Creating A Wedding Website: A Step-By-Step Guide For Couples

Wedding websites are a great way to keep your guests informed and excited about your big day. They are a central hub for all the information your guests will need, from the time and place of the ceremony to travel and accommodation details. They can also be a fun way to share your love story and give guests a glimpse into your wedding aesthetic.

In this guide, we will take you through the steps of creating your own wedding website, from choosing a platform to adding all the important details. We will also offer tips and advice from wedding experts to ensure your website is both informative and visually appealing.

Choose a website builder and template

When it comes to choosing a website builder and template, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a platform that offers the features you need, such as RSVP management, gift registries, and password protection. Some popular options include Wix, Squarespace, The Knot, Joy, and Zola. These platforms offer various customisation options, templates, and tools to help you create a beautiful and functional wedding website.

Wix, for example, offers over 25 free wedding templates and a drag-and-drop editor, making it easy to customise your site. However, their free plan has limitations, such as ads and a non-custom domain. Squarespace, on the other hand, offers stunning templates and is highly customisable, allowing you to create a unique and flawless website. While it doesn't have wedding-specific RSVP tools, you can modify contact forms to serve this purpose.

The Knot is another popular option, offering over 300 wedding templates and planning features such as an RSVP manager and gift registry. However, it offers limited text customisation and you can't edit colours in the editor. Joy is a good choice if you're looking for a simple and beginner-friendly platform. While it offers limited layout options, it has an excellent RSVP manager and complementary app for planning on the go.

Zola is known for its registry platform and offers free, customisable website templates. You can also password-protect your site, set up a custom domain, and integrate your registry. When choosing a platform, consider your priorities, such as customisation options, planning features, and ease of use. Additionally, read reviews and consider the pros and cons of each platform to make an informed decision.

Customise the look and feel

Customising the look and feel of your wedding website is a great way to showcase your personality and style as a couple. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Choose a Colour Palette

Decide on a colour palette that reflects your taste and wedding aesthetic. Soft greys, greens, and browns create an organic and elegant atmosphere, while bold olive green and gold make a statement. Alternatively, a minimal blush and black palette or a deep green and white combination can be sophisticated and inviting.

Add Custom Illustrations and Images

Illustrations and images are a fantastic way to personalise your website. Consider including a custom header image, custom background, or even a custom emblem designed by a calligrapher. You can also upload your own custom illustrations or use image sections to showcase your photos. This will make your website truly one-of-a-kind.

Select the Right Font

The font you choose plays a crucial role in the overall look and feel of your website. Opt for elegant serif fonts for titles and names or a clean sans-serif font for easy readability. You can also experiment with retro or Roman-style fonts for a vintage or classic vibe.

Create a Custom Menu

Customise your menu by adding unique logos, headers, and footers. You can also include personal touches, such as introducing your wedding party with photos and details, sharing your love story, or dedicating a page to your favourite things to do in the area.

Provide a Map

Make it easy for your guests to find their way by including a map with checkpoint suggestions or integrating Google Maps. This adds a practical element to your website while still reflecting your style.

Set the Tone with Music

Curate a playlist of your favourite tunes to share with your guests and set the mood for your celebrations. This is a unique way to give your guests a glimpse of what to expect and get them excited about your special day.

Keep it Cohesive

For a cohesive look, match your website design with your physical invitations, save-the-dates, and other stationery. This creates a unified and memorable experience for your guests.

Remember, your wedding website is a reflection of you as a couple. By adding custom details, illustrations, images, and personal touches, you can make it unique and engaging.

Add your wedding details

Now for the fun part! It's time to add all the details of your wedding to your website. This is where you get to be creative and make your website your own. Here are some ideas to get you started:

The Basics

Include all the essential information such as the start times, locations, and transportation details for each part of your wedding, including the ceremony, reception, and after-party. If you're having a destination wedding, be sure to include suggestions for the best airports, as well as any recommended transportation options.

Accommodations

If you've organised a hotel block for your guests, include the booking link on your website. It's also a good idea to provide a range of accommodation options at different price points.

Registry

Your wedding website is the perfect place to share your gift registry details. Whether it's a traditional registry or a honeymoon fund, your guests will appreciate having easy access to this information.

RSVP

Make it easy for your guests to RSVP by including a dedicated page on your website. You can also use this page to collect information about dietary restrictions or meal preferences.

Dress Code

Give your guests a clear idea of the dress code for each event. If you've chosen a non-traditional dress code, such as "garden party chic", be sure to provide a detailed description.

Your Love Story

While it's not mandatory, sharing your love story on your wedding website is a great way to add a personal touch. You can include photos and anecdotes about how you met, fell in love, and got engaged.

Travel and Activity Recommendations

If your wedding is in a new location for your guests, they'll appreciate some recommendations on things to do, places to eat, and sights to see. You can also include a map with all the key locations marked.

Wedding Party

Introduce your bridal party and groomsmen on your website. Share their names, titles, and how you know them. You can even include fun facts and photos to make it more engaging.

