Wedding Website Tips
Emily Post is very proud to be affiliated with Wedsites, while Wedsite's "Lite" site is free, we may receive a small affiliate commission for any purchases you make for a "Standard" or "Pro" site or their fabulous wedding planning services through links in this article. AND we have savings for you! We've got a special deal with Wedsites: anyone using our promocode (EMILYPOST) will receive 10% off at Wedsites. Happy planning!!!
Wedding websites are very popular, and are (for most) an integral part of how couples communicate with their guests. These sites can include photos, information on travel and lodging, wedding plan updates, electronic RSVP options, and links to gift registries. We are big fans at Emily Post of the wedding website builder Wedsites. They specifically focus on creating an inclusive and clean (no advertising!) atmosphere for couples to build their perfect wedding website. Everything is customizable and couples can choose to also engage their wedding planning features which are brilliant! No matter what site you choose to work with, here are some tips for a polite wedding website:
Get on It!
Don't delay building your wedding website! Today, wedding websites are like the hub for all things related to your wedding, and you definitely want your website up and ready for your guests before you send out your save-the-date if you can and DEFINITELY before you send out your invitations. If you're worried about not having the skills to build a website, let us reassure you all the popular sites out there (especially WedSites) make it easy for you select page options, fill them out and be well on your way in minutes to a fully functional site that will have you beaming with pride and excited for guests to see!
Make It Personal
Take the time to develop a design and content that you and your fiance are comfortable with—one that reflects your personal aesthetic style. If you're unsure of your style, these sites have many options to browse to get you inspired and feeling connected to the site you build. There is often a page where you can share your origin story as a couple - a great way for guests who might be new to your life to learn and celebrate your history. Sites like Wedsites allow for you to even customize language for typically standard content, that way everything sounds like it's you talking directly to your guest (a great goal for any host). A guest RSVPs yes on the site and they get a pop up that doesn't just say, "your RSVP has been sent" but instead "We're so excited that you're able to come!" or "This is going to be awesome!" or "We are honored that you'll be joining us! Thank you for making the time to celebrate our union."
Digital RSVPs
Your RSVP should be clean and simple and can easily include options for meal choice if you're giving your guests a choice as well as notes about accessibility, allergies and food restricts. There can even be mentions on the RSVP page of whether or not you're providing a babysitter, or have options for local sitters if the wedding is adults only. Even though it's digital, you want to make sure that your guests know how to RSVP to your wedding once they get their invitation. Simply add a printed sentence at the bottom of your reply card sent with your invitation saying something like, “You may also reply by way of our wedding website: www.happycouple.com.”
Don’t list your website on your invitation
This may be tempting, but refrain. There are plenty of other ways to let people know about the site, such as including the address on the response card, maps, or other enclosures - even a specific enclosure (usually the size of a business or social card) just for the website.
Keep It Simple
A few well-designed pages will speak volumes. Too many pages and too much information will confuse guests the classics include:
- The Event: Location and time for the ceremony
and reception - as well as for any other events that all guests are
invited to. Be careful about posting your rehearsal dinner info if not
all guests are invited - which is typical of this event - if you post it
publicly on the site guests can get confused and think they are meant to attend when you aren't expecting them. It's also nice to include transportation information here. If you've arranged for a shuttle, bus or private cars, or if folks will want to walk, or use a service like Lyft or Uber.
- Accommodations: Local hotels, motels, bed n' breakfasts and rental options for lodging
- Schedules: A page listing the schedule either of the big
day or the entire weekend (usually this consists of the ceremony,
reception, after party if there is one and farewell (morning after)
brunch if there is one.
- RSVP: This is a great place to
include things like meal choices if guests need to make them along with a
notes section that guests can fill in if they have an accessibility
need, allergy, food restriction or question about kids or plus ones.
- Registry: The wedding website is the perfect place to put your wedding registry information for guests to access. Remember these are requests not demands, and no guest is required to purchase a gift from your registry.
- Necessary Requirements: If the venue is only allowing
vaccinated people, or if to travel to the country the wedding is being
held in you need certain vaccinations (beyond the COVID-19 vaccines).
This can also be a place for safety information if you need to
communicate anything about where the wedding will be taking place.
- Religious
or Cultural Information: If it's helpful to your guests including
information about the service, guest participation, or expectations for
guest behavior during certain elements of the service or in houses of
worship is very helpful information.
Beyond that you can include pages about:
- Your personal history as a couple often called an "Our Story" page.
- Local happenings, favorite restaurants or local sites to see so that guests have ideas for when they visit.
- Practical information like the local weather, attire information
- The
wedding party, either highlighting who is in the wedding party so
guests know who these special folks are (and possibly the colors they
will be wearing on the big day - it can help a guest make choices about
their own attire. Or having a space that speaks directly to your wedding party and the things that concern them can be helpful.
- COVID-19 safety protocol or requirements that you may have even if your venue doesn't.
Keep Personal Info Private
Some pre-designed web templates prompt you to type in personal details such as when you shared your first kiss, what you did on your first date, and so on. This may be good fodder for the bachelor(ette) party, but there is no need to share such intimate moments with your entire guest list—and anyone else who may stumble across your site. Keep your postings tasteful and inclusive. It's also important to choose a site that keeps your guest's contact information private.
Don’t Put the Emphasis on Gift Registries
It is fine to post links to various on-line gift registries on registry page; this is one of the conveniences of having a wedding website! However, it is important to strike a balance between discretion and a desire to make things easier for your guests. Be sure these links are not front an center and certainly not an aspect of each page. Always add a message of thanks: "Here are our registries. Thank you for thinking of us!"
Don’t Overlook Your Offline Guests
Remember, even in 2022 not everyone uses the Internet regularly—or, believe it or not, at all if they can avoid it. If you know that a certain invited guest is not a fan of going online, or if they would appreciate more traditional means of communication, be sure to send them hard copies of any pertinent information.
After the Wedding
You can use your site after the wedding to post wedding and honeymoon pictures, wedding weekend anecdotes, and a heartfelt "thank you" to all. Important: This thank you does not replace the individual thank-you notes that must be handwritten.
Get Started Today!
Ready to build your site? We highly recommend Wedsites to get you started. With no advertising, the most customizable wedding website builder and the ability to have your wedding website appear in your guest's native language, it's not just got the basics it's got the best. Their "Lite" site - has a lot of bells and whistles and is totally free! Don't forget to use the promocode EMILYPOST for 10% off your site!