Creating A Website For Your Dream Destination Wedding

Planning a destination wedding? A wedding website is a must-have. It's the best way to keep your guests informed and organised, and it'll make your life easier too.

Your wedding website will be a central hub for all the essential information your guests need to know. From travel and accommodation details to the schedule of events, you can use your website to ensure your guests are prepared and excited for your big day.

But where do you start? Here are some key things to include on your destination wedding website:

- A welcome message and greeting

- A schedule of events, including dates, times and locations

- Accommodation information, such as hotel recommendations or room blocks

- Travel information, like transport options and local attractions

- An FAQ page to answer common questions

- Your love story and a photo gallery to build excitement

- RSVP and dietary requirements

- Information about the wedding party

- Gift registry details

Remember, your destination wedding website should be informative and engaging. By including these key elements, you'll create a helpful resource for your guests and ensure they have a smooth and enjoyable experience.

RSVP and guest list management

A destination wedding website is a great way to manage RSVPs and guest lists. Here are some tips to help you with this process:

Choose a Platform

Select a user-friendly website builder that suits your needs and budget. Some popular options include Appy Couple, Riley & Grey, The Knot, and Minted. Paid platforms often offer more customization options, advanced RSVP management, and higher-quality customer support.

Collect Guest Details

Use a form to collect guest contact details such as addresses, emails, and phone numbers. This will make it easier to send out invitations and communicate any updates.

Organize Your Guest List

Arrange your guest list into social and family groups. This will make it easier for guests to RSVP together as a household. You can also assign plus ones and collect their names.

Create a Custom RSVP Form

In addition to the standard RSVP question, consider adding your own questions to gather information such as dietary preferences, song requests, travel plans, or any other details that will help with your planning.

Set Up Automatic Reminders

Choose a platform that can send automatic reminders to guests who haven't responded by your RSVP deadline. This will save you time and help improve your response rate.

Track RSVPs and Guest Information

Use the platform's guest list management tools to keep track of RSVPs and guest details in one place. This will make it easier to finalize numbers for your venue and vendors.

Restrict Access if Needed

If you want to restrict RSVPs to only those on your guest list, most platforms offer security options to limit access. This can prevent unwanted guests from crashing your wedding.

Communicate Important Updates

Use the platform to send customized emails to your guests, keeping them informed about any changes or updates to your wedding plans.

Travel and accommodation details

Now that you've picked a date and put down your deposit, it's time to share all the details with your guests. With a destination wedding, your guests will need to do a lot of pre-planning, so it's crucial to create a wedding website with all the necessary information.

Travel Info

Give specific destination information, including details from your travel agent and tourism websites. Include information on the local area, such as the weather conditions, things to see and do, and the best mode of transportation. For example:

> Our wedding will be hosted during the summer, so you can expect warm, humid weather with some rainfall. Hiring a car is the best way to get around Hawaii, but there are plenty of rideshare services available throughout Honolulu, including Uber and Lyft.

Accommodation

Booking accommodation will be a priority for your guests, so let them know what to expect. Have you organised a hotel block, or will your guests need to find alternative arrangements? Your wedding venue should be able to provide you with a list of nearby hotels and resorts that they recommend, and they may even have a discount code for your guests. You can say something like:

> For your convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at Waikiki Beach Resort. When calling to make your reservation, please mention our wedding to receive a discounted rate. There are also a variety of other accommodation options in the surrounding area, including hotels, resorts and AirBnBs.

Location Details

Share the exact venue address, including the street name, city and country, as well as the closest airport and directions to your venue from the airport. A map of the venue and its surroundings is also a good idea. You don't want your guests getting lost!

Insider Tips

Just like any other holiday, your guests will want to know about dining options and other tips to make the most of their experience. Include restaurant and cafe recommendations, as well as transport options. Let them know if there is suitable public transport, or if they will need to rent a car.

Cultural Traditions and Customs

Don't forget to include any relevant cultural traditions or customs specific to your destination. This can include details like the local language and currency, cultural traditions and etiquette, such as dressing modestly or greeting strangers correctly, and customs such as tipping.

Itinerary

Share your wedding itinerary, including dates and times for all of the wedding proceedings, both before and after the actual wedding day. If you have organised additional events like a welcome dinner or recovery brunch, make sure to include the details so your guests can plan their trip accordingly.

Itinerary and schedule of events

The itinerary and schedule of events are crucial components of your destination wedding website. This section will help your guests plan their trip and make the most of their time at your chosen location. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a comprehensive and engaging itinerary:

Day 1 – Arrival and Welcome:

• Recommend that your guests arrive a day or two before the majority of the guests to allow for travel and unpacking.
• Host a welcome party in the evening, such as a cocktail hour on the beach or a sunset catamaran cruise. This will give everyone a chance to mingle and kick off the wedding festivities.
• Provide a visual itinerary or timeline of events that your guests can print and refer to during their stay.

