Creating A Wedding Website: Tips For Success

Wedding websites are a great way to keep your guests informed and excited about your big day. They can be a fun and informative way to share your love story, introduce your wedding party, and provide important details about the wedding itself, such as the date, location, and dress code. With so many website builders to choose from, creating a wedding website can be a fun and creative process. In this article, we will explore the steps to making a good wedding website, from choosing a platform to personalising your pages and adding all the necessary details. We will also discuss the benefits of having a wedding website and how it can enhance your guests' experience.

Choose a website builder

When it comes to choosing a website builder, there are several options to consider. Wedding-focused platforms such as The Knot, WeddingWire, and Zola offer an array of templates and customization options, as well as convenient features like RSVP management and registry integration. These platforms are typically free to use and provide an intuitive, streamlined experience.

If you're looking for more design flexibility, all-in-one website building and hosting platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.com offer a wider range of design choices. These platforms often charge a small monthly fee but allow for greater customization in terms of design and functionality. They are an excellent choice for those seeking a more distinctive and personalized website.

For the technically inclined, creating a self-hosted website is another option. This approach allows you to choose your own software, add custom coding, and select a hosting company, giving you maximum control over the design and functionality of your site.

When deciding which platform to use, consider your design preferences, the level of customization you desire, and your budget. Additionally, think about the specific features you want to include on your website, such as RSVP management, registry integration, and privacy options, as these may influence your choice of website builder.

• The Knot: Offers a variety of templates and customization options.
• WeddingWire: Provides tools for RSVPs and registry links.
• Zola: Features sleek designs and convenient registry integration.
• Minted: Boasts elegant, coordinated designs.
• Squarespace: Allows for highly customized styles and visual timelines for your love story.
• Wix: Known for its website-building functionalities, Wix also offers areas for your story, engagement galleries, and gift list links.
• Zankyou: Provides modern designs, hotel recommendations, maps, and a video upload function.
• Riley & Grey: A luxury option offering round-the-clock support, beautiful designs, and the ability to change your website's design even after publishing.
• Appy Couple: An American site with integrated design for online and print, including a countdown function and the ability to stream guest photos live during your wedding.
• Hitched: A free and easy-to-use platform with stylish themes, customizable pages, and the ability to create a unique URL.

Remember, the right website builder for you will depend on your specific needs, design preferences, and budget. Take the time to explore the features and options offered by each platform before making your decision.

Create relevant pages

Once you've nailed down the foundation of your wedding website, you'll want to customise the template by adding relevant pages. While the tabs you include will vary depending on the size, scale, and duration of your wedding, here are some pages you might want to consider:

• Home: The homepage is where guests will be directed to. It often has a photo of the couple and details about the ceremony and reception.
• Our Story: This section describes the couple's love story, often filled with photos.
• Schedule: If the itinerary isn't on the homepage or if you're holding multiple events, consider creating a separate tab that breaks down all of this information.
• Travel and Accommodations: Here, you'll share nearby airports or train stations for out-of-town guests, parking information for those driving, and links to your hotel block. You can also provide multiple lodging recommendations (across a range of price points) for loved ones to look into.
• Registry: This page links to your online registry.
• Things to Do: For wedding weekends or those who are travelling, consider recommending landmarks, restaurants, or other attractions guests will enjoy.
• Wedding Party: An optional section is outlining information about the wedding party, including their names and titles (bridesmaid, maid of honour, etc.).
• RSVP: This tab will take your guests to the digital RSVP, so they can input their names, share whether they'll be attending, and select their meal preferences/disclose any dietary restrictions.

You can also add a page for FAQs, a wedding hashtag, and anything else your guests need to do before or on the wedding date.

Add the details

Now for the fun part: adding all the details to your wedding website! This is your chance to get creative and make your website unique and memorable. Here are some essential elements to include:

Event Itinerary

Provide a clear timeline of events, including pre-ceremony gatherings and post-wedding festivities. Keep your guests informed and help them plan their attendance effectively. You can also use customizable scheduling features to maintain privacy for exclusive events like the rehearsal dinner.

