In the digital age, a wedding website is a necessity, serving as a central hub for the details and communications for your special day. As couples navigate the complex wedding planning process, a website can streamline communication, provide essential information and enhance the excitement in the run-up to the day.
A well-crafted wedding website can help you share your love story, manage RSVPs or provide updates and directions for guests. The beauty of this digital companion lies in its ability to simplify logistics and add a personal touch to your wedding communications.
And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to make it happen. In this article, we break down the process into clear manageable steps, ensuring that anyone can create a custom wedding website that will excite and impress their guests.
How to make a wedding website in 6 steps
- Develop your wedding branding
- Curate content for your wedding website
- Figure out which website features you need
- Decide which web design route you want to take
- Design your wedding website
- Launch your website and share the link with your guests
1. Develop your wedding branding
Your wedding is a story, and every story needs a distinct voice and style. Wedding branding isn’t just about logos or visual identity—it’s about crafting designs that express who you are through every pixel and print.
Kick things off by deciding the overall feel of your wedding. Perhaps you’re channeling timeless elegance or modern sophistication or planning a laid-back rustic affair. Once you decide on the aesthetic, use it as a guiding light for everything wedding-related, from your website to the invites and even the venue decor.
Use a few words to describe the vibe, energy, or experience you want to create for your wedding day. Figuring out these words will help guide the rest of your planning. Every time you make a decision, go back to these initial words and make sure it aligns with what you’re wanting.— Bryan Striegler, wedding photographer
Kick things off by deciding the overall feel of your wedding. Perhaps you’re channeling timeless elegance or modern sophistication or planning a laid-back rustic affair. As wedding photographer Bryan Striegler advises, pick a few words to define it and once you decide on them, use these words as a guiding light for everything wedding-related, from your website to the invites and even the venue decor.
![Wedding invitations using wedding branding elements]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNTYwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE5MjAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiPjxhbmltYXRlIGF0dHJpYnV0ZU5hbWU9ImZpbGwiIHZhbHVlcz0icmdiYSgxNTMsMTUzLDE1MywwLjUpO3JnYmEoMTUzLDE1MywxNTMsMC4xKTtyZ2JhKDE1MywxNTMsMTUzLDAuNSkiIGR1cj0iMnMiIHJlcGVhdENvdW50PSJpbmRlZmluaXRlIiAvPjwvcmVjdD48L3N2Zz4=)
Source: via VistaPrint
When building your wedding website, think about the small but mighty details, such as the fonts and color palette. Then consider which images you want to feature on your site, from logos and family crests to monograms and couple photographs.
If the thought of picking the right shade of blue or finding a font that says “forever” is overwhelming, consider hiring a graphic designer. First, they’ll design a bespoke wedding logo that embodies your romance, helping you to create a visual narrative. This way, every element of your wedding will feel interconnected and intentional.
Source: via VistaPrint
2. Curate content for your wedding website
The scope and depth of the information you provide on your wedding site hinges on what you want it to achieve. Is it a simple digital bulletin for schedules, locations and instructions? Or a way for guests to browse and select gifts from your registry? Or even a captivating preview of a destination wedding that informs guests about the location as much as your union.
Clarifying the content early on is crucial as it shapes the structure of your website—how many pages you’ll need and what each one will feature. Here’s a streamlined rundown of typical content you might want to include:
- Date and time: The when and where of your wedding day
- Your story: Introducing yourselves and your journey as a couple
- Venue details: Where everything will happen, with directions and tips
- Day-of itinerary: A breakdown of events to keep everyone in sync
- Gift preferences: Directing guests to your registry or suggesting preferred gifts
- Dress code: Guidelines on attire and any other policies to ensure everyone looks the part
- Visual memories: A gallery of photos from your relationship or pre-wedding celebrations
- RSVP: A simple way for guests to confirm their attendance
Showcase your engagement photos on your wedding website. And outside of the traditional posed portraits, incorporate your story into these images to give a personal touch to your site.Charles Moll, wedding photographer
Source: wedding website design by TidoKa via 99designs by Vista
When you’re thinking about what imagery to include on the site, wedding photographer Charles Moll advises, “Do you have a favorite date night spot or activity? Tie this into your imagery. One of the best engagement sessions I ever photographed, featured the couple flyfishing.”
Moll explains, “During the end of our session, they changed into their waders and spent some time fishing, while I photographed them doing something they love. These were hands down their favorite photos in their gallery and created very personal imagery on their wedding website.”
Thinking through, organizing and tailoring this content to make it uniquely yours also creates a useful resource for guests and gets them excited for the upcoming festivities.
3. Figure out which website features you need
When crafting your wedding website, it’s essential to consider how interactive it will be as well as what information it will display. This is where the functionality of your website comes into play. What actions do you envision your guests taking beyond reading the information?
The interactive features you choose can greatly enhance the user experience. Early decisions on these functionalities are crucial as they can affect both the development timeline and the budget.
Common functionalities you might consider including on your wedding website:
- Registry integration: Allows guests to view, select and buy gifts directly through your site.
- Map integration: Helps guests locate your venues easily with interactive maps.
