Your wedding website is the most-read piece of content you’ll produce for your wedding. More guests visit it than open any individual email, and they return multiple times between the save the date and the day itself. The wording carries real weight: it sets expectations, prevents avoidable questions, and tells guests whether your wedding is warm or corporate.
This guide skips the theory. If you want to understand what to include on your wedding website and the website-versus-paper split, start with our complete wedding website guide. Here, every section is already written. Copy what fits, adjust the names and dates, and you’re done.
Most sections below come in four tones: formal, warm, relaxed, and short. Use whichever sounds like the two of you. Dress code, kids and registry work differently, because those vary by your situation rather than by how you phrase it.
| Section | What to aim for |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Confirm guests are in the right place. Four sentences maximum. |
| Our Story | Brief and honest, not a novel. Bullets work if prose feels forced. |
| Schedule | State the start time and include an arrival buffer. |
| Travel | Specific addresses, not “nearby.” Name the parking lot. |
| Dress code | Say what guests should wear, not just the label. |
| Kids | Straightforward, no apology, no long explanation. |
| Registry | Link first, sentiment second. |
| RSVP | Deadline in the first sentence, not the last. |
| FAQ | Answer the questions guests text you most. |
Guests who never open the site still need travel, timing and dress code.
The Welcome Greeting
The home page has one job: confirm guests are in the right place. You do not need to explain that you are getting married. They know. Four lines is plenty.
Formal
Welcome to the wedding celebration of Emma Clarke and Thomas Reid. We are honored to have you with us as we begin this new chapter together. All the information you need for our ceremony and reception is here. Thank you for being part of our day.
Warm
We’re so glad you’re here. This website has everything you need to know before the big day, and a little of our story along the way. We cannot wait to celebrate with you.
Relaxed
You found us! Everything you need to know about the wedding is right here. Browse around, check the schedule, and we’ll see you in October.
Short
We’re getting married. Here are the details. We can’t wait.
Your Story
This section trips people up more than any other. The four variations below cover different approaches. There is also a fifth format for couples who would rather not write about themselves at all.
Formal
Emma and Thomas met in 2022 at the University of Melbourne, introduced by a mutual friend at a dinner neither of them particularly wanted to attend. Their first date was coffee in Fitzroy. Thomas proposed at that same cafe three years later, on a quiet Tuesday morning. They are looking forward to celebrating their marriage with the people who have meant the most to them throughout their lives.
Warm
We met at a terrible dinner party in 2022 and ended up talking until last call. Three years, two cities, one very patient dog, and a Tuesday morning proposal later, here we are. We are getting married, and we are so glad you are coming.
Relaxed
Tom slid into Emma’s DMs in February 2022. She replied three days later. The rest is, as they say, history. He proposed with her grandmother’s ring at the same cafe where they had their first date, and she said yes before he finished the sentence. Now we’re planning a wedding, which is exactly as chaotic as it sounds, and we are so excited to have you there.
Short
We met in 2022. Thomas proposed in 2024. Now we’re here.
For couples who hate writing about themselves
Replace “Our Story” with “How We Got Here” and use a bullet timeline. It reads as intentional rather than avoidant.
2022: Met at a friend’s dinner party in Austin.
2023: Got a dog. Named her Pepper.
2024: Moved in together. Got engaged at Barton Creek Greenbelt, the trail where we run every Saturday.
2026: Getting married. You’re invited.
Schedule and Timing
Be specific about the start time and include an arrival note. Guests routinely underestimate how long it takes to park, find a seat, and settle in.
Formal
Guests are invited to arrive and be seated by 3:30 PM. The ceremony will begin promptly at 4:00 PM and will conclude at approximately 4:45 PM. A cocktail hour will follow, with dinner and dancing beginning at 6:00 PM. The reception will conclude at 11:00 PM.
Warm
We’d love for everyone to be seated before 3:45 PM so we can all start together. The ceremony runs about 45 minutes, cocktail hour from 5:00 PM, then dinner and dancing from 6:00 PM until 11:00 PM.
Relaxed
Doors open at 3:00 PM. Ceremony at 4:00 PM sharp (please be seated by 3:45, the wedding party does not wait). Cocktails from 5:00 PM, dinner from 6:00 PM, dancing until whenever they turn the lights on.
Short (timeline format)
3:00 PM – Doors open
3:45 PM – Please be seated
4:00 PM – Ceremony
5:00 PM – Cocktail hour
6:00 PM – Dinner and dancing
11:00 PM – Carriages
Travel, Parking, and Accommodation
Specific beats vague here every time. “Nearby parking” has sent guests in circles. Name the lot. Include the street it is accessed from.
Formal
The ceremony and reception will take place at The Grand Pavilion, 142 Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78701. Complimentary self-parking is available in the venue’s east lot, accessible from Oak Street. For guests traveling from out of town, we have reserved a block of rooms at the Marriott Downtown Austin at a discounted rate. Please book using code REIDWED by October 1, 2026.
