blocking rooms?

How far in advance should I block rooms for my August 2003 wedding?

How much of a discount do they usually give? And is there usually a fee if you don't fill the rooms?

Thanks

Re: blocking rooms?

oooh thats a good question. I was wondering the same thing for my Sept 2004 wedding. The hotel we are looking to block rooms for is 2 miles from the hall and there is another wedding the same time as my wedding so I want to ensure I get rooms blocked for people.

Good question.

Re: blocking rooms?

For my July 03 wedding I blocked the rooms this past Novmeber. Its not a huge discount but its ok. You do not have to put a deposit nor are you under any obligation to pay for unused rooms. They tell you that your guest have to book up until 1 month prior, any rooms not taken by that date will go back into their inventory

Re: blocking rooms?

I blocked out rooms in November for my August 2003 wedding.. All hotels are dif and will not allow you to block out rooms if you're wedding is over a year away...My guests will be paying a special rate of 129 per night.. which is very good.. I didn't have to give them anything either..

Re: blocking rooms?

I posted this question a few months back. For 2004, it's too early. People told me I should do it about 6 months in advance.

Re: blocking rooms?

I am getting married in September and I booked rooms back in October. I booked 2 hotels - 1 near by reception and the other by the Church mostly for my BMs/groomsmen and FI's family. There is no charge to block the rooms but most hotels release the rooms to the public about 30 days before the wedding so your guests won't get the discounted rate.

Re: blocking rooms?

I would book them 8-10 months in advance - especially if your wedding is in the summer time (peak travel season to LI). Most hotels will not charge you to block the rooms. You get a contracted rate, probably a little lower then the current room rates. They will hold the rooms up to 30 days beofre your wedding and then release them to the general public for sale.

Re: blocking rooms?

we booked ours 11 months in advance

Re: blocking rooms?

Each hotel has it's own policy regarding group rates. The majority that I have dealt offer a discounted rate (albeit minimal, unless you're looking into Manhattan where it's dead in summer weekends), with no occupancy guarantees. Generally, the cut-off date to reserve can be anywhere from, 14-45 days prior to the check-in date.

Some of the hotels I have dealt with do require an occupancy guarantee, ranging anywhere from 50%-80%. If you fall short, you are required to cover the difference. Personally, I prefer not to deal with hotels that have occupancy guarantees, as it just gives you one more thing to worry about.

For your wedding, I would start looking into have your rooms blocked by the end of January.

Re: blocking rooms?

I blocked out rooms at the end of November for the Hilton... Wedding is in September. Got a great deal off the orginal price and put the rooms aside.... Signed a contract....

Re: blocking rooms?

The hotel near our reception site has a 10 room guarantee. If you can't cover the 10 rooms, and they can't rent them after they're released to the public, we're stuck for the remainder.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a lot of the BM's will want to stay!!

Re: blocking rooms?

I am getting married in August and I blocked my rooms like 10 months in advance. I blocked at the Marriott Uniondale, the deal is not that good... $140 per room. I guess thats because its the summer and the beach, the colliseum, and Mitchell Field are all right there. There was no other option for me considering I am getting married at Bridgeview Yacht Club and there are no nice hotels in Long BEach. The closest thing besides the Marriott was the Holiday Inn Rockville Centre but it was kind of scary looking when I went to see it.

I signed a contract but have no penalty if I don't meet the guarentee.

Re: blocking rooms?

We blocked ours in November for our August 03 wedding. Both hotels honor the blocks up until one month prior to the wedding, then the block is no longer valid. We did not have to put any money down on anything.