I know I shouldn’t make assumptions, but I’m going to take a few guesses here…
If you’re reading this, I have a hunch you just got engaged (congrats!!!), you're in the middle of wedding planning, and you’re starting down the rabbit hole of “What wedding website should I use?”
If you’re like me, you’ve already texted your married friends to see which site they used, and you’re probably getting ready to post a poll on your “Close Friends” story to see which one wins in terms of public opinion.
And if my guesses are correct, that means Google is doing its job - and I’m so glad you’re here! With so many options (and often so little time), choosing a platform to host your wedding website can be overwhelming. We’ve rounded up all the information you need to select the best wedding website option for you, from The Knot to Zola to fully customizable wedding website templates from our own collection. Let’s dive into pros and cons, differences, and each platform’s overall vibe!
What To Look for in a Wedding Website
There are a handful of factors that will determine which route is best for you, including your timeline, budget, how much you’d like to customize your wedding website, ease of use, and more. Planning your wedding on a short timeline, for example, often requires some speedy decisions. You may opt for the fastest, easiest website, or you may set aside dedicated time to customize a template that perfectly suits your wedding style and love story. If you haven’t already, now is the time to write out your priorities for your wedding website. So pause, open your Notes app, and jot down which of the following features mean the most to you:
- Easy to use
- Unique, custom look
- Budget-friendly
- Integrated planning tools
- Options to feature photos + videos
- Any other features you'd like to prioritize
The Knot
As one of the most widely used platforms for wedding websites, The Knot offers dozens of free, pre-designed templates that are easy to use. It’s known for being user-friendly and comes with helpful planning tools like RSVP tracking, built-in registry integration, guest list management, and a planning checklist. However, because of The Knot’s popularity, the templates can feel generic and cookie-cutter, with limited customization of layouts or fonts. The Knot also includes their branding and logo across these wedding websites. If you’re looking for something that’s quick, free, and functional, The Knot could be a great fit for you, especially if you’re not too concerned about the uniqueness of the design. The process is straightforward, and you’ll have your website up and running in no time.
Zola
Zola is similar to The Knot in terms of price (it’s free!) and ease of use, but it edges ahead with more modern, design-forward templates for customizing your site’s appearance. It’s a great mix of convenience and style, offering clean, modern templates that are easy to set up. The built-in registry is a huge draw for couples because you can directly add products through Zola, and you’ll even receive a post-wedding discount on anything left on your list. Keep in mind that Zola sites include a branded footer and logo that cannot be removed. Customization is somewhat limited and these templates can be a bit overused, but Zola is still a solid choice for couples who want a seamless, all-in-one planning experience with a site that looks polished.
Templates from A Short Engagement
If you’re dreaming of a wedding website that offers endless personalization, our fully customizable wedding website templates are made for you. Built on Showit, these templates give you full control over layout, fonts, colors, and content…no design experience or coding required. You're not stuck with a cookie-cutter template seen on every other wedding website. Instead, you’re creating a truly custom, one-of-a-kind website inspired by your wedding—and the only brand on display is your own!
Wondering where this concept came from? Over the years through our full-service design and digital marketing company, Writefully Said, we’ve been commissioned to create multiple custom wedding websites for high-end luxury planners. Starting at $1,500, we know that these designer-made sites are out of reach for many couples…and yet it was still on our minds to offer an elevated custom aesthetic for less. Which leads us back to where we started—our range of customizable wedding website templates, now available exclusively via our website.
A one-time purchase of $149 gives you immediate access to your customizable wedding website template powered by Showit, our favorite design platform. To take your site live, you’ll simply need to create a Showit account with baseline hosting ($19/month for as long as your site is live)—use our referral link to sign up and your first month of hosting will be free! All of our wedding website templates come with an easy-to-follow instruction guide, which includes information about connecting a custom URL, personalizing your design, and taking your site down after your wedding day. Plus, we’re always personally available to offer support as needed!
Our wedding website templates include everything you need to share the details of your day in an aesthetic, easy-to-understand way. Sections include:
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The Hero - a gorgeous, image-based hero section that includes the most pertinent details of your day (including your wedding date + location)
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The Story - a space for you to share how your love came to be
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The Wedding Party - list out the ‘maids + men who will stand by your sides on the Big Day
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Accommodation Details - room block reservation details
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Activities - things to do and see in and around your wedding location
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Itinerary Information - must-know information for your guests
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Registry Details - easy-to-access registry links that make gift-giving a breeze
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RSVP Capabilities - so that you can get a head count for your wedding directly through your site!
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Footer Bar - unlike other wedding websites, you are free to remove our site design credit and replace with your own monogram or other details - we suggest highlighting your wedding hashtag!
The coolest thing about a custom wedding website? The possibilities really are endless! Previous couples have used our wedding websites to post additional activity information, create secret wedding-party only itinerary pages, share attire suggestions with guests via dress code mood boards, and beyond. Even if you choose to stay completely within the parameters of the template we’ve created, you’ll have a beautiful, functional wedding website that can be fully matched to the design of your event and wedding invitations!
Explore the Templates
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When I was planning my wedding, I remember wishing something like this existed—something beautiful, personal, and thoughtfully designed that didn’t force me into the same box everyone else was using. If you care about design, storytelling, and creating a wedding experience that feels intentional from start to finish, you’re going to love these customizable wedding websites!
Your Love, Your Look
At the end of the day, your wedding website should reflect your priorities for your wedding. Remember, this is just one piece of your celebration, which is one day in your bigger love story. Create a wedding website that informs your guests and makes you happy to look at, and you can’t go wrong!
Once you’ve chosen the right website platform for you, head over to our blog for a step-by-step guide on what to include on your wedding website. You've got this—and we're cheering you on every step of the way!