To create a wedding hashtag, combine your names, nicknames or a short phrase into something easy to spell, check it is not already in use, & share it everywhere guests will see it. A wedding Instagram page goes further: one account for announcements, countdowns, behind-the-scenes moments & thank-yous, which guests & family abroad can follow. Here is how to set up both, plan your content & protect your privacy.
How to create a wedding hashtag
A good hashtag is short, memorable & unique. Try these approaches:
- Blend your names: combine parts of both first names.
- Use a surname: a play on a family name, if it suits you both.
- Add the year: a two-digit year makes a common blend more distinctive.
- Play on a phrase: a saying, a pun or a word from one of your languages.
For example, a hypothetical couple called Ife & Chidi might try #IfeChi26, #ChidiFoundHisIfe or #TheIfeChiStory.
Before you commit:
- Search the hashtag on Instagram & other platforms to make sure it is not already in use.
- Read it in lowercase & in capitals to check it does not spell something unintended.
- Say it aloud. If guests are likely to mishear or misspell it, simplify.
- Pick one main hashtag, & perhaps one for each event if you are hosting several.
Hashtags for more than one event
If you are hosting a traditional wedding & a white wedding, keep one main hashtag & add a short ending for each event, such as #IfeChi26Trad & #IfeChi26White. Photos from each celebration then stay together, & guests still only have to remember one name.
Where to share your hashtag
- On your invitations & wedding website
- On welcome boards, table cards & any screens at the venue
- In the MC's announcements
- On souvenirs, if you want it to last
- In the bio of your wedding Instagram page
Consistency matters, so use exactly the same spelling everywhere. Ask the MC to remind guests near the start of the reception, when phones first come out. If you are designing your wedding look, our Instagram posts & stories design gives your announcements, countdowns & thank-yous the same look as the rest of your wedding.
Setting up a wedding Instagram page
A dedicated page keeps wedding content off your personal accounts & gives guests one place to follow along.
Choosing a name
Use your hashtag or names in the handle so it is easy to find. Keep it short, & avoid numbers that look like letters. Check the same handle is free on other platforms too, in case you want to use it elsewhere.
The profile
- A clear profile photo, such as your monogram or a pre-wedding portrait
- A bio with the hashtag, the date & the city
- A link to your wedding website
- Highlights for each event, the bridal train & the story so far
Pin your three most useful posts to the top of the grid: the announcement, the website link & the dress code.
Public or private?
A public page reaches more people, which matters if you would like your wedding shared by wedding pages & blogs. A private page gives you control over who follows. Decide before you post, & check it with your families.
Who has access
Decide who can post. Keep the login with one or two trusted people, turn on two-factor authentication, & add a backup email address so you can recover the account if needed.
A wedding Instagram content plan, from countdown to thank-yous
Aim for a steady rhythm rather than a busy one: a post or two a week in the early months, building to daily stories in the final week. Plan the big moments in advance, so the page keeps going even when you are busy.
Months before
- An announcement post with the date & hashtag
- How you met, told over a few posts or a carousel
- Previews from your pre-wedding shoot
Weeks before
- Countdown posts & stories
- Introducing the bridal train & the groom's men
- Aso-ebi reveals & outfit teasers, without giving everything away
- Reminders about RSVP & dress code, pointing to the website
The wedding days
- Short stories through the day, posted by a trusted friend or page manager
- Teaser photos from your photographer, with credit
- Reposts of guests' stories that use your hashtag
Agree in advance which moments stay offline, such as prayers or private family rites.
After the wedding
- A thank-you post to guests, families & vendors
- Highlights from each event
- The full gallery or film when it is ready
- An anniversary post a year on, if you keep the page
Credit vendors accurately: tag the planner, photographer, makeup artist, decorator & everyone else involved. It is courteous, & it helps anyone who loves your decor find the right people.
Privacy & safety
A wedding page is fun, but some details should stay off it.
- Do not post your home address, the exact gate time or photos of guest passes or QR codes.
- Avoid posting invitation images that could be copied & shown at the gate.
- Ask before posting children, or guests who prefer not to appear online.
- Agree with both families what can be shared, especially from traditional ceremonies.
- Hold back location tags until after an event if you want to keep venues private.
Remember that anything public can be screenshotted & shared. If a post would cause a problem in a stranger's hands, keep it for your private chats.
When to get help running it
Running an Instagram page during the busiest months of your life is a lot. With our Instagram page management add-on, we run your wedding Instagram page from the countdown to the thank-yous, & a follower growth option helps the page reach more people.
If you would like your wedding seen beyond your own page, our Wedding PR add-ons include sharing selected posts with Instagram wedding pages & pitching a feature to wedding sites such as BellaNaija Weddings. Each site & page decides what it publishes, so features are pitched, not guaranteed.
If a feature interests you, keep your photographer's best images, full vendor credits & a short version of your story ready. Our post on getting your wedding featured explains how to prepare.
Questions people ask
How do I make a unique wedding hashtag?
Blend your names or nicknames, add the year, or play on a phrase from your story or one of your languages. Search it on Instagram before you commit to check it is not already in use, & read it in lowercase to make sure it does not spell anything unexpected.
Should our wedding Instagram page be public or private?
A public page reaches more people & suits couples who would like their wedding shared by wedding pages. A private page gives you control over who sees your content. Agree with your families first, especially about traditional ceremonies, & avoid posting addresses, passes or QR codes either way.
Who should post on our wedding Instagram page on the day?
Not the couple. Ask a trusted friend, a member of the bridal train or a page manager to post stories & repost guests' content. Give them access, the hashtag, your vendor credits & a short list of what not to share, such as passes, codes or private family moments.
Can someone manage our wedding Instagram page for us?
Yes. With our Instagram page management add-on, we run your wedding Instagram page from the countdown to the thank-yous, & a follower growth option helps the page reach more people. You stay in charge of what is shared, & every add-on is listed with its price on our pricing page.
