A wedding website is nearly indispensable in today’s wedding scene. It is a practical and easy way to share and find all the necessary information about a wedding, and so is a must-have for every couple planning a wedding.
With the increase in interest in creating wedding websites, there are many options today. This makes it easier for couples who want to set one up, and the best thing is that it is possible to do even if you are not very tech-savvy.
Throughout this article, we will not only look at different options that will help you set up your wedding website but also what it should contain and how you can make sure it works well and helps you with your wedding plans. Let’s begin.
Why you should have a wedding website!
For those of you who haven’t ever considered this a necessity, here is why you should have a wedding website
- It provides your guests a one-stop destination for all the information they require bout the wedding
- You can share everything from your proposal and registry details to venue information and even photos on your wedding website
- It is a platform that makes collection of RSVP’s and updating your wedding registry easy and straightforward
- It is a representation of the couple, and the perfect way to give your guests a sneak-peek into what is in store for the wedding
- Wedding websites are the way to go for the environment-conscious couple, as it allows them to minimize on paper stationery for not-so-essential invitation enclosures. This information can be made available on the website instead
- It gives you a place to share your wedding photos online after the big event.
- It will remind you of your big milestone event long after it is over, thus making it a valuable resource in many ways.
Now that you know why a wedding website is a good idea, here is how you can get started on it.
How to create a wedding website
Image Credits: D.Hayes, via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
You have plenty of options to make your wedding website. You can either use a wedding website builder or purchase your own domain and design your website from scratch. While few of these are free, most of them charge a nominal price for hosting your details.
We find that website builders specifically tailored to weddings are the best way to go, as it isn’t necessary that all couples are technically capable of building their own website from scratch. So, this is what we will focus on here. Some of our favorite wedding website builders are:
Appy Couple
This trending favorite provides you both a mobile application as well as a wedding website when you sign up. You can choose your layout, design and colors from a range of options that are all very attractive. Benefits include changing your design anytime you want, straightforward pricing structure and impressive website design options. Customizing a website is easy as you can simply add the details to each available aspect. It guides you through the process and simplifies the entire construction process, so you have a professional-looking website in no time.
Wedding Jojo
With 8 different themes to choose from, Wedding Jojo provides you a custom domain that will contain all your event information. You can share your wedding photos with guests, create your online guest-book, manage your RSVP’s and share necessary information with your guests on this website. You can choose between “Taster” and “Full Slice” options, depending on whether you want all the works or prefer to settle for the most essential ones. Find out all about creating your Wedding Jojo account, by visiting their website here.
The Knot wedding website
Constantly recommended as a leading wedding planner application, the Knot also offers a wedding website builder of excellent quality. The added benefit is that it is a free service, where you still have plenty of options to choose from. You can choose from over 80 designs to set up your website. It also allows you to switch between designs any time, if you aren’t happy with your original choice. The website features include a registry home, RSVP and guest management system, as well as photo galleries for those important events leading up to the wedding. Get started today by clicking on this link. https://www.theknot.com/gs/wedding-websites
Wedding Window
A website builder with a difference, the wedding window adds a fun element to the regular wedding websites. It is fun to create, and your guests will enjoy scrolling through it. You can also enjoy with unlimited customization options. The basic package is free for one year and is sufficient for most couples. Now, if you must have additional features, the premium packages are a bargain for the cool features they include. It is also tailored to help guests who are traveling from abroad by providing them instructions and information in their local language using Google translator. Find out more for yourself by visiting their home page here.
There are many more website builders out there, and you can take a look at all that is available before making your pick. We suggest that you visit this article on the Huffington Post, to see the other impressive packages that may work for you.
What should your wedding website contain?
Once you have chosen the website builder that will aid you in creating your wedding website, it is time to look at what your website should contain.
If you go with any of the recommended options, you will find that most of them already have tabs for the various aspects relevant to weddings. You needn’t fill in all the information, and can go with only what you deem necessary. Nevertheless, every wedding website should contain certain details that are usually sought by the guests. This is what they are.
