Creating a wedding website is one of the first and most important steps in the wedding planning process. Not only is it an essential digital tool for your guests to learn all about your wedding details, such as travel information, dress code requirements, and registry options, but it’s also a fun way to get your guests excited about your big day! Plus, in light of COVID-19, it’s the perfect place to communicate safety plans and important updates.
While creating a wedding website may seem like yet another task on your never-ending list of wedding to-do’s, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, it can be fun! Follow these 10 steps to building a website that is stylish, unique, and informative!
1. Select Your Platform and URL
The first step in creating a fabulous wedding website is to select a platform. There are free website builders available, such as those hosted by The Knot and Zola. For a small fee, you can use premium sites like Riley & Grey and Appy Couple. Or, if you are tech-savvy, consider building a custom or self-hosted site from platforms like WordPress or Squarespace. Regardless of which platform you choose, make sure your URL is easy to remember.
2. Make Your Site Searchable
Your wedding is all about you, so create a custom URL using both of your names or including your wedding date. While a custom URL may cost you a nominal fee of $15-30, it will be well worth it. Not only does this personalize your wedding website even more, but it makes it easy for your guests to remember and search for your site. Be sure to mention the URL on your Save the Date cards or other correspondence.
3. Consider Privacy
Adding a password to your wedding website is not a must; however, we do recommend a password-protected site if you are getting married at home or the home of a relative where privacy and security are a concern. For some clients, keeping wedding details and photos out of the public eye is important. Requiring a password to enter the entire site or certain pages addresses that concern. If you do choose the password route, remember to include your password on your Save the Date cards and details inserts.
4. Personalize Your Wedding Website
Your wedding website should reflect your personality! You can even feature one of your engagement photos or a favorite snapshot as your website backdrop. When writing your “About Us” section, share details about your occupations, hobbies, and how you and your fiancé met––and don’t forget to include details on the proposal, too! While your friends know who you both are, some family members or guests of your parents may not. Also, be sure to include lots of photos of you and your fiancé, your bridal party, as well as mini-bios on your VIPs when applicable.
5. Choose a Cohesive Theme
When designing your wedding website, think about ways to incorporate your wedding’s theme and style. Pick a template that best reflects your wedding color palette and fonts that work with your overall aesthetic. Always include clear information, incorporate lots of white space, and keep your site easy to navigate and read so all your guests can enjoy it.
At HauteFêtes, we love a truly cohesive aesthetic and can help you work with our stationers to create a custom homepage banner that ties back to your stationery suite for a truly personalized experience.
6. Include a Timeline of Events
Contrary to what you may think, you don’t need to have all of your wedding information and details set in stone to start creating your wedding website. The most important details are your wedding date and location. Just be sure to let everyone know that more information is coming soon.
Then, as more details are solidified, you can add them to your site. This makes your wedding website a valuable resource for your guests leading up to your big day. Some additional details to include are:
- Where the reception and ceremony will be held if not at the same venue
- Wedding weekend activities such as yoga classes or coordinated excursions
- Your rehearsal dinner, welcome party, and/or farewell brunch details
- Dress codes for each event
- Frequently asked questions, such as whether children are welcome and when RSVPs are due
Since everyone will be able to see this information, remember to only include details for events to which everyone is invited.
7. Include Travel Information, Local Accommodations, and Things to Do
The most important details are your wedding date, time, and location, but you’ll also want to include travel information. This includes the schedule for hosted guest shuttles, hotel details (especially if you reserved a room block), wheelchair accessibility information, guest parking guidelines, and directions to the venue to help your out-of-town guests.
For a multi-day wedding experience, include things guests can do, whether coordinated group events or individual adventures. For a wedding in your hometown or a place that is dear to you, this is a great way to show off your favorite stomping grounds, such as good hiking spots, cafés, bars or restaurants you love, and other special attractions.
If your wedding takes place abroad, include information on weather conditions, any vaccine or visa requirements, and airport transfer details. This is particularly helpful in ensuring a smooth experience for your guests.
At HauteFêtes, we love making the guest experience as special as it can be! Adding these fun and unique details to your wedding website is yet another way to do this from the start.
8. Add Your Wedding Registry Information
To avoid a major wedding faux pas (including your registry information on your wedding invitation), share your top wedding registries on your site. It is the prime place to let guests know where you’ve registered, and you can easily link to online retailers.
9. Share Your Wedding Website
Once your website is up and running, share the URL in your Save the Date cards. Guests will be excited to learn more about your wedding and, depending on the lead time, start making their travel arrangements.
10. Keep Your Website Active After Your Wedding
Resist the urge to immediately take down your wedding website after your wedding. As a general rule, guests have up to a year to buy a couple a wedding gift. Since your website hosts your wedding registries, this ensures guests can purchase gifts after the wedding.
You can also update it with fun images from your honeymoon, photos of you opening and using gifts you received, or memories of your wedding day for guests who were unable to attend.
Start Wedding Planning Today with a Wedding Website
Your wedding website not only provides your guests with details and frequently asked questions, but it makes your life easier because you can update everyone all in one place. Because it is a central piece leading up to your wedding, take the time to build a wedding website you love.
Also remember that not everyone is tech-savvy, especially older relatives. As such, we recommend including a card insert with key wedding weekend information––dates, times, locations, and any important transportation or accommodation details––in your wedding invitation suite to not exclude any of your guests.
Are you ready to build your wedding website? Contact us for pricing and or stay tuned for next week when we share our top wedding website builders!