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FutureMrsG
Dedicated October 2017

Hotel block too expensive?

FutureMrsG, on June 23, 2016 at 8:23 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 33

We're considering an absolutely beautiful venue about 2hr away from home. It has everything we could ever want and more. The only problem is that the hotel rooms on site are around $200 per night and there are no other hotels in the area. Is it unreasonable to book a venue so far from our home and expect people to pay 200/ night to stay? I'm mostly worried about the bridal party and out of state family who will need to be at the venue the night before for the rehearsal, etc. and would have to pay for two nights. I would appreciate any advice! I'm torn between the venue of my dreams, and expecting too much of our guests. Thanks!!

33 Comments

Latest activity by Rebecca, on January 18, 2022 at 6:48 PM
  • Lauren
    Expert July 2016
    Lauren ·
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    You know your guests better than us. My room block is $140-160 a night.

    Friend's wedding in December is $260. Friends in February is $190. I think under $300 is reasonable.

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  • Kristy
    Master November 2015
    Kristy ·
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    Its not crazy expensive, but like Lauren said.. you know your guests better than we do.

    I wouldn't want to spend that much on a hotel on a regular day, but for a family member's wedding I would. It could get pretty expensive if people have to stay 2 nights though. Talk to your family and wedding party and see what they think

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  • Courtney
    VIP June 2016
    Courtney ·
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    Ours were about $90 a night. Depends on the area I guess. Myself, I don't know if I would pay that much as a guest.

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  • Haley
    VIP October 2016
    Haley ·
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    Ours is $129/night and is the only hotel within a reasonable distance from our venue. I agree with what PPs have said and that for a special occasion your guests may be ok with it.

    A suggestion I have that may or may not work for you: a large number of our guests have campers/motor homes as we do a lot of camping trips. There are two nice campgrounds near our venue and some people are choosing to bring their RVs instead of staying at the hotel. I know it's not ideal for most but for my crowd it's a great option.

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  • brieliz
    VIP January 2017
    brieliz ·
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    Are there double bed rooms? My hotel is 179/night and I was a little worried about the price but a lot of my bridal party is bunking up - my two friend from college are sharing a room, my mom and my sister are sharing a room, etc. I wouldn't worry about it.

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  • LauraM
    VIP February 2017
    LauraM ·
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    I would pay 200 if it was for a close family member, but I don't think I'd want to pay for 2 nights if I was a bridesmaid. They pay for a lot already, I think spending an extra 400 is a little pricey.

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  • FutureMrsG
    Dedicated October 2017
    FutureMrsG ·
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    Thank you, Ladies! It's killing me that its so much. I think you're right - I'd be annoyed at paying that much as a guest too. The hotel has studios, 1rm and 2rm rooms - its a ski lodge so they're kind of like little suites. I'll definitely check to see how many beds are in the room. I've paid 179/night for several friends' weddings, but only for one night - that's pretty average here in NJ (everything is ridiculously expensive here), but the 2 night thing is the tough part.

    Thank you again! Hopefully I'll either find a venue close to home that's just as beautiful, or find an alternate solution for the hotel situation. <3

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  • Pinky Winter Promise
    Master February 2016
    Pinky Winter Promise ·
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    Ours were $69-89/night. So $200 seems a little pricey to me but I would either bunk up, find another hotel a little further away for less, do the 2 hour drive each time, or just cough up and pay the $. I mean when RSVPing to a wedding, I take everything into consideration.

    But did you ask the reservation/sales people how much a block would be? Not sure if you did and that's where you are getting $200 from or if you are looking at the regular rates. Usually a block gets you a discounted rate.

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  • Reggie
    Master September 2015
    Reggie ·
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    I mean in total honesty if I had to travel somewhere and pay $200 for a hotel room I wouldn't be able to go to that wedding even if it was close family. It's just not something we can afford right now with everything else we have going on. So while some people might not be phased, you may put some people in a situation where they would love to come but simply can't. Worst part would be if it's someone really close like a sibling/cousin/close friend and they end up stuck deciding if they want to miss out on the event (and probably look really bad) or spend more than they can afford and maybe not be able to pay for other things they need.

    If there were options on the hotel that would be one thing. But when there is only one choice personally I wouldn't go with it. Really you just have to decide if you're ok with getting some no's based on hotel cost, even if it's people you really want there.

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  • Kimi
    Master August 2016
    Kimi ·
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    As pp said, a block usually includes a discount. Are you just looking at their online price for booking? My venue includes a block for $119/night, but the regular price is $159/night.

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  • Allymonbanana
    Super November 2016
    Allymonbanana ·
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    Ours is $179 but the hotel is literally right next door to the venue. It's also a brand new boutique hotel. My planner kept telling me it's a great price considering. You're paying for convenience basically.

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  • Elizabeth
    Master December 2016
    Elizabeth ·
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    Are there no other less expensive hotels in the area? People don't have to stay on-site if there are other hotels nearby.

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  • Kmess
    Master October 2015
    Kmess ·
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    Are there any AirBnBs in the area that you could direct some of your friends to who might want a lower cost option?

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  • Reggie
    Master September 2015
    Reggie ·
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    @Allymonbanana, Paying for convenience is all fine and good unless you can't afford it. It's ok to offer as an option if there are also other hotels in the area but if that's the only one then it is likely going to be prohibitively expensive for some guests.

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  • Jasmine
    Super March 2017
    Jasmine ·
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    Are there any cheaper options that you can offer as well? Otherwise I'd suggest people sharing a room because that's a lot IMO

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  • Allymonbanana
    Super November 2016
    Allymonbanana ·
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    Reggie, believe me, I can barely afford it myself. I'm going to foot the bill for my grandma's room and my room for the night before.

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  • JMA
    VIP August 2017
    JMA ·
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    @Christina O where are you in NJ if you don't mind me asking? I'm in the planning process and the hotel directly related with our venue is $194 with a group discount, I thought that was insanely pricey and I was very discouraged. I'm currently looking for a cheaper choice. I'm in northern nj, Sussex county. You're right though, just how it is in no.

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  • Jeleebeenz
    VIP September 2015
    Jeleebeenz ·
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    I give Reggie 5 gold stars for her replies. It doesn't matter how much any of us have paid for rooms. What matters is what OP's guests can afford. In all honesty I wouldn't have chosen a venue that only had a 200.00 a night option for my guests. It would have to be an exceptional occasion for me to drop 400.00 bucks on a hotel for a weekend - like a daughter or my favorite niece getting married. If it was a friend (even a close one) it wouldn't happen.

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  • Jeleebeenz
    VIP September 2015
    Jeleebeenz ·
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    OP - after re-reading your post where you say you are torn between the venue of your dreams and expecting too much of your guests I have to ask this: why choose the "venue of your dreams" when the cost to your guests is so prohibitive? There are other venues that are nice, I am sure, but you may be looking at a lot more declines with the price of the hotel you are looking at.

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  • Alice
    Expert September 2016
    Alice ·
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    If I was attending your wedding I would search for the nearest red roof inn or similar motel and stay there even if it's a 45 minute drive.

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