Top 10 Wedding Website Do’s and Don’ts
Wedding websites are a must for today’s weddings; it’s no wonder that over half of 4000 respondents in a recent poll by GoDaddy are planning on utilizing them. The ability to create them in half the time is becoming a necessity with everything else that requires your attention during wedding planning. GoDaddy’s GoCentral delivers a sleek, modern canvas where you can showcase all your wedding details + get your guests hyped for the moment you say “I do.” And the best part is that it takes less than an hour to create!
Photo by Alixann Loosle Photography | View Engagement Session
Today we’re providing our top 10 Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind while creating your sites. Let’s dive in, shall we?
1. Do collect RSVPs through your website. These days, nearly a third of couples are collecting RSVPs through their wedding website. Of course, you should still send formal invitations but guests will love having the ability to tick a box on their phones instead of taking a trip to the post office. This is a great way to keep information organized, and keep you level-headed as well.
2. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information. Often, couples forget that websites are accessible to everyone, so avoid adding personal phone numbers, emails or your residential address unless they’re essential to the wedding day. What you should include: dates, venue locations, parking/transportation info, maps and points of contact!
Photo by Angelica Chang Photography | View Engagement Session
3. Do share details for out-of-town guests. If you know the area well, why not provide them with recommendations on lodging, restaurants and activities for the days surrounding the wedding? We’re sure they’ll love exploring the city from a local’s point of view. And if it’s a destination wedding, throw in some quick links from TripAdvisor!
4. Avoid an overcomplicated domain. Website building 101 says to choose a name that’s short, sweet and most importantly, memorable. Try not to include hyphens or other characters, and avoid using the same letter back to back (i.e. “happilyeverfraser NOT “rachellovesjamie”). According to GoDaddy’s recent poll, about 34% of couples today are on the wedding hashtag train, so if you’re looking for an easy solution, who says you can’t use the hashtag as your domain too?
5. Do consolidate your registries. Providing your guests with a quick link and central hub for registry information is a sure-fire way to keep your guests in the loop on what items are still up for grabs.
Photo by Devon Donnahoo Photography | View Engagement Session
6. Don’t limit your gallery to engagement photos. Share your favorite couple shots throughout the years, but show some love to the bridal party too. After all, your guests will want to put a face to these less familiar names!
7. Do let it reflect your personalities and wedding style. This site is all about you! So embrace this opportunity, and customize with themes, layouts, fonts and an image gallery. Try to expand upon the paper invitations, and maybe share teasers for some of the surprises at the wedding to build anticipation. Having a taco truck? Give a little hint!
8. Don’t forget to touch on dress code. Put yourself in your guests’ shoes, and consider all the information you’d want to know beforehand. And this doesn’t just mean black tie vs. summer garden attire. Let them know if they should bring a light jacket or if it’s better to avoid heels (lookin’ at you grassy knoll ceremonies).
Photo by Echard Wheeler Photography | View Engagement Session
9. Do capture all of your guests’ email addresses. GoCentral’s email marketing feature is a great way to quickly and easily keep everyone informed with the latest wedding updates, like RSVP deadlines and hotel room block info, and share more details as the day gets closer. It’s also a fun way to get creative + build hype even after your website first goes live. You can use it to share more details about your SO, put out a call for song requests or just tell guests you’re excited to see them. We’re crazy for mushy questionnaires that both bride and groom answer separately (i.e. favorite memory together, when I knew they were the one, I love them most because _____). Get creative with it!
10. Don’t mention the wedding events that not everyone will be invited to. Remember, this is a public space! So it’s probably best to avoid those awkward convos about who’s invited to the bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, etc if you can!
Now that you’ve got a solid handle on creating the perfect wedding website, head on over to GoDaddy and get started on GoCentral to create your custom site and domain in the blink of an eye. They’ll walk you through step-by-step in an organized + efficient fashion. So many possibilities, so little time. And thank goodness! Now you can devote your Saturday to true R&R.
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