How to Create a Class Reunion Website (Without Being a Web Designer)

Why You Need a Central Hub

You're planning a reunion and the information is everywhere. The date is in a Facebook post. The venue details are in an email. The payment link is in someone's text thread. The attendee list is in a Google Sheet that three people have access to. Every time someone asks "where do I sign up?" you're copying and pasting the same five links.

This is how reunions fall apart - not from bad planning, but from scattered communication. You need one place where everything lives. A URL you can share that answers every question: when, where, how much, who's coming, and how to register.

You don't need to be a web designer to make this happen. Here are your options, from simplest to most polished.

Option 1: A Facebook Group (Free, Easy, Limited)

If your class already has an active Facebook group, it can serve as your primary hub. It's free, most people already know how to use it, and it has built-in discussion, events, and photo sharing.

Pros:

• Free and familiar
• Built-in event creation with RSVP functionality
• Easy photo and video sharing
• Discussion threads for questions and updates

Cons:

• Not everyone is on Facebook (and this is increasingly true)
• Information gets buried in the feed as new posts push old ones down
• No real payment processing
• Facebook RSVP "going" doesn't equal a real commitment
• Privacy concerns for some classmates
• The algorithm may not show your posts to all members

Verdict: Good as a supplementary communication channel, but not sufficient as your only hub. Important information gets lost in the scroll.

Option 2: A Google Site (Free, Simple, Clean)

Google Sites lets you build a basic website for free with a drag-and-drop editor. If you can use Google Docs, you can build a Google Site.

What to include:

• Home page with event date, location, and a welcome message
• Schedule page with the timeline for the evening (or weekend)
• Registration page with a link to a Google Form for RSVPs
• Payment page with Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle instructions
• Hotels/travel page with nearby hotel recommendations and room block info
• FAQ page answering common questions (dress code, parking, plus ones, etc.)
• Memorial page honoring classmates who have passed
• Photo gallery for then-and-now photos

Pros:

• Free
• Easy to build and update
• Clean, professional look
• Works on phones
• You can link to Google Forms for RSVP collection

Cons:

• Limited design customization
• No built-in payment processing
• No built-in RSVP management (you'll need separate Google Forms/Sheets)
• URLs can look clunky unless you connect a custom domain

Verdict: A solid free option for basic information sharing. Combine it with Google Forms for RSVP management and a separate payment tool.

Option 3: Eventbrite or Splash (Free-ish, Event-Focused)

Platforms like Eventbrite, Splash, and Evite are designed for event management and include ticketing, RSVP tracking, and basic event pages.

Pros:

• Built-in ticket sales with payment processing
• Professional event pages with templates
• RSVP management and attendee tracking
• Email communication tools
• Mobile-friendly by default

Cons:

• Processing fees on ticket sales (usually 2-5%)
• Limited customization on free tiers
• Designed for events, not ongoing community - once the event is over, the page is basically dead
• Some classmates may not trust entering credit card info on an unfamiliar platform

Verdict: Great for ticketing and RSVP management. Less useful for ongoing class communication or building a lasting class hub.

Option 4: A Simple WordPress or Squarespace Site (00-200/year)

If you want a more polished, custom website, WordPress.com or Squarespace lets you build a beautiful site with minimal technical skill.

Pros:

• Professional design with customizable templates
• Custom domain name (e.g., lincolnhigh2006.com)
• Full control over content and layout
• Can integrate payment tools, forms, and photo galleries
• Can serve as a permanent class website beyond the reunion

Cons:

• Costs money (hosting + domain)
• Requires someone with basic web skills to set up and maintain
• More time to build than simpler options
• Someone needs to keep it updated

Verdict: Worth it if you have someone on the committee willing to build and maintain it, and if you want a permanent online presence for your class.

Option 5: A Dedicated Reunion Platform

There are platforms specifically built for reunions and group gatherings that combine event management, communication, and community features in one place.

What to look for:

• Event page with all key details
• Built-in RSVP and payment processing
• Classmate directory
• Communication tools (announcements, messaging)
• Photo sharing
• Mobile-friendly
• Ongoing community features (not just event-day tools)

This approach eliminates the need to stitch together multiple tools. Instead of a Facebook group plus a Google Form plus a Venmo link plus an email chain, everything is in one place.

What Every Reunion Website Needs

Regardless of which platform you choose, your reunion hub should answer these questions at a glance:

1. When? Date and time, clearly stated at the top
2. Where? Venue name, address, and a map link
3. How much? Ticket price and what it includes
4. How do I register? A clear, prominent registration button or link
5. Who's coming? An attendee list (with permission) that people can browse
6. What should I wear? Dress code guidance
7. Where should I stay? Hotel recommendations and any room block details
8. Who do I contact? A committee contact for questions

Put the most important information (date, location, register button) above the fold on the first page. Don't make people scroll or click through multiple pages to find the basics.

Registration Form Essentials

Your registration form should collect:

• Full name (current name and maiden name if applicable)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Number of tickets (if plus-ones are allowed)
• Guest name(s)
• Dietary restrictions or accessibility needs
• Current city and state
• Optional: a current photo for the then-and-now display
• Optional: any fun facts or updates to share

Keep it short. Every additional field reduces completion rates. Collect the essentials at registration and follow up for extras later.

Driving Traffic to Your Site

A great website is useless if nobody visits it. Promote your reunion hub through every channel:

• Share the link in every Facebook group post
• Include it in every email
• Text it to classmates directly
• Add it to your Instagram bio
• Print it on mailed invitations
• Make the URL short and memorable (use a custom domain or a URL shortener)

Every piece of communication should point back to your central hub. When someone asks any question about the reunion, the answer should be "check the website."

Keeping It Updated

A stale website kills momentum. Commit to updating your reunion hub regularly:

• Post new announcements as plans develop
• Update the attendee list as people register
• Share throwback photos to build excitement
• Answer FAQs as they come up
• Send deadline reminders through the platform

Assign one committee member as the "webmaster" responsible for keeping things current. It doesn't require technical skill - just the discipline to log in and post updates regularly.

After the Reunion

Your reunion website doesn't have to die after the event. Post event photos, share a recap, and keep it as a living resource for your class. Many classes use their reunion website as a year-round communication hub between events.

Grove was designed with this in mind - it's not just an event page that expires, but a permanent home for your class where you can plan reunions, share updates, and stay connected year after year. If managing multiple tools feels overwhelming, it brings everything into one place.