FAQs

Anticipate your guests' questions and create an FAQ page to answer them. This could include questions about travel directions, parking, plus-ones, and more.

Remember, this is your wedding website, so feel free to get creative and add any other details you think your guests would appreciate!

Include an FAQ page

An FAQ page is a must-have for your wedding website. It's a great way to provide your guests with answers to common questions and concerns, ensuring they have all the information they need to prepare for your big day. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a comprehensive and helpful FAQ page:

Start with Basic Information

While your wedding website's homepage will cover the essential details such as the date, time, and location of the wedding, there are other basic questions your guests may have. For example:

• Arrival Time: Recommend that guests arrive 15 minutes before the official ceremony start time to get settled.
• Dress Code: Provide specific examples of what the dress code means, such as "semi-formal: cocktail dresses, jumpsuits, dark suits, and ties."
• Indoor or Outdoor: Let guests know if the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception will be held indoors or outdoors so they can dress and prepare accordingly.
• Weather: Give an idea of the typical weather conditions during that time of year to help guests choose their attire.
• Timeline: Provide a general timeline of the wedding day, including start and end times for key events such as the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.

Address Travel and Accommodation

If you're having a destination wedding or expect out-of-town guests, address their travel concerns:

• Directions: Provide clear directions to the venue(s) and consider including a Google Maps link.
• Transportation: Inform guests about any shuttle services or transportation options you're providing, as well as parking information for those driving themselves.
• Accommodation: Suggest a few accommodation options near the wedding venue, including names, locations, contact details, and price ranges.

Handle Sensitive Topics

Your FAQ page is a great place to address sensitive topics, such as:

• Kids: Clearly state your policy on children. If you're having an adults-only wedding, you can say something like, "Due to space constraints, we are unable to accommodate children."
• Plus-ones: Let guests know if they are allowed to bring a plus-one and be consistent to avoid any confusion.

Provide Food and Drink Details

Guests will appreciate knowing what to expect when it comes to food and drinks:

• Menu: Share a general overview of the food that will be served, such as "a three-course plated dinner" or "a buffet with various cuisine options."
• Dietary Restrictions: Assure guests with dietary restrictions that their needs will be accommodated and direct them to your online RSVP to note their preferences.
• Open Bar: Let guests know if there will be an open bar or if they need to bring cash or a credit card.

Share Gift and Registry Information

Provide clear guidance on gifts and your registry:

• Registry Details: Include a link to your wedding registry or let guests know which stores you are registered with.
• Gifts: Inform guests if they can bring gifts to the wedding and provide information on where to send gifts if they can't attend.

Additional Practical Information

There are a few other practical questions you can answer to make your guests' experience smoother:

• Virtual Attendance: If you're offering a virtual component, share the details, including timing, links, and passwords.
• Local Attractions: Recommend local activities, restaurants, and landmarks for out-of-town guests to enjoy during their stay.
• Contact Information: Provide an email address or phone number for guests to reach out with any additional questions.

Share the website with your guests

Once you've created your wedding website, it's time to share it with your guests. This can be done in several ways, including:

• Printing the wedding website URL or a QR code on your save-the-date cards and invitations.
• Sending the link via email to your guests.
• Sharing the link on social media if most of your followers are friends or family.

It's also a good idea to make sure your immediate family members and wedding attendants know about your website in case other guests inquire.

If you decide to password-protect your wedding website, be sure to include the password in all wedding communications, especially on your save-the-date cards and invitations.

You can also create a custom domain name for your website, which will make it easier for guests to remember and find. This can be done by purchasing a domain name and then either building your website from scratch or using a wedding website builder to forward the domain to your chosen platform.

Keep your wedding website up-to-date with any changes, and notify guests about updates via email. The more up-to-date your website is, the more helpful it will be to your guests, and the fewer questions you'll have to answer!

When to Share Your Wedding Website

Ideally, you'll want to have a simplified version of your wedding website complete before sending out your save-the-date cards, so you can include the URL on the card for guests who want to learn more about the location and venue.

You can slowly begin to add more pages as you finalise wedding details such as hotel room blocks and your registry. It's a good idea to have most of the information published by the time you send out your wedding invitations.

Benefits of Sharing Your Wedding Website

Sharing your wedding website with your guests offers several advantages:

• Digital invites can't be lost, and if anyone claims to have lost the link, you can easily text or email it to them again.
• It simplifies communication with your guests. Rather than emailing or calling each guest individually, you can post any updates to your website and notify guests via email.
• It answers everyone's questions at once. Instead of receiving numerous emails or calls with questions, your wedding website will field all those queries on your behalf.
• It helps you get an accurate headcount and cost count. Digital RSVP systems make it easy for guests to let you know they're attending, and they're also useful for collecting information on plus-ones, food preferences, and any other special requirements.
• It allows you to coordinate with the wedding party. You can publish their event schedule, such as dress shopping and rehearsal dinners, and even invite them to help keep the website updated.

Frequently asked questions