How to Create Wedding Websites

Design a website to inform and update your guests on important wedding news

By Cynthia Myers

Photo by iStockphoto.com

A wedding website is a convenient way to keep family and friends informed about all your wedding plans and events. If Aunt Sue forgets the time of the wedding shower or Cousin Mike needs directions to the reception, they can consult your wedding website. Think of the website as your central message center where you can post pictures, maps and links to gift registries. By setting up a wedding website, even your long-distance friends and relatives can be involved in your wedding.

• What You Need to Know
• Select high-resolution pictures in .jpg format to use on your website.
• Scan maps and invitations to post on your website.
• Consider makin your website password protected to ensure the privacy of you and your guests.
• Guests are more likely to visit your website if they receive it as a link in an email. Email your guest list the link any time the website is updated with important information.

Step 1:

Decide whether you'll create your website from scratch or use a template available at websites that offer engaged couples wedding website-hosting services. If you opt to use a service, you can find sites that are free, or you can pay a small fee for a more elaborate site. Most online services guide you through the process of setting up your wedding website. Plug in key information about your wedding, and you'll have your site up and running in no time.

Step 2:

Add pictures to your website. If you and your spouse have an engagement photo then, of course, use that one. Consider adding a mix of other candid and formal portraits, action and still shots. Then add photos of your wedding venue, your wedding rings, and anything else you want to share with family and friends.

Step 3:

Personalize your website with bios of you and your future spouse so visitors to your site can get to know you both. Tell the story of how you two met, fell in love and became engaged. To do this, you could publish static articles, or consider starting a blog to which you and your future spouse can take turns contributing posts. If you opt to add a blog to your wedding website, you can use it to update readers about your search for the perfect bridesmaid dress, wedding cake or honeymoon destination.

Step 4:

Take your readers from observers of your wedding to active participants by making your website interactive. Consider adding a guestbook feature to your site or, if you include a blog on your site, enable the comment option to solicit feedback from readers. Add polls so visitors can, for example, vote for their favorite bridesmaid dress from the pictures of dress options you might add. Ask readers to share their own wedding stories on your site.

Step 5:

Link to your wedding gift registries. You website is an important resource in directing guests where to find and buy the right gifts. You can provide links to individual registries at separate stores (national retailers like Macy's, William Sonoma, and Crate and Barrel, for instance) or register for a consolidated online registry that allows you to create a wishlist from any internet stores, no matter how big or small.

Step 6:

Make your website the place friends and family come to learn everything they need to know about your wedding. Post maps and directions to prewedding showers and parties, as well as the ceremony and reception sites. Don't forget to include a schedule to keep guests on track.

• Tips & Warnings
• Include your wedding website address on shower and party invitations, as well as "save the date" cards. However, it's not appropriate to include the web address on formal wedding invitations.
• Use the website after the wedding to post pictures of your honeymoon.
• Send an email to your entire guest list reminding them of your website link one week before the wedding. This will give them a refresher on times, directions, etc.