How to Set Up a Custom Domain for Your Event
Custom domains let you replace the default Fotify link with your own branded URL. Instead of sharing dashboard.fotify.app/upload/abc123, your guests visit something like photos.yourdomain.com/upload — clean, professional, and on-brand.
All public event pages work on your custom domain: photo upload, album, invitation, RSVP, live carousel, song requests, and more.
Note: Custom domains are available exclusively with the Premium Event plan.
What You Need
- A Premium Event on Fotify
- A domain you own (e.g.,
yourdomain.com) with access to its DNS settings - A subdomain you'd like to use (e.g.,
photos.yourdomain.com,event.yourdomain.com)
Step 1: Connect Your Domain
- Go to your event dashboard and click "Branding"
- Scroll down to the Custom Domain section
- Enter the domain you want to use (e.g.,
photos.yourdomain.com) - Choose your Homepage — this is what visitors see when they go to the root of your domain
- Click "Connect Domain"
Fotify will register your domain and show you the DNS record you need to add.
Step 2: Configure DNS
After connecting, you'll see a CNAME record to add at your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains, etc.):
| Type | Name | Target |
|---|---|---|
| CNAME | photos (or your chosen subdomain) | dashboard.fotify.app |
How to add the CNAME record
The exact steps depend on your domain provider, but the general process is:
- Log in to your domain registrar or DNS provider
- Go to DNS Settings or DNS Records
- Add a new CNAME record
- Set the Name/Host to your subdomain (e.g.,
photos) - Set the Value/Target to
dashboard.fotify.app - Save the record
DNS changes can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours to propagate.
Step 3: Verify Your Domain
Once you've added the DNS record:
- Go back to the Branding Center in your event dashboard
- Click "Verify DNS"
- If your DNS has propagated, you'll see the status change
The verification process has three stages:
- Pending DNS — Waiting for your CNAME record to propagate
- SSL provisioning — DNS is verified, an SSL certificate is being issued (takes a few minutes)
- Active — Your custom domain is live and ready to use
If verification doesn't succeed immediately, wait a few minutes and try again — DNS propagation can take time.
Choosing Your Homepage
The Homepage setting controls what guests see when they visit the root of your custom domain (e.g., photos.yourdomain.com/).
Available options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Public Album | Photo gallery (default) |
| Photo Upload | Guest upload page |
| Live Carousel | Live photo slideshow |
| Song Requests | Song request form |
You can change this at any time from the Branding Center — the change takes effect immediately.
Available Pages on Your Custom Domain
All public event pages are accessible through your custom domain. Guests can navigate to:
| Page | URL |
|---|---|
| Homepage (your choice) | yourdomain.com |
| Photo Upload | yourdomain.com/upload |
| Public Album | yourdomain.com/public-album |
| Live Carousel | yourdomain.com/live |
| Song Requests | yourdomain.com/song-request |
| Stories | yourdomain.com/stories |
| Invitation* | yourdomain.com/invitation/{guestId} |
| RSVP* | yourdomain.com/r/{code} |
*Invitation and RSVP links are per-guest — each guest uses their personal link (sent via invite). These links work on your custom domain automatically.
How Long Does It Last?
Custom domains remain active for up to 12 months from the date they were added, or until your gallery access expires — whichever comes first.
After expiration, the domain is automatically disconnected and guests will no longer be able to access it. You can set up a new custom domain at any time while your event is active.
Removing a Custom Domain
To disconnect your custom domain:
- Go to the Branding Center
- In the Custom Domain section, click "Remove Domain"
- The domain will be disconnected immediately
After removal, the domain will stop resolving to your event. You can connect a different domain at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a root domain (like mydomain.com) instead of a subdomain?
A: We recommend using a subdomain (like photos.mydomain.com). Root domains require special DNS configuration (ALIAS or ANAME records) that not all providers support. Subdomains with CNAME records work with every DNS provider.
Q: How long does DNS propagation take? A: Usually a few minutes, but it can take up to 24 hours in rare cases. Most modern DNS providers propagate changes within 5–10 minutes.
Q: Can I use the same domain for multiple events? A: No, each custom domain can only be connected to one event at a time. If you want a different event on the same domain, remove it from the current event first.
Q: Is HTTPS/SSL included? A: Yes. An SSL certificate is automatically provisioned when you connect your domain. There's nothing extra to configure — your custom domain is secure by default.
Q: What happens when my event ends? A: The custom domain stays active as long as your gallery access is valid (and within the 12-month limit). Once gallery access expires, the domain is automatically disconnected.
Q: Will my existing QR codes still work?
A: Yes. Your original Fotify links (dashboard.fotify.app/upload/...) continue to work. The custom domain is an additional way to access the same event — it doesn't replace the default links.
Q: Can I change my custom domain after setting it up? A: Yes. Remove the current domain and connect a new one. You'll need to update your DNS records for the new domain.
Q: Is the custom domain feature included in my plan? A: Custom domains are available with the Premium Event plan. Check your event branding settings to see if the option is available for your event.
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