Today's couples are fortunate to have a resource available to them that was not accessible to brides and grooms as little as a decade ago. Surfing the Internet is more a part of everyday life to most people than going to the library. It functions alongside other technical aids such as beepers, cell phones and PDAs. Many young people include the use of computers in their jobs and most use E-mail to communicate. Computers in the home have become as much the norm as television sets. It stands to reason that the same couples who make use of the web in order find and pre-screen wedding professionals would also choose to use Internet for other functions. This holds true whether a couple chooses to design their own web site, or they opt to use a professional web designer.

These are just a few of the many creative ways that modern couples are using the Internet for wedding-related purposes.

1. Announcing Upcoming Events
A bridal web site can begin its incarnation with an announcement in an E-mail message that parallels a written engagement announcement sent by regular mail. It's unlikely that everyone on the couple's invitation list will have an E-mail address and, even if they do, for now etiquette requires a written notification. The E-mail can, however, serve to explain the various ways in which the couple's site will be used throughout, and perhaps even after, the wedding "process" and can, of course, include the couple's web site, with a request to guests to "check back often."
2. Gift Giving and Receiving
A web site is an easy, efficient way to let friends and relatives know what the couple's preference is regarding gifts. If the couple is registered online, a list, or even better, a link to those web sites will be helpful to friends and family.
3. Schedule of Events
Most weddings are preceded by any number of pre-wedding parties. The site is an ideal place to list those events, along with vital information such as dates and times. The site can even include the option for guests to email their responses.
4. Travel Information
A web site is a great place to include directions. A hand-drawn map or a simple link to the MapQuest site will appreciated in addition to the information that the couple chooses to put on the site (e.g., directions to the ceremony and to the reception site). Information about public and local transportation, cabs and car services can also prove helpful.
5. Introducing the Families
In order to acquaint guests with one another, the web site is an ideal place to give visitors a "Who's Who" of both families. By extension, the site can list the members of the wedding party and their relationship to the bride and/or the groom. This will give guests a heads up and serve to make them all the more comfortable at the wedding itself. By including pictures, the site will be even more user-friendly.
6. All the Information They Need to Know
There are any number of details that brides and grooms would be delighted to include in their invitations. Rather than incur the cost of heavy invitations (i.e., more postage cost) and an " over stuffed" envelope, the web site can include any number of information bytes such as special activities for children, children "permitted" or not, where to send gifts, to whom to send donations (if the couple chooses) in lieu of gifts, links to local weather site, links to area attractions, a list of the area's lodging accommodations.
7. Duties of the Day
If there will be attendants in the wedding party, the web site is a great way to list the responsibilities of each attendant. Better than paper lists, the on-line information will always be there. The information, of course, can be updated as needed and word can be sent regarding changes via E-mail. For those people in the bridal party who don't have Internet access, the information can be printed out and sent regular mail.
8. And the Two Shall Become One
It's particularly helpful if the bride and groom come from different religious or cultural backgrounds to use the web site to explain the wedding traditions which may be alien to guests. The site offers sufficient room to explain in detail and will, therefore, served to eliminate any possible embarrassment. This is especially true regarding traditions in which guests may be asked to participate.
9. Better Late Than Never
Regardless of the time and efforts put into planning a wedding, they're always seem to be last-minute details, scratch that last-minute information that it would be helpful to disseminate quickly. A wedding web site works wonders imparting "late-breaking" news, when combined with and E-mail message.
10. All the Wedding News and Photos That Are Fit to Print
The site can be used as a journal of events and preparations up to, including, and after the wedding. By updating and regularly posting information, the site becomes a wonderful way to keep guests, family in friends, "involved" in the wedding experience.
11. Feedback
For after the wedding, the web site can be a place where the bride in groom share the thoughts and good wishes of family and friends, bringing the special day to a conclusion by including loved ones.
12. Save and Share the Memories
Particularly when family and friends do not give locally, the usefulness of the web site can continue even after the special event by sharing memories and posting photographs. For guests who for whatever reasons could not attend the wedding, the web site becomes a vehicle not quite, but better than nothing, as good as having been there. This function of the web site is where the bride and groom can "say" thank you to the guests who attended and to those who could not. It's a wonderful way of keeping family in friends close.
13. Let's Keep the Fun Going
Some couples continue the usefulness of their web site, by listing the details (not all, of course) of their honeymoon, with words and photos.
14. May Your Selections Please
As a stand alone, or with the use of an on-line service, couples can post photos that guests (and others) can review. The services allow guests to order photos right on-line.