How We Met" Storytelling: Crafting A Narrative For Your Wedding Websit

A wedding website is a great way to share your love story with your guests. The Our Story or How We Met section is a chance to give guests insight into your relationship journey so far. You can include details about how you first met, your first date, your proposal story, and memorable experiences from your relationship.

When writing your story, it's a good idea to keep it light and warm-hearted, and inject some humour to engage your guests. You might also want to introduce yourselves, especially if some guests don't know you well, and include your full names, hometowns, and current city of residence.

Here's an example to get you started:

Our love story began in Sydney, back in 2009. Harry was a frequent customer at Little Peach Cafe, where Sally served him his morning cappuccino. Some flirtatious banter was exchanged over the coffee machine for weeks, even after Harry was transferred to an office across the city. He finally slipped his business card over the counter, and after discovering a mutual love of travel, design, and late-night karaoke bars, the rest is history!

Include a welcome message

Welcome to Our Wedding Website!

Welcome to our wedding website! We are [names] and we are thrilled to be sharing our special day with you. We've created this website as a fun and interactive way to share all the important details with you in the lead-up to our wedding.

A Little About Us

We [names] first met at [place] in [year]. [Name] first caught [name]'s eye [details of how]. We hit it off instantly and the rest is history! We've been together for [amount of time] and during that time, we've [co: 0,1,2,4,5> [details of experiences and memories]. We got engaged in [year/month] and are now excited to celebrate our love with you all on our wedding day.

Our Wedding Day

We can't wait to celebrate with you on [date]. Our wedding will be held at [venue] and we hope you're as excited as we are!

Thank You!

Finally, we want to thank you for your ongoing love and support. We are so excited to share this day with you and look forward to dancing the night away with all of our favourite people!

Share your proposal story

The proposal story is one of the most important parts of your wedding website. It's a question you're bound to be asked many times throughout your engagement, so it's a good idea to include it on your site. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft a compelling narrative:

Tips for Writing Your Proposal Story:

• Keep it conversational: Use language that you would normally use in conversation. Ditch any formal or flowery language, and avoid obscure words.
• Keep it short and sweet: There's no need to write multiple lengthy paragraphs. Condense the information and keep it clear and concise to ensure your guests read the whole story.
• Include all the right components: Besides the proposal itself, you can include details such as how you met, fun facts about your relationship, and why your wedding location is significant to you.
• Get creative: There are many ways to make your proposal story unique. Try telling it from the perspective of your pet or writing a side-by-side account from each partner's point of view. You can also add visuals, like screenshots of texts or diary entries.

Proposal Story Examples:

• "After graduation, Charles jetted off to Thailand to teach English while Audra was finishing her senior year. Their only communication during this time was over snail mail letters, emails, and the occasional Skype session. Halfway through their long-distance relationship, Charles surprised Audra by showing up on her doorstep unannounced! She went into shock and tried to shut the door, but he caught it just in time to drop down to one knee and ask her to marry him. Of course, she said yes!"
• "As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, I sent the message I'd been waiting to send for five years: 'Brendan, I would love to go on a date with you in 2022.' He replied, 'Powerful manifesting! I'd love that too. I'll make it happen soon. Happy New Year, Amelia.' We had two FaceTime dates in January and our first in-person date in February. After that, we both knew there was no going back. And almost a year later, on February 18, 2023, Brendan got down on one knee and asked me to marry him."
• "Friday, December 11, 2021, was the day Peter prepared to ask Mackenzie another question. They went on an ocean-side cliff hike with their pup, Reishi. As they approached the end of the trail, there was a stunning outlook over the Atlantic Ocean. Before Mackenzie knew it, Peter was down on one knee, and Reishi was waiting patiently for her to say 'Yes!' to his proposal. Their union had endured four years of high school, four years of distance in college, summer breaks, graduations, new careers, and many travels around the globe."

Provide a timeline of your relationship

A timeline of your relationship is a great way to illustrate your love story. Here is a suggested outline for a wedding website, with four to six paragraphs of content focused on providing a timeline of your relationship:

How We Met

[Partner's name] and I met in [year] in [place]. [Describe how you met and any interesting details or anecdotes]. I first noticed [partner's name] when [explain what drew you to your partner]. We started talking and immediately hit it off. We had so much in common, and our connection was instant.

Our First Date

Our first date was on [date] at [location]. It was such a memorable day because [explain why it was memorable]. We talked for hours and laughed together. I knew from that first date that there was something special between us. We were so excited to see each other again and couldn't wait for our next date.

Milestones and Memories

Over the next [amount of time], our relationship blossomed. We went on adventures together, like [mention some trips or activities you did together]. We also had the opportunity to [talk about any significant experiences or milestones you achieved together]. One of our favourite memories is [share a light-hearted or funny story from your relationship]. We always knew how to make each other smile and enjoyed creating new experiences together.

