Venue Does Not Allow Blocking Hotel Rooms for Wedding

That's so weird. I looked at a few hotels as our venue and most of the packages came with some sort of room block deal.

I would definitely send invites/save the dates a bit earlier so they know it's at the hotel and can book as soon as they know if they're available.

Maybe book a courtesy block at a nearby hotel, just in case. Those don't have any obligations if they're not booked, so you wouldn't lose any money.

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I thought it was weird, too. I emailed the venue manager just to confirm again, but that was one of the things that really stuck out to me when we met. How does a courtesy block work? I'm going to be honest that I have no idea how wedding blocks work. I don't know why I just thought I had to pay something in advance whether they booked it or not. There are a few hotels that are nice right next to the Red Route trolley stop so I'm looking at those and possibly contacting the hotels.

How many rooms should I block for 70-80 guests? 20-30?

Hmm that's really weird. Did they not inform you that they don't do room blocks for weddings when you signed a contract with them? We're also getting married at a hotel and sorting out the room block details was the very first thing we did before signing our contract. We have lots of out of town guests so naturally we would have selected a different venue if they didn't do room blocks.

I suppose your best bet is to inform your guests well in advance that they will need to book rooms on their own. I would set up your wedding website earlier than usual and send out save the dates on the early side as well with the hotel info. I would also book a courtesy block at a nearby hotel as well. Generally, courtesy blocks are 10 rooms, but sometimes if guests book all 10 rooms, then the hotel can add on to the block.

I would advise guests to book early that’s so weird they don’t offer a blocking

View Quoted Comment I think it’s honestly just because it’s in Eureka Springs. I’m sure if it was in a bigger town at a bigger hotel, they would have the hotel blocks. There are sooooo many cute renovated Victorian homes Bed and Breakfasts, like literally one after the other plus so many other boutique hotels, that the hotel doesn’t feel it was necessary to allow hotel blocks? I just started emailing someone from HotelPlanner to help see if there are even any hotel blocks available here in Eureka Springs. I think our best bet is the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks, but I’d have to ask them about a courtesy block.

View Quoted Comment I think it’s just because it’s in Eureka Springs. It’s mostly boutique hotels and bed & breakfasts just literally everywhere haha. It does give our guests more of a unique experience when they stay in one of those renovated Victorian homes. Most of these are right on the Red trolley route that goes to our venue hotel so it’s not too bad.

We went to a wedding where they did not block rooms. The couple gave us a list of close by hotels with transport to the venue. Made things super easy!

So strange. Does the hotel not want business? I can’t imagine what their logic is behind that. But they should have let you know that was the case when you initially asked for information.


You can either move the wedding to a different location and set up courtesy blocks (setting aside rooms but you are not financially responsible) at a different hotel keep the wedding where it is and set up a block elsewhere.

View Quoted Comment I think it’s just because it’s Eureka Springs. The place is line with a lot of Bed and Breakfasts and boutique hotels that is right on the Red Route (goes to our venue hotel). I’m going to call a few and see if any of them even do hotel room blocks. My guess is they probably don’t. I think the beautifully renovated Victorian homes as Bed and Breakfasts will probably provide a more unique experience for the guests anyway than a chain hotel so I think I’ll just give lots of options and lists of hotels on the website and let the guests know if they want to stay at the venue hotel to book well in advance

View Quoted Comment Awesome! I may just do that. The Bed and Breakfasts here are super cute anyway and a lot of the guests will probably opt to do that.

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This is what she said. I’m not worried about it! I think my guests will be fine as long as I let them know what’s available. I may set up get transportation for those that opt not to stay at the Crescent so they don’t have to drive back. Uber’s don’t exist here either lol

View Quoted Comment Most hotels know what a courtesy block is. So you’ll just find one nearby and call or email them and ask if you can book a courtesy block for your date. Ours allowed a max of 20 rooms, some hotels may be different. You don’t need to pay for anything, you just sign a contract. So they’ll save those rooms for you until usually about a month out and then they release those rooms to the public.
As far as how many, we just went through our guest list and estimated based on those that are out of town, but like I said, most have a max you can do.