Day 2 – Relaxation and Fun:

• Suggest a day of relaxation by the beach or pool, where guests can unwind and spend time together.
• Offer spa treatments, beach or pool activities, and excursions to explore the local culture and attractions.
• Host a rehearsal dinner, usually a semi-private or fully private event, where guests can enjoy champagne toasts and speeches. This event is typically open to all guests at a destination wedding.

Day 3 – Wedding Day:

• Provide a customized timeline for the wedding day itself, including the ceremony, reception, and any other planned activities.
• If you have chosen a "first look," inform your guests so they know what to expect.
• Encourage your guests to connect and interact during the reception, as they may have already formed bonds during the previous days' activities.

Day 4 – Farewell Brunch:

• Host a farewell brunch or dinner on the day after the wedding to thank your guests for their presence and allow everyone to share memories of the special day.
• This is also an opportunity to discuss future gatherings, such as an annual trip to the same location or your anniversary celebration.

Additional Days:

• Depending on the length of your destination wedding celebration, you may want to include additional days for excursions, sightseeing, or simply enjoying the amenities of the hotel or resort.
• Consider arranging activities that reflect your and your partner's interests, such as outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, food and wine tastings, or sports tournaments.
• Remember to include some free time in the itinerary to allow guests to explore on their own and relax.

FAQs and unusual details

FAQs

• What is the dress code? It's important to let your guests know what to wear, especially if any part of your wedding will be on grass, sand, or gravel.
• Will there be childcare if kids are invited? This is an important question for parents and can help them plan their trip.
• Can guests bring a plus one? Let your guests know if they can bring a date and if so, whether there are any restrictions (e.g. only for the wedding ceremony).
• What should guests bring to the wedding events? Let your guests know if they need to bring anything specific, such as comfortable walking shoes for an outdoor activity.
• What type of weather should guests expect? Share information about the local weather and any relevant forecasts for your wedding day. This will help guests pack appropriately.
• Where should guests book their accommodations? Provide recommendations for nearby hotels, Airbnbs, and B&Bs, as well as information on any room blocks you've reserved.
• Are there any travel requirements? Inform guests if they need any specific travel documents, such as passports or visas.

Unusual and Fun Details

• Attire Style Guide: Encourage your guests to express their creativity and style by providing a style guide, especially if your wedding has a specific theme or vibe.
• Location and Venue Stories: Share the meaning behind your chosen location or venue, such as family history, special memories, or a significant vacation.
• Excursions and Additional Activities: Suggest optional activities for guests to participate in before or after the wedding, such as a group hike or a tour of local attractions.
• Guest Photo Sharing: Invite guests to share their favourite photos of you as a couple and candid moments from the wedding. This creates an instant photo collection for everyone to enjoy.
• Eco-Friendly Wedding Highlights: If you're incorporating eco-friendly practices into your wedding, showcase these efforts and inspire your guests to do the same.
• Customs and Traditions: If your wedding includes rituals from different cultures or faiths, explain their significance to help guests understand and appreciate these traditions.
• Guest-Curated Playlist: Make the reception more memorable by inviting guests to contribute to the playlist. This ensures a diverse music selection that caters to everyone's tastes.

Bridal party and couple introductions

Jane and John

Jane and John met at a party they both wanted to leave. They headed to a bar close by and laughed over martinis. They've been doing their own thing as besties ever since. Jane is a cat person, a sushi lover, and a neat freak. John, on the other hand, loves dogs and can't stand fish. Despite their differences, they are thick as thieves and have been pretty much inseparable since high school. Jane can't imagine anyone else standing by her side on her special day, and John is psyched to have Jane standing by his side at his wedding.

Jenny (Maid of Honor)

Jenny is the bride's loving, spirited sister who has her back no matter what. She's like a twin to the bride, only two years older. They shared a cubby in preschool and were neat freaks then and neat freaks now! Jenny is a neat freak, a sushi lover, and a dog person. She loves volunteering, singing, and visiting museums. The bride looks forward to having Jenny stand by her side at her wedding ceremony.

Sean (Bridesman)

Jenny and Sean have been best friends since second grade. No one else could match that, so Jenny asked Sean to stand next to her on her wedding day. Sean attended the University of Florida, where he majored in chemistry. He is a neat freak, a dog person, and a sushi lover.

Kate (Best Man)

Kate and John were lacrosse teammates in high school and throughout college. You could say it's a bromance, but it might be more than that! Kate is a cat person and a sushi lover. She attended the University of Oklahoma, where she majored in veterinary medicine. She enjoys volunteering, singing, and visiting museums. John is psyched to have Kate standing by his side at his wedding.

Candice (Bridesmaid)

Five years ago, Candice and the bride met at a party they both wanted to leave. They headed to a bar and laughed over martinis. They've still been doing their own thing as besties ever since. Candice is a cat person and a martini lover. She attended the University of Oklahoma, where she majored in veterinary medicine. The bride can't imagine anyone else standing by her side on her special day.

Frequently asked questions