5 Wedding Website Mistakes That Commonly Confuse Guests

A wedding website displayed on a computer tablet and smartphone — Credit:
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For many couples, one of the first steps in wedding planning is to create a website. Once you’ve locked in the date, venue, and guest list, the site becomes a gathering place for all the details related to your upcoming celebration. In its simplest form, a wedding website functions as a de facto save-the-date, featuring particulars about the wedding locale, day, ceremony time, and more, acting as a hub that guests can refer back to as they make their plans.

With all the options available, however, it’s easy for a wedding website to become cluttered and confusing. “If a couple is short on time, stick to the essentials,” says event planner Tara Fay. “Everything else is great to have, but not critical.”

Start with the basics—wedding date, venue location, ceremony time—and build more as time allows. Also, be particularly wary of the following wedding website mistakes that commonly leave guests confused.

Tara Fay is the founder of Tara Fay Events, a Dublin, Ireland-based event planning company that specializes in luxury destination weddings.

It's Unfinished

“The biggest mistake I see is couples not finishing their site,” says Fay. She says it’s common for them be enthusiastic at the beginning. But when they realize it’s a time-consuming, detail-oriented task, it’s easy to get sidetracked by all the other wedding-planning needs that come up. Remember that the site (just like your wedding!) doesn’t have to be perfect. Prioritize getting up the crucial things first, and then come back and add more as time allows.

It’s important to treat your site as a central landing spot for your upcoming celebrations. When any changes in the schedule or travel issues arise, make sure to adjust the site as soon as possible. Even though you may personally text or email guests when things come up, updating everything will ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.

If possible, create your own domain. “I always recommend couples purchase their own URL, rather than through a wedding website company,” says Fay. Owning your own domain means that you have more creative control and aren’t locked into a specific platform. It also means that you can keep the site for the long haul, if you’d like to eventually turn it into a space to feature wedding photos or other memorabilia.

There's Confusing Navigation

Keep key information front and center. “Make it easy for the guests to find the details they need,” advises Fay. “Don't bury the lead among too many photos of the two of you with your dog.” Create easy-to-find tabs with links to travel tips, the couple’s registry, and things to do or see at the destination. And if you’d like guests to RSVP through the site instead of by mail, make sure that the call to action is straightforward and easy to understand.

The Timelines Are Unclear

“On the wedding website, always ask the questions you need guests to answer from the start,” says Fay. “Make sure to clearly identify where they need to be and when.” For example, if the ceremony itself begins at 5 p.m., you’ll want to make sure everyone is assembled well before that.

It’s also helpful to have the schedule of events outlined on the site. The more granular you are, the more prepared your guests will be, so when the big day comes, there will be fewer snafus.

It’s quite normal to feel overwhelmed when building your wedding website. “If you’ve hired a wedding planner, ask for help,” says Fay. “When we plan weddings, we typically handle the heavy lifting for the couple’s site, making sure all the important information is included.”

If you’re managing it yourself, it’s always useful to get a second opinion from a close friend or family member. You may be deep in the planning process, so a fresh set of eyes can help you see what might be confusing or missing.

It's Too Much About the Couple

Sometimes, couples share too much detail about themselves and forget to include important event specifics. “Guests want and need to know where they are going, how they get there, and where they can stay.”

While it’s nice to include quips about your meet-cute experience, backstory, and life together, wading through a sea of photos can make it harder for guests to get the information they're seeking.

There's Not Enough Help With Logistics

Travel logistics are especially critical for a destination wedding in a foreign country. Fay recommends sharing anything that may differ from what the guests are used to, including weather, currency, time change, and visa or passport requirements. “There are always local travel specifics and quirks,” she adds. For example, not all countries or cities have Uber, so your guests may have to travel to and from the airport using a different transportation method. Additionally, some cities have regulations in place regarding short-term rentals and Airbnbs. Give guests a heads-up.

“If there’s anything that could impact travel or dietary requirements, be sure to let guests know ahead of time,” advises Fay. Include a dedicated FAQ page on your site: it can help corral common questions, ranging from booking hotels to whether or not children are invited to the ceremony.