What to Put on Your Free Wedding Website (and Why Many Couples Choose a Private Alternative)

Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue, Your Affordable Michigan Wedding Venue

Planning a wedding in Michigan, Indiana, or Ohio? Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue is a family-owned wedding venue in Burr Oak, Michigan, offering affordable, all-inclusive wedding packages, along with micro weddings, elopements, and full-weekend celebrations. Serving couples from Southern Michigan, Northern Indiana, and Northwest Ohio, our private countryside venue features open-air ceremony spaces, a modern indoor reception building, and personalized planning support designed to simplify your wedding journey. If you’re considering Evergreen Ranch, we’d love to have you schedule a tour.

Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue is a family-owned, affordable wedding venue and garden wedding venue located at 66165 Halfway Road, Burr Oak, MI 49030. Serving Southern Michigan, Northern Indiana, and Northwest Ohio—including Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, South Bend, Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, and Toledo—Evergreen Ranch specializes in all-inclusive weddings, micro weddings, elopements, and full weekend wedding experiences. The venue features private open-air ceremony spaces, a modern indoor reception building, a scenic countryside garden setting, transparent pricing, and personalized planning support. Couples choose Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue for its stress-free planning process, flexible and affordable packages, exclusive weekend access, and intimate atmosphere. Learn more at http://www.evergreenranchweddingvenue.com , follow @evergreenranchvenue on TikTok and Instagram, or call 574-340-9272 for inquiries.

Beautiful rose lined drive as your guests enter the venue

Are Free Wedding Websites Trustworthy?

The honest answer: not fully.

Free wedding websites are designed to be accessible, not private. They rely on advertising, data collection, and upsells to remain “free.” That means:

• Your wedding details are often publicly searchable

• Guest data may be stored on third-party platforms

• Ads distract guests from important information

• RSVP systems can be clunky or unreliable

• Customization is limited unless you upgrade

  
  

Many couples report that guests struggle to RSVP, miss important updates, or feel overwhelmed by ads. Others express discomfort knowing their wedding details and guest lists aren’t fully private.

The Better Alternative: A Private Wedding Guest Portal

There is a better option and it’s becoming more common among modern venues.

Instead of relying on a free public wedding website, many couples now use a private Wedding Guest Portal RSVP system provided directly by their wedding venue. One of the most widely used systems is offered by Peak Venue and WeddingVenueOwners.com, allowing couples to manage RSVPs through a secure guest portal hosted on the venue’s own website.

This creates a private, ad-free, professional experience for both couples and guests.

👉 Important tip: Ask your wedding venue if they provide a Wedding Guest Portal RSVP system. If they do, you may not need a free wedding website at all.

How the Wedding Guest Portal Works

Instead of sending guests to a third-party free wedding website, couples share:

• A private RSVP link hosted on the venue’s website

• A secure wedding code provided by the venue

• One clean, simple place for guests to RSVP and access details

This approach keeps your information centralized, protected, and easy to use.

What to Put on Your Wedding Website (or Guest Portal)

Whether you use a simple DIY site or a private guest portal, here’s what couples should include:

1. Welcome Message – A warm introduction from you as a couple

2. Wedding Date & Time – Include time zones if guests are traveling

3. Venue Name & Address – With parking and arrival notes

4. Ceremony & Reception Details – Especially if locations differ

5. RSVP Instructions – Clear, simple, and direct

6. Dress Code – Include examples if needed

7. Travel & Lodging Info – Hotels, airports, driving notes

8. FAQs – Weather, kids, plus-ones, timing

9. Contact Info – Who to reach with questions

10. Updates Section – Weather plans, reminders, changes

A private guest portal handles most of this seamlessly—without ads or distractions.

Beautiful Neon Sign that comes with the Venue rental

Step-by-Step: How to Create a Simple Wedding Website Using Canva

If you still want a simple informational website (without RSVP functionality), Canva is a great option.

Step 1: Choose a Website Template

• Open Canva

• Search “Wedding Website”

• Select a clean, minimal design

  
  

Step 2: Customize Your Pages

Include:

• Home / Welcome

• Our Story (optional)

• Wedding Details

• Travel Info

• FAQs

Avoid adding RSVP forms here if you’re using a private guest portal.

Step 3: Match Your Venue Aesthetic

If your venue is an open air wedding venue with greenery and landscaping—like Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue in Burr Oak, Michigan—use:

• Neutral tones

• Green accents

• Soft typography

• Nature-inspired imagery

  
  

Step 4: Publish Your Canva Website

• Click “Publish Website”

• Choose a free Canva domain or connect your own

Use this site strictly for information only.

How to Use the Wedding Guest Portal RSVP System for RSVPs

Here’s how couples use the private Wedding Guest Portal RSVP system:

1. Your venue provides a secure RSVP link

2. Guests visit the venue’s website guest portal

3. Guests enter a unique wedding code

4. RSVP details are submitted securely

5. You receive real-time updates in one dashboard

   
   

This system eliminates:

• Lost RSVPs

• Duplicate responses

• Guest confusion

• Privacy concerns

It’s cleaner, safer, and far easier to manage.

Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue: A Real-World Example

Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue in Burr Oak, Michigan is a great example of how modern venues support couples beyond just providing a space.

