Ever considered building a website for your wedding? Communication is always important when you’re hosting a wedding. But in 2022, it’s become more vital than ever. Thanks to COVID-19, we’ve had to change how we celebrate. It’s easy to become confused with the sheer amount of information (and misinformation) about the pandemic. So if you have a date set but don’t have a wedding website, here are four reasons you need to create one ASAP.
1. A Website Your Guests Have For COVID-19 Safety Questions
Your guests will have a lot of questions about your big day. Providing answers on your website can save both you and them a lot of time. You’ll cut down on the number of phone calls, emails, and texts you’ll answer about simple stuff. Joy recommends putting together a FAQ – a frequently asked questions document. Besides the usual tidbits about dress codes and venue locations, you may want to include some other key information:
- Expected guest count
- Whether your event is indoors, outdoors or both
- Mask-wearing protocols
- Physical distancing guidelines
- Sanitation stations
- How food will be served
- Whether vulnerable guests plan to attend
Your invitees need this information to make their plans. Some will likely decline your invitation if they feel attending is too risky. Others want to know what types of social distancing practices to expect. Some of your guests may feel safer at outdoor events. Risks for contracting COVID-19 can be lower, the New York Times reports, thanks to fresh air and greater distances between people.
2. You Can Share Livestreaming Details
Hopefully, you’re following your city or provincial health orders during the pandemic. Many areas still limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer, so you’ll probably want to livestream your ceremony. Sure, you may post the deets on your social media accounts. But scrolling through your post feed or timeline could feel tedious to your guests. But by posting your livestream info on your wedding website, it’s always available for attendees to access.
If you’re worried about keeping the stream for guests only, don’t worry. Brides contributor Jaimie Mackey suggests adding password protection to private areas. Just make sure that you give the password to your invitees.
3. It Can Be Easier To RSVP Online
In December 2020, Canada Post reported a huge increase in demand for mail service, parcel shipping, and supplies. There’s no way to know if this will continue in 2022, but digital RSVPs can make things easier for both you and your crowd. Your wedding website is the perfect place for guests to enter those RSVPs. It also helps establish your site as a central info hub for everything about your wedding.
On the other hand, older or less-tech-comfortable guests may prefer paper. Stuck between paper and digital? Brides contributor Jennifer Spector suggests considering three factors:
- Your event’s formality
- The number of guests you’re hosting
- The general tech-savviness of your crowd
If you want to do digital RSVPs, now is a perfect time. Meanwhile, be prepared to make follow-up phone calls to any late responders after your deadline.
4. Your Guests Still Want To Buy You Gifts
COVID-19 may have changed a lot of things about weddings. But one thing has stayed the same: the desire to give gifts. Your wedding website is an excellent place to share your registry information. Digital registries are especially useful, especially with current health orders in place. Your guests can buy whatever they like and have it shipped directly to you – no mask needed.
Digital wedding planning was already a thing, but this pandemic has pushed more tasks and tools online. If you’re tying the knot in 2022, your wedding website plays a critical role in keeping guests informed. Before you release your link into the wild, make sure your site is well organized with clear language and easy-to-find information. Your guests and your family will thank you.
