Must Have’s on Your Destination Wedding Website
Your wedding day is about six to four months out and it’s time to alert the troops! A destination wedding takes a lot of planning and research to go from concept to execution. Now that you have all the logistics sorted out, it is time to create your online wedding headquarters so that everyone knows what’s up. This website serves as a space where the answers to all of your friend’s and family’s questions will live, from travel logistics to event schedules. If you’re unsure about what those questions may be, worry no longer, Tapestry is here to help you cover all bases. Let’s get into it!
OUR GO-TO WEBSITE OUTLINE.
You may be wondering, what are the most important details to include on a destination wedding website? Lucky for you, we outlined your main talking points into 7 easy topics:
Home Page
Travel
Accommodations
Attractions
Health + Safety
Registry
FAQs (optional)
RSVP
HOME PAGE.
Introduce yourselves! Use this page as a space to share your story as a couple, and don’t forget to attach a cute photo that represents your relationship. This will help your guests connect to you and your partner on a deeper level, as well as giving them the inside scoop of how this wedding came to be!
The main details of the event should also be listed on the home page. This can include specifics such as:
Time/Date of Event
Location
Event Timeline
Dress Code
Link to RSVP
Feel free to add whatever you find important to this first page! Many folks like to include the proposal story, if there is one, or even their love story. This first page is your opportunity to set the stage, mood, and expectations for the rest of your weekend. You can always elaborate on topics on a different tab.
TRAVEL.
By far, the MOST important must-have for a destination wedding website is information about travel.
Where are we going?
How will we get there?
It is your priority to ensure that your guests have a crystal clear understanding of the travel logistics. Make sure to include detailed information the major cities guests can fly into, directions from surrounding airports to the venue, and alternate routes of travel.
It can also be helpful to answer questions regarding estimated travel time, personal advice based on your experience in the area, nearby car rental agencies (if needed), public transportation, and rideshare options.
If you are going somewhere more remote, make sure you include plenty of information of what guests can expect about their travel itinerary, such as if there are only a couple of airlines that fly to the closest destination or if the road to the resort is unpaved. Details, big and small, will help your guests feel as prepared as possible and leave the stress at the door when they arrive for your celebration.
ACCOMMODATIONS.
Now, it’s time to explore the best choices for your guests regarding a place to stay.
When suggesting lodging options, it is a good idea to give your friends and family at least three recommendations. You may want to include the following:
Distance to venue/wedding party
Price points
Activities
Food availability
Rental car/rideshare information
Distance/drive time to the ceremony/reception location
Allow your guests to do their own research! Providing tools on independent vacation rentals (such as Airbnb) in surrounding cities/towns can give your guests the flexibility to plan this trip in a way they best see fit.
If you have a specified hotel, share the link to any room blocks and booking codes so they can stay at your preferred location! For many destination weddings, guests are expected to stay at the same property as the couple. If this is the case, make that clear and share what alternatives may look like. If, for example, guests don’t stay at the property and you think it will diminish their experience for the weekend, mention that and what they’ll miss out on. Clarity is kindness and setting expectations is key to making sure everyone has a great time.
ATTRACTIONS.
What’s going on around town? This is your chance to showcase why you chose this special place to have your celebration. Let your guests know what attractions are nearby, or what you and your partner like to do in the area.
Things to include:
Where to Eat
National Parks + Outdoor Sites
Cultural Experiences
Tourist Activities
If you’re feeling really generous, you can include a map of the area with your highlighted activities! Here’s an example below:
HEALTH + SAFETY.
With COVID-19 still lurking, it is important to address necessary precautions to your friends and family. Be sure to mention your policies on masks, testing and vaccination preferences.
Certain venues/counties will all have different health and safety requirements, give your guests a heads up so they know what to expect! Encourage everyone to check back in on this page for the latest updates or ask them to add your email to their contacts so that you reach them more directly closer to the day.
REGISTRY.
If you and your partner choose to have a gift registry, the most important thing to include is your gift policy. This page can be optional, but you are still going to receive gifts so you might as well create a list or provide a link to everything you may want/need to start this new journey as a married couple.
Another option is to use your registry as a way guests can donate money to your honeymoon, travel, home improvement, or charitable giving! We love Everlastly as an eco-conscious choice for couples looking to get gifts sustainably.
Check out how one of our couples used their registry to support their Mystery Honeymoon:
FAQ.
Ahh, the frequently asked questions. No matter how detailed your website is, we can guarantee that you will still receive a million questions about the event. This page can include the answers to questions such as:
Will meals be provided?
Do I need to stay on site?
What is the dress code?
What should I pack?
Are kids invited?
Do I need a rental car?
Am I allowed to bring pets?
What if I can only make it to some events but not all?
Is there parking?
Can I bring a plus-one?
Will transportation to and from events be provided?
When do I need to RSVP by?
You can update this page as needed and add whatever you see fit!
RSVP.
Lastly, the RSVP form. Each celebration will have information that will need to be collected that may differ from others. Add in a place for guests to jot down all the necessaries. We’ve collected the basics here:
Name(s) and number of attendee(s) attending
Phone number/Email
Dietary Restrictions
Meal Choice
Allergies
For thank you cards: Mailing Address or Email
YOU DID IT.
Just like that, you’ve created your destination wedding website! Thanks for following along with the Tapestry Team, if you have any questions, please comment below so that we can hear and answer them!