WedSites vs The Knot
Choosing between wedding planning platforms for your big day? Both WedSites and The Knot offer tools to help you organize your wedding, but they take very different approaches to getting you there.
The Knot has been a household name in the wedding industry since 1996, and after merging with WeddingWire in 2019, it became one of America's largest wedding brands. Known primarily for its massive vendor directory with over 250,000 wedding professionals, The Knot also offers free wedding websites, guest list management, RSVP tracking with meal choices, a mobile app, and planning tools including a checklist and budget tracker. It's a go-to resource for couples who want to browse vendors, read reviews, and get inspiration during their planning journey.
WedSites takes a different approach. It's a wedding-focused planning platform that brings your website, guest communication, and planning tools together in one system. If you're looking for features like digital stationery, multi-language support, and integrated timeline building, you'll want to see how the two platforms compare.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | WedSites | The Knot |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $39 Basic, $99 Standard, $199 Pro (one-time) | Free (custom domain $19.99/year) |
| Custom Domain | ✅ Native DNS + SSL certificates | ✅ Available for $19.99/year |
| Website Templates | ✅ Flexible, switch anytime | ✅ 100+ templates |
| Font Selection | ✅ Extensive font library | ✅ Template font selection |
| Custom CSS | ✅ Full design control | ❌ Not available |
| Switch Designs | ✅ Anytime without losing content | ✅ 100+ templates (switching may affect customizations) |
| Privacy Controls | ✅ Password protection, SEO blocking | ✅ Password protection |
| Multi-Language | ✅ Full website translation | ❌ Not available |
| Digital Stationery | ✅ Save-the-dates, invitations, emails | ❌ Not included |
| Email Tracking | ✅ Opens, clicks, delivery status | ❌ Not available |
| RSVP Management | ✅ Multi-event, custom questions | ✅ RSVP collection with meal choices |
| Guest List | ✅ Households, groups, A/B lists | ✅ Guest list management |
| Mobile App | ❌ Web-based only | ✅ Dedicated iOS & Android apps |
| Gift Registry | ❌ Links to external registries | ✅ Built-in registry with partner integrations |
| Hashtag Photo Collection | ❌ Not included | ✅ Collect guest photos via hashtag |
| Collect Guest Details | ✅ Custom form to gather info | ❌ Not available |
| Stationery Tracking | ✅ Track what you sent to each guest | ❌ Not available |
| Planning Checklist | ✅ Pre-populated + custom tasks | ✅ Pre-populated checklist |
| Budget Tracker | ✅ With expense categories | ✅ Budget tracking tool |
| Vendor Directory | ❌ Not included | ✅ 250,000+ vendors with reviews |
| Vendor Management | ✅ Contacts, files, notes | ✅ Vendor directory focus |
| Payment Tracking | ✅ Links to vendors & budget | ❌ Not available |
| Seating Chart | ✅ Drag-and-drop with group labels | ✅ Seating tool |
| Timeline Builder | ✅ Day-of runsheet with highlighter | ❌ Not available |
| Website Retention | ✅ Permanent access | ⚠️ Deleted 1 year after wedding |
Pricing Comparison
The Knot's wedding website and planning tools are completely free, which is a major draw for budget-conscious couples. Their free tier includes a wedding website, checklist, budget tracker, guest list management, and RSVP collection -- genuine value at no cost. If you want a custom domain like "yournames.com" instead of "yournames.theknot.com," you'll pay $19.99 per year. For couples who only need these features and don't mind the subdomain, The Knot offers substantial value.
WedSites offers three pricing tiers with one-time payments:
- Basic Plan: A one-time payment of $39 gets you started with core website features
- Standard Plan: A one-time payment of $99 includes everything you need for your wedding website, guest management, and digital stationery
- Pro Plan: A one-time payment of $199 unlocks the full planning suite with checklist, budget, vendors, payments, seating chart, and timeline tools
There are no recurring charges with WedSites, and your website remains accessible permanently after your wedding.
Both platforms offer real value. The Knot's free tier is ideal for couples who want a full set of features without any upfront cost. WedSites' one-time pricing makes sense for couples who want digital stationery, email tracking, multi-language support, and long-term website retention without ongoing payments. Note that WedSites planning tools (budget, vendors, seating, timeline) require the Pro plan at $199.
