Download a backup copy of your wedding
Updated
In short
On your dashboard, open the ⋯ menu on a wedding's card and click Download backup. You get a .json file with your guest list and every seating plan. It's a record for your own files: Lovely Seating can't import or restore it. To go back to an earlier version, use version history instead.
Your wedding already saves to your account automatically, so you don’t need a backup to stay safe. But some people like having their own copy on their computer, just in case. That’s what Download backup is for.
Download it
- 1
Go to your dashboard
This is the Your weddings page you see after signing in. - 2
Open the wedding’s menu
Click ⋯ on the wedding’s card (its label is Wedding actions). - 3
Click Download backup
You’ll see Backup downloaded. The file is named after your wedding and ends in .lovelyseating.json.
It’s free on every plan. Collaborators can download a backup of a wedding shared with them too.
What’s in the file
One file holds the whole wedding:
- the guest list, with RSVPs, meals, groups, households and seating rules
- every seating plan, with its tables, layout and who sits where
- your meal options and saved export settings
It’s a JSON file, a plain-text format made for computers. You can open it in a text editor, but it won’t look like a spreadsheet.
There’s no way to import a backup
What to use instead
- To go back to an earlier version: use version history. It restores snapshots right inside the app.
- To open your guest list in Excel or Google Sheets: export a CSV from Print & ExportCSV spreadsheet (Pro). See export your guest list as CSV.
- To make a copy you can change: use Duplicate in the same ⋯ menu. It creates a second wedding in your account, if your plan has room for one.
- For a printed record: save your charts as PDFs from Print & Export.
Frequently asked questions
Can I restore my wedding from a backup file?
No. There's currently no import or restore option for backup files. To roll back, use version history inside the app.
Do I need to download backups to keep my plan safe?
No. Every change saves to your account automatically, and you can sign in on any device. A backup is an optional extra copy.
Can I open the backup in Excel?
Not usefully, because it's a JSON file. For a spreadsheet of your guests, export a CSV from Print & Export instead.
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Related articles
- How autosave worksLovely Seating saves every change to your account automatically. Here's what the save status means and what to do if it says Changes not saved.
- Delete your accountHow to permanently delete your Lovely Seating account and every wedding on it, what to save first, and why Agency users should cancel first.
- Undo and redoStep back through your recent changes with the Undo and Redo buttons or keyboard shortcuts, and learn when the undo history resets.
- Version history and restoreRoll your whole wedding back to an earlier snapshot. Snapshots save automatically as you work, and you can restore any of the last 25.
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