5 Wedding Website Pages Your Guests Will Gush Over

 

 

Once upon a Vow works with you to transform your LOVE + STORIES into unforgettable wedding vows, speeches, ceremonies, and every written word in between personalized to feel every bit like you.

 

 

You said ‘YES’ to your happily ever after and now you can’t wait to say ‘I Do’! Wishing everyone could feel your love and excitement, you brilliantly decide to build your own wedding website. But where do you start and what do you say?

 

First, pick the right wedding website platform for you. With so many WEDsite options to choose from, it’s important to figure out which one matches your needs and style. Maybe you want a free, no-frills platform that shares your wedding details and your love story. Or maybe you want more of an interactive website that helps you manage RSVPs, gift registries, and wedding photos taken by your guests. You might want a wedding website that comes with a personalized URL or one that links to your own purchased domain. There are even options, like MyWedding.com, that matches your favorite wedding website design to your wedding invitations so you can kill two birds with one stone.

Once you’ve figured out which wedding website platform works best for you, give your guests a sneak peek into your big day with these five must-have WEDsite pages.

 

1. Wedding Homepage

This will be the first page your guests will see and their first look into your wedding day so you want their experience to reflect your wedding story style. Make everything simple, uncluttered, and clear. The menu should be easy to navigate so guests can find your registry, guest book, and every page in between. Add a beautiful picture of you two with your names and wedding date front and center. Welcome your guests to your story and thank them for celebrating your upcoming wedding with you. If you’d like to add an extra touch of excitement, include a countdown clock so you can tick off the days together.
 

2. Your Love Story

Share all those serendipitous moments that brought you two together, especially the details of how you first met, your first date, your favorite things to do together, and all the reasons you’re both imperfectly perfect for each other. Add a scrolling gallery of your favorite moments and take your guests through your sweet timeline.

3. Your Proposal Story

Everyone wants to know how they asked so give them those details here. You can walk them through both your perspectives on the whole experience, like their planning process versus your emotional reaction. This is the perfect place to share your favorite engagement photos or video, if you have one. Let your personalities and quirky love shine through in both your love story and proposal story pages. It will undoubtedly make your guests excited to witness your I Do’s!

4. Wedding Day Details

Your wedding website will be your guests go to resource for all your wedding day details, especially if you’re having a destination wedding or invited many of out-of-town guests. Clearly paint a picture of what the big day will look like - when is the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception? Where will each be held? It’s important to be as specific as possible to avoid confusion, especially if there are multiple locations. Add a picture of the venue and a Google map widget so guests can be prepared and plan ahead.

5. Wedding Party

This is a great opportunity to highlight the important people in your lives, especially the members of your wedding party. Include a picture of them and a short introduction with their wedding party role (i.e. Best Man, Maid of Honor, Mother of the Bride(s)/Groom(s), etc.). Personalize each one, describing what makes them an important part of your life or tell a story about your friendship. On a more somber note, if you’d like to remember someone who is no longer here with you, include a Remembrance section dedicated to your lost loved ones. In this way, you’re acknowledging their importance in your life and giving others an opportunity to fondly remember them with you.

These five must-have pages intimately walk your guests through your journey that they wouldn’t otherwise experience until your ceremony. But with a well crafted wedding website, they can share in your excitement, bask in your joy, and feel lucky to witness this incredible moment in both your lives.

Guest Blogger/Written by: Daniela VillaRamos


Have a Sweet Day,
Clarissa

Save.The.Dates 101: Tips & Advice

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Being engaged is a exciting time! As you get closer to saying I DO, you want to create a buzz of excitement. What better way to do that is by sending out Save.The.Dates. I was inspired to write this blog post by one of my 2016 Brides, she's getting married next Summer (so exciting). Let's chit chat today all about how to properly create and send them out to all your
guests.

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What is a Save.The.Date?
 

 

A Save.The.Date can be designed in many forms and ways. But it's basically a elegant way to announce to your guests that you are getting married. This speaks volumes for your special day that's coming up, and sets the tone! Furthermore, letting them know to make plans to attend your wedding. This is exactly what you send out BEFORE the formal wedding invitations.

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Hire a Professional Paper Designer!

Please! Hire a professional that specializes in paper. The same person that is going to design your BEAUTIFUL wedding invitations; should be the EXACT same person that designs the SAVE.THE.DATES. You want everything to be cohesive, this is your wedding after all. Your wedding is one of the most amazing events (biggest events) you will plan in your lifetime. We talk about this on the Bridal Style Blog Wedding Talk Show. When you hire a professional you will get quality paper. You want a nice polished, and professional look. What you don't want is cheap paper (even the actual weight of the paper is IMPORTANT), that washes out the over look and feel of the Save.The.Date. When you have the menu cards, invitations, save.the.dates, place cards, ect you want everything to look amazing (and match).

 

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When do you send Save.The.Dates out? 

Rule: Ship out 6 months PRIOR to your wedding date.

Once you have hired a professional paper designer (aka person the specializes on making invitations, and all other wedding stationary). Also, before hand you want to allow time to have the Save.The.Dates created, which I recommend to start that process 8-12 wks (if possible) before you ship. This allows time to gather mailing addresses directly from your guest list as well. Furthermore, time to have the envelopes   "addressed" postage stamps, ect.   You are ready to ship to all of your guests. Starting ahead of time makes this process so much smoother. Also, for a special added touch you can hire a calligrapher to address your envelopes for you (makes the Save.The.Date more elegant. 

