A First Communion to remember
The godparents, the grandparents: everyone has something to tell them
After Mass, your guests scan a QR code to record a message for the child, send their photos and write a few words. Within 24 hours after the collection closes you receive a first film, then you build a personalized film with the photos and notes, to keep for the years ahead.
Try it like a guest: see the demo →
What is a First Communion video guest book?
A First Communion video guest book is a QR code that guests scan with their phone, outside the church or during the family meal, to leave a message for the child: a word from a godparent, a blessing from the grandparents, a family story. With Video Message, each guest can record up to 3 videos of up to one minute, send photos several at a time and write a note signed with their first name, all in the browser with no app and no account, so grandparents can manage on their own. Family who cannot come use the same link from home, before or during the celebration, and photos can play as a live slideshow on a screen during the meal. Within 24 hours after the collection closes you receive a first film of the video messages, then you build a personalized film with the photos and notes, which you download and keep for the child. It costs $49 for the event, whatever the number of guests.
Picture it
The godparents have a role
They were chosen at the baptism, and First Communion is often the first time they can tell the child what that role means to them. A minute in front of a phone gives them the chance, without a speech in front of the whole table.
The grandparents pass something on
They remember their own First Communion: the white dress or the suit, the medal, the photo on the church steps. What they tell the child may be said only once, so it is worth recording.
Family far away takes part
An uncle abroad, a great-grandmother who no longer travels, cousins who could not come that Sunday. They get the link and take part from home, and nothing in the film sets their message apart from the guests who were there.
A film for later
The child will watch it again at their Confirmation, and again as an adult. They will hear the voices that spoke about them on the day of their First Communion.
How it works
Place the QR code
On the tables at the meal, the welcome sign, or the invitation you send to the family.
Guests scan & record
No app to install. They record a message, send photos or write a note straight from their phone, after Mass or during the meal.
Receive your films
Within 24 hours after the collection closes you receive your first film, plus each individual video. Then you build a personalized film with the photos and notes.
Family photos, a slideshow at the meal, two films
A First Communion brings three or four generations around a child of seven or eight. Guests can tag what they send with a moment of the day: The Mass, Family photos, The meal, The celebration.
Photos of every generation
Grandparents send a photo of their own First Communion, parents send theirs, guests add the pictures from the church steps. Several at a time, from each phone, into one album.
A slideshow during the meal
Open the slideshow link on a TV or projector with a browser and internet. Photos appear as guests send them, automatically or after you approve each one, so you decide what the room sees.
A first film, then the one you shape
The video messages become a first film within 24 hours after the collection closes. Then you build a personalized film with the photos and notes, choosing the order, the music, the color look, the transitions and your own opening and closing text.
Shared with family, kept for the child
Send the films by link to the relatives who could not come. Download every photo and video as ZIP files and the notes as a PDF message book, to keep for the child. Files are kept for 3 months after your first film, with an email reminder before deletion.
Collecting blessings for a First Communion, gently
After Mass, not during it
Phones have no place in the church, and nobody needs to be asked to film during the Mass. The QR code belongs outside afterward, on the church steps, and on the tables at the meal, where people sit for a long time and the mood is relaxed.
If you want guests to tag what they send, the moments are already there: The Mass, for the photos taken outside the church, then Family photos, The meal and The celebration.
What to ask people to say
Without a prompt, most guests say congratulations and stop. It is kind, and it is over in five seconds.
Give one question instead, written on the table card. “What do you remember about your own First Communion?” “What do you wish for them as they grow up?” “What do you want them to know about this family?” Grandparents and godparents in particular often have something to pass on and no natural moment to do it.
Godparents first
The godparents have a particular place on this day. Ask them to record first, at the start of the meal, and to invite the people at their table to follow. Once two or three have done it, the rest of the room joins in.
For the family who cannot be there
First Communions fall on a spring Sunday, often the same weekend for every family in the parish, and not everyone can travel. Send the link with the invitation so relatives far away can record a message, send a photo or write a note before the day or during the meal.
Their message sits in the film between two guests who were in the room, and in twenty years the child will not be able to tell who was there and who was not.