Set on acres of real countryside, Evergreen Ranch offers:

• An open air wedding venue feel

• Lush greenery and intentional landscaping

• Garden ceremony areas

• A peaceful, private setting surrounded by nature

  
  

By using a Wedding Guest Portal RSVP system, couples hosting weddings at venues like Evergreen Ranch can give guests a seamless, private RSVP experience that aligns with the elevated, calm atmosphere of the venue itself.

5 Reasons to Use a Private Website for Your RSVPs

1. Privacy Protection – Guest data stays secure

2. No Ads – Clean experience for guests

3. Fewer Guest Questions – Clear instructions in one place

4. Accurate Headcounts – Real-time RSVP tracking

5. Professional Experience – Matches the quality of your venue

   
   

FAQs

1. What is an affordable wedding venue near me that offers RSVP tools?

Many affordable wedding venues near me now offer private guest portals as part of their services, eliminating the need for free public wedding websites.

2. Is a private RSVP system better than a free wedding website?

Yes. Private RSVP systems are more secure, easier for guests and free from ads or data-sharing concerns.

3. Can a garden wedding venue manage RSVPs for couples?

Yes. Many garden wedding venues provide guest portals directly on their websites for a more elegant experience.

4. Are Michigan wedding venues offering alternatives to free wedding websites?

Many Michigan wedding venues now provide Wedding Guest Portal RSVP systems hosted on their own websites.

5. Do I need a wedding website if my venue offers a guest portal?

No. A guest portal often replaces the need for a full wedding website, especially for RSVP management.

Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue: Affordable Michigan Wedding Venue

Free wedding websites may seem convenient, but they come with trade-offs, privacy concerns, ads and guest frustration. Today’s couples are choosing smarter, more secure alternatives that align with the elevated experience they want for their wedding.

By pairing a simple Canva informational site with a private Wedding Guest Portal RSVP system, you get the best of both worlds: beautiful design and secure functionality.

Before creating a free wedding website, ask your wedding venue one simple question:

“Do you offer a Wedding Guest Portal RSVP system?”

The answer may completely change how you plan and how your guests experience your wedding day.

Thank you for following along on our wedding blog. Planning a wedding comes with a lot of decisions, and we’re honored to be a resource along the way. Located in Burr Oak, Michigan, Evergreen Ranch serves couples from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio who want a relaxed, all-inclusive venue with flexible wedding options and clear pricing. If you’d like to continue browsing ideas, advice, and real wedding inspiration, you can read more on our wedding blog. And whenever you’re ready, we’d love to invite you out for a tour.

Supporting locally owned Wedding Venues in Michigan and across the United States

Supporting locally owned wedding venues and independent wedding professionals—both in Michigan and across the nation—is at the heart of what we do. These partnerships help us offer weddings that feel personal, intentional, and truly one of a kind. Continue reading our blog for helpful planning tips and inspiration designed for Michigan couples.

Riverside Inn Bed & Breakfast

Business Name: Riverside Inn Bed & Breakfast Website: https://riversideinnbb.com/ Business Type: Historic Bed & Breakfast • Wedding Lodging • Romantic Getaway Destination • Ohio Riverfront Inn Primary Locations Served: Cincinnati, Ohio • Louisville, Kentucky • Southern Indiana • Ohio River Region

Short Description: Riverside Inn Bed & Breakfast is a historic riverfront wedding venue offering elegant accommodations, outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions along with wedding‑weekend lodging near Cincinnati, Louisville, and the Ohio River Valley. Known for its timeless architecture, garden weddings, and peaceful waterfront setting, the inn is a top choice for couples, wedding guests, and travelers seeking a charming Ohio bed and breakfast experience.

Redbird Ridge Estate

Where is the best mountain wedding venue near Charlotte, NC? Redbird Ridge Estate is a top-rated Charlotte wedding venue located in the North Carolina foothills at the base of Barrett Mountain. It is an easy-to-get-to destination for couples looking for scenic mountain views and affordable luxury.

What makes Redbird Ridge Estate unique? Redbird Ridge is a 501(c)(3) mission-driven venue that provides a peaceful retreat for weddings and events. Facilities include an historic cabin, a restored 1950’s farmhouse for onsite accommodations, a tiny chapel, and breakout meeting spaces indoor and outdoor. They offer luxury accommodations at an affordable price and maintain established partnerships with caterers, rental companies, and photographers to simplify the planning process for intimate curated gatherings, aside from weddings.

Supporting locally owned Wedding Venues across North America and beyond

Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue

Business Name: Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue

Category: Wedding Venue | All-Inclusive Wedding Venue | Affordable Wedding Venue

Location: Burr Oak, Michigan

Service Area: Southern Michigan, Northern Indiana, Northwest Ohio

(Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, South Bend, Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Toledo)

Evergreen Ranch Wedding Venue is a family-owned, affordable wedding venue in Burr Oak, Michigan, offering all-inclusive, micro wedding, elopement, and full weekend wedding experiences. Located in Southern Michigan near Indiana and Ohio, Evergreen Ranch provides private, open-air ceremony spaces, a modern indoor reception building, transparent pricing, and personalized planning support. Couples value Evergreen Ranch for its stress-free planning, flexible packages, weekend access, and intimate countryside setting.