Things to consider when setting up a wedding website and online RSVP in the Philippines

Use these questions to evaluate a supplier’s Wedding Website & RSVP service for a Philippine wedding. Mix and match based on your needs.

Strategy & Setup

• What’s the primary goal of the site and RSVP (info hub, RSVP capture, logistics, registry, cash gifts, livestream)?
• Do you offer a discovery call to map guest journeys (local vs. overseas, tech-savvy vs. offline)?
• Can you provide sample sites that match our theme, tone, and complexity?

Branding & Design

• How customizable are layouts, fonts, and colors to match our invitation suite?
• Can you replicate our monogram, motif, and save-the-date artwork?
• Do you offer dark mode or high-contrast themes for accessibility?
• Can you create a branded OG image/thumbnail for link previews on Facebook, Messenger, Viber, and WhatsApp?
• Will you provide mobile-first designs optimized for small screens and older Android devices?

Content & Languages

• Can we publish pages in English + Filipino (and optionally Cebuano/Ilocano) with a language toggle?
• Do you support diacritics and special characters in names (e.g., Ma. Niño, Jollibee-style nicknames)?
• Can you add downloadable schedules (PDF) and venue maps (Google Maps + Waze deep links)?
• Can you embed hotel/accommodation recommendations with booking links and group codes?

Custom Domain, SEO & Launch Controls

• Can we use a custom domain or subdomain (e.g., romeoandjuliet.ph / .com)?
• Is SSL included and auto-renewed?
• Can the site stay hidden behind a password or “noindex” until invites go out?
• Do you provide a staging link for review before launch?

RSVP Form Design

• Can we create conditional questions (e.g., show meal choices only if attending)?
• Do you support plus-ones, family/group RSVPs, and seat/child policies?
• Can we collect dietary restrictions, allergies, accessibility needs, and transport requests?
• Can we ask song requests and personal notes for the couple?
• Can we enforce RSVP deadlines by timezone (PHT) with auto-closing and grace periods?
• Can guests modify or cancel their RSVP later with verification links or codes?

Guest List Management

• Can we import/export guest lists via CSV/Excel and tag guests (bride side, groom side, entourage)?
• Do you support unique invite codes per household and single-use links?
• How do you prevent duplicate RSVPs or email typos?
• Can we track responses by batch (A/B testing invite waves)?

QR Codes & Printed Invites

• Do you provide dynamic QR codes that link to each guest’s prefilled RSVP?
• Can QR codes be re-routed if the URL changes?
• Will you supply print-ready vector files for our invitation designer?

Communications & Notifications

• Which channels do you support for updates: email, SMS, Viber/WhatsApp/Messenger broadcasts, push notifications?
• Can we schedule reminders (e.g., “RSVP closes in 3 days”) and segment messaging (out-of-towners only)?
• Do you provide message templates that match our tone and branding?
• Can replies be centralized (one inbox) and assigned to our planner?

SMS & Messaging Considerations (PH context)

• Do you support PH sender IDs and local delivery via Smart/Globe/Dito routes?
• How do you handle opt-in/opt-out and message frequency limits?
• Can you verify numbers and handle international guests’ numbers correctly (E.164)?

Privacy, Data Protection & Compliance (Philippines)

• How do you comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173) and NPC guidelines?
• Do you provide a clear privacy notice and consent language for RSVPs and marketing?
• Where is guest data stored (country/region) and is data encrypted at rest and in transit?
• Who owns the data, and can we download a complete export (CSV/JSON) at any time?
• What’s your data retention period, and can you perform a certified data deletion post-wedding?
• Do you sign a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) upon request?
• How do you secure admin access (MFA, SSO, role-based permissions for planner/parents)?

Payments, Cash Gifts & Registry (PH options)

• Can we accept monetary gifts online via GCash, Maya, bank transfer, QR Ph, or card?
• Which payment gateways do you integrate with (e.g., PayMongo, Xendit, HitPay, Maya Business)?
• Are transaction fees clearly disclosed and who bears them (guest or couple)?
• Do you support multi-currency for overseas guests and automatic PHP settlement?
• Can we add traditional registries (local and international) and track purchases without showing amounts publicly?

