Project Overview
I'm excited to share the wedding project I've been working on: This project ↗ involves the creation of a personalized wedding website designed to provide my guests with an interactive and enjoyable experience. The website allows guests to make accommodation reservations, leave messages in the guestbook, upload files via Pinata, and even listen to music through an embedded Spotify playlist. I used Next.js with Server-Side Rendering (SSR) to handle all endpoints, including form submissions, ensuring everything can be deployed together in a single, unified deployment. The website features a lively bubblegum aesthetic with playful colors and joyful design elements, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Technologies Used
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Next.js: I chose Next.js for its performance, scalability, and ease of use. It allows the website to handle traffic efficiently and provides flexibility for future updates. I implemented SSR for all endpoints, including form submissions for accommodation reservations and guestbook messages. This method simplifies deployment by keeping everything within a single deployment process, all handled directly within Next.js.
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MongoDB: MongoDB serves as the database for storing reservation details, guestbook messages, and files uploaded by guests. I use MongoDB to store and manage form submissions, making data handling more efficient and scalable.
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Pinata: Pinata was used for file uploads, enabling guests to share photos and videos. This creates an interactive experience where guests can contribute memories of the wedding.
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Tailwind CSS: To ensure the website is fully responsive across mobile phones, tablets, and desktops, I used Tailwind CSS along with custom styling, providing a consistent and visually appealing experience.
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Spotify Playlist: I embedded a Spotify playlist on the site, allowing my guests to enjoy music as they interact with the website. This addition adds a personal touch to the experience and enhances the overall atmosphere.
Technical Implementation Details
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RootLayout and Metadata: The website is structured with a clean HTML layout, ensuring a smooth user experience. While SEO wasn't the primary focus, metadata was organized efficiently for easy sharing on social media platforms, helping my wedding website shine when shared.
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Homepage Sections: The website includes various sections, such as the welcome message, accommodation options, guestbook, and photo gallery. These sections were built using reusable components in Next.js, which streamlines development and ensures scalability. This approach also makes it easier to add or update content, such as finalizing accommodation options or adding new wedding details.
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Responsive Design: I prioritized creating a mobile-first, responsive website. The design ensures that the website is fully optimized for smartphones, tablets, and desktops. This mobile-first approach guarantees that guests can easily navigate the site, regardless of their device. By focusing on mobile users first, I ensured a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.
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Form Handling with SSR Endpoints: I implemented SSR endpoints in Next.js to handle all form submissions, including accommodation reservations and guestbook messages. The form data is securely stored in MongoDB, allowing me to manage and process submissions efficiently. This method ensures that everything from form handling to data storage is managed within a single deployment, simplifying the deployment and maintenance process.
User Experience Enhancements
I focused on creating an intuitive, visually engaging experience for my guests. The website was designed with easy navigation, fast loading times, and vibrant design elements. By adhering to responsive design principles, the website ensures an enjoyable experience across all devices, encouraging guests to interact with and contribute to the site. The embedded Spotify playlist enhances the experience, giving guests an extra layer of entertainment while they explore the site.
Conclusion
This project highlights the integration of modern web development techniques using Next.js and SSR to create a seamless, user-friendly wedding website. By leveraging SSR endpoints for form handling and employing MongoDB for data storage, I ensured that the site is scalable and adaptable to future needs. Whether adding more wedding details, enhancing guest interaction, or expanding the playlist, the website provides an efficient and enjoyable experience for my guests. It truly reflects my personality and vision for my special day, while the technical implementation ensures everything runs smoothly under one unified deployment.