Hotel block

My venue worked with a hotel that provides a shuttle if we book 12 nights or more. So we called them, they put 15 nights blocked for Friday and 15 nights blocked for Saturday. No cost to us, the rate looked to be maybe $30 off what I would think of as normal, and if people don't book them all they'll be released about a month out.

We're going to see what the response rate is, since we have a mix of local (no need for hotel) and then the out of towners I'm not sure will come. If needed we'll get a second hotel block or increase the numbers here.

I went to the hotels I wanted to use and just asked them about it. They were super helpful.

Call the hotel(s) you’re interested in and they will ask you dates, how many rooms you want, and you’ll sign a contract. They’ll either have guests book by a certain day and then release unsold rooms, or they’ll have you pay a percentage of unsold rooms (I would not book a place that makes you do the second option)

I used to work in hotel sales - call the hotel and ask about a block. I would ask for “flex days” on 1-2 days before and after the wedding. I’d also ask about shuttle services. Sometimes they’re complimentary and sometimes they’re not. I didn’t want to deal with calling around, especially because I work full time in sales still 😂 So I actually used WeddingWire’s tool. It was pretty useful.

Start by reaching out to hotels in your area (I found calling easiest, then continuing communication via email). Ask if they do complimentary blocks, charges for extending the blocks, perks for bride & groom, etc.