George Boyle
A wedding website is a must-have for couples, especially for those hosting destination weddings. The website should be a central hub of information for guests, providing them with all the necessary details about the wedding and related events. It should also include travel and accommodation suggestions, and even a FAQ section.
When it comes to writing the content for your wedding website, it's important to keep it simple, direct, and easy for guests to understand. Include a welcome message, a brief description of the couple (About Us), bridal party bios, and registry information. You may also want to add some fun extras, such as your love story or engagement photos.
The welcome message is key, as it's the first thing guests will read. It should be short, sweet, and build excitement for the wedding. Include a playful tagline, outline the key features of your website, and sign off with a heartfelt thank you and a reminder to RSVP.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To communicate all the necessary details about the wedding in one place, while also building excitement for the celebration |
| Content | Welcome message/greeting, accommodation information, RSVP date and method, schedule of events, travel information, FAQs, gift registry |
| Tone | Personal, warm, and exciting |
| Structure | Clear, concise, and easy to navigate, with separate pages for different types of information |
| Timing | Created 10-12 months before the wedding, with constant updates as new details become available |
| URL | Short, custom URL featuring the couple's names and a ".com" address |
What You'll Learn
Transport options and costs
Transport Options
Firstly, consider the different transport options available to your guests. If your wedding is in a remote location, it might be a good idea to organise a shuttle service to transport guests to and from the venue. You could also suggest car rental companies and provide their addresses, perhaps even negotiating a group discount. If your wedding is in an area with good public transport links, you could include information about the nearest train stations or bus stops. For guests travelling by plane, it would be helpful to list the closest airports.
Transport Costs
If you're providing any financial support for travel costs, be sure to include this information. For example, if you're covering the cost of a shuttle service or contributing to car rentals, make sure your guests know. If you're not able to provide financial support, you could still help your guests save money by recommending budget-friendly transport options.
Additional Information
In addition to the transport options and costs, you might want to include some extra details. For example, you could provide specific directions to the venue, especially if it's in a hard-to-find location. Maps of the local area can also be helpful, especially if guests need to walk between the ceremony and reception venues. If taxis or ride-sharing services are scarce, be sure to let your guests know in advance so they can plan accordingly. Finally, if there are any signs or markers that will help guests find the venue, be sure to mention them.
Sample Text
Here's an example of how you could word the transport options and costs section of your wedding website:
"We're so excited to celebrate our special day with you! To help you plan your journey, we've included some transport options and costs below.
Getting Here
For guests travelling by plane, the nearest airport is [airport name], which is about [duration] from the venue. If you're renting a car, we've negotiated a discount with [rental company name]. Simply mention our wedding when making your reservation. There are also plenty of ride-sharing services available, including Uber and Lyft.
Venue Directions
Our venue can be a little tricky to find, so we've included detailed directions on our website. You'll also find a map with the venue marked, as well as some photos to help you recognise it. If you have any trouble finding us, don't hesitate to reach out!"
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Accommodation suggestions
If you're having a destination wedding or even hosting a celebration that's interstate, it's a thoughtful gesture to provide your guests with accommodation suggestions. This is especially important if most of your guests are travelling and may be unfamiliar with the location.
Hotel Blocks
A common option is to organise a hotel room block for your guests. There are two types: closed and open. With a closed block, you pay for all or part of the rooms whether they are used or not. This may not be ideal if you're unsure about the number of guests requiring accommodation. However, it might be the only option if your wedding coincides with a busy period when most rooms are booked. With an open block, you reserve a set of rooms until a certain date. If guests don't book them by the specified date, the rooms are released, and you're not responsible for any costs.
If guests are paying for their own rooms, be sure to offer options at various price points. Include all the necessary hotel information on your wedding website, such as a link to book and any discount codes.
Alternative Options
If you only have a few friends coming from out of town, consider renting a large apartment or house through Airbnb. Alternatively, you may be able to host guests yourself or with the help of family members.
Variety of Choices
Provide a variety of accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, and Airbnb listings. Suggest a few properties at different price points to cater to different budgets. Just ensure that all recommendations are relatively close to the wedding venue for your guests' convenience.
Local Recommendations
Share your favourite local attractions, restaurants, and accommodation suggestions with your guests. They will likely be making a mini-vacation out of your wedding, so give them plenty of options to explore the area.
Transportation
If shuttles are available between the guests' hotels and the venue, provide information on the location and schedule. You may also want to suggest a few car rental companies, providing their addresses and any applicable discounts.
Maps
Provide maps to help guests visualise the area and locate accommodation options in relation to the wedding venue. This is especially helpful if your wedding is at a large venue or guests need to travel between locations for the ceremony and reception.
Early Planning
Encourage your guests to book their accommodation early, especially if your wedding coincides with a busy tourist season or local events that could impact availability.
Contact Information
Provide guests with a specific email address or phone number to contact you with any questions or for further recommendations.
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Travel tips and local attractions
We're so excited to be hosting our wedding in [location] and can't wait for you all to experience this beautiful place! Here are some travel tips and local attractions to help you plan your trip.
