what to put on your wedding websitewhat to put on your wedding website

Gone are the days of simply putting an announcement in the paper and an invitation in the mail to notify the world of your upcoming nuptials. Today, it’s expected that you and your partner have a wedding website to give guests the info they need and regarding the big day. It’s also a great keepsake for you to look back on after your wedding has come and gone, if you do it right.

Many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to setting up a wedding website. It’s easy to decide on the necessary bullet points that you have to share, such as the location and date of your ceremony. However, the supplementary info might seem a bit harder to discern. That’s why we’ve decided to help you with a list of must-haves on your wedding site. Now, your perfect wedding webpage is just a few clicks away.

1. A Great Web Address/Hashtag

As you sit down to create your site, try and think of a memorable web address so that family and friends won’t forget where to find all of the information they need. If your names are Chuck and Julie, for example, you could do something like, “ChuckandJulieWed.com.” 

Nowadays, marrying couples also have to come up with a hashtag that guests will use when posting any photos of the big day on social media. That way, you can search your hashtag later and see all of the memories from another perspective. If you’ve already got a clever hashtag, you might also use that as your web address. It will be clever enough to help your guests remember the web address, and they’ll know it long before you need them to use it when they Facebook and Instagram on your big day.

2. Registry Information

One couple who performed analytics on their wedding website found that the majority of clicks went to the page that featured their registry information. And, while this type of information is often sent along with the paper invitation in the mail, it’s a great idea to have links to your registries so that guests can find them in case they misplace that part of the invitation. It makes for easy online shopping as well.

hotel and location informationhotel and location information

3. Hotel and Location Information

There are typically at least a handful of guests at your wedding who will be coming from out of town. Because of this, you’ve probably worked with a local hotel or two to block off rooms so that everyone has a place to sleep. You should have this information readily available on your website so that guests can make travel and lodging plans easily and as soon as possible.

As for location information, we’re not talking about simply stating the city and state where your wedding will be held. We recommend providing a guide as to what your out-of-town guests can do around the city while they’re not at your wedding. Most people who fly or drive in will book an extra day or two in order to recuperate and to make the trek worth it. It’s helpful to offer insider tips as to what to do, see, eat, etc.

4. RSVP Form

You sent one via snail mail, but it doesn’t hurt to have a section of your wedding website where guests can send an official RSVP. Make sure your guests can say whether they’re coming, how many people in their party will be attending, what entrée they want, and the email address where they’d like to receive more information.

5. Detailed Maps and Directions

Even in the age of apps and smartphones, technology can sometimes fail us — and it seems like these snafus only happen on important days of the year. To avoid any potential issues, load up your wedding website with detailed maps of where the reception is, where the venue is, how to get between the two, etc. Even if only a handful of guests use it, it’s worth putting online.

6. Dress Code Information

A mailed invitation only gives you so much space to write about your wedding’s dress code. A page on a website, however, allows you to provide more information about the location of the wedding and how it might affect guests’ outfit choices. For example, if the wedding is to take place on a grassy field, you might want to warn your guests not to wear heels to the ceremony. You might also advise your guests to bring sweaters or shawls in case the city tends to get cold at night.

how we methow we met

7. Your "How We Met" and Proposal Stories

Let’s face it: everyone loves a good love story. Yours will certainly interest your website visitors, so take the time to write it. Many couples like to split the task, each writing their “how we met” story so that readers can see it from both perspectives. The fun is in seeing just when the future bride and groom both realized there was a spark.

Your wedding website is also a great place to share the story of your proposal. The proposer probably spent a lot of time planning, too, which means that the end result deserves a little love on your website. You can flesh out your story with pictures of the moment it happened or with a video of your proposal, should you be lucky enough to have one. These keepsakes will have you coming back to look at your wedding website for years to come. 

8. Bridal Party Background

Guests will see your bridal party stand at your side on the big day, but they probably won’t know much else about them. Use your website to share a few sentences about how you met and why they’re in the wedding. Pictures will help your guests put a face to a name on the day of the wedding.  

lovebirdslovebirds

9. Pictures of the Lovebirds

Some of your more mature wedding guests might not have Facebook or other social media accounts that would give them access to pictures of you and your love. Another reason to post a few photos is so that, when you look back on your website, you can remember where it all began. Be selective as you build your gallery, because you don’t want to overdo it. Instead, choose a combination of your professional engagement photos (if you have them) and more fun, real-life pictures that show you as you are in your relationship.

10. Your Own Personal Touch

Finally, it’s imperative that you make your wedding website look like a true representation of who you are as a couple. Many websites have templates and cookie-cutter designs in which you simply type your personal details and that’s it. However, it won’t be as special of a memory to look back on when the entire thing is plain. Take the time to create a look that you love and will continue to love for years to come. Hey, that’s what brought you here in the first place: a love that you will continue to cherish for years to come. 

Happy trails!

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Adrienne Erin is a freelance writer and designer. You can see more of her work by following her on Twitter (@adrienneerin) or by visiting her blog, Design Roast.