How To Tastefully Add Your Wedding Website To Invites

Wedding websites are a great way to provide guests with information about your wedding and related events. They can be used to display important details such as the wedding date, location, dress code, travel and accommodation information, and even your love story. While it is generally advised not to post your wedding website on social media, it is common practice to include your wedding website on your invitations. This can be done by adding the link to your website at the bottom of your invitation, or by including a separate enclosure card with your website details.

Online RSVPs

Creating a Wedding Website

First, you'll need to create a wedding website if you haven't already. This will be the central hub for all the information your guests need to know about your wedding, including the RSVP option. There are several online platforms that allow you to create a wedding website, such as The Knot, WeddingWire, Zola, Minted, Wix, or Squarespace. These platforms offer various templates and customization options to match your wedding aesthetic.

Including RSVP Options

Once you've created your wedding website, be sure to include a dedicated “RSVP” page or tab. This is where your guests will go to respond to your invitation. Include all the necessary information, such as the deadline for RSVPs, meal preferences, and any other relevant details. You can also use your wedding website to collect and manage guest responses, making it easier to keep track of who is attending and their preferences.

Sharing Your Wedding Website

When sharing your wedding website with your guests, it's best to include the link on your save-the-dates, wedding invitations, or a separate details card. This way, your guests will have easy access to the website and can RSVP online. It's also a good idea to include a password for your website to maintain privacy.

Wording and Etiquette

When including the wedding website on your invitations, use wording such as “Please RSVP by [date] at [URL]" or "Kindly RSVP by [date] via our wedding website: [URL]." Avoid simply listing your website URL on the formal invitation, as this may be considered poor etiquette. Instead, include it on a separate enclosure card or at the bottom of the invitation.

Benefits of Online RSVPs

Registry information

Wedding websites are a great way to communicate all the essential details about your wedding to your guests. This includes information that won't fit on your invitations, such as venue directions, and details that are not suitable for invitations, such as your gift registry.

A wedding registry is a curated list of gifts that the couple has chosen for their guests to buy. It simplifies the wedding gifting process, making it easier for guests to select a gift they know the couple will appreciate. It is now considered standard to include registry information on your wedding website.

There are a few ways to include registry information on your wedding website. Firstly, you can add a separate page dedicated to registry information. This page can include a brief description of each item on the registry and why you have chosen it. It is also a good idea to include links to the relevant websites where guests can purchase the items.

Another option is to include registry information on your FAQ page. You could include questions such as "Where are you registered?" or "What gifts would you like?". This allows guests to find the information easily while browsing your website.

If you have a large number of items on your registry, you could also group them by category. For example, you could have sections for "Kitchen", "Bedroom", and "Outdoor". This makes it easier for guests to browse your registry and find gifts that align with their interests or budgets.

Finally, don't forget to include a link to your wedding website and registry information on your invitations. This can be done by including a separate enclosure card with your invitation or simply adding the link to the bottom of your invitation.

Venue directions

It is important to include directions in your wedding invitations. Although guests usually have smartphones, it is more convenient to have the directions printed on paper. At the very least, include the full address of both the wedding ceremony venue and the reception site on a separate card in your wedding invitations. This will ensure your guests find the venue easily and don’t get unnecessarily stressed while driving around.

Enclosure Cards:

Use enclosure cards, also known as wedding insert cards or direction cards, to provide your guests with the details of your choice. These cards are typically smaller than your invitations and can be designed to complement your invitation suite by matching your colour palette, theme, and tone. You can include a link to your wedding website on these cards, allowing guests to access the address directly and find other helpful information associated with your wedding.

Map and Directions:

While including a map is no longer considered a requirement, as guests can easily access one on their phones, it can be a cute touch if you're interested in adding one. You can also include a custom weekend map as a keepsake for you and your guests.

Digital Directions:

If you are using a wedding website, include the URL on your invitation or on a separate card. This allows guests to access directions and other relevant information. You can also include a QR code on your invitation that guests can scan to access your wedding website and digital directions.

