How Many Hotel Room Blocks Should We Set Up? If at all?

How many people have to fly or drive over 2 hours to get there? I would block off the number of families that equals minus maybe 3 since not everyone will be staying in a hotel. We didn’t block off hotel rooms at all. The out of town guests got their own hotel rooms, and I honestly don’t feel too horrible about it. I am very thankful that they are coming obviously! But I don’t feel bad for not blocking off hotel rooms.

Have you called around to the different nicer hotels and talked to them about it. The hotel close to my venue told me that if I set up a block I was under no obligation to pay if they weren't used. They release the rooms from the block about 2 weeks prior to the wedding for other people to book.

I would look for a smaller number of rooms. A lot of the hotels out here in the Bay Area give 10 free complimentary rooms with no pay out. If you need more then you have to pay out what’s not used. Maybe try that?

Use a courtesy block. Hotels usually will hold up to 10 rooms as a "courtesy" and then you will not be held liable for any unused rooms. Also, a lot of hotels with courtesy blocks will extend the price over the 10 rooms.

I read about this somewhere on the forums, but the hotels in my area either assume I mean a regular block or they have no idea what I'm talking about.

I live in a small town in the Midwest, so maybe that's why? I am not sure. I'll try calling more hotels in the area to see if I can find one that offers that.

I was told to underestimate the number of rooms, so for 5 couples and 5 single people (who are used to rooming together at events) I reserved 4 double beds and 2 rooms with two single beds. I hope it's enough. :/

The hotel is confusing a confirmed block for a courtesy block.

Use skipper! it was so easy and helpful. They will let you know whether it will be a courtesy block or not, but definitely go with the courtesy block. They'll reach out to the hotels for you and you just decide to accept or decline their booking.

I think hotel blocks are great but if I were paying 70-90$ a room for a wedding, I'd be reluctant to book there. That just seems TOO cheap for me personally. Go with a chain, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham and they are usually much more flexible with a courtesy block (I've seen these brands go as low as 99$ for rooms and that is a great deal. The rooms get released a month before the wedding usually.) Do not 1. pay for anyone's rooms when you do not have to.

2. Book cheap rooms. (people will want to stay in very varying levels of comfort keep this in mind. I'd pay a little more with access to a clean and spacious room, decent sized bathroom/shower. )

Also keep in mind it is not 100% necessary to do a room block either. People will stay where they are going to stay with or without your help, although it is nice to have a suggested hotel, it is not necessary and people can book nearby at any price they are comfortable paying.

I would get a courtesy room block. If people use it, great; if not you won't get penalized for unused rooms.