Personal wedding websites have become a staple of today’s wedding planning and offer the bride and groom a way to share and manage wedding day communications online.
A wedding website allows you to post details, provide narratives about the bride and groom, link to records, list travel information, provide directions, upload photos, and more.
There are three types of wedding websites and the pros and cons of each. They include static web pages, templates and custom sites made by themselves.
Static web pages
Static web pages are commonly offered as an additional wedding planning tool by large wedding resource companies like The Knot (www.theknot.com). The best part is that you can list your wedding information on a static page that is divided by section headings for free.
Proceed with caution with these types of sites. They can be cluttered with ads and don’t allow for a custom look or feel that matches your personality. They also do not offer personalized website addresses (eg. [http://www.kristaandtodd.com]) that can be printed on invitations and reservation cards.
Templates
Companies like WedStudio (www.WedStudio.com) offer wedding website templates, strictly dedicated to selling wedding website services. With these sites you can choose your own unique website address and customize the site with a wide variety of design and color options.
Using the tools available, you can create your site in minutes, make changes at any time, and publish your site immediately. You can even accept RSVPs online, which can save you hundreds of dollars on printing and shipping.
Template wedding website costs range from $ 40 to $ 200 for a 6, 9, 12, or 18 month subscription.
Self-made custom sites
The great part of a fully custom website is that you get exactly what you want, but it can cost a lot of money. If you hire a business or individual to create your site, the costs range from $ 1,000 to $ 5,000. On the other hand, if you have a tech-savvy friend who can make something for you, that’s a great option.
Are they worth it?
Ask yourself these questions:
• Am I willing to spend money on a wedding website?
• How important is it that the site reflects our personality and theme?
• Do I want my own unique website address?
• Do I have guests from out of town that I need to communicate with and provide information to?
• Do I want access to tools that can help me save time, hassle and money?
It is up to the bride and groom to determine what type of site is suitable based on their needs and budget.