Creating the Perfect Wedding Website

This is another question I get asked all of the time, so adding my 2 cents on wedding websites to the blog for easy reference! Below are my tips for Do’s & Don’ts of creating your wedding website, along with my recs for the best sites.

Your wedding website is more than a formality. It serves a function as the one-stop-shop for guests to get all of the info they need: travel details, weekend schedules, direction on attire, registry info, hotel blocks, etc. etc. Trust me, you don’t want 100+ wedding guests texting you asking for these details. Every page of the website doesn’t need to be complete when your save-the-dates go out (a simple “check back for details” is fine in many areas), but at a bare minimum the URL should be created so that you can list it on the save the date when you send them around 8 months prior to your wedding. (For more info on sending save-the-dates, go HERE)

Tips for Creating Your Wedding Website

DO: Include Detailed Travel Info

Make it easy for your traveling guests. Give them the rates and links to recommended or blocked hotels. Include any phone numbers, points of contact or booking/discount codes.

DON’T: Mention Invite-Only Events

Seems obvious, but people do this all of the time. Things like rehearsal dinners or post-wedding brunches should not be mentioned unless the entire wedding guest list is invited.

DO: Include Your Registry

People want to celebrate you! Include a link to your registry and information on where gifts can be sent. If you asking guests to give to a charity in lieu of gifts, you should include that link. And if you are asking for no gifts at all, this should be noted on the website. If this is not addressed, you will end up with a ton of wrapped toasters and gravy boats on your big day.

DON’T: Utilize the Digital RSVP Function

I know it seems tempting and appears like it will be a helpful, streamlined way of doing your RSVP’s, but I promise you (from experience)- it always ends up messier. People just don’t take electronic RSVP’s as seriously. They reply too quickly and are often changing their answers later. They forget if they have or haven’t RSVP’d yet, and more often than not, people just forget to do it in general and you are left going after a TON of delinquent guests to get their replies. The formality of a physical RSVP card gives an “official” quality to the RSVP process and leads to a much cleaner process.

DO: Include Local Recommendations

People traveling will appreciate your recs on places to eat, things to do, etc. in the area. It doesn’t have to be extensive- just a few “insider tips”

DO: Require a Password

Because, you know, privacy and stuff. Most password protected sites will give you the option to create an easy-to-remember password for guests.

DON’T: Write a novel

Unless this is your jam, you can skip the nitty-gritty. You don’t need the life story of every wedding party member, the juiciest of details on how you got engaged, etc. Feel free to make a long story short.

DO: Include the Timeline

Include the time, the address and dress code for all events you are listing. Guests will appreciate you getting specific as they make their travel and packing plans.

Choosing a Platform for Your Wedding Website

Alright, now that you understand everything that needs to go into the website, here are my recs for choosing one. The below options are my favorites with grown-up sleek templates (instead of cheesy wedding cake, red roses and doves!) that are also easy to use.

1.Wedsites

Hands down my favorite. This is the GOAT of wedding websites. It has a free version that suits most couples (and easy upgrades if you want a little more). Super easy to use, great template, and great features for communicating with your guests. And tons of additional wedding planning tools (not that you need these if we are working together :)).

2. Riley & Grey

She’s pricey but she’s just so pretty. This platform is $35/month or $240 for a year. The design templates are super sleek and customizable. There aren’t a ton of additional features, but if you value style, this site screams luxury (and looks amazing on mobile as well).

3. Zola

Zola is free and easy to use. The templates won’t knock your socks off, but this site is great for holding all of your registry info in one area. You can still register with Zola and host your site on another platform, but there is something to be said for the ease of having it all in one place.

4. Minted.Com

If you are using minted for save-the-dates or other wedding stationery (and if you are- be sure to use my discount code: WEDPLERINDAVIES for 25-35% savings!) it can be nice to have your website coordinate with your designs. It’s also free and couldn’t be easier to navigate!

To help give you a full lay of the land comparing these plus the other usual suspects, I’ve made this handy dandy chart. Enjoy!