So, you’ve decided to create a wedding website for your upcoming I-dos (congratulations!). But when it comes to actually sitting down and getting that wedding website up and running, where should you actually begin?
If you’ve taken a peek through our recent blog posts, it’s no secret that we’re huge advocates for wedding websites and their benefits – from streamlining the planning process and communicating with guests, to building that beautiful excitement for the big day.
Creating a wedding website is actually super simple and straightforward, so we wanted to walk you through the entire process step by step. Keep reading for our top tips on creating your own wedding website that’s both practical and personal, without the stress!
Choose a Wedding Website Design
Finding a reliable wedding website builder and choosing the perfect “wedsite” design will be the first task on your to-do list. Now, you’ll find a few different options when it comes to wedding website platforms, but remember – they’re not all created equal!
Take some time to think about the different features you’d like your wedding website to include, and the details that are the most important to you. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a wedding website template that just doesn’t suit your requirements (or creates even more work for you!).
Some of the features you might want to look out for when choosing a reliable wedding website platform include:
- A diverse range of modern design templates and style options
- Mobile-friendly designs that work across all devices
- The ability to customise and personalise your chosen design template
- Paperless invitations so you can send your save the dates and invites digitally
- The ability to request, track and follow-up RSVPs automatically
- A custom domain name for guests to easily find your site
- Privacy features to ensure your wedding website is only seen by the right people
- Built-in guest management to keep track of interactions with guests and their dietary preferences and RSVP responses
Just to name a few! Wedding websites can be so much more than just a pretty design – they can also be a project management tool to help you save time and streamline the planning process.
Once you’ve done your research and chosen your wedding website platform, you’ll then want to select a website design or template that suits your overall wedding style. This will help you create a cohesive look and feel for your wedding from the moment guests receive their invitations, to the moment they walk into your reception. If you haven’t quite nailed down your wedding vision, do this first!
When it comes to choosing the perfect wedsite design, draw inspiration from your wedding date or season, wedding venue, wedding colours and overall “vibe” of your upcoming celebration.
Planning a romantic spring wedding? Choose a wedding website design with soft pastels, floral elements and delicate calligraphy. Planning a tropical destination wedding? Set the tone with bright colours, palm leaves and vibrant prints!
If you really want to create a consistent theme for your wedding, opt for a wedding website platform that also offers matching stationery. This will allow you to carry your design colours, fonts and styling details through to your stationery elements for a cohesive look and feel.
Complete your Wedding Website Sections
Okay, so you’ve selected a beautiful wedding website design – but it’s empty! Now it’s time to fill in the blank sections of your wedding website and start communicating your wedding day details with guests.
Most design templates will have the different sections or pages of your wedding website formatted and ready for you to complete. The main sections of your wedding website will be:
- Your welcome message/homepage – an opportunity to greet guests, say a friendly hello, and help them navigate their way around your wedding website
- Your “About Us’ story – a short paragraph or two describing your relationship journey so far, favourite memories together and experiences shared
- Your wedding schedule – all of the need-to-know details for your event including timelines, venue information and helpful information for guests
- Bridal party bios – introducing your bridal party members with a short description that summarises who they are and how they fit into your life
It might seem daunting, but filling out your wedding website really doesn’t need to take up too much time. If you’re looking for some templates or guidance, check out our top tips for writing your wedding website sections (including wording examples for you to swipe!) to get started.
Remember, your wedding website is there to elaborate on all of the practical wedding details that you wouldn’t be able to fit on your wedding invitations. From your wedding day timeline to transport details, gift registry information and bridal party introductions, you can use your wedding website to answer all of those questions your guests might have and help them best prepare for your day. It’s a win-win for both you and your guests!
When it comes to sharing your event details, make sure your wedding website includes the following practical information where relevant:
- Wedding date
- Wedding venue (and directions/parking details if necessary)
- Ceremony start time
- Wedding day timeline/schedule
- Transport details
- Dress code
- Gift registry details
If you’re planning a destination wedding, you’ll also want to include additional details like:
- Local accommodation options or hotel block discount codes
- Travel tips for the local area
- Pre or post-wedding events happening on either side of your nuptials
- Local childminding services for those who may require them
Your wedding website sections can also be a great opportunity to address those trickier topics that might otherwise be an awkward conversation in real life. For example, if you’re planning a child free wedding, or are unable to allow plus ones. Use your wedding website to set expectations for your day in a clear and courteous way, without any confusion.
Personalise Your Wedding Website Design
Along with being practical, your wedding website should also be a personal reflection of your relationship and who you are as a couple. Your wedding website is an opportunity to give your guests a taste of what to expect on the big day, so make the most of it!
You can really get creative with your wedding website by adding personal touches to make it engaging and authentic. From including your engagement snaps to sharing funny memories or customising your template with quirky headlines or quotes, the possibilities are endless.
You can also make your wedding website more engaging by getting guests involved in the process. Create a wedding hashtag and encourage them to start using it in the lead-up to your day, add a guestbook, or ask for their input on song selections for your reception playlist. Think of your wedding website as a way to build excitement and set the tone for your celebration – your guests will love you for it!
Send Out Your Invitations
Once you’ve filled in the different sections of your wedding website and personalised it to a tee, it’s time to send the link out to your guests. An easy way to do this is simply by including a link to your wedding website on your wedding invitations. You can keep your wedding invites short and sweet, and direct guests to your wedding website for all of the additional event details.
If you decide to go with paperless or digital invitations, your guests can access your wedding website quickly with the click of a button, whether that’s from their computer or on-the-go with their phones. Plus, it reduces the environmental footprint of your wedding as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional invitations which is definitely a win!
Communicate with Guests
As you progress through your wedding planning journey, you might have some updates for guests. Instead of contacting each guest individually to give them the heads up, continue using your wedding website to make announcements or send notifications easily. Remember, a wedding website is there to save you time and prevent you from having to answer back and forth texts and phone calls in the lead up to your event!
An intuitive wedding website platform also allows you to track and follow up RSVPs, gather information about dietary requirements, or confirm menu requests from guests.
Let’s be honest – the last thing you want to be doing in the weeks leading up to your wedding is chasing late RSVPs or playing the middleman between your caterer and your guests! Use this time instead to relax and enjoy, and let your wedding website do the hard work for you.
Smarter Project Management for Weddings
Need some help getting organized? Our clever wedding website builder includes all of the savvy features you need to plan the perfect event.
From getting your budget in order to managing all your tasks and guest list, we’re here to help you save time and streamline your planning and bring your dream wedding day to life.
Learn more about our wedding website platform to get started, or read our top wedding planning tips on the blog for a seamless planning experience!
