Rather Confused

JAAMS Posted: May 18, 2009 10:59 PM

Rather Confused

So it seems there's been a lot of talk of Save the Dates recently, so I've begun somewhat thinking about mine.

This is the timelike I had for myself regarding them:
September 13, 2009- Finalize Guest List & begin obtaining addresses

October 13, 2009- Order STDs

Nov 13-Dec 13- Have them sent out.

Ok NOW here is the issue: When in the world do I book hotel blocks? I've heard you can't do it until a year before. I can't order STDs w/ hotel information printed on them until I have an actually hotel booked. So that would mean I can't order them until November 13th? And then magically have them arrive, write them out, and have them to everyone by December 13th??

What am I missing here?

CloudNine Posted: May 18, 2009 11:01 PM

Re: Rather Confused

i sent out my STD's without the hotel info. i'll have it in my invites. i dont have a lot of OOT guests though.

you dont have to send them out within a certain time frame. i booked my hotel block i think in February, i was able to get rates. why not just mail out your STD's 9-10 months in advance as oppose to a year?

JAAMS Posted: May 18, 2009 11:07 PM

Re: Rather Confused

Posted by CloudNine

i sent out my STD's without the hotel info. i'll have it in my invites. i dont have a lot of OOT guests though.

you dont have to send them out within a certain time frame. i booked my hotel block i think in February, i was able to get rates. why not just mail out your STD's 9-10 months in advance as oppose to a year?

We're having it in CT and every single guest is OOT. We're already heard complaints about it, so we want to get them out ASAP that way everyone has time and no one can whine lol

drivwal Posted: May 18, 2009 11:15 PM

Re: Rather Confused

put your wedding website info on the save the date and then update the hotel info on your website when you have it...lots of people don't know where to book a hotel room until they get the invites. my sister...the one who had her wedding at woodwinds....sent that info out with her invites and her family was all from ny and florida and no one had an issue with where they were going to stay...no problems

GR2010 Posted: May 18, 2009 11:45 PM

Re: Rather Confused

Some hotels will let you block sooner than a year in advance... I have talked to the Melville Marriott, Huntington Hilton, Four Points Sheraton and Hilton Garden Inn in Plainview and other than the Huntington Hilton they are all able to book rooms now for October of 2010.

I know those hotels don't help you since your RH is in CT but check out those chains local to your RH, if you explain your situation they may work with you. ALL of FH's guests are from OOT so we want to make sure we get out STDs out a year in advance as well.

MikesBride2B Posted: May 18, 2009 11:52 PM

Re: Rather Confused

You don't necessarily have to have it printed out on the STD..there was actually a girl on the '09 boards today talking about how she had an enclosure card that talked all about her hotel blocks. This is how I plan on doing it.

jlt2010 Posted: May 19, 2009 12:04 AM

Re: Rather Confused

Posted by drivwal

put your wedding website info on the save the date and then update the hotel info on your website when you have it...lots of people don't know where to book a hotel room until they get the invites. my sister...the one who had her wedding at woodwinds....sent that info out with her invites and her family was all from ny and florida and no one had an issue with where they were going to stay...no problems

i agree!! you could just put the information on your website!!

StaceYums81 Posted: May 19, 2009 01:15 AM

Re: Rather Confused

You don't have to have hotel info on the save the dates in fact most people don't - you can put a little card in the invitation with the info on it...

SummerBride10 Posted: May 19, 2009 06:06 AM

Re: Rather Confused

Maybe if you explain your situation, the hotels will udnerstand and allow you to block rooms more in advance?

Ivansgirl Posted: May 19, 2009 06:33 AM

Re: Rather Confused

I signed the contract for my block already and I am getting married in July. 2010. People can't book rooms until at least 12 - 11 months to the wedding at the earliest.

stinenandy2010 Posted: May 19, 2009 08:05 AM

Re: Rather Confused

I've never seen hotel info on a save the date. Normally, you just put the wedding website on there.

Btw, since I live like 5mins from your RH, if you want to ask me about local hotels, just FM me. There is a brand new holiday inn that looks really nice nearby.

JillandJoe Posted: May 19, 2009 08:14 AM

Re: Rather Confused

hotel information goes on the invite...ive never gotten an std with it on there

rocketsummer17 Posted: May 19, 2009 08:27 AM

Re: Rather Confused

You can always add it as an enclosure card...

runnerbride1023 Posted: May 19, 2009 08:31 AM

Re: Rather Confused

I am going to put the information as in insert with the STD. I don't think it takes very long to print them either and they dont need to be very fancy.

I will also have information on the website b/c sometimes people lose things.

PS-- your timeframe looks good!

soontobemrsag Posted: May 19, 2009 08:31 AM

Re: Rather Confused

yea im not including teh hotel block info with the std's - i actually have to redo my std's because i changed the date but you dont have to send them out until youdo your invits HTH!!!

Kimbalina Posted: May 19, 2009 08:35 AM

Re: Rather Confused

You do not have to have the hotel information on the STD.

You can have a seperate card for it, or not at all. A lot of girls mentioned on the wedding website which is good to have on the STD (imo). However I would do it by word of mouth. You and your mom, and MIL etcc.... are going to hear from a lot of family from when your STD goes out and through the Holidays!

MarjorieFrank Posted: May 19, 2009 09:38 AM

Re: Rather Confused

Since your wedding is in CT and everyone will be an OOT guest, I think you should include a card with the STD; however, I think it is more so you being considerate and making it convenient for the guests, it's not a necessity. I am not doing hotel blocks so I can't give any advice or information on that, sorry.

Also, just something to think about... sending your STD's so close to Christmas and the holiday rush may lead them to be lost in the hustle and bustle of things. I know you want to give your guests a long period of time given the location, but I speak from experience. I sent graduation party invites around that time of year and everyone lost them or didn't pay attention to it because of all the craziness of the holiday season.
Good Luck!

JAAMS Posted: May 19, 2009 11:27 AM

Re: Rather Confused

Posted by stinenandy2010

I've never seen hotel info on a save the date. Normally, you just put the wedding website on there.

Btw, since I live like 5mins from your RH, if you want to ask me about local hotels, just FM me. There is a brand new holiday inn that looks really nice nearby.

Thanks so much! That would be great =D

And thanks everyone for your suggestions; they all totally make sense. My brain does NOT work sometimes.

Juhgail Posted: May 19, 2009 11:56 AM

Re: Rather Confused

I sent out my save the date with no hotel information. But I have all the info on my website.

Find the hotel you want to use and see if they will arrange a block this far in advance. You have nothing to loose by asking them.