When to Start Your Wedding Website: The Complete Timeline
When should I start my wedding website?
Start building your wedding website 8-12 months before your wedding, as soon as you have your date and venue confirmed. Claim your custom URL immediately - they're first-come-first-served. Publish the site when you send save-the-dates (6-8 months out), then open RSVPs when formal invitations go out (6-8 weeks before). Keep the site in draft mode while building, and update it progressively as you confirm more details.
- Claim URL: Immediately after engagement
- Publish: With save-the-dates (6-8 months)
- Add travel info: 4-6 months before
- Open RSVPs: With invitations (6-8 weeks)
Timing your wedding website correctly is crucial. Launch too early with incomplete info and guests get confused. Launch too late and they can't plan travel. This guide gives you the exact timeline for when to create, publish, and update your wedding website - based on industry research and real couple experiences.
Claim Your Wedding Website URL Now
Custom URLs are first-come-first-served. Reserve yours today.
The Short Answer
Start building: 8-12 months before (as soon as you have date + venue)
Publish: When save-the-dates go out (6-8 months before)
Open RSVPs: When invitations go out (6-8 weeks before)
Pro tip: Claim your custom URL immediately - even if you're not ready to build yet!
Complete Wedding Website Timeline
According to Riley & Grey's wedding planning research, most couples should follow this timeline to ensure guests have the information they need, when they need it:
12-10 Months Before
Claim Your URL & Start Building
What to Do
- Reserve your custom wedding website URL
- Choose a template/design style
- Add your names and wedding date
- Upload a few couple photos
- Write your 'Our Story' section
Why This Timing Matters
Custom URLs are first-come-first-served. Popular name combinations get taken quickly. Claim yours now even if you're not ready to publish.
What to Have Ready at Each Stage
Don't wait until everything is perfect. Here's what you actually need at each milestone:
Before Publishing
- Wedding date confirmed
- Venue booked (city/region at minimum)
- Couple photos (phone photos fine)
- Your story written (optional)
- Template/design chosen
With Save-the-Dates
- Venue name and general location
- Engagement photos uploaded (optional)
- FAQ section with basics (optional)
- Contact info for questions
- Registry links (if ready) (optional)
Before Opening RSVPs
- Full venue address with map
- Hotel room block details
- Ceremony and reception times
- Dress code specified
- Meal options defined
Timeline by Engagement Length
Your timeline depends on how long until your wedding. Here's how to adjust:
Long Engagement (12+ months)
Build gradually, publish with save-the-dates at 8-10 months
Standard Engagement (6-12 months)
Start building within first month, publish at 6 months
Short Engagement (Under 6 months)
Create and publish within first 2 weeks
Common Timing Mistakes to Avoid
These timing errors cause the most headaches for couples and confusion for guests:
Waiting until invitations to create a website
Guests can't plan travel without hotel/venue info. You'll get flooded with questions.
Publish with save-the-dates (6-8 months before).
Publishing before venue is confirmed
You might have to update everything if plans change. Confuses guests.
Keep in draft until you have date + venue confirmed.
Not including URL on save-the-dates
Guests don't know the website exists. Defeats the purpose.
Print URL prominently on every save-the-date.
Opening RSVPs too early
Guests forget, change minds, or lose track. Creates inaccurate counts.
Open RSVPs with invitations (6-8 weeks before).
Setting RSVP deadline too close to wedding
No time to chase non-responders or give final counts to vendors.
Set deadline 3-4 weeks before wedding day.
Not updating site after initial publish
Missing hotel info, outdated details, incomplete RSVP setup.
Schedule updates: hotel info at 6 months, RSVPs at 8 weeks.
Why You Should Claim Your URL Now
Wedding website URLs like theweddingplanner.ai/w/sarahandjohn are first-come-first-served. Popular name combinations get taken quickly, especially for common names.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Website Guides
Ready to Start Your Wedding Website?
Claim your custom URL now - it only takes 2 minutes. Keep it in draft mode and build it out whenever you're ready. Free forever.