Font Legibility:

When providing written directions or including a map, carefully consider the font you use. It is important to ensure that the font is easy to read for all of your guests.

Destination Weddings:

For destination weddings, it is important to establish the wedding guest list early and send save-the-date cards with recommended online travel information. Additional print information can be helpful for navigating foreign destinations. If only some guests are travelling from another country, consider providing an alternate or online reply method.

Hotel recommendations

Creating a wedding website is a great way to communicate all the essential details about your wedding to your guests. This can include information that won't fit on your invitations, such as venue directions, hotel recommendations, and even your gift registry.

When recommending hotels to your guests, it's important to provide a variety of options at different price points. This will help your guests make informed decisions, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area. It is also helpful to include the distance from the recommended hotels to the wedding venue, as well as any nearby attractions such as shops or restaurants.

If you have reserved a block of rooms for your guests, be sure to include this information on your website. Provide room rates, reservation links, and instructions to make the booking process simple.

"For our out-of-town guests, we have provided a list of hotel options near the wedding venue. We did not block out rooms as there are plenty of lodging options available. Feel free to book a room that suits your needs and budget. The hotels we've listed are approximately 12-14 miles from the venue and are located near a variety of shops and restaurants."

Then, list the hotel options you recommend, along with their websites or contact information.

Other Information to Include

In addition to hotel recommendations, your wedding website can include other important details such as:

• Date, time, and location of the wedding ceremony and reception
• Directions and a map of the area
• Online RSVP options
• Transportation options, including parking guidelines, shuttle services, and valet information
• Attire suggestions, including dress code and any tips for outdoor weddings
• Timeline for the wedding weekend, including any additional events such as a wedding party introduction or pool time
• Your love story, including how you met your fiancé and any fun experiences you've shared

Privacy settings

Privacy is a concern for many couples, especially if their wedding website can be found via a search engine. Wedding crashing can happen, even during a pandemic. There are two levels of privacy to consider:

• Search engine blocking: Your website won't appear in search results, but anyone with the URL can access it.
• Password protection: Guests won't be able to view your website without a password.

Most commercial wedding websites offer the ability to hide from search engines and password-protect your site.

Part 1: How to Make Your Website Private

If your wedding website can be found via a search engine, you can adjust your privacy settings to make it private. This will prevent anyone from accessing it.

Part 2: Password Protecting Your Website

Another way to keep your site private is to protect it with a password. This means that only those who enter the password will be able to view your wedding details. You can include the password on your save-the-date, wedding invitation, gift registry, or anywhere else you send your guests the link to your website.

Pro Tips:

• Use a password that's accessible to guests but not easy to guess.
• Using your wedding date and your new last name together is a great option.
• Send your guests a personal note explaining where they can find the password.

Part 3: Reasons for Keeping Your Website Private

There are several reasons why you may want to keep your website private:

• You're still working on your website: Hiding your website under the privacy settings will prevent anyone from accessing it until you're ready to make it public.
• You want to keep some people away: Making your website private will prevent unwanted people from accessing your personal details.
• Keep your personal life under wraps: If you or your partner work in a field that requires you to keep your information private, using a password is essential.
• You need to limit the number of guests: If you're operating under capacity restrictions, you may have to cut your guest list. Keeping your website private will prevent uninvited guests from seeing your wedding details.

Part 4: The Downside to Making Your Website Private

If you require your guests to use a password, you may end up fielding phone calls, texts, and emails from guests who have lost or forgotten the password, or who don't understand how to use it.

Additional Tips:

• Use a separate wedding email account to keep your personal information compartmentalized.
• Don't include your full names on the website.
• Create a new email address specifically for wedding correspondence.
• Don't include personal details such as your phone number or home address on the website.
• Use security by obscurity: Don't include your last names on the website, or use fake names, so that only those who already know you will be able to find your website.

Frequently asked questions