What is the general rule for blocking hotel rooms?

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The only rule is don't sign any contract where you would be responsible to pay for any unbooked rooms. Only book a courtesy block. A courtesy block is where the hotel sets aside a certain number of rooms until about a month before your wedding, after which the unbooked rooms are released to the general pubic. You are not billed for any rooms.

You don't block specific types of rooms. The hotel will give you a rate for a standard room.

Often you start with a block of 10 -20 rooms and if those sell out, they add another block of 10.

Don't sweat this too much as the discount you get is often no greater than you can find online on travel websites.

It is perfectly acceptable to simply include an enclosure that recommends a few local hotels at different price points.

I will add that generally for courtesy blocks, people need to reserve rooms 30 days in advance or you lose the rooms in the block. When you read over the contract (you must carefully read the entire contract!), make sure:

1. There is no charge to you for unused rooms

2. Check the cancellation policy for guests (we used one hotel over another since the cancellation policy at one was 7 days and the one we used was only 24 hours)

3. Check the rate they are quoting you against the rate on travel sites to see if what kind of discount you are getting

4. Ask the hotel (if not stated in the contract) if you can get a free room if a certain number of rooms are booked in your block. Some hotels will do this.

5. If you are doing a welcome gift to your guests (I think they are totally unnecessary and a bit of a waste of money but some people like to do them), see if they will deliver to guest rooms for free or if there is a charge. Some hotels will give guests the bag upon check in.

6. Check the cost of parking, if any. We found that one hotel the room was a little less but the parking was so much more it actually made the total charge more expensive.

Make sure anything the hotel promises over the phone is in writing in the contract. Do not just take anyone's word for anything. That goes for your vendor contracts as well.

The manager or someone at the hotel would be able to gauge how many rooms you need. For mine we have a total of 30 rooms for 2 nights of use. I also made sure to book a suite to get ready in with hair and make up. I signed a contract for the 30 rooms, but am not charged for any rooms unused, it is a courtesy block.

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