The Proposal

On [date], [partner's name] popped the question! It was such a magical moment. [Describe the proposal and how you felt]. I was so happy and excited to spend the rest of my life with my best friend. Of course, I said yes!

Our Wedding Journey

Now, we are thrilled to be planning our wedding and celebrating this special time with our loved ones. We are looking forward to our future together and all the new memories we will create as a married couple. We can't wait to share this joyful day with you!

Feel free to add more paragraphs with specific details, anecdotes, and milestones from your relationship to make the timeline more personalised and engaging. You can also include photos to accompany each section, creating a visual timeline for your guests to enjoy.

Incorporate your family

The "Our Story" section of your wedding website is a great opportunity to incorporate your family. This can be done in several ways, depending on the role they played in your relationship. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Dedicate a Paragraph to Each Side of the Family:

This approach allows you to go into detail about each side of the family and their significance in your relationship. You can share anecdotes, express your gratitude, and provide a deeper understanding of your family dynamics to your wedding guests.

Weave Family Details into Your Narrative:

If your family played a significant role in certain milestones or memories, you can incorporate them into your story naturally. For example, you could mention how your partner bonded with your parents during a family vacation or how your siblings played matchmaker during your first date. Including these details adds a layer of warmth and personal touch to your story.

Include Family in Your Engagement Story:

If your family was involved in the proposal, make sure to mention their role! It adds a heartwarming element to your story and showcases the importance of family in your relationship. Whether they helped with the planning, provided moral support, or were there to celebrate with you, their presence will be a cherished memory for your guests to relive.

Share Family Traditions or Cultural Background:

Your "Our Story" section can also be a wonderful platform to educate your guests about your family traditions, cultural heritage, or any unique aspects that shape your family dynamics. This adds a layer of depth to your story and helps guests understand the values and backgrounds that influenced your relationship.

Express Gratitude Towards Family:

Take the opportunity to express your appreciation for your family's support and presence in your lives. This can be a heartfelt way to acknowledge the role they've played in your journey as a couple, especially if they have provided guidance, encouragement, or shared important milestones with you.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to incorporating your family. Choose the method that feels most authentic to you and your partner. The key is to showcase the significance of family in your relationship and provide a glimpse into the wonderful support system you have. Happy writing!

Include your favourite hobbies

Sharing your favourite hobbies, interests, and activities is a great way to give your wedding guests an insight into your relationship and the things you love doing together. Here are some ideas for how to include these details when writing your wedding website "How We Met" story:

Highlight Shared Interests and Activities

When writing your "How We Met" story, be sure to mention any shared interests or activities that brought you together. For example, did you bond over a shared love of travel, music, sports, or a particular hobby? Mentioning these shared interests will give your guests a glimpse into what makes you tick as a couple. For instance, you could write something like:

> "We met at a local music festival, and quickly bonded over our shared love of live music. Since then, we've travelled near and far to catch our favourite artists in concert. Some of our favourite memories include dancing the night away at Coachella and singing our hearts out at a Taylor Swift concert."

Include Specific Details and Examples

When mentioning your favourite hobbies and activities, try to include specific details and examples to make your story more engaging and personal. For instance, instead of simply saying "we love hiking", you could share a story about a particularly memorable hike you went on together, such as:

> "One of our favourite shared activities is hiking, and we've explored some truly breathtaking trails over the years. One of our most memorable hikes was in the Swiss Alps, where we tackled a challenging trail that rewarded us with stunning views of snow-capped mountains and pristine alpine lakes. We even spotted a few ibex along the way!"

Showcase Your Individual Hobbies

In addition to shared hobbies, you can also showcase your individual hobbies and interests. This can add a unique twist to your story and give your guests a more well-rounded picture of your personalities and interests. For example:

> "While we both share a love of cooking and trying new cuisines, we also have our own unique hobbies. [Partner's name] is an avid painter and has filled our home with beautiful landscapes and portraits. I, on the other hand, am a huge film buff and can often be found at the local cinema or hosting movie nights for our friends."

Incorporate Hobbies Into Your Proposal Story

If your hobbies and interests played a role in your proposal, be sure to include this in your "How We Met" story. For example, if you proposed during a scenic hike or incorporated your partner's love of books into the proposal, mention this to add a personal touch to your story:

> "I knew [Partner's name] was the one for me, and I wanted to propose in a way that incorporated their love of literature. So, I planned a romantic picnic in a local park, complete with their favourite books, snacks, and a custom-made bookmark that said 'Will you marry me?' It was the perfect way to propose to my bookworm soulmate!"

Include Photos or Visuals

To make your "How We Met" story even more engaging, consider including photos or visuals that showcase your favourite hobbies and activities. For instance, you could include photos of you both cooking together, playing sports, or engaging in your favourite hobbies. Visuals can help bring your story to life and give your guests a deeper understanding of your relationship.

Frequently asked questions