You just signed up for Joy. Maybe you're planning a wedding, a milestone birthday, or a family reunion. You're probably excited about what's ahead and already thinking about a dozen other things you need to figure out. Guest lists. Invitations. Who's staying where. How to keep everyone in the loop without sending 50 individual texts.
Joy handles all of that. One place for your website, your invitations, your guest list, your communications, and all the details guests will need between now and the day itself. Instead of juggling spreadsheets, group chats, and half-finished to-do lists, you get a single space where everything connects. Build what you need, skip what you don't, and spend less time coordinating and more time actually looking forward to your event.
This guide walks you through what's possible and where to start.
Where to Start
If you're staring at a blank dashboard and don't know where to begin, here's the path most people take:
Add your event details (date, time, location). Even if things aren't final, get the basics in.
Build your website. Start with the pages that matter most (event details, story, RSVP). You can always add more later.
Set up your guest list. Import a spreadsheet, add people manually, or send out the Contact Collector to gather addresses.
Send your invitations (digital or printed, whenever you're ready).
Track RSVPs and communicate updates. Everything flows into one place from here.
You don't have to do it all at once. Start with what's urgent, add the rest as you go.
Your Event Website
Your website is the heart of everything. It's where guests go to RSVP, see event details, find accommodations, ask questions, and get a sense of what your event will feel like. You control exactly what goes on it.
What you can add:
Event essentials: Date, time, location, dress code, schedule of events
Personal touches: Your story, photos and videos, wedding party or event hosts
Guest resources: Travel and accommodations, registry links, Q&A page
Interactive features: RSVP tracking, shared photo albums where guests can upload and view photos from your event
Every page is optional. Add what matters to you, skip what doesn't. You choose which pages to include and in what order.
Customizing the design:
You can change colors, fonts, layout, and page order to make the site feel like yours. Upload a custom header image or video, adjust the homepage layout, and choose from multiple design templates. Your site can be as simple or as detailed as you want.
Privacy settings:
You decide who can see your site. Make it public or password-protected. Learn how to set your event password.
Adding admins:
If you're planning with a partner, family member, or co-host, you can add them as an admin. They'll get their own login and can help you build the site, manage the guest list, and track RSVPs.
Invitations
Joy handles both digital and printed invitations, all connected to your guest list and website.
Digital invitations:
Send beautifully designed digital cards via email or text. Your guests can RSVP directly from the invitation, and their responses sync automatically to your guest list.
Joy offers free digital cards and premium digital cards (for a fee) with more design options. You can also add text messaging (for a fee) to send invitations via SMS through Joy. You can send save-the-dates, invitations, and day-of reminders, all from Joy.
Printed invitations:
If you prefer paper, Joy Print offers professionally printed invitations, save-the-dates, and day-of stationery. Design your cards in Joy, add guest addresses from your list, and order directly. Everything stays connected. Printed invites still link to your website and RSVP tracking.
Guest List and RSVPs
Your guest list is the foundation. Add guests manually, import from a spreadsheet, or collect addresses with Joy's Contact Collector (a simple form you can share via link or QR code). Guests fill it out, and their info flows directly into your list.
Once your list is set, guests can RSVP through your website or digital invitations. You'll see responses in real time, track meal choices and plus-ones, and export everything when you need a final headcount. Here's everything you need to know about managing your guest list and customizing your RSVPs.
Communicating with Guests
Between the save-the-date and the event itself, you'll need to reach your guests with updates, reminders, and last-minute changes. Joy gives you options beyond a chaotic group text.
Email updates:
Send email announcements to your full list or filtered groups. Guests who've opted in will receive updates directly from Joy.
Text messaging:
With Messaging Plus (a premium feature), you can send text messages directly to your guest list from Joy. Send to everyone, specific groups, or individual guests. Useful for day-of logistics, weather updates, or gentle RSVP reminders.
Accommodations and Travel
If your event requires travel, your Accommodations page helps guests find hotels near your venue. Add hotel blocks with booking links, or suggest nearby options with addresses and contact info. Guests can see everything in one place instead of hunting through group chats or emails.
Shared Photo Albums
After your event, guests will have hundreds of photos on their phones that you'd otherwise never see. Shared photo albums give everyone a place to upload them, and you get to keep them all in one place. Everyone with access can view, download, and contribute.
The Joy App
You can manage everything from your phone. Download the Joy app (iOS and Android) to check RSVPs, respond to guest questions, update your website, and get notifications on the go. Everything syncs between the app and web. Get the Joy app here.
Still have some questions?
Ask us directly! Click on the black and white chat bubble in the bottom-right corner of this page to ask us your questions, or you can email us at support@withjoy.com. You’ll get a friendly response from someone on our team! 🙂