What Do I Include on My Wedding Website?
First, you might be asking, do I even need a website for my wedding?
If you are having a local wedding with little to no transportation details or accommodation requirements, then having a website might not be needed. A save-the-date and properly composed wedding invitations should suffice. However, if you are having a destination wedding, providing transportation for your guests, hosting multiple events, or welcoming many guests from afar, we highly recommend you consider making one.
Creating a site might be another task on your wedding planning list, but we promise it will save you time! You’ll get fewer texts, calls, and emails from friends and family members asking you various questions about logistics. You’ll have enough to worry about on the days and weeks leading up to your big day—answering emails from Aunt Suzie every day shouldn’t be on your to-do list!
Wedding websites are the easiest way to track your RSVPs online, keep your guests educated on weekend events, and easily update everyone with any last-minute changes. To make your wedding planning process even easier, we put together this guide to walk you through exactly what you need to include on your wedding website. Keep reading to learn more!
What to include on your wedding website
Tell your story:
Although many of your guests will know how you met each other, it’s always fun to share the story details with your guests. Share how you met, fun things you do together, your favorite trips together, and anything else that is special and unique to you. Your guests will enjoy getting to read this before your wedding day!
Transportation, Directions, + Accommodations
Transportation details are the number one logistical detail that can get confusing for wedding guests. Have a section on your wedding website that explains the transportation situation in detail to avoid unnecessary questions coming your way before your big day. Make sure to provide the time of pickup (always put 10 minutes sooner to account for those who are always run late) and include the departure schedule as well.
For those driving, make sure to make the location of your wedding clear, and don’t be afraid to include directions, photos, and instructions for parking. If you know that the area has high traffic during your wedding date, include these tips on your site and let guests know to plan ahead and leave earlier to account for this.
Pro tip: If you choose to provide transportation for guests, it is worth considering setting up a hotel room block for them too. This will reduce the amount of locations your shuttle will have to stop at. On your wedding website, be sure to include information such as the room block code, the cut-off date for booking, and pricing. If you know that hotels and your block will book quickly, encourage guests to book their accommodation as soon as they know they are coming—and yes that means before they even RSVP.
Schedule of Events
Let your guests know where to be and when for all the events throughout the weekend. Make sure to only include events where everyone is welcome. You can send out separate invitations for the rehearsal dinner and other private events.
For your reception, make sure to list out the end time for the evening and if there will be any after-reception gatherings.
For your ceremony, let guests know they should arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can begin the ceremony on time. Let your guests know if you plan to have beverages or bubblies available before the ceremony. Encourage guests to arrive earlier to grab a glass and mingle.
Dress Code
Every wedding is different, so don’t assume guests will know what to wear! Make it easy for your guests and set the tone for your wedding by including a dress code. Don’t be too vague with your descriptions since semi-formal might be interpreted differently among your guests. Also, let your guests know if events will be held inside or outside and what the terrain is like—stilettos and grass don’t always mix.
Here is an example of a dress code for a wedding on the coast
Semi Formal: Think long flowy dresses, floral and coastal patterns, and chic jumpsuits. No gowns required, and we suggest keeping the heels at home, it may be hard to navigate the grass in a stiletto, but a wedge or dress sandal will be just fine. Suit jackets are encouraged but optional, but we suggest nice dress pants or khakis and a tie or bow tie. No jeans please. The nights can get chilly on the coast and the reception will be tented, so please make sure to bring something for those arms if you get chilly easily.
RSVP
Online RSVPs allow you to quickly organize guests responses and gather more information from guests. Here are some things we suggest adding to your RSVPs on your website
Meal choice if doing a plated meal. ( TIPS: pending your website platform you may have to ask guests to indicate who has selected what meal, other sites will allow you to select directly for each guest who has RSVP’d yes. If you are allowing children, make sure to have a children’s meal as an option)
Do you have any allergies or dietary restrictions?
If you are bringing a child, do you require a highchair or children meal?
If you are providing transportation to multiple locations, you will need to ask the following:
Where are you staying?
Do you plan on taking the provided transportation to and from the event?
What’s your email? (by collecting emails, you can send out RSVP reminders and updates to your guests through your wedding website)
FAQ
Guests will always have questions, so an FAQ is a great place to answer those ahead of time. Here are a few FAQs we see the most—some of these can be listed out on your FAQ page or answered throughout your website.
Are kids welcome? This is great place to either say yes, please bring your kids or a place to explain that you love everyone’s kids but this will be an adult-only wedding
Do I have a plus one? Set the precedence here and let guests know how you have indicated if they have a plus one. Typically you should make sure your invitations are clearly addressed to the guests you are inviting. Do not write “To the Johnson Family” if they have children and you aren’t inviting children. Also if you have a single friend, make sure to only write their name on the invitation, or if you would like to provide them with a +1 you can Write “Their Name+ guest.”
Will there be an open bar? Let guests know if they should bring money (cash or credit accepted?) for the bar or if you will be hosting the bar for the evening.
Is there Parking?
Will the ceremony and reception be indoors or outdoors?
What should we wear?
What kind of food will be served? Let guests know what to expect in terms of food and if it will be a cocktail-style affair or a sit-down dinner. If you are having a heavy cocktail-style event, make sure to indicate this in multiple places so guests can prepare.
Will you be changing your name? We have a lot of brides who have decided not to change their last name and receive cards and personalized gifts that assume they have, so spare the awkwardness and let guests know if you plan to keep or change your last name.
Your Preferred Contact information
No matter how much information you provide, questions will arise. Set your expectations and how you would like to be contacted (phone, email, other). TIP: We recommend that our couples create a new gmail account when starting wedding planning and use it for wedding-related interactions with vendors and guests.
Best of luck as you get ready for your big day! We hope this guide will be helpful as you organize, plan, and prepare for your special event.