HELPFUL HINTS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR LONG DISTANCE GUESTS
GROUP ROOM BLOCKS
A Group Room Block is for a cluster of rooms, set aside by you for a predetermined number of nights, guaranteed by you to the hotel. Most hotels will not allow you to block rooms earlier than one year prior to your wedding date. In your contract with the hotels, they will have what is called a cut-off date, meaning your rooms must be guaranteed by a certain date. Just prior to the one-month cut-off date, you will be contacted by the hotel. They will let you know how many rooms have been rented to your guests and will then ask whether you will guarantee the remaining open rooms or release them to the hotel to sell. If you do not release any remaining rooms in your block by the cut-off date, you will be responsible for them.
AMENITY BAGS & ITINERARIES
Okay, your wedding date is approaching. Now you need to think about a little something to place in each guest room. This is the perfect opportunity to have placed what’s called an Amenity Bag, in each room.
You will bring these bags to the hotel and hotel’s staff will deliver the bags. There is typically a nominal fee for this. It’s nice to include New England-type items in your amenity bag that will make your guests smile. For example, chocolate covered cranberries, local potato chips, gummy lobsters, etc. The most important thing to place in the bag, besides your welcome note, is an Itinerary. If you are providing transportation to and from your various weekend wedding venues, make sure you have listed the details. If apropos to your Out-of-Towners’ weekend planning, reminder times for Group Outings, Rehearsal Dinner, Ceremony, and Post-nuptial Brunch should also be included.