How to Migrate a Wedding Site from a Free Subdomain to a Paid Domain

Updated 2026-07-02 · Hosting Reviews

Moving a wedding site from a free subdomain to a paid domain may sound like a big project, but with the right tools you can finish it in an afternoon and keep costs low. Below you’ll find the exact checklist, hosting options, and a clear migration plan to migrate wedding site from free subdomain to paid domain without losing RSVP data or photo galleries.

What You Need Before You Start

First, gather the basics so you don’t have to pause mid‑migration:

• Domain name – a .com, .net, or any TLD that matches your wedding brand (e.g., johnandjane2025.com).
• Web hosting – a reliable provider that offers easy WordPress or site‑builder installs, free SSL, and decent performance for $3‑$15 per month.
• Website platform – most couples use WordPress with a wedding theme, a drag‑and‑drop builder, or a dedicated wedding‑site service that allows export.
• Backup of current site – export the database and download all media files. This step saves you from accidental data loss.

Hostinger checks all these boxes: low‑cost shared plans, one‑click WordPress, free SSL, and a simple domain‑registration flow.

Choosing the Right Hosting Plan for a Wedding Website

A wedding site doesn’t need enterprise‑grade resources, but it should load quickly for guests on mobile devices and handle a spike of traffic after invitations go out. Here’s a quick comparison:

1. Shared hosting – Ideal for most couples. You share a server with other sites, keeping the price around $3‑$7/month. Sufficient for a few hundred visitors per day.
2. Cloud hosting – Slightly higher cost ($8‑$15/month) with better scalability. Good if you expect thousands of visitors or want extra reliability.
3. VPS – Overkill for a typical wedding site, starts at $15‑$30/month. Consider only if you plan to host multiple events or run custom apps.

For most beginners, a shared plan from Hostinger provides the speed and uptime you need while staying affordable.

Deciding Between WordPress and a Dedicated Website Builder

Both options let you create beautiful RSVP forms, registries, and photo galleries. Choose based on your comfort level:

• WordPress – Offers thousands of wedding themes, plugins for RSVP (e.g., WP RSVP), and easy SEO control. Requires a bit of learning but gives full control.
• Website builder (Hostinger’s Zyro, Wix, Squarespace) – Drag‑and‑drop interface, built‑in RSVP widgets, and no plugin management. Faster to launch but less flexible.

If you already have a WordPress site on a free subdomain (like yourname.wixsite.com), staying with WordPress on your new host will simplify the migration.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Migrate Wedding Site from Free Subdomain to Paid Domain

Follow these actions in order. Each step assumes you’ve already purchased a domain and a Hostinger hosting plan.

1. Set up hosting – Log into Hostinger, choose your plan, and use the one‑click installer to add WordPress (or Zyro) to your account.
2. Connect the domain – In Hostinger’s dashboard, go to “Domains” → “Add Domain” and point the DNS to Hostinger’s nameservers (provided in the welcome email). Propagation usually takes 1‑4 hours.
3. Export content from the free subdomain
   • WordPress: Use Tools → Export to download an XML file.
   • Website builder: Look for an “Export Site” or “Download Backup” option; if unavailable, manually copy text and download images.
4. Import to the new host
   • WordPress: In the new install, go to Tools → Import, install the WordPress importer, and upload the XML file.
   • Builder: Upload the backup file or recreate pages using the builder’s import tool.
5. Move media files – If the export didn’t include images, use an FTP client (FileZilla) to download the wp‑content/uploads folder from the old host and upload it to the same folder on Hostinger.
6. Test the new site – Use a temporary URL (Hostinger provides a preview link) to verify forms, RSVP functionality, and gallery loading. Check on both desktop and mobile.
7. Set up redirects – Add a 301 redirect from the old free subdomain to the new domain in the .htaccess file or via Hostinger’s redirect tool. This preserves any SEO juice and ensures guests who bookmarked the old link end up on the right page.
8. Enable SSL – Hostinger offers free SSL with a single click. Activate it, then change your WordPress/Builder settings to use HTTPS URLs.
9. Launch and announce – Update your wedding invitations, email signatures, and social posts with the new URL. Monitor traffic for a day or two to catch any broken links.

Speed, Security, and Ongoing Costs

Even a simple wedding site benefits from basic performance tweaks:

• Cache plugin – Install a free caching plugin (e.g., WP Super Cache) to serve static pages faster.
• Image optimization – Use a plugin like Smush or an online tool to compress photos without losing quality.
• Backup solution – Hostinger provides weekly backups; consider an additional plugin like UpdraftPlus for peace of mind.

Cost-wise, expect an introductory hosting fee of $3‑$7/month, a domain registration of $10‑$15/year, and renewal rates that may be slightly higher. Hostinger is transparent about renewal prices, so you won’t be surprised after the first year.

FAQ

Do I need to know code to migrate my wedding site?

No. Using Hostinger’s one‑click WordPress install and the built‑in import/export tools lets you move content without touching code. Only basic file‑transfer steps (FTP) might be required for images.

Can I keep my RSVP form functional during the move?

Yes. Set up the new site, test the form, and only switch the DNS after confirming it works. The 301 redirect ensures any stray submissions to the old URL are forwarded.

What happens if my guests can’t see the new domain right away?

Domain propagation can take up to 48 hours, but most visitors see the change within a few hours. In the meantime, keep the old subdomain live or share a temporary link.