4 Easy Steps to Book Your Wedding Group Room Block:

Let’s talk numbers!

To get a good idea of how many out-of-towners will attend your wedding; include the wedding party, family and friends. Next, ask yourself how many nights they will stay; are they driving or flying?

Chose a location.

Do you want to find a hotel close to the wedding reception location or close to Austin attractions and entertainment? After you decide on the location, take a look at the hotels in the area and find out what they are selling at online over your wedding dates (You can use hotels.com, expedia.com etc.)

Find your price point & prepare for negotiation.

Before you make calls, research hotels who offer rates within a maximum of ONLY $50.00 higher than your price point. *Remember, a GROUP RATE can be anywhere from $10.00-$50.00 less than what is listed online. Call the hotels that made your list and talk to a Wedding Sales Manager!  Below are two types of wedding blocks hotels offer.  Most hotels will start with an offer of a 10-15 guest room block.

Courtesy block: The hotel will set up a discounted room rate and a block of rooms with NO financial commitment.

Traditional block: The hotel offers a discounted room rate and a group block with a commitment of 80-90% attrition.

Translation: if you block 10 rooms for 2 nights (80% attrition), you are committing and financially responsible for utilizing 8 out of 10 rooms per night. If the group block only uses 7 rooms per night instead of 8, you will be charged that last room for both nights.  (Many wedding groups do traditional blocks because they have a good idea of how many rooms they need and are confident they will use enough of the block required)

You can’t please everyone!

Remember, when selecting your hotels– the goal is to find a good value and accommodate out of town guests!  A good rule of thumb is to choose 2 hotels or less and arrange your wedding blocks. Guests like to stay where “the group” stays and it is ideal for family members to socialize if they are lodging at the same hotel.  A downtown hotel and perhaps a second hotel on the outskirts of the entertainment area tend to make a great fit for most guests.

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