moments.
2. A tablet: You can use an old tablet you have on hand—just ensure it can connect to the internet for the initial setup. If you need to buy a new, affordable tablet, you should consider the Samsung Tab A7 Lite 8.7. We've used & battle tested this particular tablet when we used to rent out PhoneBooths. (You don’t need to buy a brand-new one—a refurbished unit works just as well and some start at $85 on Amazon).
3. External Microphone (Optional): We recommend the Opis 60s Micro from Amazon—it's a product we've used and battle-tested for our now retired PhoneBooth rental service. It is priced at $29, and comes in a variety of colors, so you can choose one that best matches your event’s aesthetic.
4. Stand for tablet (Optional) - To ensure your PhoneBooth setup stands up right, we recommend getting a tablet stand, if you don't have one already. You can get this one from Amazon for $8.

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FOLLOW THIS GUIDE CAREFULLY TO ENSURE A PROPER SETUP.

If you're a GuestCam customer and need help with your setup, our support team is ready to assist—feel free to reach out!

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1. Load PhoneBooth App on Tablet

Unlike a traditional app from the App Store or Google Play Store, GuestCam's PhoneBooth app is an installable web app that can be used even when the device is offline. This section of the guide will walk you through the installation process step by step.

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Get PhoneBooth QR Code/Link:

Before you can load the PhoneBooth app (with your event details) onto the tablet, you need to get the PhoneBooth QR Code for your gallery. If you haven’t enabled Voicemails for your event yet, follow this guide and return here once you’re set up.

From a different device, log into your GuestCam host dashboard and follow the steps below:

1. Open the gallery where you want to collect voicemails
2. Click the Menu button at the top right (the purple circle with 3 white lines)
3. Scroll down and select "Voicemail Settings" on the menu list
4. Click the "Scan PhoneBooth QR Code" button. This will open a window displaying a QR code, which you'll need in the upcoming steps.

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Load PhoneBooth App on Tablet:

1. Connect the tablet to the internet via WIFI if it's not already
2. Open the camera app on the tablet
3. Scan the PhoneBooth QR code and tap the link that appears on your screen to open it in your browser. NOTE: On iOS, be sure to use Safari as your browser to allow offline capabilities for the PhoneBooth app.
4. Once the PhoneBooth app page loads, test it by leaving a voicemail. If prompted, grant GuestCam access to your device’s microphone. On Android or Chrome, select "Allow while visiting this website" or a similar option that provides continuous access rather than temporary permission. If you're using Safari, check the "Safari Tips" section below for step-by-step instructions to further configure your device for PhoneBooth mode.

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Install PhoneBooth App on device

To keep PhoneBooth running smoothly even if your tablet loses internet connection, we recommend installing the app on your tablet. Follow the steps below for your specific OS.

‍Android - Chrome

• While the PhoneBooth page is on the screen, click the menu icon (three dots) in the top right corner
• If you see "Install" in the menu list, go ahead and select it. If not, select "Add to Home screen", and then select "Install"

iOS - Safari

• While the PhoneBooth page is on the screen, tap the "Share" button (the square with an arrow)
• Select "Add to Home Screen", and confirm the by tapping "Add"

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Going forward, you can open the PhoneBooth app directly from your device instead of using a web browser.

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Recommended Apps

App to help keep tablet screen always on:

Android: Screen Alive from the Google Play Store

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2. Assemble PhoneBooth

With the PhoneBooth app installed on your tablet, you're ready to assemble your PhoneBooth using the recommended equipment in this guide.

1. Assemble the stand for tablet to rest on
2. Place the tablet on the stand
3. Connect the handset microphone to the tablet.

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3. Test your setup

Before your event, be sure to test your PhoneBooth setup to ensure everything runs smoothly. Here’s what you need to check:

1. Leave another test voicemail - from the installed PhoneBooth app on the tablet. Confirm this went through by listening to it from the host dashboard
2. Test Offline capability:
   • Disconnect from Wi-Fi – Turn off Wi-Fi to block the internet connection, then restart the tablet.
   • Test Offline Mode – Once the tablet restarts (while still offline), open the PhoneBooth app and leave a voicemail. The app should launch normally and accept the voicemail, storing it locally on the device until an internet connection is available.
   • Reconnect to Wi-Fi – Turn Wi-Fi back on. Once the tablet regains internet access, the app will automatically upload the stored voicemail to your event in the cloud.
   • Verify Upload – Check the host dashboard and listen to the voicemail to confirm it was successfully uploaded.

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Safari Tips

• Explicitly allow microphone access to GuestCam immediately after opening the PhoneBooth page to prevent the browser from repeatedly asking for permission with each call. While the PhoneBooth App page is open, click the aA button to the left of the URL/Search bar. Then select Website Settings and ensure that the Microphone is set to Allow.
• Increase your screen timeout: To ensure your PhoneBooth screen stays on even after periods of inactivity, we recommend setting the screen timeout to the maximum duration available in your tablet’s settings. If you need a solution for preventing the screen from timing out beyond the built-in options, consider using third-party apps designed for this purpose. You can find these apps by searching your device's app store.
• If you're using an iPad (or any iOS device), we strongly recommend enabling Guided Access to restrict users to just one app—in this case, the browser with the PhoneBooth page open

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a specific device to use the PhoneBooth app?

You can use almost any tablet that can connect to the internet to install and initially set up the PhoneBooth app—Android or iOS devices work. Older tablets are fine, as long as they support a modern browser. You can then install the PhoneBooth app to allow offline usage during your event.

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Why should I use GuestCam’s PhoneBooth app for my wedding or event?

GuestCam’s PhoneBooth is an installable web app that provides instant voice message storage and offline capabilities. Unlike many rental services, you can listen to audio messages immediately, and the app also integrates with your shared wedding photo album. This lets you capture both voice messages and event photos in one convenient place.

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Can I set up the PhoneBooth app without internet access?

You need internet access only for the initial setup. Once the PhoneBooth app is installed on your tablet, it will work offline. Guests can record voicemails even if the device isn’t connected to Wi-Fi; the messages will automatically sync once an internet connection is restored.

Which microphone is recommended for clearer audio recordings?

For better audio quality, consider using the Opis 60s Micro microphone handset (around $29 on Amazon). It not only looks great but also delivers clearer recordings, ensuring your guests’ messages are captured loud and clear.

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Can guests also share photos and videos using the same setup?

Yes! In addition to recording audio messages, guests can easily share their photos and videos using the same setup. With GuestCam, you can generate a QR Code for wedding photos, which guests can scan with their phones to instantly upload pictures and videos to your event’s shared album—no app downloads required. This way, all your special memories, from heartfelt voicemails to candid photos, are collected in one convenient place.

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