Planning a wedding can be stressful, but booking hotel blocks for your guests doesn’t have to be. A hotel room block is a set of rooms that have been reserved for a group at a discounted rate. This is a great option for weddings as it saves your guests time and money, and ensures they have a comfortable place to stay. It also means they’ll be surrounded by other guests, so the celebrations can continue before and after the reception.
Booking a hotel block is straightforward. First, decide how many rooms you’ll need. This will depend on your guest list, and how many people are travelling in from out of town. You can then shop around for the best rates by calling hotels in the area. Once you’ve found a hotel that suits your needs, you can reserve a block of rooms, usually between 10 and 30, at a discounted rate. You’ll then be given a link or code to share with your guests, who can book their rooms directly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A group of rooms a hotel sets aside for an event at a pre-negotiated group rate to be booked and paid for by the attendees. |
| Minimum number of rooms | 10 |
| Maximum number of rooms | 30 |
| Who pays for the rooms | Traditionally, the bride’s family pays for the wedding party’s rooms. Guests are responsible for covering their own rooms. |
| When to reserve a room block | ASAP, especially if the wedding date coincides with a holiday, local event or convention. |
| How to reserve a room block | Contact the hotels directly or use a booking platform. |
| How many rooms to block | Estimate the number of households that will need accommodation and the percentage of out-of-town guests who will book a room. |
| How many nights to block | Discuss with your partner the number of nights your guests need to stay. |
| How many hotels to choose | Reserve rooms at 2-3 hotels to offer guests a choice of location and room rate. |
| How to communicate room block information | Include information on your wedding website or paper invitation suite. |