Logistics & On-the-Day Info

• Can we display ceremony/reception addresses with one-tap ride-hailing links (Grab, JoyRide)?
• Do you support weather notices, dress code tips, and venue rules (e.g., no flash, unplugged ceremony)?
• Can you add parking maps, shuttle schedules, and gate passes?
• Do you support RSVP for pre-events (despedida, welcome dinner) and post-events (recovery brunch)?

Livestream & Digital Guests

• Can you embed livestreams (YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo) with password protection if needed?
• Is there a delay-proof backup link and “now live” alert?
• Can digital guests RSVP separately and receive tailored reminders/timezone conversions?

Seating, Check-In & Guest Experience

• Do you provide seating chart tools and table assignment exports for the coordinator?
• Is there a guest check-in app with QR code scanning?
• Can we generate printable escort cards/place cards from the guest list?
• Do you handle special badges (ninongs/ninangs, principal sponsors, entourage)?

Accessibility & Inclusion

• Are pages screen-reader friendly (semantic HTML, ARIA labels)?
• Do forms support large tap targets and error hints in plain language?
• Can we offer an alternate “lite” RSVP for low bandwidth / older phones?
• Can we add content warnings or sensory-friendly guidance if needed?

Performance, Reliability & Security

• What’s your uptime track record and do you offer an SLA?
• How do you handle traffic spikes when invites go out?
• Do you use a CDN and DDoS protection?
• How often do you back up data and how fast can you restore?
• Is there a read-only “status” page we can share during outages?

Integrations

• Do you integrate with Google Sheets, Airtable, Notion, Mailchimp/Klaviyo, or CRM tools?
• Can you sync with our planner’s software for seating and timelines?
• Is Zapier/Make supported for custom workflows?

Analytics & Reporting

• What analytics are included (views, unique visitors, RSVP funnel, source tracking)?
• Can we see per-question drop-off to refine the form?
• Do you support anonymized heatmaps or A/B testing for conversion?
• Can we add Google Analytics/Meta Pixel with consent controls?

Admin Experience & Roles

• How many admin users are included and what permissions can we set?
• Can our coordinator have limited access for day-of needs only?
• Is there an audit log of changes and message sends?

Timeline & Process

• Typical timeline from kickoff to launch?
• How many design/revision rounds are included?
• Who writes copy—do you offer copyediting or microcopy for forms and alerts?
• Do you perform QA on multiple devices/networks (budget Android, iOS, desktop, slow data)?

Pricing, Inclusions & Contracts

• What packages do you offer (DIY, done-for-you, full concierge)?
• What exactly is included (design, domain, SSL, messaging credits, payment setup)?
• Are there caps on email/SMS sends, file storage, or guest count?
• What’s billed one-time vs. recurring (domain renewals, messaging credits, gateway fees)?
• Do you issue BIR-registered official receipts and is VAT included?
• What are the refund, reschedule, and cancellation terms (e.g., due to typhoons or force majeure)?

Support & Escalation

• What support channels do you offer (chat, email, hotline, Viber) and hours in PHT?
• Do you provide an on-call contact for launch day and wedding day?
• What’s your average first response and resolution time?
• Is there a knowledge base or handover manual for our team?

Post-Wedding & Archiving

• Can we switch the site to a “Thank you / Gallery” mode after the event?
• Can guests upload photos (with moderation) and can we export originals?
• How and when will you archive the site, and can we download a static copy?

Nice-to-Have Enhancements

• Guestbook wall with moderation and print/export options
• Photo scavenger hunt or hashtag feed (with profanity filters)
• Countdown timers and milestone reminders
• Digital maps for seating or venue navigation
• Gift tracker with “thank-you” list export and address labels

Red Flags to Watch

• Vague answers about data ownership and deletion
• No written policy for consent/opt-out on SMS or email
• No staging link, no backups, or no uptime commitment
• Hidden limits on guest count, messages, or form fields
• One-person teams without a documented coverage plan

Final Fit Check

• Why is your solution a good fit for a Philippine wedding with mixed local/overseas guests?
• What do you wish more couples asked before launching their RSVP?
• What risks do you foresee for our wedding (venue signal, guest tech comfort, weather) and how will you mitigate them?

Tip: Bring a sample guest list, a draft invite, and your must-ask RSVP fields to your supplier meeting so you can pressure-test the workflow on a real phone with PH mobile data.