Designing A Wedding Invitation Website: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding websites are a great way to share crucial details about your big day with your loved ones. They can include information such as the date, time, and location of the wedding, as well as travel and accommodation recommendations, dress codes, and the happy couple's love story.

Creating a wedding website can be done in a few simple steps. First, choose a website builder and pick a design or template that suits your wedding theme and style. Then, select a unique domain name and add all the necessary event details. You can also include a link to your gift registry and set up an online RSVP form. Finally, proofread and test your website before sharing the link with your guests via your save-the-date cards or invitations.

Some popular wedding website builders include Wix, Squarespace, The Knot, Minted, Joy, and Zola, each offering a range of features to help you create a personalised and informative website for your special day.

Choosing a website builder and template

There are many website builders to choose from, and it can be challenging to know which one to go for. Wix, Squarespace, and The Knot are three of the most popular options. Here's a breakdown of each:

• Wix: Wix is an excellent choice if you want freedom and flexibility in designing your wedding website. It offers a wide range of customisation options and is super easy to use. Wix also has a free plan, making it a cost-effective option.
• Squarespace: If you want to showcase photos and videos from your engagement or wedding, Squarespace is the way to go. It offers the best designs on the market, allowing you to create a stylish and elegant website. However, Squarespace does not have a free plan, and its monthly cost is $16.
• The Knot: The Knot is a specialised wedding website builder that doubles as an online wedding planner. It offers wedding-focused features such as registry integrations and is perfect for those who want a practical and guided approach to creating their wedding website. The Knot also has a free plan available.

When choosing a website builder, consider your priorities. Do you want creative freedom, elegant designs, or practical planning tools? Test out a few different builders to see which one suits your needs and preferences.

Once you've selected your website builder, it's time to choose a template. A good template should reflect the tone and style of your wedding. For example, if you're having a relaxed, rustic wedding, opt for a template with a more laid-back and informal design. On the other hand, if your wedding is more formal and classic, choose a template that reflects that elegance and sophistication.

Most website builders offer a variety of templates to choose from, and you can further customise them to match your wedding's colour scheme, font choices, and overall aesthetic. Browse the available templates, pick one that speaks to you, and make it your own!

Customising Your Template

After choosing your template, it's time to make it unique to you and your partner. Here are some ways to personalise your template:

• Colour scheme: Use the same colour scheme you've chosen for your wedding. This creates a cohesive look that ties your website and wedding together.
• Photos: Add photos of yourself, your partner, your families, and your wedding party. This helps guests put faces to names and makes your website more engaging and personal.
• Font: If you've chosen a particular font for your invitations, consider using the same or a similar font on your website for a unified look.
• Engagement photos and stories: Share your engagement photos and the story of how you and your partner met. This adds a personal touch to your website and gives guests a glimpse into your relationship.

Adding event details

Event Itineraries

Provide a clear schedule of events for the entire wedding weekend, including start times, locations, and transportation details. This ensures that guests know where to be and when, and can plan their travel arrangements accordingly. Be sure to keep details of more exclusive events, such as the rehearsal dinner, off the website and only share them with the invited guests to avoid confusion.

Travel and Accommodation Information

Offer suggestions on airports, transportation services, and accommodation options for out-of-town guests. Include parking restrictions, guest shuttle services, and information on any hotel blocks or discounted rates you've arranged. A "Things to Do" section with local recommendations and attractions can also be helpful for guests who are visiting from out of town.

RSVP Details

Create a dedicated webpage for RSVPs, reiterating the deadline and providing clear instructions on how to respond, whether it's via mail or online. If collecting responses online, provide the relevant link or form for guests to use. For mail-in responses, include a note for guests who may have lost their response cards, instructing them to contact a specific person for further assistance.

Dress Code

Provide detailed information about the dress code for each event listed on the website. This helps guests know what to expect and dress appropriately for the occasion.

Private Events

If you're hosting private events such as a bridesmaids-only breakfast or a groom's brunch, keep these details off the main website. Instead, share them directly with the invited guests to avoid confusion or hurt feelings.

Contact Information

Include contact details on the website so guests know who to reach out to if they have any questions or pressing issues. This could be the couple getting married, a member of the wedding party, or a close friend or family member who is happy to field queries.

