Block-booking hotel rooms

One of the many questions I'm asked by my clients is about reserving rooms for their wedding guests. As soon as you decide upon the location of your ceremony and reception site(s), you can start this relatively simple process.

Step #1 -- Choose at least 2 different hotels that are close by. I recommend that you select 1 higher-end and one moderately-priced hotel, to accommodate your guests' varying budgets.

Step #2 -- Visit both hotels to make sure they are up to your standards. Check out the lobby, restaurants, amenities, and ask to see a standard room.

Step #3 -- Once you're confident that your selections are a good fit, ask to speak with the Group Sales Manager (or some such title). That person will walk you through the process to reserve a block of rooms, at a discounted rate for your guests. You may or may not be required to sign a contract for the block; if you do have to sign one, make sure to read it carefully to make sure you are not liable for any fees, including indemnification provisions!

Step #4 -- Tell your guests!! Either in your save-the-date information, by email, on your wedding website or in your invitations, let your guests know that you have block-booked rooms for them. Tell them the telephone number they must call and under what name they must reference in order to get the discounted rate. Don't forget to let them know the deadline - most hotels release the block back into the main reservation system about 1 month before your wedding date!

Keep in mind that some hotels will give you a free room (or even suite) if your block is filled. (Most room blocks are for 20 rooms.) Of course, your wedding consultant can help you out with all of these steps - usually taking over all of the legwork!

Until next time, happy planning...

Of birthdays and parties

Well, allow me to go slightly off-topic today and talk about my weekend - which did not include any wedding-related activities. In fact, I didn't even turn on my computer the whole weekend! You see, it was my birthday on Friday and I celebrated all weekend long. On Friday, my husband Mike took me out to see Spiderman 3 and then we went to a club with a bunch of friends from our dojo (where we both practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). Saturday, we had a big party at our house - some friends who live in Virginia and Maryland stayed over. After a fun brunch, they left and my husband and I drove to my Mom's and went out to dinner with them. Boy, am I tired!!

Sometimes, though, you just have to stop and enjoy your friends and family - rather than only planning for the future! (You knew I'd have to tie this post into wedding planning somehow, right?!) I had so much fun with my long-time friends, some of whom I've known since the 3rd grade. There also were surprises, like when my BJJ sensei stopped by with some of his friends, including Rigan Machado (8th degree black belt and world champion). Not to mention Mike's beautiful present of a charm bracelet. It was a wonderful weekend!

As a wedding planner, I am constantly planning, making lists, attending meetings and offering advice. It's so easy to get wrapped up in thinking about your wedding day, planning for it and dreaming of it, that you miss all the little things going on around you. So, in this Spring, pick a day and just enjoy all that nature has to offer. Turn off your cell, leave your computer behind, and have fun. You'll be all the more recharged come Monday, and have great memories that make you smile!

Until next time, happy planning ....