Best Places To Build Wedding Invitation Website

Wedding websites are a great way to keep your guests informed and excited about your big day. They are a one-stop shop for all the information your guests might need, from the time and place of the ceremony to nearby accommodation options. You can also use them to share your love story, introduce your wedding party, and provide travel recommendations.

Building a wedding website is easier than you might think. You can use a website builder such as Wix, Squarespace, or The Knot, which offer free plans and trials. These platforms provide templates that you can customize with your colour scheme, photos, and fonts. You can also add practical features like RSVP forms, guestbooks, and gift registries.

So, if you're looking for a convenient and fun way to share the details of your wedding with your guests, creating a wedding website is a perfect solution.

Choosing a website builder

There are many website builders to choose from, and it can be hard to know which one to pick. Here are some of the most popular options:

Wix

Wix is a strong all-rounder. It combines ease of use with creative freedom, meaning you can create a website that's totally unique. It also has a large range of wedding-specific templates which you can customise to your heart's content. Wix is free, although there are premium plans if you want a more professional website.

Squarespace

Squarespace has the best designs on the market, making it perfect for sharing photos and videos. It has a smaller selection of wedding-specific templates, but these are truly stunning. Squarespace has a 14-day free trial, after which it costs $16 per month.

The Knot

The Knot is a specialised wedding website builder that doubles as an online wedding planner. It has more wedding-focused features, such as registry integrations, and over 100 designs to choose from. You can buy a custom domain for your website through The Knot for $19.99 for one year or $39.98 for two years.

Minted

Minted's wedding websites are designed to match your wedding invitations and coordinating stationery, so your guests will experience a cohesive look. You can take advantage of free features like a photo and video gallery, password protection, and custom pages. You can also upgrade to a custom URL.

Joy

Joy offers hundreds of beautiful wedding website templates, with matching prints or online wedding invitations. You can unleash your creativity or keep it simple with flexible design tools. Joy also has powerful event privacy settings, so you can control who sees what on your website.

When choosing a website builder, consider the features that are most important to you. Do you want a beautiful site, a practical one, creative freedom, or basic control? Do you want something wedding-specific, or a more general builder? It's a good idea to try out a few different options before you decide.

Selecting a template

Choose a Template that Reflects Your Style

When selecting a template, opt for one that complements your wedding's style, vibe, and colour palette. If you already have wedding stationery, consider choosing a template that matches its design, creating a cohesive look for your guests. You can browse various website-building platforms to find the perfect template, with some offering elegant and sophisticated designs, while others provide more creative freedom. Take your time to explore the options and select a template that speaks to you and your partner.

Personalize with Colours and Fonts

Once you've chosen your template, it's time to make it your own. Customise the colour scheme to match your wedding colours or incorporate your chosen wedding palette. This creates a seamless visual connection between your website and your wedding day. Additionally, consider using the same font as your wedding invitations to further unify the aesthetic. Play around with different colours, fonts, and design elements to create a unique and personalised website.

Incorporate Engagement Photos

Adding engagement photos to your website is a wonderful way to showcase your love story and give your guests a glimpse into your journey as a couple. Include a mix of candid and posed photos that capture the joy and excitement of your engagement. This adds a personal touch to your website and allows guests to feel more connected to you and your partner.

Provide Important Wedding Details

Your wedding website should be a one-stop shop for all the information your guests need. Include essential details such as the wedding date, time, and location. You can also add accommodation suggestions, travel information, dress code guidelines, and a clear event timeline. Consider creating an FAQ section to address common queries and provide additional insights. The more information you provide, the better equipped your guests will be.

Customise with Interactive Features

Enhance your website with interactive features such as a guest book, RSVP functionality, and a photo gallery. These features encourage guest engagement and create a dynamic user experience. You can also incorporate a wedding countdown timer to build excitement and allow guests to share in the anticipation of your special day.

Test and Refine

Before launching your website, take the time to thoroughly review and test it. Proofread all the text for grammar and spelling errors. Check that all links, forms, and interactive elements are functioning correctly. Ensure your website loads quickly and optimises the user experience on different devices. You can also consider sending the link to your wedding party or close friends for feedback to ensure it looks and functions flawlessly.

Building a wedding invitation website is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. By following these steps and customising your chosen template, you'll create a beautiful and informative website that delights and engages your guests.