FAQs

Anticipate common questions your guests may have and create a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to address them. This could include questions about the dress code, child attendance, transportation, the ceremony start time, dietary restrictions, and any unique traditions or rituals that will be part of the wedding.

By including these event details, you can ensure your guests have a seamless experience and feel well-informed about the wedding celebrations.

Creating a custom URL

When you choose a free plan, the website address often contains the website builder's branding. For example, your URL could be something like "www.stacy.wixsite.com/stacyandjohnswedding". As you can see, it's not very memorable, catchy, or professional-looking!

To create a more personalised and memorable URL, you can get a custom domain, which usually costs a little extra. This can be purchased directly from your website builder or through a third-party registrar such as GoDaddy.

• Keep it short and memorable.
• Avoid using numbers and punctuation.
• Using a combination of both your names is a good idea, but if you have common names, you may need to get creative as the domain may already be taken.
• Ensure your domain is simple, straightforward, and reflective of your website and your wedding.

Additionally, if you want to add a custom URL to a Google Form, you can use a service like BetterCollected, which allows you to embed forms and customise the URL of the embedded page.

Adding a link to your registry

Adding a link to your gift registry is an important feature of your wedding website. It's a simple way to let guests know what gifts to buy without having to resort to an awkward phone call.

Most website builders will allow you to add traditional gift registries by linking your registry accounts at each individual retailer to your wedding website. Some will also allow you to create cash registries, where guests can donate to a honeymoon fund or towards a down payment on a home.

If you're using a website builder like Wix, Squarespace, or The Knot, you can add your gift registry by following these steps:

• Log in to your registry account and find the unique URL for your registry page.
• Copy the URL.
• Go to your website builder dashboard and find the "Gift Registry" or "Pages" section.
• Create a new page or section for your gift registry.
• Paste the URL into the appropriate field.

If you're using a different website builder, the process may be slightly different, but the basic steps should be the same. Simply locate the gift registry section of your website builder and follow the prompts to add your registry details.

Once you've added your gift registry, be sure to test the link to ensure it's working correctly. This will prevent any issues or confusion for your guests when they visit your website.

Including a link to your gift registry on your wedding website is a convenient way to provide guests with all the information they need in one place. It's also a great way to ensure you receive gifts that you truly want and need, making the gift-giving process easier for everyone involved.

Sharing the website link with guests

Sharing your wedding website with your guests is an important step in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips and suggestions to ensure your guests can easily access and utilise your wedding website:

Finalise Your Website

Before sharing your wedding website, ensure that it is polished and ready for your guests to view. Include all the necessary details, such as a timeline of events, parking and transport information, accommodation options, and gift registry details. You may also want to include information regarding children and plus ones. A well-prepared website will ensure your guests have access to all the information they need, reducing the number of last-minute questions and queries.

Prepare Your URL and Password

To share your wedding website, you will need to send the URL link to your guests. Consider creating a custom URL that is easy for your guests to remember and reflects your wedding. For example, you could use a combination of your first names or future surname, such as "HarryLovesSally" or "TheFutureJohnsons". Keep it simple, concise, and memorable.

Additionally, you may want to set a custom password to protect your website. Choose a password that is easy for your guests to remember, such as your wedding date. This will ensure that only invited guests can access your website.

Announcing Your Website

When it comes to announcing your wedding website, it is best to avoid posting the link on your social media accounts, as this may cause confusion and potentially hurt the feelings of those who are not invited. Instead, share the link directly with your guests through your wedding invitations or save-the-date cards, especially if you are planning a destination wedding. This will allow guests to access important information and plan their trip accordingly.

Placement on Invitations

When placing the website link on your invitations, traditional etiquette suggests including it on an additional insert card. However, you may also choose to include it discreetly at the bottom of your wedding invitations. Some wording suggestions include:

• "For more information, visit: (insert URL)"
• "For event details and to RSVP, visit: (insert URL)"
• "For more wedding details, head to: (insert URL) using the passcode (insert code)"
• "Please RSVP by (RSVP deadline) at: (insert URL)"

By following these steps, you will effectively share your wedding website with your guests, providing them with easy access to all the important details of your special day.

Frequently asked questions