Hotel Block Crisis

I haven't had to deal with this and honestly avoided any far away wedding or destination, just due to this stress. I'm sorry you're going through this and while it might not seem like a big game, it's enough to send your mind reeling.

Have you thought of Airbnb type accommodations or suggesting something like that if Hotels are going by the rules of minimum and no blocks? I don't know how prevalent they are, in your area. Food for thought, though.

Also, with family -- maybe some family can house other members if they're willing to. I wouldn't really ask anyone, but maybe if you casually bring up your plight with room block issues... someone might step forward to offer a room or so. I'm not sure, in this situation.

I do hope it all simmers down, you have plenty of time to figure it out.

A friend that I went to the University of Arkansas with is facing this same issue for her wedding next month. She ended up having to block hotels a couple towns over (about 30 minutes away) and it was still about double the cost they normally would be. Are there any close towns close to College Station you could look into?

I would just let guests make accommodations on their own. Hotels won’t offer a block if they can expect to sell out rooms. I live in a city where no hotels offer blocks because they sell out every weekend 10 months of the year. We let guests figure it out and it was fine.

Kleinfeld (from Say Yes to the Dress) offers hotel block services for free. It's worth a shot since maybe they have better connections.

I would look into some air bnb options as well.. maybe family can bunk up and split the cost!

It's great you are planning now, and you were able to at least get 10 rooms. Have you called ALL the hotels in the town? I know that sounds excessive, but maybe if you got 10 at one you could get 10 at another? Are there any nearby towns? Maybe come up with creative lodging options and call around, like bed & breakfasts, airbnbs, and vrbos. I'd also mention the lodging issue on your website & invitations, then to family & close friends, so everyone is aware and not caught off guard! I think people traveling in (more than an hour or so) or anyone going to the rehearsal dinner will want to stay two nights so that may not be an issue.

Not to change the subject, but I did work in College Station. They have this place called Mad Taco 🤤 Omg. Amazing. All my coworkers went to Texas just for that lol

View Quoted Comment Yeah I’m not at all worried about my family! I told them to get an Airbnb. They’ll be fine😂 I’m more concerned with out of towners. I got bids from some 2.5 star hotels that I COULD block. I was trying to find some 3+ star hotels. Called every single one and they said they won’t do it. The place I got 10 at is the next town over. The next closest town is pretty far and kind of a hole in the wall place. I don’t have any doubt that there will be places to stay. All those hotels are not booking up for Fresno state. There’s no way. More concerned with looking “tacky” for not having a bigger block. I plan to make some type of statement on STDs to make everyone aware?

View Quoted Comment How funny!!! LOVE their margaritas! Fuego is another favorite😊

View Quoted Comment I’m kind of leaning toward this. Maybe letting them know to book early on the STD’s and just letting the chips fall where they may? I don’t want to be a bad host but I don’t know that I have much of an option.

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I'd probably block one 2.5 star hotel, just so you have 20 rooms no matter what for peace of mine, as long as they are complimentary blocks. I don't think you'll look tacky. With our save the dates, we included a small insert card with our main hotel block. It was 10 months in advance, but we had more than 20 rooms booked before our invites even went out so I know it helped out of town guests. I would just type it up and explain "Due to the Fresno State vs. A&M game, hotels in the area are not allowing hotel blocks. The bride & groom & immediate family will be staying at X hotel, and they do require a 2 night minimum. The bride & groom also have two small blocks at X & X hotel. Please check our website for more hotel options.". I think that is totally fine to send!

View Quoted Comment Yeah we didn’t have an option. Hotels in our city have no incentive to hold rooms for free and we didn’t want to be financially liable. It all worked out and everyone was able to find a place.

If you already have your family doing Airbnb then girl I think your good with your ten rooms blocked. Make sure to be clear on your wedding website and spread the word for people to book early because its game day. Maybe even list a couple of cozy Airbnb's on your site for people to check out.

Good luck and don't stress about it because in the end people know they are responsible for themselves.

I’d let guests figure it out. One thing you could do is find a couple of hotels (could aim to find a couple close together if you can, but it’s not necessary) that you’d recommend (preferably if any you’ve found don’t have a 2 night minimum), and direct guests toward them, and advise guests to book early since it’s a game day and availability is not guaranteed.

Theres no requirement to do a block. As a guest I don’t really care about a block itself— what matters to me if I’m traveling somewhere new is just a little direction. All I want is to know I’m getting something clean, convenient, and safe. Bonus if there’s a short list and I’m traveling with a group and I can easily coordinate trying to stay near eachother. I think that’s really what people care about. (I had lots of people stay in my blocked hotel, but outside of the block— they got a better rate on their own!)

I would just spread the word that the hotels will fill up, so your guests should get a room as soon as they're sure they are coming. Maybe put a blurb about in on your wedding website and have your parents start telling relatives

So maybe send your save the dates and add a little note, “we were able to block a limited number of rooms at _____ hotel. It’s game day in College station too so if you think you will be joining us reserve your room early!”

View Quoted Comment That’s crazy! What city do you live in?

View Quoted Comment Monterey, California! Extremely popular tourist destination not just for people from the US but from all over the world. We worked with a full service planner who does weddings and corporate events here and she said absolutely no hotels will do a courtesy block because they don’t need to. Hotels completely sell out close to a year before during spring break and summer/fall. During high season you won’t even be able to stay at a motel 6 for less than $350 a night. It’s a beautiful place and we absolutely love where we live though!

I think 10 rooms at the one hotel is good, now why don’t you mention Airbnb? Airbnb is usually cheaper, and thts where myself, FH, and a lot of family members are staying for our wedding this wknd. Also, just because the other hotels won’t allow you to book a lot of rooms, they’ll probably still be rooms available, its ok if your guest are spread out btwn two hotels. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment Oh wow! Honestly I’ve never even heard of it. I’m from Chicago and only been to San Francisco in California, I’ll have to look into Monterey for sure! Thanks! Hope your wedding is amazing💗💗