Blocking Hotel Rooms vs. Letting Guests Decide For Themselves

Usually blocking rooms don't cost you any money. I would block a few hotel rooms (maybe just 2 or 3 each with different price ranges, so your guests have a choice and get a few bucks saved). Some of your guests will use the information you provided and some won't. You can also suggest hotels that you don't have a block on for guests who are more particular about where they stay. Either way I would do a few room block all of course different price ranges because some guests will probably find it easier to go by your suggestions and saving money is always great!

I recently blocked 20 rooms with a hotel. They gave a discounted rate which was about $30 cheaper than other hotels. I also am not charged if they dont get booked. The hotel just releases them to the public.

I booked a block of hotel rooms at the hotel that provides a trolley to and from the venue. It cost $0 whether or not anyone books but guests get to book at a discounted rate. I have the day before the wedding and the day of the wedding as an option but only have told guests the day of the wedding. I included to day before for the bridal party and parents to get a discount as well.

As of right now i am not planning on blocking rooms, my family are the only ones that are going to need rooms and my cousin has a huge house about 45 mins away so my mom said to just make suggestions and let them fend for themselves

Thanks, everyone! It is difficult to approximate how many rooms I would need, too, because until invitations come out, we have no idea how many people will be coming. I live in Texas, but the wedding will be in Pennsylvania (my hometown) and ALL of my FH's family is here in Texas. He has a large family, but we're really unsure how many will actually come. Unfortunately, we can't wait until RSVP cards come back to block the rooms, because we need to include the options IN the invitations!

Also just if it helps my block is for 10 rooms at a time then if I need more I shoot over a quick email and then they will open another 10 at a time. These people are already coming and getting dressed up, flying or driving, giving gift(s)....at least help them save a lil moola and it is so easy to do.

You can block rooms at hotels in a few price points if you want.

You don't need to know how many rooms yet. They'll probably block 20 rooms, and if those fill, block 20 more (and so on as needed).

It saves money and keeps things central if you want any after partying or anything. I like a room block. You shouldn't have to pay anything (except for your own room) and don't book at any that want you to pay for attrition.

You can just provide a list of recommended lodging sites (and not create a block) on your website or that you include for guests.

Is this a destination wedding or are a lot of your guests from out of town?

Wedding blocks are really good for family/friends that wants to stay all in the same area or if you are getting a discount by creating a block or if it is a DW. Otherwise I don't think they are all that needed. BUT I would make sure there isn't a huge surprise event or anything other than your wedding that might take up rooms at most of the places.

Do a wedding block!! It takes literally 5 minutes to call a hotel, and usually they can save rooms with nicer views or even give you a more discounted price. Many people will ask where the block is in hopes of getting a ride with others to the ceremony. We've had many people already book way in advance because we told them there was only x rooms saved, and it's nice knowing people are already making plans!

It'll also be easier if you're making out of town guest bags

I don't think a hotel block is strictly necessary, unless you are worried that rooms will fill up before your guests have a chance to book. Just consider your town/time of year, if there are any events or occasions which would cause hotels to fill up quickly, then you may want set up a hotel block. Otherwise I wouldn't sweat it. Personally I didn't.

If you do decide to do a hotel block, pick one or two mid-priced hotels, and don't go with anyone who would charge you for unused rooms. It shouldn't cost you anything to set up a hotel block.

I don't think you need to. Adults can find hotels.

I think its very courteous for your guests to block hotel rooms because you can get them a discounted rate. Its saving our guests between $20-40. I don't know why it would cost you any money to block rooms?? It isn't costing us a cent...?? Any rooms not booked are just released back to the public.

Even people who make it a trip will at least save on that one night. People who want to go elsewhere will go elsewhere! It just makes it SO much easier on your guests!! Especially if you have OOT guests. Honestly, I think if you have OOT guests its rude NOT to block rooms.

PS. Choose a hotel closer to your reception.

I wasn't going to do room blocks, but I found a couple of hotels within a couple of miles of my venue that offered free shuttle service. It didn't cost me anything and the rate discount was significant, I don't think it would hurt.

We are probably not blocking hotels. Why? Because many guests are coming from OOT and will likely stay with family, friends, or will stay in the city where I live. We are getting married "OOT" - about an hour and a half drive from my house so it will be up to the guests if they want to stay here or by the venue and airport. FH and I have not even decided yet where we will be staying the night of the wedding.

Yep i decided against the room block, it was getting me any awesome rates and i just couldnt bother figuring out amount of rooms, number of nights etc. I suggested a few option on the website n let ppl decide on their own.

I'll be blocking rooms for my guests. Basically everyone is going to be flying in to attend and it's such a quick simple thing to do for them. That way everyone's together, I can get everyone someplace close to the reception. They can always go ahead and book what they want but its nice to know the option is available to them if they want it.

Here in Vegas blocking rooms costs money until guests book a certain amount. Anything left I pay for so we will provide a card with the 2 closest hotels for folks to choose from. Only 1/3 of the guests are visiting from out of town.

Im in a similar boat to AndixLyn. In Chicago, every hotel told me I'd have to put down my credit card, fill said number of rooms, and if that number was not met I would pay the difference. If there are hotel options, I say let them pick. The last thing I wanted was to stress about getting enough guests into a certain hotel to avoid spanned MORE money on my wedding. You know? And I agree... people have different budgets or might not want to stay near the venue. So many variables!

We blocked rooms to get great rates for our guest, but of course it's up to them if they want to stay. Also, it includes shuttle service. There will be a big event going on downtown during the same weekend which means a lot of hotels are already booked which drove me crazy lol.