Warm
The venue is at 142 Riverside Drive. There’s a free parking lot right on site, accessed from Oak Street. If you’re staying overnight, we’ve reserved a block of rooms at the Marriott Downtown Austin, about 10 minutes away. Use code REIDWED when you book. Those rooms hold until October 1, so don’t wait too long.
Relaxed
Venue: 142 Riverside Drive, Austin. Parking is free and there’s plenty of it. We’ve also grabbed a block of rooms at the Marriott Downtown Austin (code: REIDWED) in case you want to make a night of it. Rooms are held until October 1.
Short
Venue: 142 Riverside Drive, Austin TX.
Parking: Free on-site, enter from Oak Street.
Hotel block: Marriott Downtown, code REIDWED, book by Oct 1.
Dress Code
This is the section guests check most on the wedding website, and the one couples phrase worst. A dress code label gives guests a category. What they actually need is a description. “Cocktail attire” means something different to a 28-year-old in Nashville than a 65-year-old in Boston. Spell it out.
Black tie
Our dress code is black tie. Tuxedos or formal dark suits with a tie for men, and floor-length gowns or formal evening dresses for women. If you are unsure, go more formal rather than less.
Black tie optional
Black tie optional. A tuxedo is welcome, and a well-fitted dark suit with a tie works perfectly. For women, a floor-length gown or a sophisticated cocktail dress. Err on the formal side if you’re debating it.
Formal
Please dress formally. Men: a suit and tie or dress shirt with dress pants. Women: a cocktail dress, formal jumpsuit, or floor-length gown. Jeans, shorts, and casual footwear are not suited for this event.
Cocktail / semi-formal
Cocktail attire. Think a suit or blazer with dress pants, or a knee-to-midi-length dress or dressy jumpsuit. You do not need a tie, but please skip the jeans.
Garden party or outdoor
Garden party attire. Floral prints, pastels, and linens are very much encouraged. The ceremony is on grass, so stilettos are a gamble we would not take. A block heel or flat is your friend here.
Casual
Come comfortable. Smart casual is the vibe: neat trousers or a sundress are great, and you do not need to worry about ties. We’re keeping it low-key and want you to feel like yourself.
When you want guests to avoid specific colors
One small request: please avoid white, ivory, and champagne. The bridal party will be in dusty rose, so it’s easiest if guests steer clear of that shade too. Everything else is fair game.
A separate wishing well card keeps the ask out of the invitation itself.
The Kids Question
Both scenarios below are written to be clear without requiring an apology.
Adults only
Direct and warm
Our wedding will be an adults-only celebration. We adore your kids, and we hope you will enjoy a grown-up night out. Thank you for making the arrangements so you can be there with us.
Brief and neutral
We have kept our guest list to adults only. Invitations are addressed to named guests, and we are not able to accommodate children on the day.
With acknowledgment
We know that organizing childcare takes effort, and we genuinely appreciate it. Our wedding is adults only, so if you have been scrambling, it means the world to us that you are making it work.
Children welcome
Open and clear
Children are very welcome. We have a quiet room available if little ones need a break, and there will be a kids’ activity station at the reception to keep them entertained.
Simple
Families with children are welcome. If you are bringing little ones, please let us know in your RSVP so we can make sure they are accounted for in the seating and catering.
Registry and Cash Gifts
Lead with the link, not the sentiment. Guests want the information first.
Classic registry
We are registered at [Store Name] and [Store Name]. Links are at the top of this page. Having you there is the gift, but if you would like to give something, we would love anything from the registry.
Cash / honeymoon fund
We have most of what we need and would love to put anything given toward our honeymoon. Contributions can be made through [Platform Name] using the button below. If you prefer to give in another form, that means just as much to us.
Australian wishing well
We will have a wishing well at the reception for anyone who would like to contribute to our honeymoon fund. We truly do not expect a gift, but if you would like to give one, a note in the well with or without a contribution is always welcome.
No gifts
Please do not bring a gift. Your presence is the thing we are actually looking forward to, and we mean that.
Hybrid (registry and wishing well)
We have a small registry at [Store Name] linked below, and we will also have a wishing well at the reception for contributions to our honeymoon fund. Either, neither, or both, we are just glad you are coming.
RSVP Instructions and the Deadline
Put the deadline in the first sentence. And be specific about the method: link to the form or include the form on the page. “Contact us” is not an RSVP method.
Formal
Kindly respond by September 15, 2026 using the form on this page. Please indicate any dietary requirements or allergies when you respond. We are not able to guarantee dietary needs submitted after this date.
Warm
Please RSVP by September 15, 2026 using the form below. Let us know if you have any dietary needs and we will make sure you are taken care of. We are finalizing numbers with the caterer shortly after, so the deadline does matter.
Relaxed
RSVP by September 15 using the form below. We love you but the caterer does not negotiate. Add any dietary notes while you are there.
Short
RSVP by September 15, 2026. Use the form below. Include dietary requirements.
FAQ Answers Guests Actually Ask
These are the questions that arrive by text after the save the date goes out. Put the answers on the website now and you will field a lot fewer individual replies.
