How To Create a Wedding Website (“Wedsite”) Your Guests Will Actually Use
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of creating a wedding website and what to include so that your guests actually use it, we should probably answer a question you may be asking right now: why have one?
Wedding websites, or “wedsites” as we like to call them, are an incredible tool to be able to communicate all kinds of information to your family and friends about your big day! Details like directions to your venue, info on room blocks, shuttling service, dress code, timeline, your registry, and MORE can all be added to your site for your guests to easily reference.
We can’t tell you how much time you and your fiance will save by directing loved ones to your wedding website when they come to you with questions. Another time-saving bonus? You can opt for guests to RSVP right on your site! (no more losing them in the mail, hooray!)
Another perk of wedding websites is that you can define your wedding style on the site throughout the design process. This can really streamline things, and who doesn’t love that?!
Now that we’ve established our WHY, let’s dive into the WHEN, WHERE, HOW, and WHAT!
When to Create a Wedding Website
There is no set rule when it comes to the time to create your wedding website, but there is really no such thing as starting too early! We would recommend getting started at least 6-9 months before your wedding day OR by the time you send out your save the dates.
Be sure to include your website URL on your save the dates and let your friends and family know about your website!
Where to Create Your Wedding Website
When it comes to wedding website platforms, there are many free options out there! Keep in mind that they all have their perks and limitations, so we recommend looking around at a few and finding the one that will best suit your needs. Some of our favorites include:
What to Include on Your Wedding Website
ABOUT US
You might be surprised, but some of your family and friends might not know how you and your partner met! This gives you the chance to tell your love story, share photos, and gush about your engagement!
WEDDING PARTY
If you have a wedding party, consider listing them and adding fun stories or a little bio about each person and your relationship with them!
EVENTS
Where are the wedding events located? How do they get there? What time do they need to be there? Are you hosting a pre or post-wedding event that you want your guests to RSVP to? All good things to mention!
TRAVEL
Add information about travel and accommodations for your guests. What is the most convenient airport? Do you have a room block and shuttle service at the hotel? This is also an opportunity to mention fun things for people to do when they come into town: restaurants, local attractions, etc.
REGISTRY
Your wedding website is the perfect place to have the items you would like to be gifted or funds you would like money to go towards. Some wedding websites like Zola actually partner with companies and have their products right on their website that can be added to your registry. Otherwise, your registries at stores like Amazon, Target, Crate & Barrel, etc. should easily embed right onto your wedding site!
RSVP
Remember that time saver we talked about earlier? Consider online RSVPs rather than formal mailed ones to eliminate lost mail, and hopefully lock in those numbers for your big day sooner.
FAQ’s
Work on creating a list of questions you maybe have already been asked or anticipate guests asking and create a page just to answer them! Someone has a question? Direct them to your website!
Congratulations on your engagement, and we are so excited for you and your love to share the rest of your lives together! Head to The Eloise blog for more inspiration and wedding planning tips!
With love,
Photography: Ivory & Bliss
Venue: The Eloise
Planning + Coordination: Midwestern Bride
