Wedding websites are one of the best things about modern nuptials. They’re so valuable for guests who need to know parking logistics, registry lists, and dress codes. And they make life easier for couples who now don’t have to answer all these questions individually.
A wedding website will clear up space in your invitation suite and help your guests arrive confidently and at ease. Plus, it’s a great way to organize all your exciting details.
We’ve gathered all the best information about wedding websites, including where to make one, what information to include, and how to share it with guests. Keep reading to get started on your own custom site, and discover why it’s a must-have for any type of wedding
Wedding websites are a hub of information about a couple’s big day. They include all the essential details you’ll find on an invitation, along with all kinds of tips and ideas to help guests have a great experience.
Wedding websites also make planning easier for couples. You can manage your RSVPs, organize your registry, and explore different aesthetics.
You can create super simple sites that feature everything on one page or build a multi-faceted epicenter that guests can enjoy browsing through.
You don’t need any web design experience to create a wedding website, and they’re usually really easy for guests of all ages and skills to use.
The challenge isn’t how to make a wedding website – it’s choosing which platform is right for you. Whether you want to pay for a premium experience, customize each detail, or throw together something quick and informative, there is an option for you.
We’ve narrowed down the top options for wedding websites so you can decide which is right for you.
The Knot is one of the most familiar names in wedding planning. You’ll likely use its services when doing vendor research, and you can also use them to create your wedding website.
Begin with a theme and then follow their step-by-step instructions to include all the most relevant information. You can also curate a universal registry, make an RSVP page, and order matching invitations.
Creating your wedding website on The Knot is free, and it will probably take just a few minutes.
Joy is similar to The Knot, offering free wedding websites with registries and RSVP management, but it takes things up a notch with additional features.
You can embed a livestream on your Joy website, ask follow-up questions on the RSVP page, and store endless photos. Code-savvy couples can customize the site even more.
It’s free to use, Joy, and you can spend as much or little time on your site as you want.
Couples who want a unique, bespoke wedding website should turn to Riley & Grey. The service offers a chic, modern design with great functionality and an attentive help desk. Plus, you get a custom domain name, so your site will be easy for guests to find.
The upgraded experience comes at a price. It’s about $35 a month or $240 for a year. But you can begin your website design before committing to the fees.
Pro Tip – A custom domain for your wedding website makes it easy to share and find. For example, your website can be www.monicaandchandler.com instead of www.zola.com/wedding/monica-chandler.
You’re probably familiar with Square Space, thanks to its heavy podcast promotion. Now the all-encompassing website builder also features a dedicated wedding program where couples can create custom, informative pages.
You can link to registries or set up a cash fund on your Square Space site, and it’s got a fun feature where you can create a photo album. Add engagement photos before the day, or use it to share wedding day images.
Square Space is super customizable, and certain plans allow you to get a custom domain name. Prices range from $12-$16 a month, but you may find that it doesn’t have the features you’ll want from a wedding website, like an easy RSVP feature or a simple master registry.
However, it will look totally professional if you know what you’re doing.
Go beyond a wedding website and create a custom app for you and your guests to enjoy. Appy is the ultimate choice for a wedding app, as you can choose from beautiful templates, gather guests’ photos and videos, and send and receive real-time updates.
Appy Couple is also one of the classiest ways to send digital invitations, and you can enjoy a unified design on stationary, your website, and the app.
It’s $12 a month or $49 per year to use Appy Couple, but its free for your guests to download and use.
Our award for the best wedding website platform goes to Joy. It’s got a great balance between customization and ease of use, and the Livestream and update options are perfect for today’s unique weddings.
And while some things, like custom URLs and dedicated customer service, are worth paying for, wedding websites shouldn’t be something you spend a lot of money on. So we love that Joy is free to use.
Your wedding website should include all the necessary details plus optional information based on your unique event.
Here are all the things you should definitely include on your site:
This is also a great chance to include travel-related tips and ideas for your out-of-town guests. Here are some ideas for what recommendations to make:
You can also share fun information about you as a couple and the entire wedding party. This is usually fun because you can tell endearing stories that some wedding guests may not know. Here are some ideas for what to include in this part of your site:
You can also create private areas of your wedding website that require an access code. That’s great if you want to share information that not all guests are invited to, like the rehearsal dinner or day-after brunch.
Create your wedding website as you make your Save the Dates. That’s when you’ll know your date and location, which will be the starting point of your site.
You can update your pages throughout the planning process and even change their appearance as you get a better idea of your wedding aesthetic.
As you send out your invitations, your wedding website should be fully functional with an RSVP page and links to your registry. As the day gets closer, you can add important updates like the weather forecast, tentative drink menus, and detailed timelines.
You can share your wedding website’s URL or QR code in your invitation suite. Instead of printing it on your actual invitation, include an additional slip of paper in the envelope. That way, your invitation will still have a really clean look with only the most essential information on it.
You may want to go on and include it on your save-the-dates as well, so guests can get a head start on travel plans.
If you have guests’ email addresses or phone numbers, feel free to share the link directly if you think it will be helpful. But avoid posting it publicly on social media. This could bring unwanted lookers to your site or make people feel left out if you didn’t invite them.
So you know that the question isn’t should you make a wedding website – it’s how to make one. Now that you have all the best information, you’re ready to begin the process.
Remember to have fun making your site. This is one of the exciting parts of wedding planning. It’s a chance to showcase your personality, keep everyone updated on the thoughtful details, and share stories from your relationship.
After the wedding, update your site with photos and videos of the wedding. Use the RSVP function to help with thank you cards, and remember to take a few screenshots so you can always remember this exciting time in your life.
