Wedding Website Etiquette

A simple guide to help you build a website that serves your guests well

One of the biggest gifts you can give your guests is clarity.

Your wedding website is not about impressing anyone or filling every tab. It is simply a place to communicate the details that help your people feel confident and cared for.

Our goal in sharing this is to make the process easier for you and to protect your planning time. When your website is set up thoughtfully from the beginning, it answers questions before your guests ever have the chance to ask you (or text you!).

Let’s walk through what matters most.

The Heart Behind Your Website

Think of your website as an extension of your invitation suite.

Your paper invitation sets the tone.
Your website fills in the details.

Its purpose is to clearly communicate logistics that are too lengthy for a printed suite, such as parking instructions, transportation plans, hotel blocks, and registry.

Our Website Recommendation

We recommend using The Knot for your wedding website. We have found it to be the easiest platform for collaborating with your planner, managing guest lists, and collecting online RSVPs. It keeps everything in one place and makes updates simple as plans evolve.

While there are many platforms available, including Zola, we consistently find The Knot to be the smoothest experience for both couples and planners.

The simpler the system, the smoother the process.

What Should Always Be Included

To ensure your guests have everything they need, we recommend including:

Ceremony location
Reception location
Date and time of the ceremony
Parking details
Hotel block information
Registry link
Transportation details (if applicable)
Valet instructions (if applicable)

These items prevent confusion and eliminate unnecessary questions.

What Is Optional

If you have the time and desire to include more, you absolutely can. Optional additions may include:

Your story
Engagement photos
Wedding party introductions
A send-off time
“Things to do” recommendations
Private transportation – Recommending your preferred transportation company to help accommodate the guests’ travel.

If those sections bring you joy, include them. If they feel like one more task on an already full list, you have permission to keep it simple. A clear, concise website is more than enough.

Event Information and Proper Etiquette

A helpful guideline is this: only include events that all guests are invited to.

For example:

If you are hosting a welcome party for everyone, include those details.
If your rehearsal dinner is invitation-only, communicate that separately to those invited.

This protects privacy and avoids any unintended confusion.

Registry Guidance

Important Timeline reminders:

Your registry should be live before any shower invitations are mailed.
It should be active before wedding invitations are sent.
Linking directly to your registry stores (ex: Crate & Barrel full list) is preferred over listing items.

Registry conversations can feel nuanced, so stay tuned for another blog dedicated entirely to that topic.

Hotel Blocks

We recommend limiting your hotel blocks to two.

According to research from Room Block Source, a third hotel block historically receives little to no interest. Too many options can unintentionally create confusion. Two thoughtfully selected choices typically serve guests well.

Q&A Section Tips

Your FAQ section is one of the most helpful parts of your website. Clear and kind wording goes a long way. We’ve shared a few sample responses below that you can thoughtfully include on your website, especially when addressing topics that may feel sensitive or require extra clarity.

Children

You might consider wording such as:
“We respectfully request an adults-only celebration. Thank you for understanding.”

or if limited children are invited:
“Due to space limitations, we are only able to accommodate children of immediate family. “Due to space limitations, we are only able to accommodate children of immediate family. We appreciate your understanding.”

Plus-Ones

To prevent confusion, invitations should clearly reflect who is invited. On your FAQ page, you may include:
“We have reserved seats for those listed on your invitation. If you have any questions, please reach out.”

Parking and Transportation

Be specific. Include addresses, if parking is limited, valet instructions, and arrival recommendations if needed. If transportation is being provided, state where the meeting spots are and the times.

If you are providing transportation for all guests, your RSVP should include a way to gather shuttle counts. This helps you plan accurately and ensures every guest is accounted for.

Attire

The only time to include attire on your invitation is if it is Black Tie. Traditionally this rule is followed on the website, but if you want to include guidance for your guests we recommend stating the dress code and giving examples. Guests appreciate knowing exactly what is expected.

Cocktail Attire

We invite our guests to wear cocktail attire. Gentlemen are encouraged to wear suits or sport coats with ties, and ladies to wear cocktail dresses or midi-length dresses. Think polished and celebratory without being overly formal.

Formal Attire

We invite our guests to dress in formal attire, embracing elevated evening wear. Dark suits and ties are appropriate for gentlemen, and long or midi-length dresses are perfect for ladies. This dress code strikes a balance between classic and refined.

Black Tie Optional

We invite our guests to dress in black tie optional attire. Gentlemen are encouraged to wear tuxedos or a dark suit and tie. Ladies are encouraged to wear floor-length gowns or elegant formal dresses. We look forward to an elegant evening and invite you to dress accordingly for a timeless celebration.

RSVP Details

If you are collecting RSVPs through your wedding website, preparation is key. Before mailing invitations, be sure your full guest list, including each individual guest’s name, is entered into your website platform so responses are tied to the correct households.

If you are serving a plated meal, your RSVP must include a clear section for each guest to select their entrée. If you are providing transportation, hosting a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or any additional wedding weekend events, include RSVP selections for those as well so we can plan accurately.

Regardless of dinner style, we also recommend collecting dietary restrictions. To keep responses streamlined and prevent preference-based requests, we suggest using specific wording such as:
“Please share any food allergies or dietary restrictions (for example: severe allergy, vegetarian, or vegan).”

Clear questions lead to clean data, which ultimately allows us to serve your guests well without unnecessary confusion.

A Small Upgrade That Makes a Big Difference

If preferred, we recommend purchasing a custom domain name. Instead of listing a longer URL like theknot.com/yourweddingpage, you can print something simple and polished such as jackandjillwedding.com on your invitation suite.

For a relatively low cost, it is a small detail that elevates the overall guest experience.

Final Thoughts

Your website does not need to be elaborate. It simply needs to be clear.

When your guests feel informed, they arrive relaxed. When they arrive relaxed, they are fully present to celebrate with you.

And that is the goal.

If you are one of our EBJ brides, you don’t have to carry this piece of the planning on your own. For our full-service clients, we handle website setup, RSVP management, guest list entry, and all the must-have details so nothing is overlooked. It is one less thing on your plate and one more way we keep your focus where it belongs: on your marriage, your people, and a beautifully intentional weekend.