Much like everything wedding related, I had a very specific vision in mind for our website. I wanted something simple but professional looking that was useful for our guests. This site was going to set the tone for the big day, so let’s just say that my expectations were high. What I wanted actually ended up being impossible to find (don’t worry, this story has a happy ending, read on). In the end, it turns out that our silly little wedding website is one of my favourite things that I created for the big day, so I thought I’d pass on a couple tips. Be sure to check out the final product below, I know you’ll love it!
1. Make your website using Riley and Grey. Don’t even ask any further questions, just TRUST ME on this. It’s one of my best kept wedding secrets and now I am sharing it with you all, so run with it! Once you see the site we created and the gorgeous templates they offer, you’ll understand why. Don’t let the price tag scare you either. You’ll save so much on printing and be a little greener in the process!
2. Provide the necessary basic information in a clear and concise way. We researched the different ways to get to Pemberton and shared a list of things to do/where to eat in town. We also gave guests the information to the hotel and alternative accommodation nearby. Once we sent out our actual invitations, I added other essential pieces, such as the schedule of events and a spot for miscellaneous outdoor wedding reminders.
3. Have fun with it! The beauty of the internet (she’s beautiful in so many ways, this is just one single example) is that we now have the ability to be a bit more casual about things. I wanted our introduction page to be easygoing but to get people hyped up for the big day! Since Adam and I are goofy, we opted to write funny little bits about each member of our wedding party instead of the traditional blurb about our friendships. There’s nothing wrong with being sappy (trust me, I went all out sap in their bridesmaids cards) but kind of roasting them just felt way more us!
4. Use quality, matching photos. Look, if you’re going to tell me that you didn’t want engagement photos, I’m already rolling my eyes at you. It’s a necessity before your wedding day, as you’ll need to learn your photographer’s style, as well as how you photograph with your partner. Posing together is extremely awkward and it’ll inevitably happen again on your wedding day. At the VERY least, inquire about a mini session (usually around 30 mins) to get a handful of images you can use for save the dates and your site. We did just that with Shari + Mike and the images went perfectly with the classic Riley & Grey theme.
You know what’s better than me explaining it all to you? Go on over to The Winnett Wedding Website and take a good look around. I especially love the compilation Instagram images for anyone who used our hashtag. Makes me want to live the day over and over again. Hope you enjoy and let me know if you have ANY questions about my Riley & Grey experience!
