what to include on your wedding website:
Names, date(s), time(s)- not the full timeline, just start and finish, location(s) and address(es)
If you are having any welcome or post-wedding parties, it would be nice to include if there will be meals, drinks, etc. hosted or not hosted, so people can plan ahead
Your story - how you met, the proposal, etc. This can be as cheesy or non cheesy as you like!
Travel - airport(s) info, where to stay, how to get around, what to do in town, your favorite restaurants, hotels, or activities while in town
Photos - through the years, engagement photos, (I don’t recommend venue photos despite what some online publications say)
FAQ - RSVP deadline, plus ones, children or no children, dress code, parking, indoors or outdoors, accessibility, etc.
RSVP - attending/not attending, number of guests, mailing address, dietary restrictions, meal choice if applicable
Registry info (no, it is not considered “OK” to ask for cash- at the least, do a honeymoon registry)
Contact info - your email(s) and phone number(s)
Wedding party info (if you so choose)
Examples of good websites from my clients:
Dani and Luke (password desert2024) - https://daniellaandluke.com/
Allie and Becca (password 021223)
If your wedding is in Palm Springs, I love this comprehensive listing of places to visit, hikes, and things to do in the area from one of my favorite hotels, Sparrows Lodge.
Where to create your website
Minted
WithJoy
Zola
Squarespace
Be sure to check that your chosen option has all features that you’d like!
What info to have on your website by the time you send Save the Dates:
Must have -
Who, what, where, when
A quick blurb about the two of you and your names
Where you are getting married (city, state and venue)
What date you are getting married, and if you know if you plan to have additional days of events 100% (welcome party, brunch etc)
Booking info for any blocked hotel (if available)
“Keep an eye on our website in the months to come for more info!”
some ideas for welcome bags:
Palm Springs specific items that I have gathered from the internet and some things past guests have loved!
Toffee Popcorn: This sweet and crunchy treat from Brandini Toffee is like kettle corn on crack. brandinitoffee.com
Candle: Scents crafted by Joshua Tree Candle Company include golden hour and tumbleweed. jtcandle.com
Dates: They’re the top crop. Find a variety of sweet treats at Shields Date Garden. shieldsdategarden.com
Boxed Water – keeping guests hydrated throughout the weekend is key and Boxed Water delivered on that AND contributed a modern aesthetic that we were going for.
Compartes Chocolate – leave it to Compartes not only to carry the best flavors but also to have the most on-point design motifs that fit perfectly into our design stories. We chose their “California Love” salted pretzel dark chocolate bar. Uh, yummmmm.
Hangover Kits – These cute little stamped muslin bags carry all of the essentials. This Etsy seller pre-stamped and pre-stuffed all of the bags for us and we got to choose our stamp color. Win/win!
Local Coffee – We discovered this small batch single origin coffee from Joshua Tree Coffee Co. on a pre-wedding visit out to Palm Springs. It was the perfect local addition to the bag and, as if the design gods were rooting for us, the branding fit our design story to a T(ree).
Simple stuff-
Water bottles
Nuts or trail mix
Granola bars
Mini bags of Haribo gold bears gummy bears
Sunscreen
Naval oranges
White claws