Wedding QR code: directions, save the date and one link page

For the invitation, two codes are enough: a map QR code that opens directions to the venue, and an event QR code that lets guests save the date and time to their phone calendar. If you have more to share, such as an RSVP form, a photo album or a group chat, put it all on one link page behind a single code. All three are dynamic, so if the date or venue changes you edit the details instead of reprinting the cards.

Map code: directions to the venue

1. Open the Google Maps app, find the venue, tap its name or address at the bottom, tap Share and copy the link, as described in Google Maps Help.
2. Open the map QR code page and paste the link into the place field. If the venue has no listing, enter coordinates as latitude, longitude.
3. Name the code, for example "Directions to Anna and Ben's wedding", add a caption such as "Scan for directions" and press Create QR code.

A pin link shared from Google Maps points to that exact place, which is more reliable than a place name that may match somewhere else.

Event code: save the date

1. Open the event QR code page and fill in the event name, start, end, location and details, such as the dress code or the ceremony time.
2. Include an end time so the event blocks the right part of guests' calendars.
3. Press Create QR code, then scan it yourself, try both calendar buttons and check the date and time.

Guests see an event page with the name, date, time and venue, and two buttons:

• Add to calendar (.ics) downloads a standard calendar file for the calendar app on the phone.
• Add to Google Calendar opens Google Calendar with the name, time and venue filled in; the guest checks it and taps Save. This is the better button for Google Calendar users, because Google describes importing .ics files as a step done on a computer (Import events to Google Calendar).

If one button does not add the event, try the other. The time you enter is treated as local time on the guest's phone. That is fine when everyone is in the same country; if guests are coming from other time zones, print the local time on the card as well.

Link page: when you have more than two things

If besides directions you also have an RSVP form, a photo album for after the party or a guest group chat, one code per link clutters the card. Make one multiple links code instead.

1. Set a page title, such as "Anna and Ben's wedding", and a short description, such as the date and time.
2. Add up to 10 buttons, each with a label and a link: "Directions" with the Google Maps link, "RSVP" with your Google Form, "Photos" with the album link.
3. Press Create QR code and test every button.

Each button shows its destination domain so guests know where they are going, and you can add or change buttons later, for example adding the album link after the wedding. One limit: qrfast links cannot be added to a link page, so if you also want guests to save the date, use a separate event code.

When many guests scan at once

Any number of phones can scan the same printed code at the same time. What to prepare for the day:

• Mobile signal in the venue. Phones read the pattern offline, but opening the page needs a connection. Basements and thick-walled halls can have weak signal, so test at the venue beforehand.
• Sign size. By the rough rule that a code should be at least a tenth as wide as the scanning distance, the 1 sign option on the builder's A4 print sheet, with a 14 cm code, suits a welcome sign scanned from about 1.4 m. If guests stand farther away, download SVG and print a bigger sign.
• Number of scan points. If guests will scan in groups, for example on arrival, put up several signs, or print the 4 table cards option (7.5 cm codes) for every table, rather than one sign everyone queues for.
• Key details in plain text. Print the date, time and venue name on the card too. The code is a shortcut, not the only way to find out.

All three code types open a qrfast page first. The map code shows a short landing page with a button to Google Maps; the event page and the link page are the destination themselves. Each of these pages shows an ad, which is how the service stays free, and your manage link shows how many times each code was scanned.

If the date or venue changes

Open the manage link of the code you need to change, then:

• Event code: edit the start, end or location and press Save.
• Map code: paste the new Google Maps link as the destination and press Save.
• Link page: edit the labels or links that changed and press Save.

Then scan a printed card to check. Keep in mind that guests who already added the event keep the old time in their calendars. Your edit only affects scans from then on, so always message your guests as well.

FAQ

Will the codes still work on the day?

Yes. qrfast dynamic codes do not expire unless the destination breaks our usage policy, in which case the code is suspended. After the wedding you can point the map code to your photo album or pause it.