Wedding Website Etiquette: Save the Dates and Invites

You do not have to have a wedding website. Many couples find one useful for sharing practical information, such as travel, accommodation, gift lists and the order of the day. For a small or micro wedding, a simple page with the key details may be enough. For a larger wedding, a website can save you from repeating the same answers to guests.

A wedding website is not a legal requirement. Your legal ceremony needs notice, witnesses and a registrar or authorised person, but no website. Think of it as a convenience for you and your guests. If you decide to have one, keep it simple and up to date.

Wedding website costs vary. Some services are free, while others charge a one-off fee or a monthly subscription. Free options can work well, but they may show adverts or have limited features. Paid options often give you more design choices, more storage for photos and extra tools like guest lists or RSVP tracking.

Before you choose, think about what you need. If you only want to share information, a free site may be enough. If you want online RSVPs, a guest dashboard and private pages, a paid option might suit you better. Compare a few services and read what is included. Remember, you do not have to pay for a website to have a lovely wedding.

Making a wedding website is straightforward. Choose a platform that offers templates designed for weddings. You will usually pick a design, add your names and date, then fill in the pages you need. Common pages include 'Our Story', 'Travel and Accommodation', 'Schedule', 'Gift List' and 'RSVP'.

You can add a registry or gift list page, but remember that a registry is just a list of gifts you would like. Some couples prefer to ask for no gifts or for donations to a charity. Your website can link to a separate gift list service, but you do not have to. Keep the design clear and easy to read. Test the site on a phone, as many guests will use their mobiles.

If you are sending save the dates, include your website link on them. This is often the first time guests hear about your wedding, so give them a way to find more information. Put the link in a clear place, such as the bottom of the card or on the back. You can also include a short note like 'For more details, visit our website'.

Save the dates are usually sent several months before the wedding. At this stage, your website does not need to be complete. It should have the date, location and a note that full details will follow. You can update the site later with travel, accommodation and the schedule. If you have a QR code, you can add it to the save the date, but make sure the link works.

Your invitation should include the website link, especially if you are using online RSVPs. Put the link on the main invitation card or on a separate insert. Many couples write 'Please RSVP at [website link]' or 'For details and to RSVP, visit [website link]'. If you have a QR code, place it where it is easy to scan, but also write the link out in full.

If you are not using online RSVPs, you can still include the link for information. Guests may want to check travel, accommodation or the gift list. Make sure the link is short and easy to type. You could use a custom web address that is simple to remember, such as your names and the year.

You do not need a separate printed details card if your website has all the information. Many couples now skip the details card and rely on their website. However, some guests may not use the internet or may prefer paper. For those guests, include a small card with the essential details: date, time, venue address and how to RSVP.

If you do include a details card, keep it brief. You can say 'For full details, visit our website' and then list the basics. For older guests or those less comfortable online, you could offer a phone number or email for questions. A details card is not required, but it can be a thoughtful touch. Think about your guest list and what they would find helpful.

You can make your wedding website private if you want to control who sees it. Password protection means guests need a password to view the site. This can be useful if you have sensitive information, such as your home address or a gift list you do not want everyone to see. You can share the password on your save the date or invitation.

However, passwords can be a hassle for guests. They may forget the password or struggle to type it on a phone. If you are comfortable with your site being public, you can leave it open. Many couples use a private link that is not indexed by search engines, so only people with the link can see it. This is a good middle ground. Think about what you are sharing and how private you want it to be.