Many a couple is under the impression that it is bad etiquette to not reserve a block of hotel rooms for out of town guests. Many feel that it is their responsibility to make arrangements so guests know where to stay.
After all, isn’t that what good hosts do?
While it’s understandable to feel that you have to block hotel rooms for out of town guests, it is not an absolute necessity.
If you go back 20 years ago, it might have been a necessity to block rooms because guests did not have local information on their finger tips as they do now. Guests nowadays can find their own hotel quickly.
In fact, many couples just add a list of nearby hotels on their wedding website so guests know where to stay.
But you should know that there are some significant advantages to blocking hotel rooms
Reserving a block of hotel rooms for your wedding guests is a nice gesture that is much appreciated by those attending . There are many advantages to blocking rooms and we’ve listed just a few below.
It Costs Nothing In Most Cases
Many couples think that they have to put down a huge deposit when they block rooms. Others think that they will be responsible for unused rooms in a room block. While both concerns a valid, what most couples don’t know is that hotels have a special kind of room block that they use for weddings. It’s called a courtesy room block and it is created for small groups (like wedding guests).
When you ask a hotel for a courtesy room block, you don’t have to put a deposit and there are no charges for unused rooms. To learn more about a courtesy room block, you should read this.
Group Hotel Discounts
While guests can certainly try to find great rates on their own, they won’t all find them at one hotel. Rather than have everyone looking for low rates, a room block will help them save over 20%.
With over 5000 room blocks under our belt, the average savings we have seen for room blocks is around 23% off standard rates. Your out of town wedding guests will certainly appreciate the savings and your consideration in taking the time to block the hotel rooms.
Everyone stays together
Not a lot of people think this is important, but it is. Guests that stay at the same hotels end up having breakfast together, eating dinner and hanging out at the pool. They, for the most part, have a better time that the guests that stay at a hotel by themselves.
Moreover, guests that are at the same hotel will be able to arrange for cabs together, and be able to get transportation to/from the wedding together as well.Finally, if you end up staying at the same hotel that you blocked rooms at, you can setup a wedding breakfast (at minimal cost) with everyone the day after the wedding. Doing so adds a nice touch.
Free Room For The Bride and Groom
In most cases, if you block more than 20 overnight rooms, for your wedding, you will get a free room for the bride and groom. Many a couple will use this room on the night of the wedding and leave for the honeymoon the following day. Others will hand it out to your maid of honor or best man as a thank you.
Free Shuttle To/From Your Wedding Venue
Your out of town wedding guests should not have to rent cars just to be able to attend your wedding. Arrange for a free shuttle at the hotel that you block rooms at so your guests can travel to and from the wedding venue with ease and without cost.
As you can see from above, there are significant advantages to blocking hotel rooms for your wedding guests. It adds a touch of class and tells your guests that you went out of your way to take care of their needs.
But doesn’t it take forever to block hotel rooms
Blocking hotel rooms for wedding guests used to be a hassle but that is not the case anymore. All you have to do is fill out a short group rates form and a request is sent directly to hotels in your chosen city.
Doing it this way will save you the hassle of having to look up telephone numbers and manually calling each hotel to get group rates. As soon as you fill out the form, hotels that fit your criteria will email their group rates. It’s simple and fast, so you have no excuse not to block hotel rooms for your wedding guests.
What should you do next?
Hotels book up fast during wedding season (especially during the May-Oct. period). If you wait too long, you may not get the hotel that you want. Block rooms for your wedding guests today. They will be thankful that you did. Get started by filling out this form.