How to Create a Beautiful Wedding Website in 7 Easy Steps

Once the just-engaged hype has eased, it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed and unsure where to start with wedding planning! One of the biggest mistakes we see couples making is going full steam ahead with the wedding day without taking a breather and putting a plan in place first. We’d always recommend using these early stages wisely by finding a wedding website builder where you can create your own wedding website which can hold all the detailed event information and can also track RSVPs. Trust us; this simple step is going to be one of the easiest ways to relieve some of the initial challenges that may come your way during the wedding planning process!

If you’re unsure whether you really need a dedicated site, just think of wedding websites as a brilliant online hub where your guests can access ALL the essential details they need ahead of the big day. But it covers much more than just the one wedding day; you can organise and share information such as whether there’s a bridal shower, a rehearsal dinner, and who the bridal party is. This is as well as your wedding website simply being an amazing organisational tool where you can keep all your wedmin in one easy-to-access place!

So, if we’ve convinced you and you’re on the hunt for the perfect wedding website which can also act as your digital wedding planner, stay with us as we walk you through how to create a totally gorgeous wedding website with Say I do in seven easy steps. We’ll cover everything from choosing the perfect wedding template to how to organise your online RSVPs; it’s all here…

1. Custom URL

Yep, that’s right - before you start choosing and creating your wedding website design, you get to select a custom domain for your web page! Before you go totally off-piste, we would recommend that you keep things fairly simple and opt for your and your partner’s names, your married name, your wedding date, or your wedding venue - the choice really is yours. Alternatively, if you really want a truly unique URL, why not select something wedding-specific or a fun detail from your love story?! This is a really fun way to inject some personality and lightheartedness into your dream wedding right from the start.

2. Choosing the right template

Did you think choosing a unique web address was fun? Well, this is a really fun bit! Once you’ve submitted the basic wedding details (your names, roles, wedding date, etc.), you are free to design and create your wedding website, and we’ve got 50+ designs for you to choose from! But don’t panic; you don’t have to commit to the first one that catches your eye - you can swap your design at any time should you change your mind halfway through.

Depending on your wedding theme, you're free to choose from a variety of different wedding website templates; there really is something for everyone. From understated chic, watercolour botanicals, colourful urban, and everything else in between! Once you’ve selected your favourite design, you can then personalize it even further by changing the font, colour scheme, and how your wedding date is displayed.

If you simply follow the step-by-step guide, no vital detail will be missed. Creating a free wedding website doesn’t require a graphic design degree; in fact, Say I do’s pre-made templates are both stylish and user-friendly, with some additional fun features too. Just take your time and ensure you’re happy with all design elements before pressing send. Your website and online wedding invitations are going to be the first glimpse your guests will have of your upcoming celebrations, and as we all know…first impressions count!

3. Add your wedding events

Ok, so once your design is complete on your wedding website builder and your guest list has been populated, it’s time to add in your wedding events. Some couples may have just one intimate ceremony celebration to invite their guests to, and some may have a week-long wedding bursting with festivities and activities. Either way, if you want your guests to join in and keep on top of what’s happening where (whilst avoiding wedding crashers!) – this is how you can do it.

Go ahead and create any number of additional events to invite your guests to. For example; family breakfast, wedding ceremony (the main event), reception, after party, and even brunch/lunch the next day. Here, you can include as much information as you like relating to that particular event and notify guests of any change to proceedings. Include the venue location/address, start and finish time, and any additional notes such as the dress code and if there are any extra details that need to be communicated.

4. Build your guest list

Inviting your guests is a pretty major part of the wedding planning process, right? So, let’s talk about creating your guest list. When creating your bespoke wedding website, you can choose to add your guests directly to the platform by starting from scratch, or you can upload a spreadsheet if you have already started a list. If you don’t have access to everyone’s email addresses, physical addresses, or phone numbers, Say I do have a handy tool where couples can simply copy and paste a custom link, and guests can enter their contact details themselves! This a super easy, time-saving way to collect contact information from your friends and family, perfect for when you’re ready to send those all-important wedding invitations.

When it comes to inputting all your guests’ information, you can list a person as ‘single’, a ‘couple,’ or ‘family.’ The next step is to add each guest’s name under the lead contact. You can even select whether they’re on one of the couple’s sides, a wedding day VIP, included in the wedding party, or part of a custom group you create - ‘uni mates,’ for example. These sub-groups will be especially helpful when it comes to sending an individual wedding invitation to your guest list covering the multiple events happening over your wedding day/s (if applicable).

5. Customize your wedding sections

Before you press publish and send it to your nearest and dearest, there are some other important sections within your wedding website that need to be updated. We always recommend that couples customize their wedding website as much as possible to give it a truly personal feel and build excitement before the big day. Take advantage of all of the design options and include information on how you met, a photo gallery of you as a couple, and maybe even a few engagement photos! You can even add details of your wedding party, too – just don’t forget to include fun facts and photos of your close friends, and you can upload videos, too, if you wish (and they give you permission!).

From the more logical side, there is also room within the website builder to include practical wedding information such as how to get to the wedding, guest accommodation tips, the dress code, and helpful tips or things to do in the local area. And finally, to avoid those unnecessary questions (there will be some, you can’t avoid them!), you can also create a handy FAQ section so that all areas are covered and guests feel confident that they have all the information they need to attend your wedding celebrations.

6. RSVP feature

Surely, one of the main reasons to create a wedding website is to be able to collate and organize your RSVPs in one place. Sending your wedding invitations through your website with a custom RSVP means that as soon as your guests reply online, your wedding website is automatically updated with the information! No reconciling replies or manually requesting specifics; it’s all there within your site. It really couldn’t be easier!

Digital RSVPs are so much easier for your guests as well. All they need to do is click a button to say that they will be there; there is no sending it back in the mail and, therefore, no risk of it getting lost. Just make sure you request all the practical details you need from your guests to avoid lots of additional emails having to be sent out at a later date. Check whether they have any dietary requirements, do they require accommodation for the duration of your wedding, and whether they need travel assistance.

7. Gift registry/Wishing Well

Finally, regardless of whether you have a gift registry or a wishing well, are asking guests to donate to a beloved charity, or you don’t want any gift/contributions at all, it’s always best to be transparent and let them know the plan via your wedding website. Most websites allow room for couples to include their gift registries, so go ahead and set one up before sending your save-the-dates and wedding invitations - before you know it, you might have 10 of the same cushion and too many wine glasses to count!

As you can see, wedding websites and digital RSVPs can seriously free up some of the heavy wedding admin along the way. This explains why they’re a popular choice for wedding couples in the planning phase of their wedding journey. So, with this in mind, why not use the seven steps listed above, make a wedding website, and test it out for yourself with Say I do…