Can I bring a date who was not named on the invitation?
Invitations are addressed to named guests only, and we are not able to accommodate additional guests given our venue capacity. If you are unsure whether your invitation includes a plus-one, please reach out and we will clarify.
Is there parking at the venue?
Free parking is available on-site. Enter via Oak Street and follow the signs for the east lot. The lot closes at midnight. If you are planning to have a drink and leave the car, the venue is a short rideshare from the city center.
What time should I arrive?
Doors open at 3:00 PM. Please be seated by 3:45 PM, as the ceremony begins at 4:00 PM sharp. Arriving early gives you time to find your seat, say hello to people you have not seen in a while, and get settled before things start.
I have a dietary requirement. Are you able to accommodate?
Yes. Please let us know in your RSVP and we will communicate your needs directly to the caterer. If your dietary requirement is severe, please feel free to reach out directly so we can confirm the details before the day.
Can I take photos during the ceremony?
Our ceremony is unplugged. We ask that all phones and cameras stay put during the ceremony so that everyone is fully present and our photographer can do their job. There will be plenty of opportunity for photos at the cocktail hour and reception, and we will share professional photos once they are ready.
What if I cannot make it after all?
We will miss you, but we understand. Please update your RSVP using the form on this page or reach out directly at [email address]. If you have already said yes and need to change your response, the earlier you let us know, the easier it is on our end.
The Wording on Paper That Points to the Site
This is the section nobody else writes. Getting a guest from their mailbox to your website requires a clear path: the URL must be visible, legible, and on a piece of paper they will actually keep.
On a save the date
At save-the-date stage the website mainly needs to capture early RSVPs and give travelers enough information to book flights or accommodation. Keep it short.
All the details at our-names.com
Formal invitation to follow. Find us at our-names.com
RSVP and full details: our-names.com
A QR code alongside the URL doubles the chance a guest actually visits. If your save the date is small, you can print the URL at the bottom and let the QR code do the heavy lifting for guests who prefer not to type.
On a details card inside the invitation envelope
A printed details card is the best place to spell out the full URL alongside accommodation options, RSVP instructions, and any other logistics that do not belong on the invitation itself. Guests keep this card. It goes on the fridge.
For accommodation options, travel directions, and parking details, please visit our-names.com. RSVPs are also accepted online via the site.
Full wedding day details including accommodation, dress code, and directions are available at our-names.com. Please RSVP by [date] using the form on the site.
On the invitation itself
The invitation tells guests what they need to decide whether to come: date, location, and time. The website holds the rest. You can point to the site without making it feel like you are withholding information. The framing that works is to describe what guests will find there, not just to say “see our website.”
For travel, accommodation, and day-of details, please visit our-names.com
Kindly reply by September 15 at our-names.com
One format note: a URL in 8pt type at the foot of an invitation is easy to miss. Print it at a legible size and separate it from the rest of the text. A printed details card paired with the main invitation is the cleanest solution: it gives guests one piece of paper dedicated to logistics, with enough room to include the URL prominently alongside any accommodation block codes or transport notes.
Details cards, wishing well cards and RSVPs from one design family. The $5 sample pack puts seven designs and an envelope in your hands, including real foil and letterpress, so you judge paper and finish off a screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I write on the welcome page of my wedding website?
Two to four sentences is all you need. Confirm guests are in the right place, mention the date, and let them know the full details are on the site. You do not need a long greeting or your full story on the home page. Those belong in their own sections.
How do I word an adults-only wedding on my website?
Put it in the FAQ section, not on the home page. Be clear and brief: “Our wedding is an adults-only celebration. We appreciate you arranging childcare so you can be there with us.” No apology, no lengthy explanation. Most guests respect a direct statement more than elaborate softening.
What is the best way to explain dress code on a wedding website?
Go beyond the label. “Cocktail attire” means different things to different guests in different cities. Describe what guests should actually wear: suits or blazers with dress pants, midi-length dresses, things to avoid. If the venue is outdoors on grass, say so, and note that stilettos are impractical. Specific guidance prevents both confusion and follow-up emails.
How do I write about our gift registry without sounding ungrateful?
Lead with the link, then one sentence of context. The phrase “your presence is the only gift we need” followed immediately by three registry links reads as contradictory. If you have a registry, list it clearly and let guests decide. If you genuinely prefer no gifts, say so once and mean it. Guests appreciate clarity over over-apologizing for having a registry.
How do I include my wedding website URL on an invitation?
Print the URL at a readable size, separate from the rest of the invitation text. Pair it with a QR code if space allows. A dedicated information card inserted in the envelope is the cleanest approach: it gives the URL enough prominence without cluttering the invitation itself, and guests tend to keep it for reference through to the day.
What FAQ questions should every wedding website include?
The five that come up most: can I bring a plus-one who was not named, what time should I arrive, where do I park, how do I update my RSVP after submitting it, and what if I have a dietary requirement. Add anything specific to your venue: shuttle pickup times, outdoor weather contingency, nearby transport options. If you have received the same question from three different guests, it belongs in the FAQ.