These sites help to stay organized, keep guests informed and let those unable to attend still feel part of the big day. Services range from a basic site consisting of a few Web pages and the uploading of one photo, to a site with multiple pages and photos that can be continually updated by the user.

VirtuallyMarried.com, online since February 2002, is one of the flashier ones. Initiated by Rob Hirscheimer and Mark Goldenberg, it offers a do-it-yourself approach to Web site creation.

“The idea already existed out there, but we added a lot of features that other sites don’t have,” Hirscheimer said. “The Internet is an incredible means to disseminate information and share pictures -- and weddings are perfect for that.”

The site holds that creating a personal site is “as easy as filling in a form.”

“If you can surf the net or send an e-mail then you can do this,” he said.

A series of forms guides the user through the registration and the Web page creation process (up to 10 pages are possible) and a 1-800 number and live support are available, just in case. The service also gives customers without scanners or digital cameras the option of sending their photos in to be scanned by the company.

Changes can be made to a personal site on an ongoing basis. The user is required to login on the main page of VirtuallyMarried.com and through a Control Panel, can access an edit function, which will prompt them on where they would like changes made.

Possibilities include a selection of 16 designs, a Flash intro (which comes with three of the designs), a countdown to the big day, polls that guests can fill out, descriptions and images of members of the bridal party and a guest book. Images can be displayed as a slide show and there is space for up to three separate photo albums with 50 photos each; uploading simply requires the user to browse for and select the image file on their desktop. Couples also have the choice of adding music; one option is available. A miscellaneous page can also be created outside of the template, where couples can include any content they want (ex. thank those who attended, list vendors they used).

Adding a video clip will be an option in the near future; again, the process will involve simply uploading the movie file and Windows Media Player will be required to view it.

The obvious benefit to personal wedding sites, Hirscheimer says, is to help those guests coming from out of town. On VirtuallyMarried.com, guests can access the “Out of Towners” page, where they can browse through suggested accommodations, make hotel reservations, book flights and preview the shopping, dining and local events in the city where the wedding is being held.

Guests can also RSVP online, a feature which will soon be evolving into a Guest Manager. Here, couples will be able to make seating plans, track who gave gifts and who they’ve sent reply cards to. Currently, this section allows guests to confirm they’re coming and preview the meal at the reception.

Another hurdle the service addresses: gift registry. The personal sites have the option of including links to all the places a couple is registered.

“It’s considered inappropriate etiquette for couples to put their registry cards in the invitation,” Hirscheimer said. “The couple relies on their close family and friends to tell everybody where they’re registered and in many cases, people don’t find out and the couple ends up getting a gift they didn’t want.”

Hirscheimer says that by creating a personal wedding site, a “Please visit our Web site for more information” note, along with the link to a personal site, on the invitation can be included to deal with this. “It eliminates that question of tact on the couple’s part,” he said.

To address the issue of the number of free sites available out there, he says the cost of their sites are small in comparison to what is usually spent on a wedding.

“If you were to ask someone to make a site like this five years ago, you would be quoted thousands of dollars,” he said.

For US$99, couples can create a personalized wedding Web site, with its own URL, which will stay online for 18 months; an additional year is US$50. A seven-day free trial is available to test out the service before buying.

Over the next several months, the company will be taking their idea to the next level: MyEvent.com will make use of the same concept as VirtuallyMarried.com, but will allow for event planning of all types.

Other sites to try:

TheKnot.com
Part of a wedding portal. When creating a site, couples can choose a design, tell the story of how they met and provide and details on the wedding plans; only one photo can be uploaded. Cost: Free

WeddingChannel.com
Part of a wedding portal. A personal Web site consists of couple’s profile, out of town guest info, event details, colour background; one photo can be uploaded. Cost: Free

OurCeremony.com
Features include an interactive wedding diary, guest book, Story pages, editing feature, design options, customer support; 50MB of photos allowed. Cost: US$39.95/year; seven-day free trial available.

WeddingWebSpace.com
A personal site includes seven Web pages that consist of main page, couple’s story, schedule of wedding events, directions, local information, bridal registry links, contact information for the couple; one photo per page. Cost: US$79.95/18 months. Free trial for 10 days; one photo allowed with trial version.