All the Details to Include on Your Wedding Website

You've popped the question — or responded with an enthusiastic yes. Your finger (or your sweetheart's finger) is now adorned with the most spectacular ring imaginable and your wedding day plans are well underway. Now, it's time to communicate those plans to loved ones so they know exactly what to expect.

There are many ways to get the message across, and chances are, the fun will begin with in-person announcements or engagement pictures on social media. Eventually, however, wedding guests will want the details — and these days, even the most spectacular invite won't be enough on its own. Instead, the initial save-the-date or invite is now typically supplemented by a virtual resource that clues guests in on everything your special day will encompass.

This is where the concept of the wedding website comes into play. Typically designed by engaged couples in the leadup to their big day, these digital resources are both fun and practical.

However, you have enough on your plate as is, so the last thing you want is to spend hours navigating confusing websites or trying to round up the details to include on your own page. To make this process a bit easier and more straightforward, we've highlighted everything that guests will expect to see on your wedding website, plus a few easy tips to make designing your page a cinch — and even clever ways to use your website to expedite other aspects of the wedding planning process.

Essential Questions to Answer on Your Wedding Website

Your wedding website is where invited guests head to get all the details: when and where the wedding will take place, how they should dress, and a whole host of other details. This is also a great chance to share your proposal story and a few pictures that convey your relationship.

Below, we've highlighted a few of the main pages your wedding website should contain and the questions this content should answer:

Homepage

Warm and inviting, your wedding website's homepage sets the stage for a pleasant online experience. This is where you can convey the general tone and aesthetic for your ceremony and reception: sophisticated and formal, beachy and laid-back, or intimate and romantic. This page should also include a photo of you and your significant other along with a personalized welcome message to those who will be visiting the site.

Upon glancing at this beautifully designed page, guests should be able to easily navigate to other areas of your website, where, depending on their reason for visiting, they can casually browse or quickly find important details.

Love Story

What brought you and your sweetheart together? Why are you such an amazing pair? Feel free to gush as you tell your love story. This can include anything charming or silly that your guests might not know.

For example: many couples use this chance to tell cute stories about their early days of dating. These can be written together or from separate perspectives, revealing how you felt as your relationship began — and how you've evolved as a couple. Include pictures from your first few dates, which will be especially fun to revisit if you've been together for several years.

Everybody loves a good engagement story, so don't forget to include details from when you said, "I do." Be sure to add engagement photos, especially if they were taken by a professional.

Wedding Details

Dedicate a specific page to all the need-to-know information, which should provide a helpful reminder as guests RSVP and later, as they are actively preparing for the festivities. Essentials to add include:

●  The wedding date, start time, and location. This should include details about both the ceremony and reception, particularly if separate venues are involved. If you’re having a destination wedding, make sure this particular info is posted as soon as possible, so family members and out-of-town guests have enough time to book their wedding weekend plans.

●  Accommodations for guests from out of town. Mention whether a hotel block has been specifically reserved for guests. Also helpful: details about transportation, plus recommended restaurants or attractions to visit before or after the wedding.

●  How to dress for the event. While the style of the wedding invite and website should provide some indication of the dress code, guests prefer to be specifically told whether the attire will be casual, semi-formal, or black tie.

●  Ability to bring plus-ones or children. If you prefer that children are not present for your wedding, make this abundantly clear. Same goes for plus-ones: is the person listed on the invite allowed to bring a guest? This is a great question to answer in an FAQ area.

●  If and when there is a rehearsal dinner. Some couples use this opportunity to honor the wedding party, while also participating in a walkthrough of the wedding events. This information may be best shared separately so only the people invited will be able to see the details.

RSVP

Skip the traditional, time-consuming RSVP and go digital with an online RSVP process that's easy to access and even easier to track. This is one of the most useful components of your wedding website: a dedicated page where invited guests can indicate whether they will attend your wedding or whether they need to decline your invitation.