What you end up with
The photographer captures how the day looked. The film keeps what people said to the child, which is what fades first.
You receive a first film within 24 hours after the collection closes, plus every individual message, then a personalized film you build with the photos and notes. Download everything to your own storage within the 3 months your files are kept, and keep it for the child, who will understand it better at eighteen than at eight.
When to set up & how to share
When to activate your space
Set up your space about 2 weeks before: add the child’s name, choose gentle or joyful music, and print your QR code in time to send the link with the invitations.
Spread the QR code as widely as you can
- ✓Put the QR code on each table at the meal, where people sit for a long time.
- ✓Add the link to the invitation or the message you send to the family.
- ✓Send the QR code and link through WhatsApp, SMS or the family group chat so relatives far away can send a message, photos or a note from home.
- ✓Ask the godparents to record first and to invite the rest of their table.
Put it on your signage and send the guest link privately to your guest list (WhatsApp, group chats, SMS), before and during the event, so even the people who can’t be there in person add a video, photos or a note.
What you receive
Made for your event
Simple pricing
Digital QR code
One event, delivered instantly, everything included
$49
or 3 for $99, for 3 separate events
- ✓ Videos, photos and written notes
- ✓ Live photo slideshow
- ✓ Two films, the album and the message book
- ✓ No app and no limit on guests
Organizing several First Communions, for a parish group or for clients? See pro pricing →
Questions
Is it appropriate for a religious celebration?
Yes. Nothing is public, nobody is filmed during the Mass, and every message is addressed to the child and the family. Guests take part outside the church or during the meal, only if they wish.
Can grandparents manage it on their own?
Most do, because there is nothing to install and no account to create: the camera opens as soon as they scan. Ask a grandchild to show the first one how it works, and the rest of the table follows.
What should we ask guests to say?
Give one question rather than an open invitation. “What do you remember about your own First Communion?” or “what do you wish for them as they grow up?” gets a real answer, where “say a few words” gets twenty versions of congratulations.
Can family who cannot come take part?
Yes. Share the link and they can send a video, photos or a note from home, before the day or during the meal, on any phone or computer. Their message appears in the film alongside everyone who was there.
Can the photos play during the meal?
Yes, if you have a TV, screen or projector with a web browser and an internet connection. Open your slideshow link and photos appear as guests send them, automatically or once you approve them. The slideshow shows photos only; the videos go into your films.
Can relatives send old photos?
Yes. Guests send whatever is on their phone, recent or scanned, several at a time. A grandparent’s photo of their own First Communion sits in the album next to the pictures from the day and can go into your personalized film.
How long can each message be?
Each guest can record up to 3 videos of up to one minute, which is enough for a blessing and a short story. They can also send photos and write a note.
Do guests need to install anything?
No. They scan the code, the guest page opens in their browser, and they take part. No app, no account, no sign-up.
What do we receive?
A first film made from the video messages, delivered within 24 hours after the collection closes, plus every individual video to download and keep. Then a personalized film with the photos and notes, every photo and video as ZIP files, and the notes as a PDF message book.
How far ahead should we set it up?
About two weeks before. That leaves time to add the child’s name, choose the music, print the table cards and send the link with the invitations.
How long are the files kept?
For 3 months after your first film is delivered. The date is shown in your dashboard and we email you a reminder before anything is deleted, so download the films, the photos and the message book to keep them for the child.
Does this work outside the United States?
Yes, anywhere in the world. Nothing ships to you: your QR code and guest link arrive by email the moment you pay, and your guests take part in their phone’s browser. It works the same in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, across Europe and anywhere else. This page shows US dollars; we also have pricing pages in pounds, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, Swiss francs and euros, and you pay in the currency of the page you buy from.
What language is it in?
Each event runs in the language you choose: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German or Portuguese. The guest page, your dashboard and the wording in your films follow that language. Your guests can speak or write in whatever language they like; nothing is transcribed or translated, so each message stays exactly as they recorded it.
Can we collect for longer?
Guests take part before and during your event, from the moment you share the link. If you need more time to collect, write to us.