Creating A Wedding Registry: A Squarespace Guide

Wedding websites are essential for keeping all the information about your big day in one place. They tell guests when and where the wedding is, show them where they can stay, and help them buy gifts for the happy couple. Squarespace is a great platform to build your wedding website on, with sleek design options, user-friendly features, and complete customisation. In this article, we'll take you through the steps to create your wedding registry on Squarespace.

Choose a wedding template

Squarespace has a range of wedding-focused templates to choose from, which can be found by visiting the template store and clicking "Weddings" in the menu on the left. These templates are designed to highlight your story and help your guests find important details. You can preview any design and see how it looks on both a computer browser and on mobile.

All Squarespace sites on an annual billing plan receive a free domain for the first year. Using a memorable name, such as your names, your wedding hashtag, or an inside joke, will help guests remember your URL. This makes it easy for them to access your wedding site on their mobile devices to check directions, show photos, or find links to your registry.

When choosing a template, keep in mind that you can fully customise all photos and text. However, Squarespace also provides beautiful placeholder imagery to guide your customisation process. You can also view samples of live websites that use the template, allowing you to see all the customisation options available.

For a truly tailored website, get to know the couple and ask them to share their engagement story and photos. Ask about their wedding party, their choice of location, and their favourite things to do in the area. This will help you choose a template that captures the unique look and feel of their event.

Once you decide on a design, simply select "Start With" and follow the prompts to name your site and begin customising.

Add a custom domain name

Adding a custom domain name to your wedding website is a great way to make it stand out and feel more personal. It's also a practical way to help guests find and remember your URL. All Squarespace annual accounts include a custom domain name that's free for one year.

To get started, you can use Squarespace's search tool to select your domain name and check its availability. You can choose a URL that's meaningful to you as a couple, such as your names, your wedding hashtag, or an inside joke. This will make it easier for guests to remember and type in.

If you haven't purchased a domain name yet, you can do so directly through Squarespace. This ensures that your domain name and website builder are integrated seamlessly.

• The first names of the couple: "Ed + Elizabeth's Wedding" or "Jack & Lauren".
• Your wedding hashtag: "#MeetTheBrowns" or "#EdAndLizSayIDo".

Adding a custom domain name is a simple yet effective way to make your wedding website unique and memorable. It's a great foundation for building a site that truly reflects you as a couple and gets your guests excited about your special day.

Add a gallery for photos

Adding a gallery for photos is a great way to personalise your wedding website and make it stand out. You can use Squarespace's gallery sections to display sets of images, which is perfect for showcasing the history of your relationship or sharing memories from the wedding.

To add a gallery, you can follow these steps:

• Go to the "Pages" section in the left-hand menu.
• Select the page where you want to add the gallery, or create a new page specifically for photos.
• Hover over the main content area and click on "Manage Sections" in the top right corner.
• In the new window, click on the plus sign at the bottom to add new content.
• Select the layout option that suits your needs. For example, you can choose a layout with only photos, a combination of photos and text, or a photo grid.
• Upload your images and add captions or descriptions if desired.
• Repeat this process for any additional galleries or sections you want to include.

You can also add banner or background images to your website, which can be a great way to showcase engagement photos or cherished memories. To do this, simply hover over the image and click on "Banner" in the menu that pops up. From there, you can remove the placeholder image and upload your own file.

Additionally, Squarespace offers stock image integrations, so you can choose free or premium images to use in your galleries or as banner photos if you don't have your own photos readily available.

Overall, adding a gallery for photos on your Squarespace wedding website is a straightforward process and a great way to share your story and engage your guests.

Set up an RSVP form

Setting up an RSVP form on your wedding website is a great way to keep your guest list organized and efficiently manage guest information. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up an RSVP form using Squarespace:

• Choose a Wedding Template: Select a design from Squarespace's Weddings category in the template store. These templates are specifically designed to highlight your story and important wedding details. You can preview different designs and choose one that suits your style and preferences.
• Add an RSVP Page: Create a standalone page dedicated to gathering guest information. This page should include a custom form block that allows guests to RSVP to individual events and provide additional information.
• Customize the Form Block: Squarespace allows you to customize the form fields to ask guests for specific details. You can include fields for guest names, plus-ones, menu preferences, lodging information, childcare needs, and any other relevant information you may need.
• Connect to Storage Options: Connect your RSVP form to storage options such as an email address, Google Drive, or Mailchimp. This will help you keep track of the information submitted by your guests and make it easily accessible.
• Add an RSVP Button: To increase the visibility of your RSVP form, consider adding an RSVP button on multiple pages of your website. This ensures that guests can easily find and access the form, especially if they navigate away from the homepage.
• Test and Finalize: Once you have set up the RSVP form, test it to ensure that it functions properly and captures all the information you require. Make any necessary adjustments before sharing your wedding website with your guests.

By following these steps, you can efficiently set up an RSVP form on your Squarespace wedding website, making it convenient for your guests to respond and helping you stay organized during the wedding planning process.

Create a registry page

A registry page is an essential part of your wedding website. It helps guests find the perfect wedding gift for you and your partner. Here are the steps to create a registry page on Squarespace:

• Add a registry block: You can add a registry block that showcases the items you and your partner are eyeing. This allows guests to browse your wish list without leaving your wedding website.
• Use clickthrough image blocks: If you have registries at multiple stores, you can use image blocks with clickthrough URLs to create featured images that link out to each registry. This way, guests can easily access all your registries in one place.
• Accept cash gifts: If you prefer cash gifts or are planning a honeymoon fund, you can use donation blocks on your registry page to accept monetary contributions from your guests.
• Partner with Zola: Squarespace has a partnership with the online registry site Zola. You can easily integrate your Zola registry directly into your Squarespace website with just a click of a button. This allows guests to access your registry without leaving your website, making it a seamless experience for them.
• Keep it flexible: Even if you use a template with a pre-designed registry button, you can still link out to any registry you want. This is especially useful if you're using an indie service or a less popular registry provider.
• Add a simple donation button: If you're hoping for cash gifts but don't have a specific cash registry set up, you can simply add a donation button to your registry page.
• Use image blocks: Image blocks can be used to link out to your registries. You can also use them to showcase your favourite products or items from your registry, making it more visually appealing for your guests.
• Provide clear instructions: Ensure that your registry page has clear instructions on how to contribute or purchase gifts. You can also include a brief explanation of what the gifts will be used for, such as a honeymoon fund or a down payment on a house.
• Keep it updated: As guests purchase items from your registry, make sure to update your page accordingly. This helps avoid duplicate gifts and ensures that guests have an accurate idea of what's still available.
• Consider a password-protected page: If you prefer to keep your registry more private, you can password-protect the registry page. You can then share the password with your guests on your save-the-dates, invitations, or through word of mouth.

Frequently asked questions