- Social media features: Enables content sharing or event updates through platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
- Email sign-up: Sends out updates or changes to the schedule directly to your guests’ inboxes.
- Password protection: Keeps your wedding details private and accessible only to invitees.
- Guestbook: Provides a space for guests to leave personal notes, well-wishes and thank-yous.
- Event calendar: Helps guests keep track of important wedding-related dates and times.
- Photo uploader: Allows guests to share their photos from the event, creating a collaborative album.
Utilizing the right mix of these features will ensure your website is not only informative but also engaging, making it a dynamic part of your wedding preparation and celebration.
Source: wedding website design by Mahesa Kama via 99designs by Vista
4. Decide which web design route you want to take
When it comes to creating your wedding website, you have two paths to choose from: dive into the do-it-yourself (DIY) route using online tools or enlist the expertise of professional website designers and developers. Each option has its own set of advantages and drawbacks.
DIY with online website builders
Online website builders offer a straightforward solution for those without coding skills. These platforms are user-friendly and typically offer a variety of templates that you can customize to suit your wedding theme. Platforms like Wix provide specific wedding website templates, sometimes even at no cost.
Pros:
- Cost-effective: Many website builders are relatively inexpensive or even free.
- User-friendly: These tools are designed with non-technical users in mind and therefore easy to navigate.
- Speed: You can set up and publish a site quickly, often within a day.
Cons:
- Time investment: While the tools are easy to use, you still have to invest time to build the site yourself.
- Generic designs: The use of a template can sometimes result in a website that lacks individuality.
- Limited functionality: Basic plans may have limitations that require upgrades for additional features.
Source: wedding website designs via Wix
Partner with designers and/or developers
For those who prefer a custom approach, partnering with design and development professionals can yield a unique website tailored specifically to your needs. This method involves more complexity and usually a higher budget but can result in a more bespoke online output.
Pros:
- Unique design: Tailored to your wedding style, a professionally designed website offers a more distinctive look.
- Advanced functionality: Professionals can integrate a wider range of features than most templates offer.
- Time-efficient: Handing over the technical challenges to experts frees you to focus on other wedding preparations.
Cons:
- Cost: Professional wedding websites are generally more expensive, with projects starting around $800 and increasing based on complexity.
- Time to develop: Custom sites take from weeks to months to build—significantly longer than using a template.
- Maintenance: Updates or changes might require additional help from a paid professional.
When working with designers and developers, the design brief needs to be clear and detailed. The success of the project hinges on how well you communicate your vision, preferences and functionality needs. A detailed brief ensures that they fully understand what you’re looking for, reducing revisions and aligning the final product closer to your expectations.
Ultimately, the decision between DIY and professional website creation depends on your budget, technical abilities and how personalized you want your wedding website to be. Each route offers different benefits, so consider what’s most important to you and your special day.
Source: wedding website design by CCDesignSol via 99designs by Vista
5. Design your wedding website
If you decide to hire professionals to create your wedding website, they will handle most of the design and functionality, allowing you to focus on other aspects of wedding planning. However, it’s still important to have a basic understanding of web design principles to effectively communicate your vision and evaluate the work during the feedback and revision stages.
Alternatively, if you decide to build the website yourself using no-code website builders, a solid grasp of the latest web design trends and best practices is crucial for creating an attractive and functional site.
Check out our ultimate guide to creating a website and website layout guide for more information.
Your wedding website should achieve two main goals:
- It should be a user-friendly resource for your guests, providing easy access to essential information such as the event schedule, directions and food options. A minimalist design with ample white space and a clear visual hierarchy can help achieve this clarity and ease of use.
- The website should excite and engage your guests, building anticipation for the big day. This can be accomplished through vibrant colors like pinks and reds, as well as rounded fonts that suggest a festive, joyful atmosphere. For a more subdued approach, neutral tones with sophisticated script fonts can add a touch of elegance.
6. Launch your website and share the link with your guests
After building your wedding website, the next step is to launch it online. Start by securing a unique domain and hosting, available through services like GoDaddy or directly via the website builder platform you used. Once your domain and hosting are set up, link the two—a task your developer or hosting support can assist with.
Source: wedding website design by Gabriel Vasile via 99designs by Vista
To ensure everything displays correctly and all interactive features work, test your wedding website across different browsers and devices before making it public. A good content management system (CMS) like WordPress can help you make any necessary adjustments easily.
With these steps completed, you’re ready to share your website with your guests, providing them with all the essential details about your wedding.
Do you have everything you need to create a stunning wedding website?
Creating a wedding website is a practical and engaging way to support your journey to the altar. We’ve outlined six straightforward steps to guide you through the process, from establishing your wedding’s unique brand and curating content that resonates with your guests to finally launching your digital masterpiece.
While partnering with professional designers and developers is an option, online website builders like Vista x Wix offer an accessible, cost-effective solution. These platforms provide the tools to create an aesthetically pleasing, customized website that captures the essence of your special day with minimal fuss and expenditure.
Embrace the digital ease these builders offer and enjoy crafting a wedding website that will not only inform but also delight your guests as they prepare to celebrate your union.
