Applying themes

Learn how to browse, preview, and apply different themes to instantly transform your wedding website's design while keeping all your content.

Ready to change your wedding website's design? You can apply a new theme in seconds! Themes give your site a fresh look while keeping all your content and customizations intact.

What happens when you apply a theme

Changes:
- Overall design and layout
- Default fonts and typography
- Default color scheme
- Background textures and patterns
- Section styling and spacing

Stays the same:
- All your content (text, photos, sections)
- Your custom color choices
- Your custom font choices
- Your pages and navigation
- All your settings and preferences

Applying a theme is safe and won't delete anything!

Two ways to apply themes

You can apply themes from two different places:

1. From the theme browser (best for trying completely different themes)

2. From Site settings Design tab (best for switching between similar themes)

Let's cover both methods!

Method 1: Applying from theme browser

This is the main way to browse and apply any theme.

Steps:

  1. Go to Site in your main navigation
  2. Find and click the Theme button or link
  3. You'll see all available themes
  4. Click on any theme screenshot to preview it
  5. On the preview page, review how your site looks
  6. Click the Select this theme button
  7. The theme is applied immediately!

You'll return to your website view with the new theme active.

When to use this method:
- Exploring all available themes
- Switching to a completely different style
- Starting fresh with design
- Comparing many different options

Method 2: Applying from Site settings

This method lets you quickly switch between themes in the same collection (similar designs).

Steps:

  1. Go to Site in your main navigation
  2. Click the settings icon to open Site settings
  3. Click the Design tab at the top
  4. You'll see your active theme with a screenshot
  5. Click the Show similar themes link
  6. A hidden area expands showing other themes in the same collection
  7. Click on any similar theme screenshot
  8. The preview updates immediately
  9. Click Save changes at the bottom to apply

When to use this method:
- You like your current theme but want a variation
- Exploring themes in the same collection
- Making small design changes
- Already in Site settings adjusting other design options

Theme preview before applying

Always preview before applying:

From theme browser:
- Click any theme to see full preview page
- Use device toggles (phone/laptop) to check mobile and desktop
- Click View demo to see sample content
- Click All themes to go back and browse more

From Site settings:
- Similar themes show a preview when you click
- You can see how it looks before saving
- Click Hide similar themes to collapse if you change your mind

Don't rush! Preview carefully to make sure you love it.

Applying themes to ecards

Themes apply to both your website AND your ecards (save the date and invitation):

When you apply a theme:
- Your wedding website changes
- Your save the date design updates
- Your invitation design updates
- All use the same theme for consistency

You can customize colors and fonts separately for each, but the base theme is shared!

Note on the Design tab: There's a message at the top that says "Customizations are applied to your site and ecards."

This means color and font changes affect everything!

What if you don't like it?

No worries! You can switch themes anytime.

To change back:
1. Go back to the theme browser
2. Find your previous theme (check the collection name if you remember it)
3. Preview it again
4. Click Select this theme

Or pick a completely different theme!

Customizing after applying

After applying a theme, customize it to match your wedding:

Colors: (Site settings → Design tab)
- Text color
- Accent color
- Background color
- Click Restore defaults to use theme's original colors

Fonts: (Site settings → Fonts tab)
- Body text
- Couple names
- Headings, titles, labels
- Click Restore defaults to use theme's original fonts

Other design options:
- Simplified design toggle
- Custom CSS
- Header images and backgrounds

Make the theme your own!

Theme defaults

Each theme has thoughtfully chosen defaults:

  • Color palette that works well together
  • Font combinations that are readable and beautiful
  • Spacing and layout optimized for wedding content

Restore defaults link: Found in both the Colors and Fonts sections. Click it to reset to the theme's original design.

Use this if you've customized a lot and want to start fresh with the theme's defaults!

Switching between themes in a collection

Collections are groups of similar themes. When viewing similar themes in Site settings:

You'll see:
- Themes with related design styles
- Different color variations
- Slight layout differences
- Same overall aesthetic

Perfect for:
- Fine-tuning your look
- Trying subtle variations
- Staying within a consistent style family

Previewing your site after applying

After applying a theme:

  1. Visit your live wedding website
  2. Check all your pages
  3. View on mobile and desktop
  4. Look at different sections
  5. Test navigation and links
  6. Ask friends for opinions

Make sure everything looks great!

Theme compatibility with custom content

Themes are designed to work with all section types:

  • Heading, paragraph, quote
  • Images, timelines, galleries
  • Maps, registries, guestbook
  • Videos, custom HTML
  • All section types supported

Some themes might style sections differently, but all sections will work!

Custom CSS and themes

If you've added custom CSS:

When you switch themes:
- Your custom CSS stays active
- It might look different with the new theme
- Some CSS might not apply correctly
- You may need to adjust your code

Test thoroughly if you're using custom CSS!

Mobile responsiveness

All themes are mobile-responsive:

  • Automatically adapt to screen size
  • Navigation collapses on mobile
  • Images resize appropriately
  • Text remains readable

Always preview on mobile after applying a new theme!

Theme application confirmation

When you apply a theme:

From theme browser:
- Click Select this theme
- Returns to website view
- Theme is immediately active
- No confirmation dialog

From Site settings:
- Click Save changes after selecting similar theme
- Saves with a "Saving..." indicator
- Returns to your website view
- Theme is now active

Themes and published sites

You can apply themes whether your site is published or unpublished:

  • Unpublished: Only you see the changes
  • Published: Guests immediately see the new theme

Tip: If you want to test a theme before showing guests, unpublish your site first, apply the theme, test it thoroughly, then republish!

Collection info

When browsing themes, each shows its collection name. If you love a theme:

  • Remember the collection name
  • Check other themes in that collection
  • They'll have a similar style and vibe

Collections make it easy to find themes you'll love!

Switching themes frequently

You can switch themes as often as you want:

  • No limit on theme changes
  • All your content is safe
  • Customizations persist (though may look different)
  • Free to experiment!

Try different themes at different stages of planning. Your style might evolve!

After applying checklist

After you apply a new theme:

  1. ✓ Check all pages and sections
  2. ✓ Customize colors to match your wedding
  3. ✓ Adjust fonts if needed
  4. ✓ Upload header images and backgrounds
  5. ✓ Test on mobile devices
  6. ✓ Verify navigation works
  7. ✓ Preview in different browsers
  8. ✓ Share with your partner for approval

Make sure everything's perfect before sharing with guests!

When to change themes

Good times to switch themes:
- Just getting started
- Realizing current theme doesn't match your style
- Wedding style has evolved
- Got inspiration from other weddings
- After engagement photos (to showcase new photos)

Maybe wait to switch:
- Site is perfect and guests love it
- Custom CSS would break
- You've already shared with hundreds of guests
- Wedding is next week (unless there's a big issue!)

Use your judgment!

Themes and loading speed

All themes are optimized for performance:

  • Fast loading times
  • Efficient code
  • Optimized images in theme design
  • Good user experience

Switching themes won't slow down your site!

Getting theme recommendations

Not sure which theme to pick?

  • Look at real WedSites examples if available
  • Check the demo versions
  • Ask your partner which they prefer
  • Match to your invitation design
  • Consider your venue style
  • Think about the season

The right theme feels perfect for YOUR wedding!

Applying themes lets you transform your wedding website's look instantly while keeping all your hard work safe and sound!