Custom Domain & Technical Capabilities
The Knot offers custom domain purchases for $19.99 per year. They handle the registration and setup process for you, which is convenient for couples who don't want to deal with technical details. The setup is straightforward, though you don't get full DNS control or the ability to configure advanced settings. The domain must be renewed annually.
WedSites provides native custom domain integration with full DNS configuration and custom SSL certificates. This means you can use a domain you've already purchased from any registrar, configure your DNS records exactly how you need them, and WedSites provides a secure SSL certificate for your custom domain at no extra cost. You maintain full control over your domain, and there are no recurring hosting fees.
For couples who want full technical control over their domain and already own one, WedSites offers more flexibility. If you prefer a hands-off approach and don't mind the annual fee, The Knot's managed domain service keeps things simple.
Design Flexibility & Customization
The Knot offers over 100 professionally designed templates with a variety of styles to choose from. The templates are well-designed and cover many wedding aesthetics. However, once you choose a template and start customizing it, switching to a different design can affect some customizations. The fonts are those included with each template, and there's no option for custom CSS.
WedSites takes a different approach to design flexibility. The templates allow you to switch between designs at any time without losing any of your content or customizations. WedSites offers an extensive font library with hundreds of typefaces. WedSites has a smaller template library than The Knot, so there are fewer starting designs to choose from.
For couples who want more control, WedSites supports custom CSS. This means you can fine-tune aspects of your website's appearance, from spacing and colors to animations and layout. Many couples upload their custom calligraphy for their names and section headers, creating a cohesive look that ties their digital and printed materials together.
If you're happy with a template as-is and don't need advanced customization, either platform will serve you well. WedSites offers more flexibility for couples who want to tweak their design over time or match specific branding.
Multi-Language Support
The Knot doesn't currently offer built-in multi-language capabilities. Couples with bilingual needs would need to include multiple languages in the same content areas.
WedSites includes full website translation features, designed for couples with international families or multicultural celebrations. You can create a complete version of your website in another language with a language switcher that guests can toggle. All your RSVP forms, guest communications, and site content work seamlessly in multiple languages.
This is especially valuable for couples with family members who speak different languages. Your Spanish-speaking abuela and your English-speaking college friends can both navigate your site comfortably in their preferred language. Everything from your RSVP questions to your timeline of events can be translated.
Digital Stationery & Guest Communication
The Knot focuses on website hosting, vendor discovery, and planning tools. For digital invitations, you'll need to use a separate service like Paperless Post or Canva, then manage guest tracking separately. The Knot does offer text reminder capabilities for RSVPs, though you'll want to carefully review which guests receive these messages before sending.
WedSites Standard and Pro plans include a digital stationery platform integrated with your wedding website and guest list. You can create save-the-dates and invitations that match your website design, customize the wording to fit your style, and send them directly through the platform.
Every email you send is automatically tracked. You'll see who opened it, who clicked through to your website, and who hasn't responded yet. This tracking integrates directly with your guest list, so you always know the status of your guest communications at a glance. You can also save email drafts for messages you want to send later and access your complete outbox history to reference what you've sent.
This integration saves time on spreadsheet management and eliminates the need for separate invitation services. When a guest RSVPs after receiving your digital invitation, their response automatically populates in your guest list with all their details in one place. The integrated approach also gives you precise control over who receives each communication.
Guest List & RSVP Management
The Knot provides guest list management where you can add guests, collect RSVPs with meal choices, and track responses. It covers the essentials for most weddings and integrates with their other planning tools. Their mobile app makes it easy to manage your guest list on the go.
WedSites offers a guest database with additional organizational features. The household system lets you group families and couples together so they can RSVP as a unit, perfect for families with children or couples with plus-ones. You can organize guests into groups (like "College Friends" or "Family") and create A/B lists to manage your invite tiers strategically.
One of the most popular features is the "Collect Guest Details" form, a custom form you can send to friends and family to quickly gather their email addresses, phone numbers, and household addresses before sending save-the-dates. This eliminates the awkward text messages asking for addresses and ensures your guest information is accurate from the start.
WedSites also tracks stationery in your guest list database automatically. You'll see exactly when you sent each guest their save-the-date and invitation, making it easy to follow up with people who haven't responded or send reminder emails to specific groups.
