Save the dates

Erinv427

I am trying to figure out what to write on the save the dates about the fact that our guests will be staying the night. I don't want to make it seem like we are forcing them. But we are renting out the entire inn (which is required). I figure if we make a payment to reduce the total accommodation fee then we can estimate the price per person the stay at the inn. It is about 3 hours away from our hometown so technically a destination wedding. I'm really counting on our guests paying for a room but don't know how to go about mentioning this. I feel like I need to put it in the save the dates so they know ahead of time.

Summer2011Bride

I wouldn't put anything on the actual STD. If anything, you could put a link to a wedding website on the STD and on the website, have an "accommodations" page. However, I would list the inn as one hotel option (esp. if they get a discounted rate for staying there) but also give another option too. You can't "force" or even strongly suggest they stay there because you had to rent it out. Just offer it up as an option for OOT guests.

Kate61487

Yeah I agree with Summer - put it on your website as an option; but give other local choices too.  Most people will probably opt to stay there for the convenience of everything being in one place, but if it's more than $100 a night many may look elsewhere for a more reasonably priced option and that's their right. 

If you're not willing/able to pay the full rental (if not a single person got a room) then I'd be looking for a different venue, b/c it's not your guests job to pay for the venue. and you need to be prepared, JIC.

Avion22

I agree with everyone else.  You can't force people to stay at the place you want.  You can't even force them to stay overnight if they don't want to -- some may choose to drive home that night.   

I would put a link to your wedding website on the STDs.  Then, on your website, list the options for accomodation.  If there will be a discount at the inn, then definitely put that information (but don't mention that you had to rent out the whole inn...)   Depending on how much the Inn will cost and how many rooms they have, you might want to book a block of rooms at another hotel in the area at a different price point, just to give people an option.

Also, a lot of people belong to hotel loyalty programs where they collect points or periodically get free nights.  So no matter which hotels you block, some people will prefer to stay at their own hotel because they get perks for doing so.  Don't be offended when this happens.

jessicabessica

You don't need to put anything but the location and date on the save the date, as well as the wedding website (I think it's good to have a wedding website when you have accomodations to suggest and a lot of people traveling).  I would see that the wedding was 3 hours from my house and go to your website to see if you suggested hotels.  Unless the inn is overpriced for the area, I would stay there, because we like the convenience.  As PPs said, though, I think you need to be prepared to pick up the cost of unfilled rooms, just in case.

mtrosales

Short answer: include wedding website on STD.
Include lots of info about hotels/flights/acitivities on wedding website.