How soon to book hotel blocks?

mgoss228

I'm at the 8 month mark today (squee!), and it came across my mind that I should try to figure out the whole hotel block thing... soon-ish since 100% of FI's family is OOT (in a couple of cases OO-Country).  FMIL will be visiting in early Oct, and I know she will be hounding me about what I've been doing as far as hotel blocks go. Oh, and I also want to send out STDs in November-December, so I imagine it should be before then for FI's family.

My questions:
What hotels did you use in Snohomish County?  The venue is in North Snohomish county.

What are the typical steps in starting the hotel-block process?  We will be booking 20 rooms... if that helps.

jennlin

we did hotel block in mukilteo (extended stay), since h's family lives in muk, and all the OOT needing hotels would be from his side of the family. (my side all stayed with my parents, or a hotel they prefer)... mukilteo isn't really prime hotel space, so we didn't even get around to hotel blocks until about 1 month before....

my MOH who got married in july also did hotel blocks in mukilteo (hilton garden inn)....how north are you thinkin?

we decided to go with mukilteo instead of downtown seattle (where the wedding was) because everybody would want to spend time with the family too, so you might not necessarily want the hotel near the venue.

jennlin

oh and as for "the process"...just call the hotel you choose and tell them you need X rooms on which date. ask them how much it is, and when they need to book by to guarantee that rate/room..

niq24601

... and ask if they have an "attrition policy", which is if they will charge you if you don't fill a certain percentage of your rooms.

mgoss228

Thanks for all the info/advice!!!!

The wedding is in Stanwood, and FI & I live in North Seattle.  We are debating on where to book for FI's family since ZERO of them live in the state (most live in a different time zone).  I don't really want to play hostess for ALL of my FILs... so I'm aiming for Tulalip to Arlington, since Stanwood is mainly B&Bs. 

I could do North Seattle hotels if some of my FILs want to play tourist, since it will be the first visit to WA for most of them.  But the drive between Seattle and Stanwood seems too long for that.

I also need to figure out where I'm staying the night before and night after the wedding, that might end up being the deciding factor of the main hotel blocks.  I'm pretty sure I want to be close to Stanwood the night before (and after) the wedding.

Anyone stay (WR or NWR) at either the Tulalip Casino/Resort or the Medallion Hotel (in Arlington)?  My venue suggested those two hotels, but I don't have any experience with either.

jennlin

i haven't stayed at either, but i heard tulalip is really nice for a good price. i haven't seen jennyann on in a few days, but her wedding was in stanwood, so you might want to check with her to see what she did for her hotels.

ahuette

I'm getting married in the northend also.  I did a couple of different hotels all over.  I did 2 in North Seattle (Ok, well, because I work at them )  But I would have anyway.  Then I did the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett for those who want to stay inbetween and the Tulalip as well.  None of them had an attrition clause, but they have a release date of 30 days.  I have a lot of OOT guests as well and they are staying a little bit of everywhere so maybe give them options and let them choose.