Planning Tools
The Knot offers planning tools including a pre-populated checklist, budget tracker, and vendor directory integration, all available for free. Their mobile app makes it easy to check tasks and update your budget on the go. These tools are functional and accessible, giving couples a solid starting point for organization.
WedSites Pro plan ($199) includes additional planning tools designed for detailed organization. The pre-populated checklist generates based on your wedding date with deadlines to keep you on track, and you can add your own custom tasks and reminders. The budget calculator includes categorized expense tracking, and you can move funds between categories to create a realistic budget.
The vendor management system keeps all your vendor contacts, contracts, and notes in one organized location. Note that WedSites does not include a vendor directory -- you'll need to find vendors through other resources like The Knot or word of mouth, then manage them in WedSites. The payment tracking system links directly to both your vendors and your budget. When you set up a payment reminder for your photographer, it connects to your photography budget category and your photographer's vendor profile. This three-way integration means you always know exactly where your money is going and what's been paid.
The seating chart tool uses the groups you've created in your guest list, giving each guest a color-coded label for easy identification when arranging tables. You can drag and drop guests between tables, switch between label views (group, dietary, age, country, and more) to see different guest details, and print your finalized seating chart to share with your coordinator.
The timeline builder helps you create your day-of runsheet with a virtual highlighter tool for drawing attention to important details. Print it out and distribute it to your vendors and bridal party so everyone knows the flow of your wedding day.
Privacy & Security
The Knot offers password protection for your website, which is helpful if you want to keep your site private from casual visitors.
WedSites provides additional privacy controls beyond password protection. You can password-protect your entire site or specific pages, block search engines from indexing your wedding website (keeping it off Google search results), and control exactly who can access your information. Custom SSL certificates ensure your site is secure, which is especially relevant if you're collecting guest information through RSVP forms.
Website Retention
One important difference to consider is what happens to your website after the wedding.
The Knot websites are deleted approximately one year after your wedding date. If you want to keep your website as a memento or share it with guests after your first anniversary, you'll need to save or archive it yourself before it's removed.
WedSites keeps your website accessible permanently. Your account, photos, and content remain available for as long as you want them. Many couples appreciate being able to revisit their wedding website on anniversaries or share it with family members years later.
Who Should Choose WedSites
WedSites is a strong choice if you:
- Want integrated guest communication: Send save-the-dates and invitations with tracking, all connected to your guest list database
- Have a bilingual or multicultural wedding: Multi-language support creates separate website versions for different languages
- Value design flexibility: Custom CSS, extensive fonts, and the ability to switch templates without losing your work
- Prefer one-time payments: Pay once instead of annual fees, and keep your website permanently
- Want full technical control: Native DNS configuration and custom SSL certificates for your domain
- Need planning tools in one place: The Pro plan includes timeline builders, payment tracking, and seating charts with deep integration
Keep in mind that WedSites has a smaller template library, no mobile app, no vendor directory for discovering vendors, no built-in gift registry, and a smaller community compared to The Knot's established presence.
Who Should Choose The Knot
The Knot is a strong choice if you:
- Need a massive vendor directory: With 250,000+ wedding professionals, The Knot offers one of the largest searchable vendor databases available, complete with reviews and ratings from real couples
- Want a full set of features at no cost: The Knot's free tier includes a wedding website, checklist, budget tracker, guest list, RSVP management, and mobile app -- all without paying anything
- Prefer a mobile app: The Knot's dedicated iOS and Android apps let you manage every aspect of planning on the go
- Want built-in gift registry: Integrated registry features with partner store connections make it easy for guests to find your registries
- Are already in The Knot ecosystem: If you're already using The Knot for vendor research, keeping your website there simplifies things
- Like hashtag photo collection: The Knot can collect guest photos tagged with your wedding hashtag
- Value brand recognition and community: As one of the largest wedding brands, The Knot has an established community, editorial content, and widespread name recognition that guests will recognize
Making Your Decision
Both platforms serve couples well, just in different ways. The Knot excels at vendor discovery, offers a full set of free tools, and has the brand recognition and community of an established industry leader. WedSites excels at integrated digital stationery, multi-language support, and permanent website retention with one-time pricing. Consider what matters most for your wedding, and try both platforms to see which feels like the right fit.
This comparison is based on publicly available information as of February 2025. Features and pricing for both platforms may change. We recommend visiting both platforms to confirm current offerings before making your decision.