When you start to plan a wedding, you realize the insane amount of work that goes into making it possible. You’re probably overwhelmed and just hoping that everyone will have the information they need in order to be present on your big day with all of the right gifts in hand. Our best advice to avoid getting endless emails and text messages from your guests is to create a simple wedding website where they can check out the details of your wedding. Spending some of your free time laying out a timeline for the day, crafting your registry, and including an online RSVP will definitely prevent some future headaches and avoid answering the same questions 100x to 100 different people. The best part of this is that it is FREE!
So, where do I go to make one?
The Knot, Zola, WeddingWire, and Minted are just a few of the platforms that will allow you to organize all of your wedding information to share with your guests. All of these websites have their perks, so it is up to you on what features are most important to you. For example, if you use Minted, you are able to use the same aesthetic and patterns that are on your invitations (if you choose to order your invitations through Minted), on your website. If you go with Zola, WeddingWire or The Knot, which are historically used for vendor research and registry creation, you will be able to go through just one website to obtain most everything you need in terms of wedding planning.
What should I put on this page?
Write out important information like dates, times, locations, dress codes, registries, transportation and lodging, and a day-of itinerary. Everything that you include on the invitations should appear on the welcome page of the website. It is also a good idea to include a timeline of your events that all of the guests will attend, including the time and location for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
Here are some more FAQ to consider when creating your website:
- What is the dress code?
Being as specific as you can with dress code is a good idea. For example, saying “cocktail attire: wear cocktail dresses, LBDs, dressy jumpsuits, and dark jackets and slacks” will avoid any confusion among guests and will ensure that nobody shows up in questionable apparel. - What will the weather be like this time of year?
If you have any guests coming from out of town, it would be a good idea to inform them of the weather so that they can dress accordingly and pack an umbrella if necessary. - Are the ceremony and reception indoors or outdoors?
Another question to help guests decide on what to wear to your big day. - What do I do after the ceremony?
Is the reception down the hall or do you need to tell your guests to move onto the next location? Is there a cocktail hour in between the ceremony and reception for guests to mingle and enjoy? Address all of these questions ahead of time to avoid any confusion. - How do I get to the venue?
This is a good time to give the address of your ceremony and if your reception is at a different location, be sure to include both addresses. - Where should guests park? Is parking free?
Define where guests should park, if there is a valet service available, whether or not parking is limited, and how much they should expect to pay for parking during the allotted time they are at the venue. - Can I bring my kids?
We addressed the “should I allow kids or not” issue in our previous blog post, curating your guest list, but including this on your wedding website is a good idea to avoid any discrepancies.
Tip: if you don’t really want young kids at your wedding, it might be a good idea to enforce an age limit. Allowing children 14+ to attend…. something along those lines. - Accommodations for out of town guests?
Here you can let your guests know if you reserved a hotel block, the pricing, address, and give them alternative hotel options in the area. - What kind of food/drink will be at the reception?
Define the types of food and beverage that will be served during the reception. Break down the meaning of “cash bar” or let your guests know that alcohol is on you and they are free to consume as much as they please. Will there be a full sit-down meal or is it light hors d’oeuvres? - Will you have options for vegan/vegetarian/special diet needs for your guests?
If yes, make sure to note that your guests need to contact you ahead of time to ensure they will have a meal that fits their dietary restrictions. - Where are you registered?
Your registry will likely be a tab at the top of your wedding website, so this can easily answer their question! - Am I allowed to take photos of the wedding and post them to social media?
This is a great place to note if your ceremony is “unplugged” – meaning no cell phones will be permitted during the wedding ceremony. Emphasize the fact that you are paying enough for professional photography and do not need iPhone photos during your ceremony. Let your guests know that they may take and post photos during the reception and give them your wedding hashtag if you have one! - Where do I RSVP?
Again, putting a tab on your wedding website as a place to RSVP online will quickly resolve this question and make it easier for your guests to fill out the information through their computer or phone. - I just have one last quick question, what is the best way to contact you?After all of the information you can possibly think of is on your website, someone might still have a question. Give your guests the best email address or phone number to contact you, if you so choose.
