If you’re curious about how do wedding hotel blocks work, there are two hotel block arrangements that hotels typically offer for weddings. They are the attribution and courtesy contracts, which we will describe and compare below to help you pick the best one for your wedding.
And if you don’t know if hotel blocks are necessary, continue reading below. You can also read how many rooms to block for a wedding, so you’ll know what to say when you book a hotel.
Everything To Know About How Do Wedding Hotel Blocks Work
Attribution contract
When you call a hotel for room block arrangements for weddings, it’s likely to be an attribution contract. This means you must fill a percentage of the minimum number of rooms.
Hotels that use this room block contract will make you financially responsible for the rooms you block, and you might even pay for the difference. This is also called the slippage fee, the difference between the rooms you blocked and the booked rooms.
So if the hotel requires a block of 10 rooms that should be 50% filled, you will pay for five rooms whether your guests book the hotel block or not. If you could not feel confident about your guests attending, consider a more flexible arrangement for hotel blocks.
Courtesy contract
If you feel pressured about hotel blocks with an attribution contract, a more flexible option is the courtesy contract for blocks. For this type of contract, the hotel will block off a particular number of rooms.
They’ll be available until a few weeks before your wedding cutoff date. If your guests don’t book the rooms you blocked, the hotel could release the unfilled rooms to their other guests without you incurring any penalty.
Therefore, don’t forget to note the cutoff date to your guests via the accommodation details card on the invitation suite or wedding website. They must book a room before the cutoff date to secure it for a good deal.
What Is The Point Of A Hotel Block For A Wedding?
Hotels typically offer blocks for the wedding, which is a way for the couple to request a certain number of rooms to be set aside for their guests. Making a hotel block can be an attribution or courtesy contract where you’ll have various agreements and negotiations.
The guests will book and pay for the rooms; its benefit is you can secure a place for their accommodation. It’s also cost-efficient since there’s an agreed rate compared to not having a hotel block and letting guests find and book the place where they’ll stay.
Who pays for the hotel rooms?
The guests typically pay for the rooms that the couple will block. However, some weddings may have hosts that are willing to cover the wedding guests’ accommodation expenses.
How to get the best rates for a hotel block?
- Communicate your budget and expectations with the hotel’s salesperson
- Check if the hotel offers inclusions like a couple’s room as part of the block incentive
- Negotiate the rate and if they can add rooms to the block for convenience as the rooms get filled
- Ask the hotel about discounted rates, especially if it’ll also be the wedding venue
- You might have the reception, brunch, or rehearsal dinner at the hotel so that they might offer a discount
To inform guests of their accommodation and have them book their rooms, read how to word hotel information for a wedding.
Are Hotel Blocks Necessary?
Hotel blocks are necessary and are advantageous regardless if it’s a local or destination wedding. You may even get a reasonable rate if you make the hotel the same as the venue for the wedding.
A hotel block saves you time and money with the guests’ accommodation. They can be together in one place, and you can even pick a conveniently located hotel based on your wedding location.
You can benefit from blocking rooms at the hotel venue if it’s a local wedding. This will also give your guests more time to celebrate with you.
On the other hand, destination weddings require a place for guests to stay. You can ensure more accessible communication with each other if you’re staying in one place, and it’s also convenient for transportation since the shuttle can pick up guests from one hotel.
How Do Hotel Courtesy Blocks Work?
The most popular contract for hotel blocks is the courtesy block. From the name itself, the hotel allows you to block off rooms for the guests, but even if they don’t get filled, you won’t be financially liable.
There is a cut-off date for these rooms to be filled; after that, they’ll be released for other hotel guests. Therefore, you must let your guests know when they must book their rooms.
Do Most Hotels Do Courtesy Blocks?
It would be best to ask your hotel about courtesy blocks. Most places offer this contract, but they will likely provide you with attribution hotel blocks, so you’ll be financially committed.
Conclusion
Was this discussion helpful? You just learned how do wedding hotel blocks work, which can be via courtesy or attribution contracts.
The former does not hold you financially liable if the rooms aren’t filled, while the attribution hotel block will require you to pay a slippage fee. And as for blocking hotel rooms, it is beneficial for time, comfort, and practicality, so include this in your wedding planning.