Adding key details

Event Information

Provide clear and concise details about the event times, including the ceremony, reception, and any additional activities like the welcome party and post-wedding brunch. Be sure to include the date, location, and address of each event. If there are multiple events, consider creating a separate page or section on your website with a breakdown of the schedule. This helps guests plan their attendance effectively.

Travel and Accommodation

Think about the information you would need when planning a trip, and provide this for your guests. Include lodging options and special rates, nearby airports or train stations, maps and directions, public transportation options, and venue parking instructions. You can also recommend local restaurants or attractions to enhance their experience during their stay.

RSVP and Guest Management

Online RSVPs are a convenient way to manage your guest list. Choose a wedding website template that includes built-in RSVP management, and consider including an RSVP form on your website. You can also use your website to collect addresses and import guest lists. Group guests, assign plus ones, and use tags to keep track of everyone.

Registry Information

Your wedding website is the perfect place to include information about your gift registry. Avoid including registry details on your invitations, as it is considered bad etiquette. Instead, provide links to your registry accounts on your website. If you are accepting monetary gifts or donations, include a PayPal or cash registry link.

FAQ and Additional Details

Anticipate your guests' questions and create an FAQ page to answer them. Common queries include dress code, local weather, child attendance policy, transportation, and any "unplugged" ceremony instructions. You can also include your contact information for any further questions. Additionally, introduce your wedding party with names, photos, and a brief bio to help guests familiarize themselves with the key people at your wedding.

Remember to keep your website updated, and notify guests of any changes via email or through your website's messaging system.

Creating an RSVP form

Choose an Online Platform:

Select an online platform or form builder that suits your needs. Some popular options include RSVPify, Paperform, Eventbrite, and Formidable Forms. These platforms offer customizable templates, tracking features, and guest list management tools.

Select a Template:

Choose a pre-made template provided by the platform. These templates are often customizable and can be tailored to match your wedding theme or invitation design. You can also decide whether you want to create a full-blown wedding website or a simple digital RSVP form.

Add Essential Information:

Include all the necessary details in your RSVP form. This includes a blank line for guests to write their names, an option to indicate their attendance ("Accept" or "Decline"), and any additional information you may need, such as meal choices, dietary restrictions, and special requests.

Customize with Additional Questions:

Make your RSVP form more engaging and interactive by adding custom questions. For example, you can ask for song requests, well wishes, or travel plans. This will not only help you with your planning but also make the process more enjoyable for your guests.

Set a Deadline:

It is essential to set an RSVP deadline, usually around two to four weeks before the wedding date. This gives you and your vendors enough time to finalize the details. Clearly communicate the deadline on the RSVP form, making it prominent and easy for guests to see.

Include Response Instructions:

Provide clear instructions on how guests should respond. If you're using a digital RSVP form, include the link to your wedding website or the QR code they need to scan. If you're using physical RSVP cards, include pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelopes for guests to send their responses.

Track and Manage Responses:

Utilize the tracking and management features provided by the online platform. This will help you stay organized and keep track of attendance, meal choices, and any other important information you've collected.

Sharing the website

Once you've built your wedding website, it's time to share it with your guests! Here are some tips and ideas on how to do that:

• Include the website URL or a bespoke QR code on your wedding invitations or save-the-date cards. This is the most common way to share your wedding website, as it ensures that all your guests receive the information.
• Create a bespoke wedding hashtag (e.g. #JessAndSteveWedding) and include it on your invites and website. This will encourage guests to share their photos and experiences, creating a fun online community around your special day.
• Send the link to your wedding website via email to your guests. This is a good way to ensure everyone has the information and can easily access it.
• Share your wedding website on social media. This is especially useful if you have a lot of friends and family who are active social media users. Create a Facebook event or Instagram story to spread the word!
• Use a custom domain for your website that is easy to remember and includes your names (e.g. "couplename.com"). This will make it easier for guests to find and access your website.
• If you have a wedding app, integrate your website with it so guests can access all the information in one place.
• Print the URL or QR code on other wedding stationery, such as place cards, thank-you cards, or programmes.
• Word-of-mouth is also an option! Tell your family and wedding party about the website so they can spread the word and direct any inquiring guests to it.

Remember to keep your wedding website up-to-date, especially if changes to your plans occur. This will ensure your guests always have the most accurate information, reducing confusion and last-minute questions.

Frequently asked questions