Website RSVPs can also be helpful for planning the wedding dinner or cake. This is where guests should be encouraged to provide details about their dietary preferences or restrictions. Sometimes, this is as simple as asking them to select a specific meal for the wedding. In other cases, basic details (such as whether they are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free) should be sufficient.

Bridal Party

Give the members of your bridal party the recognition they deserve. As with the love story page, this is where you can weave the stories of your various friendships or relationships with siblings or cousins. Don't forget to include plenty of pictures featuring the valued members of your wedding party, plus plenty of signs of gratitude for all they've done to support you through the years. Feel free to give a special shout out to the maid or matron of honor, plus the best man.

Registry and Gifts

The wedding registry is a time-honored tradition that allows guests to show their support while purchasing items that you will actually need and use as you embark on your new life as a married couple. These days, it's common practice to provide online access to a few easy-to-navigate registries from major retailers or companies. Most platforms and templates now include wedding registry tabs, which guests will naturally check out if they're intent on buying you a gift. Feel free to provide information about your honeymoon fund if you're using this in lieu of a traditional registry.

Wedding Itinerary

While guests obviously need to know when your wedding is happening and where the wedding venue is located, they may appreciate further details such as other events happening throughout the weekend, when the ceremony will begin, and what will happen during the reception. Consider adding a basic schedule of events that clues guests in on the order of events, such as:

●  Events guests can attend during the days leading up to the wedding and the days after

●  Social or cocktail hour

●  Reception dinner

●  Toasts

●  Wedding dance

●  Timing for transportation, if relevant

●  Other activities, such as the after-party

How to Create Your Wedding Website

Now that you know what your wedding website should contain, it's time to actually take the plunge and create one. The sooner this resource is available, the better — but you'll want to wait until a few basic details are in place so that would-be guests don't get confused.

There are many resources available to expedite the process; The Knot is a favorite because it is so easy for couples to navigate. Minted and Zola are two other popular options. Choose a platform or template you find compelling and follow its step-by-step instructions to get your website started. As a Minted and Zola affiliate we receive commission from qualifying purchases. Enjoy a $50 credit towards wedding stationary when you use a Minted wedding website. No code needed, just click the Minted link above.

Personalizing Your Site

Your website should feel true to you and the love of your life. This is best accomplished by adding personal details whenever possible. Photos are always a safe bet, but the right fonts, designs, and color schemes can also make a world of difference. Take some time to play with available themes, which are easy to adjust.

URL selection also matters. Keep it short and sweet — and ideally, centered around your names. You may need to add a few simple details (such as your wedding year) to further stand out. If you're mostly interested in personalizing the actual content, add interactive elements such as countdowns or even quizzes, which will quickly bring your website to life.

More Wedding Website Tips

There is a lot that goes into wedding website design, and, while we've covered the basics, there are also some unexpected concerns you might not discover until you've experimented with or tested your site. Check out these suggestions to help you streamline the process:

●  Test your site. Is your website easy to navigate? Do the various interactive features actually work? Test every page and every element to confirm that it functions as desired.

●  Ask for feedback. Allow a few trusted individuals to view your site and provide feedback before you make it available to your full guest list.

●  Let guests ask questions. An FAQ can be helpful for addressing common concerns, but some guests may have specific questions. Provide an easy-to-complete form that allows you to get in touch via email.

●  Continue to update your page. Wedding plans often change and, chances are, you will need to make adjustments to your website to ensure that guests remain in the loop. Many platforms provide features that allow you to also send updates directly to those who have RSVP'd.

A Good Wedding Website Goes a Long Way

As you navigate the intricacies of wedding planning, don't forget about your personal wedding website. This helpful resource will make the leadup to your big day a lot easier for guests while also getting them excited about your ceremony and reception.

Meanwhile, you can take confidence in knowing that dependable resources will make other aspects of the wedding planning process a lot easier.

If you’re still in the process of buying a dress, browse our vast collection at Moonlight Bridal. Reach out today to learn more.

Real Bride Olivia in Moonlight Tango T881

Photo Credits: Joye Martin Photography