Getting Here
The closest airport/train station is [name of airport/station]. When it comes to getting to the venue, we recommend [mode of transport]. For example, hiring a car/using a ridesharing service/taking the shuttle service. If you're driving, be aware of [traffic/road closures/etc.].
Accommodation
We've arranged a block of rooms at [name of hotel]. When calling to book, just mention our wedding to receive a discounted rate. There are also plenty of other options nearby, including hotels, resorts and Airbnbs. We recommend [list of alternative accommodation options].
Things to Do and See
[Location] has so much to offer, and we want you to enjoy it as much as we do! Here are some of our favourite spots:
[List local attractions, cafes, restaurants, beaches, tourist sites, etc.]
Transport During Your Stay
If you're planning on getting around a lot, hiring a car is a great option. There are also ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft available.
What to Pack
Our wedding will be held during [season], so you can expect [weather conditions]. Don't forget to pack [clothing recommendations]!
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Maps and addresses
Provide Addresses for All Locations
Include the addresses for all relevant locations, such as the ceremony, reception, and any other events your guests may need to attend. This will save your guests from frantically trying to find the right place at the last minute. It's also a good idea to include the address of the venue on your wedding website and app, even if it seems obvious.
Give Specific Directions
While most people will rely on their phones or GPS to navigate, it can be helpful to provide specific directions. For example, let your guests know if the venue is located away from the main road or provide information about any signs you will be putting up to indicate the right place.
Include Maps
Maps can be extremely useful for your guests, especially if your wedding is taking place in a large venue or if they need to walk between locations for the ceremony and reception. Maps will help your guests visualise the area and make it easier for them to navigate on the day.
Shuttle and Transportation Information
If there are shuttles or other transportation options available for guests between their hotels and the venue, or between different locations for the ceremony and reception, be sure to include this information. Provide guests with the location and schedule of the shuttles so they can plan their travels.
Suggest Car Rental Options
If your guests need to rent a car during their stay, you can suggest a few car rental companies and provide their addresses. You may even be able to negotiate a discount for your guests, so be sure to include all the information they need to take advantage of this.
Hotel and Accommodation Information
If you have organised a hotel block for your guests, include this information on your wedding website. Let your guests know the name and address of the hotel, and any instructions for booking, such as mentioning your wedding to receive a discounted rate. You can also suggest a few accommodation options at various price points, including hotels, resorts, and Airbnbs, all relatively close to the main event.
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FAQs
Give your guests a detailed description of the dress code for each event listed on the website. This will help them feel prepared and avoid any confusion or embarrassment.
Will there be child-minding services available?
If you're expecting guests with children, it's a good idea to let them know if there will be child-minding services available during the wedding events. This can be a huge help for parents and can make their experience more enjoyable.
Clarify your policy on plus ones to avoid any misunderstandings. You might want to include a deadline for guests to confirm their plus ones, so you can plan accordingly.
Provide a clear schedule of events, including dates, times, and locations. This will help your guests plan their time effectively and ensure they don't miss out on any of the celebrations.
If your guests will be travelling to your wedding, provide detailed information about transportation options. Include addresses, directions, and suggestions for the best mode of transport to and from the venue(s). If you're providing shuttles or arranging car rentals, be sure to include those details as well.
Give your guests a range of accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, and alternative options like Airbnbs. If you've organised a hotel block, provide the relevant information and booking instructions. It's also helpful to suggest options at various price points to cater to different budgets.
Share your favourite local attractions, restaurants, cafes, and things to do in the area. This is especially helpful if your wedding is a destination event, as guests may want to extend their stay and make a vacation out of it.
Provide contact information, such as a phone number, email address, or a specific point of contact, like your wedding planner or maid of honour. This will help guests feel supported and ensure they know who to reach out to if they need further assistance.
Remember, the key to a helpful FAQ section is to anticipate your guests' needs and provide clear, detailed answers. This will make their experience smoother and ensure they have a memorable time at your wedding celebrations.
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Frequently asked questions
The welcome message is the first thing your guests will read when they visit your wedding website. It should be short, sweet and to the point, while also building excitement for your big day. You might want to include a playful tagline, outline the key features of your website and sign off with a heartfelt thank you and a reminder to RSVP.
Your 'About Us' section is an opportunity to give guests some insight into your journey so far. Recounting your story is a great way to share funny, heartfelt and unique moments that have defined you as a couple. You might want to include how you first met, your first date, your proposal story and the most memorable experiences from your relationship. Keep it light and warm-hearted, and feel free to include a bit of playfulness and humour.
If your guests have never visited your destination before, it's a good idea to share travel tips and insight into the local area. You may want to highlight things such as the weather conditions, things to see and do, and the best mode of transportation. If there are shuttles available for transportation between guests' hotels and the venue, it's a good idea to give guests information on the location and schedule. You may also want to provide information for guests who need to rent a car for their stay, suggesting a few companies to go with and providing their addresses.
