How far in advance do I need to block hotel rooms?

How far in advance did you or are you planning on blocking hotel rooms? I have no idea how many I'll need yet and I'm afraid that it's too far away from the date and they won't have rates. I also didn't plan on sending out STDs, because, frankly, those people who need to book travel arrangements that we really want there already know, and those who don't have enough time to do it because we didn't remind them far in advance will just leave us more room to invite others that we want there.

Also, we're getting married on a Sunday, but the next day is Columbus Day so people may have the day off and decide to stay the extra night. How many days before and after the wedding do we need to block rooms off for?

Re: How far in advance do I need to block hotel rooms?

We blocked our rooms a year in advance to get the rate for that year. It doesn't hurt to block them now, you can always add more rooms to the block if needed. Plus, it is a holiday weekend so they may fill up.
We blocked our rooms only for the night of the wedding. If people want it for more than that, I am sure they will be able to get it.

Re: How far in advance do I need to block hotel rooms?

You should block them now...you can always add more later.

Re: How far in advance do I need to block hotel rooms?

We blocked as soon as we booked the reception for both the night before and the night of the reception. I have some immediate family members that will be coming in for the rehearsal dinner but we only blocked five rooms for now for the night before.

Re: How far in advance do I need to block hotel rooms?

I blocked them about 10 months in advance.