wedding websites

So I’ve had several requests for an end-all, be-all list of what to put on a wedding website. I don’t pretend to be the world’s leading expert on wedding website contents – but here’s a good list to get you started.

Don’t freak out that it’s long – remember that your website is dynamic! You can have different stuff on there when you send your save the dates vs. when you send your invitations vs. when you send your ‘remember that you’re coming to my wedding in a week!’ emails. You don’t need to get it all done straight away – think about what info your guests will need when and do it bit by bit.

Here it goes:

• A big ‘ol hello! – Let your guests know how freaking excited you are to see them. After all, this is probably one of the few shots you’ll have at gathering all your favorite people in the same place at the same time
• The vital info: Don’t forget DATE(s) and LOCATION…you laugh, but…
• The events & schedule – Is it a classic ceremony + reception format or will there be events spread over several days? Let everyone know in advance so that they can plan (and pack!) accordingly
• Travel information to the venue(s) – It’s helpful to include maps for each event and information about where to park or how to reach the various venues by public transport
• Travel info for out of town guests –  Think about what you’d need to know in order to plan a trip and provide this for your guests so that they don’t need to do lots of legwork: accommodation options (and any negotiated discounts), convenient airports or train stations, driving directions or public transportation options from the airport to your wedding location, etc. If you have guests coming from overseas, it is helpful to provide information about regional airlines or car rental companies as these may differ from country to country
• Downloadable ‘travel pack’ – this is one of my personal favorites – a handy-dandy document that guests can download and bring with them packed full of all the details they will need when they’re not sitting in front of a computer (driving directions, hotel and venue addresses, your phone number, etc.)
• Online RSVPs – guests love the convenience of being able to submit all of their RSVP information online, and you have much better things to do with your time than collecting and recording these things by hand! (Glö offers unlimited, fully customizable online RSVPs by the way…)
• Contact information - let your guests know how to reach you if they have questions or just want to send their congrats
• FAQ’s – helpful information like what to wear, whether babysitting services are available, whether children are invited (since some guests don’t know the ins and outs of envelope etiquette), whether you will provide transportation to/from the celebration. Think about all the questions you ask when you go to other people’s weddings and try to include the answers to make life easier for your guests

Optional items to include on your wedding website are:

• Photos – some prefer to go simple, others like to splash out with photos – you can get creative here by sharing some baby photos or maybe photos of important moments you and your partner have had together. Photos are a great way of bringing some personality to your site, but try not to go overboard – nobody likes a shrine
• Information about you – if you are inviting guests who don’t know both of you very well, it can be fun and helpful to provide a bit of information about how you met and who you are as people (we’re talking fun facts and interesting tidbits here, not a full resume!)
• The lowdown on your family and/or attendants – since these people will likely be front and center during your celebration (and presumably are important people in your lives) it’s great provide a bit of a who’s who for guests who may not know your friends and family as well as you do
• Registry – while including this on your actual invitations is usually poo-pooed by the etiquette queens, it’s more widely accepted to include information about and links to your registry on your website. You’re all smart ladies – you know how to do this tastefully

Above all, keep in mind that your website will help set the tone for your highly personalized and fun wedding celebration – so don’t be afraid to add some personality and pizazz along with the vital information.  Carefully chosen photos, fun widgets and the right tone of voice are real crowd pleasers.

Did I forget anything? If so, let me know with a comment!