Choosing a Wedding Website
Wedding websites: do you need one? What are the benefits? Who are the best providers? From style to function, we'll break down our three favourites in this month’s blog.
Although this is not a sponsored post, we are huge fans of all three companies we'll talk about. Let us know if you have come across any other amazing wedding website providers!
Bliss & Bone
This company, run by husband and wife Carl and Cindy Skanderup began from a love of fashion and design, and grew into a creative agency focused on merging those two elements in paper form. Their products have a luxurious feel and the designs are beautifully curated, with website themes perfectly suited to the couple with a love for modern, minimalist design . Their themes are unfussy yet sophisticated, thoughtful but not contrived, and overall some of the more interesting design work out there. They also collaborate with various calligraphers, stylists, and other artists to produce a premium aesthetic.
Features
Fully customizable design
Free seven-day trial
RSVP and guest book management
Many add-ons with the purchase of a Premium level package
Matching print products available for select designs
Mobile friendly
Custom URL included in Standard package
Considerations
Pricing: membership starts at $12.00 per month for the Standard package
Digital cards & announcement feature is still under construction
Fewer design options than some services
Matching print products are not inexpensive
Minted.
You might know Minted as a a great alternative to Wedding Wire or the Knot, or you may have seen influencer Jillian Harris citing Minted as the place to shop for unique, cute, and inexpensive artwork for you home. But, Minted also has a line of wedding products - MintedWeddings. The company works as a large collective of independent artists from all over the world, who submit their designs in hopes of being voted into rotation on the website. The company is focused bringing together design and technology on a grand scale, and can provide a couple with an absolute bevy of stylish options to choose from.
Features
Hundreds of designs and colour schemes to choose from
Most features available for free
RSVP and guest book management
Gift registry capabilities
Matching print products available for most designs
Mobile friendly
Guest accommodation
Considerations
Premium membership is a $20 one-time fee
Number of choices can be overwhelming
Matching print products are reasonably priced
Custom URL can be used for a fee
Riley & Grey
Riley & Grey has positioned itself as the purveyor of luxury wedding websites. Similar to the other two providers we have discussed, the company's focus is bringing design and technology together to provide a seamless and stylish tech experience. Their designs are fun, fresh, and developed to work with a number of different themes or styles that couples may be leaning towards for their celebration. They use colour, geometry, and typography to create unique, cheerful and eye-catching design work. Their own website is also extremely user-friendly and gives you access to a free account to peruse designs, even if you aren't ready to commit.
Features
Flexible, "bespoke" templates
Custom URL can be used
RSVP and guest book management
Gift registry capabilities
Mobile friendly
Guest accommodation capabilities
Considerations
Pricing: publishing your wedding website begins at $35.00 per month
Designs with matching print products are limited
Fewer design options than some services
Expensive, but includes full suite of print products (as available)
So, which wedding website service provider is the right choice for you?
Wedding websites have become somewhat ubiquitous these days, even for couples who plan to send out paper save-the-dates and invitations. Wedding websites are a great tool to keep you guests updated on all the details of your big with a few keystrokes, and an easy way to make changes if necessary. For example, I had a client experience a last-minute venue change due to some unexpected construction which was going to affect the wedding pretty drastically. She was able to update her wedding website with the new venue, and an automated email was sent to all guests who had submitted RSVPs.
All the services discussed here offer similar features: customizable designs, a range of matching print products, and RSVP management. They also allow you to upload your own photos, and play with the designs in a way that works with the overall style and theme of your wedding. When it comes to differentiating factors, I think it comes down to budget and style:
Bliss & Bone is modern, luxurious, and fashionable. They fall in the middle of the road in terms of pricing. Minted is affordable (or even free, depending if you want add-on features). They have the most number of design options available, suited to a wide variety of style choices. Riley & Grey is expensive, but features fun, cheerful and currant design work. Take a peek through at the links below and see for yourself what all three of these services have to offer.
Bliss & Bone - Modern Luxury
Minted - The Major Player
Riley & Grey - Stylish and Fun