Wedding Website Woes: What Went Wrong?

Wedding websites are a great way to keep guests informed about the plans for your big day. They can also save you time by providing a central place for guests to ask questions and RSVP. Many wedding website services offer free customizable templates that are easy to set up and can be matched to your wedding theme and stationery. You can include details such as the schedule of events, the dress code, travel and accommodation information, your gift registry, and even your love story as a couple. Some websites also offer additional features such as password protection, custom domain names, and the ability to upload photos and videos.

Customisable pages and unique URLs

Customisable pages are a key feature of many wedding website services. These allow you to adapt the site to your wedding style and taste. You can change the colour palette, font, and layout, and add personal touches such as engagement photos, artwork, and your own unique URL.

Some services, such as Hitched, offer stylish themes and totally customisable pages. You can also create your own unique URL. Hitched also offers the option to purchase a premium design pack if you want to upgrade.

With Joy is another service that offers a fully customisable template. You can add your own colours, fonts, and photos, and track your guest list online.

Other services, such as Wix, are ideal for creative couples who want to make the website their own. Wix offers the freedom to choose almost any combination of elements. You can include a gallery of images, a gift list, and an 'order of the day' timeline.

Zola is another service that offers customisable template designs for every event, which can be made to match your invites. You can personalise your website with a video and a custom URL.

The Knot offers over 100 designs, most of which have coordinating wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, place cards, and thank-you cards. You can buy a custom domain for your wedding website for $19.99 for one year or $39.98 for two years.

WeddingWire also offers customisable designs, which you can adapt based on colour palette, style, and invitation design. You can also create a custom backdrop with an engagement photo, personal artwork, and more.

Most wedding website services allow for constant updates, so you can add new details as they become available.

RSVP and guest list management

Wedding websites are a great way to manage your guest list and RSVPs. They can save you a lot of time by answering all the questions your guests might have leading up to your wedding day.

There are several free wedding website builders available, such as Zola, WeddingWire, The Knot, and Wedsites.com. These websites offer customizable templates that you can use to create a beautiful and personalized wedding website.

When creating your wedding website, you can include a custom RSVP page that works with your guest list. This makes it easy for both you and your guests to manage RSVPs and guest information. You can track attendance for all your wedding events in one place and allow guests to RSVP on behalf of their party.

Additionally, you can customize your RSVP page with events, questions (such as meal choices), and privacy preferences. For example, you can ask guests about their meal selections, travel plans, allergies, and more. This helps you plan your big day better and ensures that you have all the information you need from your guests.

By using a wedding website for RSVP and guest list management, you can streamline the guest communication process and make it more convenient for your guests to RSVP and find all the information they need in one place.

Gift registry and accommodation recommendations

Wedding gift registries have evolved to include not only traditional gifts but also honeymoon experiences, cash funds, and charitable donations. Here are some tips and recommendations for gift registries and accommodation suggestions for your wedding website:

Gift Registries:

• Universal Registries: Instead of focusing on individual retailers, opt for a universal wedding registry that allows you to add and manage multiple registries in one place. Websites like WeddingWire Registry, MyRegistry, and Hitchd let you include traditional retail registries, experiences such as honeymoon airfare or spa treatments, and cash funds all in one streamlined list. This simplifies the process for both you and your guests.
• Honeymoon Registries: If you're planning a honeymoon, websites like Hitchd and Honeyfund allow your guests to contribute directly to your travel expenses, including flights, accommodation, and tours. With Hitchd, you can curate a selection of honeymoon experiences you'd like to be gifted, while Honeyfund lets you collect cash donations for any purpose, including your honeymoon or charitable causes.
• Retailers: If you're looking for specific items or experiences, consider creating a registry with a particular retailer. Websites like Amazon, Bloomingdale's, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Wayfair offer a wide range of products, from home goods to experiences, and often provide perks such as discounts and easy returns.
• Cash Funds: If you already have everything you need or prefer cash gifts, consider a platform like Honeyfund, which allows guests to contribute cash online without the need for a physical wishing well. You can also use universal registries like MyRegistry or a wedding website platform like Zola to collect cash gifts.
• Charitable Donations: If you wish to support charitable causes close to your heart, include them in your registry! Websites like MyRegistry and Hitchd allow you to include donation links to nonprofits you support.

