Your wedding website will be shared with guests plenty of times, so having a URL that’s easy to remember can make things a little simpler. Instead of relying on a long or generic web address, you can create a custom wedding website domain that’s personal, polished and easy to share.
The best part? You don’t need to be particularly tech-savvy to set one up!
Here’s how to choose your domain, check if it’s available, connect it to your wedding website, and make sure it’s working before you send it out to guests.
1. Brainstorm a Memorable Domain Name
The best custom wedding website domain is one that’s simple, personal, and easy for your guests to remember. Your names are an obvious place to start, but there are plenty of other options if you want something a little more creative.
Some popular formats include:
- [Name]and[Name].com – e.g. EmilyandJordan.com
- [Name]Loves[Name].com – e.g. EmilyLovesJordan.com
- [Name]Plus[Name].com – e.g. EmilyPlusJordan.com
- The[Last Name]s.com – e.g. TheHarrisons.com
- MeetThe[Last Name]s.com – e.g. MeetTheHarrisons.com
- [Last Name]Wedding[Year].com – e.g. HarrisonWedding2027.com
- HappilyEver[Last Name].com – e.g. HappilyEverHarrison.com
When it comes to custom wedding website URLs, simpler is better. Aim for a clear, concise URL that will be easy for guests to remember and look neat on your invitations. If you’re planning on using a social media hashtag for your wedding, this can also be a great option for your domain name, too!
2. Check Availability and Purchase Your Domain
Once you’ve settled on an idea, you’ll need to check whether the domain is available.
You can purchase a domain through a domain registrar such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or another domain provider. Simply search for your preferred domain name and the registrar will let you know whether it’s available.
If your first choice is taken, don’t worry. Try a variation using your first names, last names, wedding year, location or another meaningful phrase.
Before purchasing your domain, check:
- The price: Domain registration commonly costs around $10-20 per year, depending on the domain and registrar.
- Renewal costs: Make sure you know what you’ll pay when the domain renews.
- Spelling: Double-check every letter before completing your purchase.
Once purchased, the domain belongs to you for the entire registration period. You can continue using it after your wedding, or simply let it expire if you no longer need it.
3. Connect Your Domain To Your Wedding Website
After buying your domain, you’ll need to connect it to your wedding website so guests who visit the new address are directed to your site.
If you’re using WedSites, the process is simple:
- Go to Settings in your main navigation.
- Find the Site URL section and look for Custom domain (optional).
- Enter your custom domain.
- Below the field, WedSites will display the DNS instructions you need to connect your domain.
- Log in to your domain registrar and add the DNS records shown in your WedSites settings.
- Click Save Changes in WedSites.
Don’t stress – you don’t need to be a technical expert to do this! DNS records can sound complicated, but your domain registrar will provide clear instructions for managing them, and WedSites tells you exactly which records you need to add.
Adding the DNS records only takes around 5-10 minutes, but it can take up to 48 hours for the changes to fully propagate.
4. Test Your Custom Wedding URL
Before you share your domain with guests, give it a quick test to make sure everything is working properly.
Type your custom URL into your browser and check that your wedding website loads. Keep in mind that it can take up to 48 hours for your domain to start working after you’ve connected it.
Then, have a quick look at:
- Your website on both desktop and mobile
- Your domain with and without www (both should work!)
It’s also a good idea to send the link to a friend to check whether the new domain is working for others.
Tips For Choosing The Perfect Wedding Website Domain
Still deciding what your custom wedding website domain should be? Here are our tips for choosing a personal, practical URL:
- Keep it short. The shorter your URL, the easier it is to type and remember.
- Make it easy to spell. Avoid unusual abbreviations or complicated combinations of names.
- Skip unnecessary numbers. Unless a number has meaning (like your wedding date), it can make your domain harder for guests to remember.
- Say it out loud. Make sure someone hearing the URL would know how to type it.
- Think about print. Your domain may appear on invitations, save-the-dates or other wedding stationery, so choose something that looks clean when printed.
- Consider matching social handles. If you’re planning to create a wedding hashtag or social media account for your celebration, you may want your domain name to match.
- Don’t overthink it. Your custom wedding website domain doesn’t have to be clever. A simple combination of your names is often the easiest (and most memorable!) choice.
Making Your Wedding Website Your Own
A custom domain is a small detail, but it can make your wedding website feel much more personal and polished. Whether you choose your names, a shared last name or a creative pun, the goal is simply to give your guests an address that’s easy to remember.
From your domain name to your wedding website theme, WedSites gives you the flexibility to customize your site and make it feel uniquely yours.
