Question about hotel blocks

This might seem like a dumb question, but I'm a little confused about what goes into getting a hotel block.

Do we have to pay money to guarantee the rooms? If guests don't end up booking there, are we responsible? It anyone could explain the process to me, that would be great, because that is one of the next things on my to do list!
TIA!!

I booked at the Marriott and we are not responsible for paying anything. We 'blocked' 25 rooms which means that we have up until certain date (6/23) to have our guests book one of those rooms. If there are rooms left over, they go back into the general pool of rooms that anyone can book. If a guests decides to book after 6/23 they are not guaranteed a room nor the special price we were able to get.

The only room we were responsible for holding with a credit card was the suite we booked for after the wedding.

Hope that helps!

OK, great, thanks ladies! Very good to know!

I was just imagining blocking rooms and not having them get booked and having to pay for all the empties!

Call the different sales departments at the various hotels you want to check out. Usually they will set aside a block of 15 rooms. You are not financially responsible for these rooms. If you want more than the 15, often times you need to lay out the money. The cut-off to book a room for your guests is usually one month prior to your wedding date. Guests are given a discounted rate, and by having the block, you are guaranteeing to your guests that a room will be available to them. Since I had so many guests planning on staying at the hotel - way above and beyond the 15 room block - I checked in frequently with the sales rep to frequently add rooms to my block as the original one became booked. It is also important to ask if the hotel provides a shuttle service to the reception as well as breakfast options or a late night bar. Also, some hotels offer complimentary suites to the bride and groom if a certain number of rooms are booked.

For example, I booked with Four Points Sheraton in Plainview. Originally we had 15 rooms blocked, but we had over 80 guests end up at the hotel. They offered a shuttle, but it was not large enough for all of our guests so we chartered a coach bus. We paid a $150 deposit to keep the bar open until 4am. Also, my in-laws hosted a breakfast in the 'ball room' for our 80 guests the following morning. Since we booked more than 15 rooms, the hotel provided my husband and I with a complimentary suite that was decorated with roses and champagne. It was a great experience to work with David at Four Points!!!

you shouldn't be reasponsible for the rooms, but one of the places i called said you were so make sure to ask!
usually you have one month until the wedding for the rooms to be reserved, then the extras get released

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Posted by rdhbride

This might seem like a dumb question, but I'm a little confused about what goes into getting a hotel block.

Do we have to pay money to guarantee the rooms? If guests don't end up booking there, are we responsible? It anyone could explain the process to me, that would be great, because that is one of the next things on my to do list!
TIA!!

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I had to guarantee 10 rooms minimum. So say only 8 get booked, I have to pay for those other 2 rooms. Ask before you sign!

You do not pay more to have a guarantee.

With regard to paying for hotel rooms not booked from the guarantee it depends on the hotel. I am using Fox Hollow and I have to guarantee 60% of the hotel block. We decided to go with them because they included alot with their block. They included breakfast for guests, a shuttle and our honeymoon suite.