7 common wedding website mistakes to avoid

Wedding websites are an amazing tool for communicating with guests, setting expectations, and creating excitement before your big day.

But planning a wedding is generally a totally new experience for most couples, so it’s natural to feel a bit lost when it comes to dos and don’ts on the wedding website.

Your wedding website should serve as a useful platform for guests, and it’s safe to say that the last thing you want to do is leave anyone feeling confused, overwhelmed, or even offended. So today we wanted to share some of the biggest wedding website mistakes to avoid, to help you create the best possible resource for both you and your guests.

From a miscommunication to the layout and functionality of your site, read on to see if there are 7 common wedding website mistakes you should stay away from.

Photograph by Ether & Smith

Not providing enough information

The main purpose of creating a wedding website is to prepare your guests with all the information they need for their big day. So it goes without saying that the more practical details you can provide, the better.

Many couples make the mistake of limiting the information on their wedding website to the basics: who, what, where and when. Although these practical details are obviously the most important, they can leave many other questions unanswered.

Remember, a wedding website is designed to streamline communication between you and your guests, so that you don’t have to spend weeks writing text messages, emails, and phone calls. So take the time to really think about any questions your guests may have before your wedding, such as venue instructions or dress code guidelines.

The limited information on your wedding website can not only lead to an overload of questions, but it can also potentially cause some unwanted dilemmas on the day. Neglecting to cover important details like the parking restrictions at the venue or the cash bar provided for the reception can put your guests in serious trouble.

Instead, create a list of each and every practical detail that will help your guests prepare for their day, and be sure to include all of them on your wedding website. It might help you reflect on the previous weddings you’ve attended and the things you wish you had known beforehand!

This is especially important for couples planning a destination wedding, as your guests will have even more questions regarding things like travel and accommodation. It may take a little more time and research on your side to provide them with additional information, but it will save you from having to deal with multiple round-trip phone calls on the way to your big day!

Photograph by Sposto Photography

Over sharing

Your wedding website is a great way to give guests a taste of the relationship between you and your partner as you celebrate this exciting milestone. But be careful to avoid sharing too much when it comes to personal information!

Remember that your wedding website is ultimately an information hub for your guests. Of course, use your wedding website to take a trip down memory lane and reflect on your journey as a couple, but try to find the right balance when sharing your personal details to avoid making your guests feel uncomfortable.

When it comes to the personal sections of your wedding website, it’s best to keep things short and sweet. A few paragraphs detailing how you met and some of your favorite experiences as a couple is the perfect way to give your guests an inside look at your relationship. But a 5-page memory that includes a minute-by-minute breakdown of your first date is probably not necessary!

The same rule applies when it comes to sharing photos and videos. A selection of your favorite photos will definitely set the tone for your upcoming nuptials, but an entire photo album from your recent trip to Europe is best saved for social media.

Please note that your wedding website will be shared with all of your guests, from co-workers to those closest to you and the extended family. Even if you and your partner are a loving couple, try to avoid making your wedding website too “corny” and consider saving these sentiments for your vows.

Using the wrong tone of voice

Clear communication is absolutely crucial when it comes to sharing information on your wedding website. But while you want to set the right expectations, you must also be mindful of the tone of voice you use to make sure your information is received in the right way.

Consider your wedding website’s wording and tone of voice when it comes to tackling details like kids or plus one. In today’s digital world, tone of voice can be difficult to determine online. For example, while the phrase “no children allowed” may appear playfully and jokingly in person, it may be interpreted as rude or demanding on your wedding website without any context.

You should also be sensitive to topics such as the dress code for the wedding day, the unplugging ceremony, or registration information. Instead of making a direct statement like “No phones allowed,” consider a phrase like “Please turn off your devices during our ceremony to be truly present with us!

Stick to a positive, warm, and considerate tone of voice throughout your wedding website to avoid causing tension with guests. You can refer to our wedding website difficult writing examples for some helpful templates and tips for clear communication.

Photograph by Lauren Fair

Share private event details

Your wedding day will likely be accompanied by a few separate celebrations, such as the hen party, rehearsal dinner, or recovery lunch. But your wedding website is not the right platform when it comes to sharing the details of any private event!

Keep your wedding website limited to only information that relates to all of your guests. Hosting private events on your wedding website can be awkward and exclude those who aren’t invited. On the other hand, it can even be interpreted as an open invitation, leading to some unexpected attendees on the day!

The most appropriate etiquette is to use alternative communication methods such as text or word of mouth to organize any separate event. The last thing you want to do is upset anyone or hurt someone’s feelings before your wedding.

Confusing website design

Above all, your wedding website should be a useful resource for guests. If your website design is not user friendly, this can lead to a lot of confusion and thwart the purpose of your wedding website in the first place!

When creating your wedding website, make sure your design is easy to navigate. Try to avoid using too many clashing fonts, contrasting colors, or crazy graphics – sometimes the best option is to keep things clean and simple.

Your wedding website design should also make it easy for guests to find critical information, such as the RSVP section or the venue location details. You don’t need to be a graphic designer or even have a creative bone in your body to create a beautiful wedding website – these days, you can take advantage of customizable templates with the hard work already done for you!

Once you’ve created your wedding website, consider having a close friend or family member read it and navigate through each page. They should be able to let you know immediately if they found your wedding website confusing, or if something was difficult to find. It can be easy to overthink things, so a second opinion with a fresh pair of eyes can help spot any critical mistakes!

Photograph of Tsar Goss

Lack of personality

Aside from the practical details, your wedding website is your first point of contact with guests, and a way to set the tone for your next celebration. A dull, boring wedding website with no sense of personality is not exactly what is going to create the excitement of the day!

Think of some creative ways to put your own personal stamp on your wedding website design. If you are a playful, fun-loving couple, why not host a quirky engagement session and share the photos on your website. Or, if you are passionate about the arts, consider creating a custom illustration or custom wedding motif.

The possibilities are endless – you can check out some of our favorite ways to get creative with your wedding website to help you design something truly unique!

Embarrassing your bridal party

Introducing your bridal party through your wedding website allows you to break the ice and provide your guests with some familiar faces before the big day. But remember, your wedding website is a public platform, so embarrassing your bridal party is definitely a no-no!

When writing your bridal party bios, keep things light and humorous without crossing any lines. Even if you feel comfortable sharing jokes and reflecting on funny memories in person, your bridal party members may not appreciate having their embarrassing stories made public to all 150 guests.

Think twice before sharing any personal stories or details in your bridal party bio that may not be appropriate for your wedding website. You might even want to send through each bio to your bridal party members in advance to double check that they are 100% comfortable with it.

Photography of 2 brides Photography

Stay away from confusion

Wedding websites are worth their weight in gold, helping to streamline the communication process and ensuring that your guests are well prepared for their special day.

This is why including the right details (and avoiding the wrong ones) is so important to create a truly effective platform that doesn’t cause confusion.

From the copywriting you use to navigating your site, just keep these 7 common mistakes in mind to help you create a practical, engaging, and valuable resource that you and your guests can appreciate!