The Knot Is Acquiring Zola: What It Means, and Zola and Hitched Alternatives to Consider

What was announced

According to The Knot Worldwide's press release:

Reuters (via Investing.com) and the New York Post also reported the deal, including that Zola will continue to operate as a standalone brand.

In short: nothing has closed yet, Zola is staying as its own brand for now, and the companies say the aim is more connected planning tools for couples and more reach for wedding professionals.

• The Knot Worldwide has entered into a definitive agreement for Zola to join its portfolio.
• The Knot and Zola will continue as distinct consumer brands.
• After closing, The Knot Worldwide's portfolio will include 14 brands across 11 countries. Its existing brands include The Knot, WeddingWire, Hitched (UK), Bodas.net, Mariages.net and Matrimonio.com.
• The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including any required regulatory clearances. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Does anything change for couples right now?

Based on the announcement, there's no immediate change you need to act on. Your Zola website, registry or guest list should carry on as normal. If you're unsure, check Zola's own help pages or account emails for any updates to their terms or privacy policy over the coming months.

That said, big industry news is a good moment to step back and ask what you want from the tools you use for one of the biggest days of your life.

Questions worth asking about any wedding platform

These apply to every wedding site, including ours:

• Who owns the platform, and does that matter to you? Some couples prefer a large network with vendor marketplaces built in. Others prefer a smaller, independent tool focused on their guests.
• Where does your guest data go? Your guest list holds names, phone numbers, emails and sometimes dietary needs. Read the privacy policy and check how data may be shared across brands or with vendors.
• Can you export your data? Make sure you can download your guest list and RSVPs at any time.
• How do your guests actually communicate? If most of your family lives on WhatsApp, an email-first tool may leave you chasing replies.
• Does it fit your wedding? Multi-day celebrations, traditional ceremonies and guests in several countries need more than a single RSVP form.
• What does it really cost? Look past the headline price at what's included: messages, reminders, seating, add-ons.

Zola and Hitched alternatives to consider

Other names couples often look at include Joy (Withjoy), Minted and Wedsites, alongside general website builders such as Squarespace and Wix.

WeddingBeacon: an independent alternative

WeddingBeacon is an independent wedding website, invitations, RSVP and seating app. It's built especially for couples whose guests live on WhatsApp and whose celebrations span more than one event. Free to start.

What you get:

Moving from Zola, The Knot or Joy? Paste your existing wedding website link and Bea reads its sections, such as schedule, travel, FAQ, story, wedding party, photos and registry links. It shows you a preview before anything is copied. Always check the result. Some details may need tidying.

Pricing is a one-time payment, not a subscription. You can start at £0, and paid plans run from Basic (£62 / $79) to Standard (£118 / $149). Planners can choose Season (£513 / $649) for 5 weddings.

• A wedding website in one link. Your story, schedule, dress code, travel, FAQ and photos, with 30+ designs and no design skills needed. It works as a save-the-date first, then switches to your invitation on the same link.
• Personal WhatsApp invites. Each guest gets their own named invite that opens their own page, not a group poster. You can also send from your own phone, or use email invites.
• Invites in English or French, chosen per guest or household.
• RSVP per event. Up to 6 events, such as a traditional ceremony, church ceremony and reception, and you invite each guest only to the events they're attending.
• Easy guest list import from an Excel or CSV template, with phone numbers cleaned up before anything is sent. If someone replies by phone or in person, you can record their RSVP yourself.
• QR guest passes and door check-in. Each confirmed guest gets a pass, and a check-in helper scans it on a phone at the door so you can see who's arrived.
• Seating. Tables are on all paid plans, and guests can see their table on their pass. The Standard plan adds floor-plan drawing.
• Gifts. Card gifts, cash funds such as a honeymoon fund, wishlist items guests can reserve, and links to external registries.
• Guestbook. Notes and photo uploads from guests on the day.
• Event times shown on your wedding's own clock, with the country labelled, so guests abroad don't get confused.
• An AI assistant, Bea, which helps set up your site, guest list and messages. Nothing is sent, published or deleted until you tap Confirm.
• Automatic guest messages on the Standard plan: RSVP confirmations, reminders, a day-of note and thank-you messages.

