Viewing your website in full screen

Learn how to preview your wedding website in full screen mode without editing controls to see exactly what guests will see.

Want to see your wedding website without the WedSites editing interface? Full screen mode hides all the editor controls so you can preview your site exactly as guests will see it!

What full screen mode does

Full screen mode shows your wedding website exactly as guests see it, in a clean, distraction-free, full browser window view. The admin interface is hidden so you can focus on the guest experience.

Entering full screen mode

From the homepage:

  1. Go to Site in your main navigation
  2. You'll see your wedding website with editing controls
  3. Look in the header for actions
  4. Click the Full screen link (maximize icon)
  5. The page expands to full screen
  6. All editing controls disappear

From a specific page:

  1. Go to Site → Select a page
  2. Look in the header for actions
  3. Click the Full screen link (maximize icon)
  4. That page displays in full screen

You're now in preview mode!

Full screen interface

In full screen mode:

What you see:
- Your wedding website as guests see it
- Full browser width and height
- All your content and sections
- Navigation menu (if enabled)
- All public elements

What you don't see:
- WedSites editing sidebar
- Section edit buttons
- Add section buttons
- Settings icons
- Any admin controls

One exception:
- Exit full screen button in the corner
- Lets you return to editing mode
- Only you see this (guests never see it)

Exiting full screen mode

To return to editing mode:

  1. Look for the Exit full screen button (usually in a corner)
  2. Click it
  3. You return to the normal editing view
  4. All editing controls reappear

Or:

  1. Click the back button in your browser
  2. Returns to editing mode

Easy to get back!

Why use full screen mode

Preview your work:
- See what guests see
- Check layout without editing clutter
- Get the guest experience
- Make sure everything looks right

Show to others:
- Demo your website to your partner
- Show family without confusing them with edit buttons
- Present your site in meetings
- Let others review without accidentally clicking edit buttons

Take screenshots:
- Capture your site without editing UI
- Get clean images for sharing
- Document your design
- Share on social media

Focus:
- View your site without distractions
- Appreciate your design work
- Review content carefully
- Experience it as a guest would

Full screen vs new tab

These are different preview methods:

Full screen:
- Same browser window
- Hides editing UI
- Easy to exit back to editing
- Still on WedSites admin interface

New tab:
- Opens actual live site in new tab
- Completely separate from admin
- Real guest URL
- Can share the URL
- True production view

See our article on "Viewing your website in new tab" for the other option!

Mobile view in full screen

Full screen mode shows:

  • Desktop view on desktop browsers
  • Mobile view on mobile browsers
  • Responsive design in action

To preview mobile:
- Use full screen mode
- Then use browser dev tools to simulate mobile (if on desktop)
- Or view full screen on actual mobile device

Testing in full screen

Use full screen mode to:

Check design:
- Colors and fonts look good
- Spacing is appropriate
- Images display correctly
- Layout works well

Test navigation:
- Menu links work
- Page navigation flows
- Sections are reachable
- Everything is accessible

Review content:
- Text is readable
- No typos
- Content makes sense
- Tone is right

Verify functionality:
- Forms work (guestbook, RSVP)
- External links open
- Videos play
- Maps load

Full screen is your testing environment!

Full screen and published status

Full screen works whether your site is:

Published:
- Shows your live site
- What guests currently see
- Includes all public sections

Unpublished:
- Shows how your site will look when published
- Preview before launching
- Test everything before going live

You can preview anytime!

Full screen with different themes

When testing themes:

  1. Apply a theme in Site settings
  2. Enter full screen mode
  3. See how the theme looks
  4. Exit full screen
  5. Try a different theme
  6. Repeat

Perfect for theme shopping!

Full screen with pages

From homepage full screen:
- Click navigation links to visit other pages
- Browse your entire site
- Experience the full user journey
- Return using menu

From specific page full screen:
- Starts on that page
- Can navigate to others from there
- Test specific page flows

Sharing your screen

When screen sharing (Zoom, Teams, etc.):

  1. Enter full screen mode first
  2. Then share your screen
  3. Others see your site without editing UI
  4. Professional presentation
  5. No confusion from edit buttons

Great for meetings with planners or vendors!

Full screen and changes

If you exit full screen, make changes, and re-enter:

  • Changes appear immediately
  • Full screen always shows current version
  • No need to refresh
  • Live preview of edits

Test changes quickly!

Keyboard shortcuts

To exit full screen:
- Press ESC key (usually)
- Or click Exit full screen button

Quick escape!

Browser full screen vs WedSites full screen

Don't confuse:

WedSites full screen:
- Hides editing UI
- Shows your website cleanly
- Still in your browser window with tabs

Browser full screen (F11):
- Hides browser chrome (tabs, address bar)
- Makes browser take over whole monitor
- Can combine with WedSites full screen for maximum immersion

You can use both together!

Full screen on different devices

Desktop/laptop:
- Maximize icon in header
- Large viewing area
- Easy to navigate

Tablet:
- Works the same way
- Touch-friendly exit button
- Good for showing clients

Phone:
- Available but screen is small
- More useful to just preview normally
- Or use new tab option

Taking screenshots in full screen

For clean screenshots:

  1. Enter full screen mode
  2. Adjust browser window size if needed
  3. Take screenshot (Cmd+Shift+4 on Mac, Windows+Shift+S on Windows)
  4. Capture exactly what you want
  5. No editing UI in the screenshot!

Perfect for marketing or sharing!

Full screen and languages

If you have multiple languages:

  1. Select a language
  2. Enter full screen mode
  3. See that language version of your site
  4. Exit, switch language, repeat

Preview all language versions!

Full screen and privacy settings

Full screen respects privacy:

If your site requires authentication:
- Full screen shows authentication screen
- Then shows site after logging in
- Just like guests experience

Private sections:
- Hidden in full screen (unless you're authenticated)
- Shows public content only
- True guest view

Common uses

Before publishing:
- Final check before going live
- Catch last-minute issues
- Approve overall look and feel

After edits:
- Verify changes look good
- Test new sections
- Check layout

For presentations:
- Show to wedding planner
- Demo to family
- Present to vendors

For screenshots:
- Social media
- Save the date cards
- Invitations
- Documentation

For testing:
- User flow
- Navigation
- Responsiveness
- Content

Full screen is incredibly useful!

Exit button location

The Exit full screen button usually appears:

  • In a corner (often top left or top right)
  • As a button or link
  • Labeled clearly
  • Easy to find

You won't get stuck!

Full screen and sidebars

In full screen mode:

  • Theme sidebars may still appear (depending on your theme)
  • Guestbook sections still work
  • RSVP forms function normally
  • Everything interactive works

It's a functional preview, not just visual!

Viewing your wedding website in full screen mode gives you a clean, distraction-free preview of exactly how your guests will experience your beautiful site!