 

How should I choose my overall style? 

The style or theme should be a true reflection of you as a couple. Starting from your wedding website, to the save.the.dates, and wedding invitations. This is the gateway into your wedding day. As mentioned, earlier in the post, this sets the overall tone. Perhaps, if you are having a shabby chic, or boho style, perhaps vintage rustic, or glam wedding; the Save.The. Date should reflect just that. Also, the time of year, season of which the wedding is taking place. You want to capture the true essence of that into that Save.The.Date. Not only is this exciting for the guests, but let's them know what to expect. 

Written By: Clarissa 

 

Have a Sweet Day,

Clarissa 

3 Tips on How to include the dog in your wedding.

More couples are including their furry friend on the wedding day.  Dogs are very popular among weddings, this is a growing trend in the wedding industry.  I have 3 tips on how to include your pooch as you say "I DO"!

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Confirm Dogs are allowed at the Venue

As soon as you decide to include your dog in your wedding day; contact the venue.  Confirm this at the beginning of your wedding planning. Ask specific questions (Any breeds that are not allowed, any documents  that are required to show on the "Day of") you never want to be un-prepared.  An idea if your furry friend is not allowed include them in your engagement photography. You can implement their photos in the reception! Always, check with the photographer as well to make sure dogs are allowed in the photo shoot.

Hire a Pet Sitter

Hire a professional Pet Sitter someone your doggy is comfortable with, and knows your dog well.

The dog's sitter can assist with getting your dog ready for the ceremony. Feeding, walking, and dressing the dog in that cute little outfit, fancy collar, mini tux/dress, or bow tie!   Also, you want to relax and enjoy your wedding day, and not worry about your favorite furry friend. Another great element about hiring a sitter is him/her can bring your canine to and from the ceremony; and watch the dog during the reception!

Tell your Guests

You want to let your guests know that your pooch will be present at the wedding.  You can include this in your wedding invitation by adding in a insert, or include this on your wedding website.  This prepares your guests, so they know your four-legged buddy will be there.

Do you have any ideas that you would like to include on how to include a pet on the wedding day? Please leave a comment below! Thanks!

Have a Sweet Day,

Clarissa

5 Tips to Creating a Wedding Budget

1) Average Costs - The average cost of a wedding in the United States is $25,000.00.  However, every couples budget is different; your wedding budget may be higher or lower.  A lot of factors come into play. You have to think about your "guest list", the amount of guest plays a major role in the overall cost of the wedding. On average a couple will spend $100.00 "per guest".  Also, "catering", that will be 50% of your total budget. Example: if your budget is $10,000.00; plan to spend $5,000.00 for Food/Beverage.  Furthermore, the location of the wedding ( Local or Destination Wedding), and the "time of day". 

2) Guest List -  If you are planning a wedding on a small budget,  "please cut your guest list".  Host a small intimate (Guest Count: 25 and under) wedding, keep the guest count down ( I repeat)! As a engaged couple you have a lot of options.  Perhaps, a early morning ceremony, and host a "brunch style" wedding. So many creative menu options for brunch. Lastly, perhaps you want to elope, or have a beautiful intimate beachside ceremony with just the two"of you. Don't forget about "civil ceremonies" as well. A courthouse wedding is not what it use to be! You can get ready in a bridal suite, be swept away in a luxury vehicle, and meet your groom for a romantic ceremony!

3)  Who is paying - It was customary, that the Bride "side" paid for the wedding ( in the old days).  However, more and more couples are paying for their own wedding. Some, couples will have financial assistance from their parents and family/friends. Think about, your budget as soon as you get engaged, and set a budget and stick to it. 

4) Location - Think about the location of where you would like to host your wedding. However, location determines a lot in terms of your budget. Are you considering a destination wedding, at a tropical beach, or aboard a cruise ship? Perhaps, you want a traditional church wedding, or a historic courtyard. Don't be afraid to think "out-of-the-box" when choosing your wedding venue ( Home, Swanky Restaurant, Garden, Museum, Wineries, even a Cemetary) 

Fact: Here in Atlanta, Georgia the Oakland Cemetary host 18 Weddings a year!

5) Discuss & Plan early - Sit down as a engaged couple and discuss how much you want to spend total overall on your budget.  Once you come to an agreement,  follow your budget plan.  Lastly, plan early, please don't wait until the last minute to pull your wedding together! This creates a lot of stress and pressure between you and your fiancée. It's ideal to plan at least 12 months in advance.

 Bonus TIP (Best Tip):   Hire a Wedding Planner! - yes hire a professional wedding planner.   A planner has all the tools to not only plan your wedding but coordinate it on the Day of!  Furthermore, a planner has built professional relationships with vendors that you will need for your wedding day. Lastly, a hiring a planner takes the load, and stress off of you and your fiancée.  As, a engaged couple, you will be able to enjoy your engagement! 

If you have anymore tips feel free to leave them in the comment section below! 

Have a Sweet Day❤

Clarissa