What actually belongs on a wedding website
Use this whether you build it yourself or not. Most of what couples agonise over is decoration; four things do the real work.
The four things guests look for first
1. When and where, exactly.
2. How do I get there.
3. Where do I sleep.
4. How do I RSVP.
If those four are not findable in about ten seconds, the site is not doing its job — however beautiful it is. Everything below is in priority order for that reason.
The checklist
Roughly in order of how much work each one does.
Date, time and place
On the first screen. Including the year — guests screenshot these and look at them months later.
Directions, written out
A map link plus words for the last stretch. Essential anywhere the signal drops, which in Maine is most rural venues.
Where to stay
Two or three options at different prices with honest drive times, and a warning if rooms need booking early.
RSVP
A form, not an email address. With a deadline on it.
The schedule
Including the Friday and Sunday bits if you have them, so guests book the right flights.
What to wear
And what the ground is like. "Cocktail attire, ceremony on grass" saves a lot of ruined shoes.
Getting here
Which airport, and real drive times from the places your guests are actually coming from.
FAQ
Kids, parking, shuttle, plus-ones, the rain plan. Every question you answer here is one you answer once.
Registry links
One tap each, low on the page. Nobody wants it to be the first thing they see.
Your story and photos
The part you will care most about and guests will read last. Worth doing, but do it after the other nine.
Two things to leave off
And music that plays automatically. It has been a bad idea for twenty-five years and it remains one.
When to put it up
You can add the story, the gallery and the rest later. Get the travel information up first.
Would rather not tick all ten off yourself?
Send your names, your date and your venue. A first version comes back in about three days.
Start your website