Managing custom domain settings

Configure settings for your custom domain including redirects, SSL certificates, and switching domains.

Once you've set up a custom domain, you might need to manage settings like redirects, SSL certificates, or switching to a different domain. Here's how to handle your custom domain settings!

Accessing custom domain settings

  1. Go to Settings in your main navigation
  2. In the Website URL section, find the Custom domain (optional) field
  3. You'll see your current domain and DNS instructions below

Common settings you can manage

Current custom domain: See which domain is connected.

Add a new domain: Connect an additional domain.

Remove a domain: Disconnect your custom domain.

Force HTTPS: Ensure all traffic uses secure HTTPS.

WWW redirect: Choose whether www.yourdomain.com redirects to yourdomain.com (or vice versa).

DNS instructions: View the DNS records you need for setup.

Viewing your connected domain

Your custom domain settings will show:

  • The domain currently connected
  • Connection status (active, pending, or error)
  • SSL certificate status
  • When it was connected

This helps you verify everything is working correctly!

Forcing HTTPS (SSL)

HTTPS is the secure version of your site (the padlock icon in browsers).

Auto-enabled: Usually turns on automatically when you connect a custom domain.

Force HTTPS: Redirects all HTTP traffic to HTTPS (recommended!).

Check status: Your settings should show if SSL is active.

If your SSL certificate isn't working, wait 24-48 hours after connecting your domain. It usually resolves itself!

WWW vs. non-WWW redirect

You can choose your preferred format:

Option 1: yourdomain.com is the primary, www.yourdomain.com redirects to it

Option 2: www.yourdomain.com is primary, yourdomain.com redirects to it

Both work! This just ensures guests reach the same address regardless of how they type it.

Most people prefer the non-www version (shorter!), but it's totally up to you.

Removing your custom domain

Need to disconnect your custom domain?

  1. Go to custom domain settings
  2. Find Remove domain or Disconnect option
  3. Confirm removal
  4. Your site goes back to using your WedSites subdomain

Reasons to remove:
- You're no longer using the domain
- You're switching to a different custom domain
- You're letting the domain expire

Switching to a different custom domain

Want to use a new domain instead?

  1. Purchase the new domain from a registrar
  2. Add the new domain in WedSites custom domain settings
  3. Update DNS records for the new domain (at your registrar)
  4. Wait for propagation (up to 48 hours)
  5. Remove the old domain from WedSites (optional)
  6. Update shared links to use the new domain

Checking DNS records

Your custom domain settings usually show the DNS records you need:

A record: Points your apex/root domain to WedSites' server (only needed if using apex domain)

CNAME record: Points your subdomain to WedSites (only needed if using a subdomain like www or wedding.yourwedding.com)

Best practice: Add both records so both your apex domain and www subdomain work.

If your domain isn't working, verify these records are correct in your domain registrar's DNS settings.

Connection status

Your custom domain might show different statuses:

Active: Everything is working!

Pending: DNS records are propagating. Wait up to 48 hours.

Error: Something's wrong. Check DNS records or contact support.

Not configured: You added the domain but haven't set up DNS yet.

Troubleshooting common issues

Domain shows "Not found":
- Check that you have an A record for @ pointing to 37.16.10.26
- If the A record is missing, add one. If it points to the wrong address, correct it
- Make sure you've entered your custom domain in WedSites settings
- If "Not found" appears only sometimes, see the conflicting A records section below

Domain not loading:
- Wait 24-48 hours for DNS propagation
- Check DNS records are correct at your registrar
- Clear your browser cache

Domain works sometimes but not other times:
- Check for multiple A records for @ in your DNS settings
- You should have only one A record for @ pointing to 37.16.10.26
- Delete any other A records for @ (they may be from your registrar's website builder or parking page)
- Some registrar services need to be disabled before their A records can be removed
- See our FAQ on why your custom domain only works sometimes

SSL certificate error:
- Wait 24 hours for certificate to activate
- Make sure DNS records are correct
- Force HTTPS in settings
- Check for conflicting A records — multiple A records can cause intermittent SSL warnings

"Domain already in use" error:
- Domain might be connected to another account
- Remove it from the old account first
- Contact support if you can't access the old account

Multiple custom domains

Some systems let you connect multiple domains:

Primary domain: Your main domain
Additional domains: Can redirect to the primary

For example:
- emilyandjordan.com (primary)
- thekims.com (redirects to emilyandjordan.com)

Check if your plan supports multiple custom domains!

Domain renewal

Remember to renew your domain! You registered it with a domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.), and it needs to be renewed annually.

Set auto-renewal if possible so you don't forget!

If your domain expires:
- Your wedding website becomes inaccessible at that address
- Your WedSites subdomain still works
- You can renew the domain to restore access

Transferring domain ownership

If you need to transfer domain ownership (maybe one partner owned it, now you both do):

This is done at your domain registrar, not in WedSites!
1. Log into your registrar
2. Look for domain transfer or ownership settings
3. Follow their process

WedSites doesn't control domain ownership, just the connection!

Email and custom domains

Important: Connecting your custom domain to your website does NOT give you email addresses at that domain!

If you want hello@yourdomain.com email:
- Set up email hosting separately (through your registrar or Google Workspace)
- This uses different DNS records (MX records)
- It's separate from your website setup

Checking SSL certificate

To verify your SSL certificate is working:

  1. Visit your custom domain in a browser
  2. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar
  3. Click it to view certificate details
  4. Should say "Connection is secure"

If you see "Not Secure", wait longer or check your settings!

Backup access

Even with a custom domain connected, your WedSites subdomain usually still works. This is helpful if:
- Your custom domain has issues
- You forget to renew your domain
- You need a backup URL

Keep track of both addresses just in case!

Getting help

If you're stuck:
- Check your domain registrar's help docs (for DNS setup)
- Contact WedSites support (for connection issues)
- Wait 48 hours if you just made changes (DNS takes time!)

Managing custom domain settings is straightforward once your domain is connected. Most couples set it up once and forget about it until after the wedding!