Wedding Websites – 7 Benefits and tips to putting your big day online

It’s nearly wedding season! As the final details are being organised by the loved up couples the newest addition to the big day is an official wedding website. Having your wedding online gives the opportunity to share your story with friends and family and keep memories of the event easily accessible. With so many other details to nail out before you walk down the aisle, adding an additional piece of work to it might seem unbearable, but here are the benefits of having your very own wedding website.

1. RSVP

Having a section dedicated to RSVP makes it easy for your guests to confirm or decline the invitation to your event. If you are pre ordering a menu, your guests can easily select what option they would like and any special dietary requirements. Having a simple form emailed to you with their choice in menu and number of guests makes it easy and stress free when organising seating and meals with the catering company.

2. Photos

Add a gallery! It’s fun and makes the site interesting for family and friends to browse through the fun you two as a couple have shared together during your relationship. Some members who might be travelling to the big event may not have even met your partner, so having a few pictures up of your fiancé is a nice way for people to start imagining the babies to come! You must put photos of the wedding up afterwards as well, so guests can browse through the big day’s events.

3. Your story

A must have is your story! How did you and your beloved meet, what was the proposal like? Everyone loves a good romance story so share it with your guests, if you feel up to writing it that is... Add in photos and cute quotes to really make it stand out.

4. The Wedding Party

Details and photos of the best man, groomsmen, maid of honour, bridesmaids and parents of each couple (optional). These are the people who are sharing and helping you make the big day a success, so include them in your site. If there are any issues on the day the guests know who to go and speak to should they need to. Providing contact details gives family and friends who might not be able to attend the big day a chance to send messages they may want read out or included in wedding books without you knowing. Sneaky sneaky.

5. Venue Details

Having your wedding day details easily accessible allows for guests to plan their day, they might need to arrange transport or accommodation so letting them know where and when they are expected to attend prepares them for what is to come. Don’t forget to include maps, pictures and links to venues so people can see your magical destination.

6. Accommodation, Transport, Childcare services

If required add details of accommodation and travel options, add a few different places so guests have a choice. Check in with the closest venues to see if they will do you a discount for groups, then let people know on your website how they can cash in on the deal! If you are offering a childcare service on the day provide details for your guests how they can use the service, with links and photos on what they should expect.

7. The Registry

Providing links to the stores your registry is held at makes it easier for your guests to give a gift. A lot of people are unsure what to give at weddings, as gift giving has changed slightly in the traditional sense over the years. It is probably more common now to give money, so you can mention this on your website if your prefer. I don’t think it is a good idea to set up a PayPal account and start taking peoples credit card details! But let your guests know their token is appreciated on the day and anything they choose to give would be gratefully accepted.

There are some great wedding websites out there already, and plenty of free templates you can use if you have the time. Nothing beats your own custom website design though, perfectly themed to match your invites and the rest of the day, it really does set the event alive. So if you can see the benefits behind having your wedding online look into getting your own site built, I promise I will put as much love into building it as you have the content.

Check out www.thethomsenwedding.co.nz for a recent example of DBC work.