Location and Travel Information

Share the address and directions to your wedding venue, as well as any other relevant locations for wedding-related events. For destination weddings or weddings with many out-of-town guests, consider providing suggestions for airports, transportation options, and lodging. You can also recommend local activities, restaurants, and attractions for your guests to explore.

Registry Information

Include links to your wedding gift registries or provide information about your preferences if you're not having a traditional registry. This makes it convenient for your guests to find the perfect gift for you.

Dress Code

Give detailed information about the dress code for each event listed on the website. If you have specific attire recommendations or a unique dress code, such as "garden party chic," be sure to provide a clear description.

FAQ Page

Address common questions your guests may have in an FAQ section. This can include topics such as parking, transportation, dress code, and any other details that will enhance their experience and reduce the number of last-minute queries.

Contact Information

Provide your contact information, such as your email address or phone number, in case your guests have any further questions or need to reach you for any last-minute changes.

Personal Touches

Share your love story, engagement photos, and any other personal details that will make your website unique and meaningful. You can also introduce your wedding party with names and photos to reduce those "who's who" conversations.

Remember, the key to a great wedding website is providing your guests with all the information they need to fully participate in your special day. So, add those extra details, get creative with your personal touches, and enjoy the process of crafting a website that reflects your style and personality!

Publish and share the site

Once you're happy with your wedding website, it's time to make it live and share it with your guests. Here are some tips to help you with this final step:

Publish your site

Before publishing, it's a good idea to test the functionality of your website. Check that all the links work correctly and that there are no broken pages. This will help to eliminate potential questions and confusion from guests. When you're satisfied that everything is working as it should, push your site live.

Share the link with your guests

There are several ways to share your wedding website with your guests. You can include the URL on your save-the-date cards and then share it again on your wedding invitations or another insert in your stationery suite. You could also send out a separate email with the link, perhaps as a reminder closer to the wedding date.

Protect your privacy

If you want to keep your wedding details private, you can password-protect your site. This way, only those with the password will be able to access your wedding information. You can create a unique password and share it with your guests so they can view your website.

Match your stationery

For a seamless guest experience, consider matching your wedding website to your stationery and wedding theme. From save-the-date cards to invitations and paper decorations, you can coordinate everything to create a unified and memorable experience for your guests.

Update with photos

After your wedding, you can use your website to share photos with your guests. This is a great option if you don't want to blast your wedding photos all over social media but are happy to share them with those who attended.

Your wedding website is a great tool to keep your guests informed and excited about your big day. By following these steps, you can ensure that your website is published and shared effectively.

Make it private with a password

Adding a password to your wedding website is a great way to ensure that only your invited guests can access the details of your big day. This can be especially useful if you want to keep certain information private, such as your home address or bank details. It can also prevent wedding crashers and unwanted guests from accessing your wedding information.

When creating a password for your wedding website, it's important to choose something that is easy for your guests to remember but difficult for others to guess. Avoid using a password that you already use for other accounts, and don't make it too long or complicated, as this may be difficult for guests to type into their browsers. You can include the password on your wedding invitations or save-the-date cards, or send it to your guests via email.

Some wedding website platforms, such as The Knot, Zola, and WithJoy, offer password protection as an option. This allows you to limit access to your website and keep your information private. You can also choose whether you want your website to appear in search engine results or not.

It's worth considering the potential downsides of using a password. Some guests may lose or forget the password, and you may have to field requests for the password from guests who can't access the site. Additionally, if you have a password-protected website, guests won't be able to find it by searching your names on Google.

However, for many couples, the benefits of password protection outweigh the potential drawbacks. It can give you peace of mind, knowing that only your invited guests can access your wedding details. It can also help to reduce the number of questions you receive from curious relatives or uninvited guests.

Frequently asked questions