Setting up your (free!) wedding website on The Knot is likely one of the first things you’ll do after getting engaged (maybe almost immediately following the social media post announcing your new hashtag). With your wedding website, you’re laying the foundation of the celebrations to come and giving your guests a first taste of what to expect—so it’s important to get it right. Below, find the top dos and don’ts of wedding websites so you can make sure yours perfectly encapsulates your style.
Do make it personal.
It’s almost too good to be true: You can create a free, personalized site right here on The Knot. And the best part is, we just got an upgrade: We have tons of brand-new layout options and themes that are chic, sleek, modern and customizable. Whether you’re going for a rustic or glamorous feel, with over 169 themes to choose from (the biggest selection on the market!), and a wide range of colors and fonts, you’ll be able to create one that suits your wedding perfectly. You can even pick a designer theme and matching invitations from Minted, Shutterfly and more. Browse the options to find the layout design you like best, and the site will walk you through the entire creation process so you can effortlessly set up a gorgeous website that feels totally you. Basically, it’s so easy (and worth it) to make a website that feels super personal—we promise.
Don’t be afraid to leave things out.
Remember, your grandparents and future in-laws will see this, so maybe exclude those potentially compromising photos from a college party or of your more daring Halloween costumes. And even though your website doesn’t need to be quite as buttoned-up as your invitation, run your words through spell-check and have someone proofread it before you post anything. Definitely double-check that all the addresses and other facts are correct. You don’t want your guests to get lost or confused.
Do cover the basics.
There are two reasons to make a wedding website. One is to give guests need-to-know info that may not be included on the invite (no need to bulk up envelopes with directions and hotel suggestions). This means you’ll want to cover the who, what, when and where, plus how to get there. The second reason is to add more information that guests will want to know, like suggested attire and who’ll be in the wedding party. Think of the site as a one-stop shop guests can visit whenever they have questions, instead of having to call you.
Don’t forget about out-of-towners.
Post logistical details for guests making travel plans. They’ll certainly appreciate a heads-up that you’ve blocked rooms at a specific hotel and will love having all the info they need to reserve one. (We’ve made it a breeze for you by launching a simple reservation feature with free hotel room blocking service Hotel Planner.) And you aren’t limited to adding just the hotel and venue info on your site, so consider including great restaurants they might want to try and cool activities to do while they’re in town.
Do include fun stories and personal touches…
Let visitors to your site get to know you better by giving them a bit of background on yourself and your soon-to-be spouse (which is especially helpful for guests, like a friend’s plus-one, who might not know you that well). Tell the story of how you met, have a link to the video footage of the proposal (on YouTube, Facebook Live or elsewhere), share a few of your favorite couple shots and post photos of wedding party members so guests will recognize who’s who at the wedding. You might also want to upload a photo album and add the details for a photo-sharing app for your guests, like Veri. That way, you can stream all the moments along your journey to the altar from social media, or aggregate public snaps posted using your hashtag on your wedding website.
…But don’t go overboard on information.
Our guess is that visitors won’t feel like clicking through a slideshow of the entire story of your lives together or an extensive album devoted to your pet (aka the ring bearer).
Do include registry details.
Creating a website gives you a chance to tell everyone exactly where you’re registered—without seeming inappropriate (you should never include your registries on your wedding invites). You can even add links directly to your registries. In addition to traditional registries, The Knot Gifts Back lets you register at a charity of your choice, so every time someone buys a gift off your page, we’ll make a donation—at no extra cost to you or your guests.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the bells and whistles.
You can create an online RSVP option and collect your guests’ plus-one info at the same time. Add customized pages to share just about anything, like information about the charity to which you’re donating. And the best part? Visit your website to see how many days you have left until the wedding—let the countdown begin!
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