Honest comparison

Sources, checked 23 Oct 2026: ¹ The Knot Worldwide press release; ² zola.com/wedding-planning/website; ³ hitched.co.uk/wedding-website; ⁴ zola.com/wedding-planning/guests. "Not listed" means we couldn't find the feature on that brand's official page, not that it definitely doesn't exist. Features change, so check each site for the latest.

Zola and Hitched have real strengths: established registries and gift lists, vendor and supplier tools, and polished website templates. WeddingBeacon focuses on the guest side, meaning invites people actually open, RSVPs for every event, and a smooth door on the day.

• WeddingBeacon: Zola, Hitched
• Ownership: Independent, Being acquired by The Knot Worldwide (pending clearance)¹, Owned by The Knot Worldwide¹
• Wedding website: Yes, 30+ designs, Yes, 600+ templates², Yes, customisable templates³
• Online RSVP: Yes, per guest, Yes, synced to guest list²⁴, Yes, synced to guest list³
• RSVP to more than one event: Up to 6 events, invite each guest only to theirs, Yes, multiple events⁴, Not listed
• Personal WhatsApp invites: Yes, Not listed, Not listed
• QR guest pass + door check-in: Yes, Not listed, Not listed
• Seating chart: Tables on paid plans; floor plan on Standard, Yes, seating chart builder⁴, Yes, drag-and-drop seating chart³
• Guest messages / reminders: Reminders, confirmations, day-of and thank-you on Standard, Group messaging and RSVP reminders⁴, Updates to guests via the website³
• Gifts / registry: Card gifts, cash funds, wishlist, external registry links, Zola registry linked to website², Link to your gift list³
• Supplier / vendor tools: Not offered, Vendor network¹, Supplier and venue manager³
• Cost to create a website: Free to start; one-time paid plans, No charge to create and publish; custom domain from $17.99², No charge for the website and planning tools³

Sources

Try WeddingBeacon: weddingbeacon.com. Free to start.

• The Knot Worldwide press release, 14 Oct 2026: https://www.theknotww.com/press-releases/the-knot-worldwide-to-welcome-zola-to-its-portfolio-shaping-the-future-of-wedding-planning
• Reuters via Investing.com: https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/the-knot-worldwide-to-acquire-zola-in-wedding-platform-union-sources-say-4949734
• New York Post, 14 Oct 2026: https://nypost.com/2026/10/14/business/wedding-planning-giant-the-knot-worldwide-acquires-rival-site-zola/

FAQ

Did The Knot buy Zola?

The Knot Worldwide announced a definitive agreement to acquire Zola on 14 October 2026. The deal is subject to closing conditions, including any required regulatory clearances. (Source)

Will Zola shut down?

According to the announcement, The Knot and Zola will continue as distinct consumer brands.

Who owns Hitched?

Hitched is one of The Knot Worldwide's brands, alongside The Knot, WeddingWire and others.

Should I move my wedding website off Zola?

There's no need to rush. If you'd simply like an independent option, or one built around WhatsApp invites and multi-event RSVPs, you can try an alternative first and decide later.

Can I move my Zola website to WeddingBeacon?

Yes. Paste your Zola, The Knot or Joy website link and our assistant Bea previews what it can bring across, such as your schedule, travel, FAQ, story and photos. Nothing is copied until you confirm. Review it afterwards, as some details may need tidying.

How much does WeddingBeacon cost?

WeddingBeacon is Free to start. Paid plans are a one-time payment. Automatic reminders, confirmations, day-of and thank-you messages are included on the Standard plan.

Does WeddingBeacon have a vendor marketplace?

No. WeddingBeacon focuses on your website, invites, RSVPs, seating, gifts and the day itself.