Accommodation Recommendations:

When recommending accommodations for your guests, it's essential to provide a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. Here are some suggestions:

• Hotel Details: Share information about nearby hotels, including a variety of price ranges and locations. You may even be able to unlock special rates for your guests by partnering with specific hotels.
• Airport and Travel Information: Provide details about the nearest airport(s) and transportation options for guests travelling to the wedding. This can include shuttle schedules, directions to the wedding venue, and parking information.
• Reserved Hotel Blocks: If possible, reserve a block of hotel rooms for your guests. This ensures that they have convenient and affordable accommodation options, especially if your wedding venue is in a popular or remote area.
• Alternative Options: Consider suggesting alternative accommodation options such as Airbnb, vacation rentals, or local bed and breakfasts. This can be especially helpful if hotel availability is limited or if guests are looking for unique or budget-friendly choices.
• Early Booking Encouragement: Encourage your guests to book their accommodations early, especially if your wedding falls during a busy season or if there are limited options in the area. This will help ensure that they have a smooth and stress-free experience.

Design and template options

Zola, for example, offers designer templates that require no technical skills to use. Their websites can be personalised with videos, custom URLs, engagement photos, and more. The Knot also offers customisation options, with couples able to choose from a range of colour palettes, styles, and invitation designs. They can also create a custom backdrop with engagement photos, personal artwork, and other unique touches.

WithJoy's customisation options include flexible design tools, a range of colours, and the ability to tweak the CSS for those who are comfortable with code. They also offer matching stationery, including Save the Dates and invitations, to create a cohesive experience for guests.

Other providers, such as Wix, offer drag-and-drop tools that allow for a fully customisable design. Couples can edit fonts, colours, links, and photos to make their website their own. WedSites also offers customisation options, with the ability to fine-tune the colour palette, font, text, accent colours, background colours, and more.

Many providers also offer matching stationery and paper suites to complement the wedding website. The Knot, for instance, will match your website to your paper suite, while WithJoy offers matching prints and online wedding invitations. Zola also offers matching invitations, save-the-dates, and paper decorations like menus and programs.

Password protection and privacy

Password-protecting your wedding website is a great way to ensure that only your invited guests can access the details of your special day. It's entirely up to you whether you choose to password-protect your wedding website or not. However, if you have sensitive information or want to keep certain details private, a password can provide an extra layer of security and privacy.

The Benefits of Password Protection

Password protection allows you to control who can access your wedding website and view the information you've shared. This is particularly useful if you want to keep certain details confidential, such as your wedding venue or travel plans. Additionally, it can help prevent wedding crashers and keep your personal life private, especially if you or your partner prefer to keep your last names, photos, or other private information off the internet.

How to Set Up Password Protection

Most wedding website builders, including Zola, The Knot, and WeddingWire, offer password protection as an option. Typically, you can set up a password by accessing the privacy settings of your website dashboard. You'll be able to toggle on the password protection feature and set a password of your choice. It's important to choose a password that's easy for your guests to remember but not too obvious or easy to guess.

Communicating the Password to Your Guests

Once you've set up password protection, you'll need to communicate the password to your guests. This can be done by including it on your wedding invitations, save-the-dates, or any other correspondence where you share your wedding website URL. It's essential to provide the password along with the URL to ensure your guests can access the website without any issues.

Other Privacy Considerations

In addition to password protection, you may also want to consider hiding your wedding website from search engines. By default, most wedding websites are not listed in search results, but you can usually change this setting in your privacy options. If you want to keep your wedding details as private as possible, it's best to keep your website unlisted.

Frequently asked questions