Traveling guest

BriaCow

To start off this will be a wedding with maybe around 50 people attending. All over this site I see welcome bags for the guests that traveled from other places to come. Also, some say that they reserved rooms for all their guests at one hotel. Why and how would I do that? I'm really confused whether I am expected to pay for their hotel or risk being rude. I don't mind doing the welcome bag thing but how does this process work? Can anyone explain?

Meegles4

You aren't required to pay for people's hotel stays. "reserved rooms" that you're seeing here simply means that some brides call hotels and ask for a group rate for their guests and then reserve a block of rooms at that rate. They then relay that information to their guests and the guests are able to reserve their room within this block and thus get a discount (the group rate).

It's not necessary that you do this, but it's a nice gesture if the hotel you're looking at offers discounts for groups.

As for welcome bags, those typically contain some snacks, info. about the wedding, maps, etc. They are giving to guests when they check in. They are by no means necessary.

ETA: Regarding hotels, I should also add that some people like to try to get all their guests to stay in one place, perhaps the wedding is at that hotel, or they're able to offer a shuttle from that hotel to the reception site. So, that's another reason to do the whole "group rate" thing. But, guests can decide where they stay, so while you may set up the hotel block, guests may still find other hotels that they'd prefer to stay at.

AdeleDazeem

People usually block hotel rooms.  You call up a hotel and say that you will be having a wedding on a particular date and want to reserve some rooms for your guests.  You don't pay for them - but the rooms are placed on a list that are reserved for your wedding guests to rent if they like.  These rooms are usually released back to the general public about thirty days prior to the event.

Welcome bags are nice for those staying in a hotel, but certainly not necessary.  People usually fill them with bottled water, candy, chips, some things about the area and a welcome letter.  You can drop them off at the hotel before your guests arrive and they will recieve one upon checking in. 

Warnings: Some hotels charge fees for handing out welcome bags.  Ask about that. 

Warnings: If you block twenty rooms, some hotels will say you must have filled at least ten with your guests or be charged the difference.  Ask about that.  Also, ask if that stipulation can be removed.  We were able to remove it from our room blocks.

Loopyseven

In Response to Re:Traveling guest:[QUOTE]To start off this will be a wedding with maybe around 50 people attending. All over this site I see welcome bags for the guests that traveled from other places to come. Also, some say that they reserved rooms for all their guests at one hotel. Why and how would I do that? I'm really confused whether I am expected to pay for their hotel or risk being rude. I don't mind doing the welcome bag thing but how does this process work? Can anyone explain? Posted by BriaCow[/QUOTE]

The welcome bag is completely optional. We had about 30 percent OOT guests and I didn't do them. Just ran out of time and money to put them together. Usually it's some snacks, water, tips for other things to do in the area and places to eat and stuff.
Reserving hotel rooms refers to just reserving a block of rooms, usually at a discounted rate for your guests to book if they choose. Typically there is no charge or obligation to you to block a set of rooms and any that are not reserved by your guests just go back into the general pool of available rooms after a certain date, usually a few weeks to a month before your wedding. The guest calls the hotel you've made arrangements with and tells them they want to book a room and are with "smith/jones wedding" and the hotel gives them any perks you negotiated for the guests. Some people make arrangements at two hotels a cheap one and a more expensive one to give their guests options. Guests can use the hotels you've arranged or make their own separate arrangements as they choose.

theelusive1

Our hotel is giving a special rate to our guests. We are not limited to a certian amount of rooms. I have added directions.  Things to do, places to eat, shop, and sights to see on the wedding website.  Some of our guests plan on coming in for a few extra days and they will either join in our wedding prep fun or find something to do on their own. This is the closest hotel to the reception venue and it also has pools and breakfast.

SmallenForever

I'm not doing a hotel block and when I go to out of town weddings, I don't usually use the hotels they suggest unless they truly are the best deal (and they only are about half of the time). I think you might want to suggest some nearby hotels on your wedding website or in a little card in the invitation, but hotel blocks aren't necessary. And neither are welcome bags. Really a waste of money if you ask me. I can buy my own snacks and bottled water. I'd rather the bride and groom spend that money on the wedding or on themselves.