FAQs and Tips to get the best hotel rate

You may have out of town guests attending your wedding during a weekend, or you may have your wedding further from your hometown, some guests may want to stay the night instead of driving back. It’s important you research, compare group discounted rates, and select your hotel prior to sending out your invitations, so that way you can include hotel enclosure cards of the rates, information and deadlines in your invitations. Here are some helpful tips and questions to ask to the Hotel Sales Dept.

1) What is the minimum amount of rooms to block the weekend? (You need to figure out how many guests would reserve rooms, an approximate number. For example, if you have 12 to 15 guests that you do know they will be staying at a hotel then 8 to 10 rooms would be sufficient)

2) What is the discounted group rate? (You can inquire your reception venue. Usually reception venues have relationships with the hotels nearby, the hotel can grant you a free bridal suite or offer group discounted room rates because you are having a wedding at the referred venue.)

3) What is the policy for rooms that are not reserved within the blocked room contract? (You want to make sure that you are not penalized for rooms that are not reserved, so for example you have 10 rooms blocked on your contract and 2 rooms have been reserved by your guests and 8 are not booked- you want to make sure you that you are not responsible for that cost. Some hotels do charge unbooked room nights and most do not charge, instead, they release the rooms to the general public)

4) When is the deadline for guest to reserve their rooms in order to get the group discount? (Some hotels give 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding date for guests to book their rooms)

5) Do you offer complimentary shuttles? (Such as airport transportation- hotel to airport, airport to hotel, local shuttles hotel to venue, venue to hotel)

6) Do you offer a complimentary room or suite when the blocked rooms have been reserved? (Most hotels give free room or group-discounted rate when the contract has been fulfilled- so they can honor you a bridal suite or free room)

7) Is there a cancellation fee? (Lets say for example if you decide to cancel, are you responsible for cost of the rooms? or can they just release the rooms to the general public)