#Your photo
Your website should have a face (or rather faces!), so it personifies you. Do this by adding a well-captured photo of the two of you on the home page. You can also add pretty pictures to the side bars of the other tabs, as long as your website builder has options for it.
#Date and Time
This is the main information conveyed through your wedding invitation, and it is not just sensible, but necessary as well to have it on your website too. You can add it to the Home Page and also have it somewhere in a noticeable location on the remaining pages as well. Specify the date and the time when the ceremony is to start. If the reception is also to be held at the same venue, don’t forget to mention the time for it as well. If the reception is held elsewhere, convey this information on the website, along with the time at which it will be held, to avoid any confusion.
Tip: If your wedding is in winter, or your venue is difficult to find, set the event time on your website as half an hour earlier than actually planned. This way guests will have enough time to reach there before the ceremony begins.
Venue information
Since you have only so much space to provide all information regarding your wedding venue on your invitation, give as much detail as is possible about the venue and how to get there, on your website. This should include the detailed address, directions to reach there and contact numbers in case of doubt. Most websites allow you to embed a Google map which can provide them clear directions. Make use of it as it will be very helpful for your guests. If there are any landmarks that will make it easy to locate the place, provide this information too. You can even add a picture of your venue, if you want to. Wherever possible, it may be a good idea to offer a download option for the venue map as many guests may prefer to print it out for reference.
Registry Information
It is traditional wedding etiquette to not include your wedding registry information on your invitation. Nevertheless, your guests will want to know where you are registered so they can get you a gift that will actually be useful. Use your wedding website for this purpose. Some stores allow you to link to their websites from your page directly. Make use of this feature if it is available. If not, simply provide your registry details and your guests can find their way there. Remember to keep your registry constantly updated and complete with a list of items of varying prices, so guests have enough options to choose from. The idea is to keep it varied, and update it if one item has already been chosen, so you do not end up with multiples, unless that’s what you want. Please find out more about planning a good wedding registry by visiting our article here.
Hotel stay and accommodation options
There will likely be at least a few out-of-town guests attending your wedding. Assuming that they will want to stay overnight in town, it would be very helpful if you can provide them a list of decent hotels or accommodation options to look at and book for their stay. Keep your list varied with hotels in differing price ranges, and don’t forget to include their contact information, distance from the venue and any other relevant information that they may be useful.
RSVP form
The easiest way for your guests to confirm attendance at the event is to fill out their RSVP forms online. So, use this feature on your website to make a note of who all will be attending. The website builder may allow you to create a custom form asking for the details such as name of person, how many will be attending and any other specific message. Make sure to add your online RSVP’s to the list of those who send in their replies by post, so you do not miss out anyone when creating your guest list.
Comments or question-and-answer page
Although your guests will likely contact you over the phone or by email if they want any specific query addressed, having a page on your website is helpful. This will allow them to promptly address their doubts, if they have any concerns while on your website. Just make sure that you check it often and reply to their questions as soon as is possible, or it defeats the purpose of having such a page. The other advantage of having this page is that it gives guests who cannot attend your wedding a place to put in their wishes or add a message to you.
The little extras that can make your website truly special
The above list gives an outline of all the information that is essential for a wedding website. Once this is done, we can look at what extra touches you can add to make your website truly special and personal. Here are some options to consider.
- If you want to share the exciting tale of how you met, the magical proposal or any other trivia regarding your relationship or the two of you, this is the place to do it.
- Photo albums of the engagement, bridal shower, bachelorette party and later the wedding and honeymoon pictures
- You can highlight the importance of your wedding party by adding their pictures and names, thus giving them the special attention they deserve at your wedding
- Online guest book where your guests can write their messages, comments and wishes quickly and easily
- Pictures of the two of you as this is something that everyone will be keen to see
Remember to keep the website agog with activity and update it frequently so the information is relevant and correct. Once you have your website set up, it will be one fun place where we are sure you’ll hang out quite a lot!
And, for the rest of your wedding needs, Best for Bride is the other place you should frequently visit. To transform yourself into the beautiful bride you deserve, visit the Best for Bride website and find everything you need from your wedding dress, bridal party dresses, accessories and more.
