Free Wedding Website: DIY RSVP & Registry

A wedding website is one of the easiest decisions you'll make in planning—because you don't have to spend a dime. Free platforms let you build a site that handles RSVPs, displays your gift registry, and tells your story all in one place, shareable via link or QR code at your engagement announcement, save-the-date, or invitation.

Why a wedding website matters

Beyond looking polished, a wedding website solves real logistics: guests get timely updates (ceremony start time, parking details, whether the venue has WiFi), you avoid answering the same questions by email, and you have a central hub for gift preferences. If you're planning a destination wedding within Ontario—say, a lakeside celebration in Muskoka or a city wedding in Toronto—your site becomes essential. Guests scattered across the province can find everything they need without texting you at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday.

A registry embedded in your site is also gentler than dropping a link in a group chat. It's there if people ask; it's not pushy.

What to include on your site

Keep it simple. Most couples need:

• Your story & photos – A paragraph or two about how you met, a few engagement photos, and your wedding date and location (city and venue, even if you're still finalizing details).
• Schedule & logistics – Ceremony time, cocktail hour, reception start, and parking/transportation info. If your venue is tricky to find, embed a map or directions link.
• RSVP form – With a deadline (usually 4–6 weeks before the wedding), meal choices, and a note on plus-ones.
• Registry link – Point guests to where you're registered (The Bay, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, or local Ontario retailers).
• Contact info – An email address for questions. Keep it simple: questions@ourfullnames.com or your personal email is fine.
• Hotel info – If guests are traveling, list a few nearby hotels with a block rate, if you've negotiated one.
• Frequently asked questions – Dresscode, dietary accommodations, kids policy, anything you're asked repeatedly.

Free platforms that work

Wix (wix.com) – Start free, grab a template, no design experience needed. RSVP form built in; registry links drop easily into a page. The free plan has a Wix branding banner at the top, but it's unobtrusive.

Canva (canva.com) – If you like Canva's templates, you can build a one-page wedding site for free. Limited interactivity (RSVPs go to an email inbox, not a database), but beautiful and quick.

Google Sites (sites.google.com) – Barebones but reliable. Embed Google Forms for RSVP collection, link to your registry, share the site link. No ads, no fuss. Best for couples who want function over design.

Squarespace – Free trial for 7–14 days, then paid plans start around $12 CAD/month. If you want long-term hosting and a polished look, it's worth the small investment.

Paperless Post (paperlesspost.com) – Hosts your invitation (digital or printable) and includes RSVP tracking. Not a full wedding website, but solid for invitation + light website in one tool.

Building your RSVP form

Most free platforms let you embed or link a form. What to ask:

• Guest name(s)
• Number of guests attending
• Meal preference (e.g., beef, chicken, vegetarian)
• Dietary restrictions
• Whether they're bringing a plus-one
• Any accessibility needs
• Optional: a comment box for congratulations or song requests

Keep it short. Don't ask for mailing address or wedding-favour preferences unless you actually need them on the site. That stuff can wait for your guest list spreadsheet.

Linking your registry

Don't host the registry itself on your site (unless you're using Paperless Post or a dedicated wedding-planning tool). Instead, link out to where you're actually registered. If you're registered at multiple places, create a simple list with clickable links:

• The Bay registry: [link]
• Amazon: [link]
• Local home-goods store: [link]

This way, you update your registry on their platform and your wedding website just points the way. If you're looking for how to plan your wedding for free in Ontario, a free website is one of the biggest wins—no vendor cost at all.

A few practical tips

Use a custom domain if you can afford it ($1–2 CAD/year through Google Domains or Namecheap). A link like ourfullnames.com looks more intentional than wixsite.com/ourfullnames2024.

Mobile-first design – Most guests will visit on their phone. Test how your site looks on a small screen before you share it.

Share via QR code – Print a QR code on your save-the-date or invitation; guests can scan it instantly.

Update as details confirm – If your venue or time shifts, update the site once and you're done. Everyone stays in sync.

Set an RSVP deadline – Make it clear on the form. "RSVPs close [date]" prevents the last-minute trickle of responses.

Your wedding website doesn't need to be elaborate or clever. It just needs to be clear, mobile-friendly, and honest about what you're offering your guests: one place to find what they need, ask questions, and celebrate with you.