Most out-of-town guests would rather not impose on families. Make things easy on them by reserving a block of rooms at a local hotel. Check with several hotels for their policies on discounted group rates.

Number of rooms
The hotel will need the approximate number of rooms to reserve. The standard for estimating reservations is 10% of your total guest count. For example, if you anticipate having 250 guests, you should reserve approximately 25 rooms.

Discount cut-off
Most hotels will set a date, usually a couple of weeks out, after which discounted rates will no longer be guaranteed. Check if the hotel will honor the reduced rates after the cut-off date, should rooms still be available.

Considerations
Think about your guests’ needs when finding hotel accommodations.

Nearby services such as drug stores, restaurants, retail shopping and churches.

Should be reasonably close to wedding.

Ask about indoor pool, work out facilities, in-house restaurants and transportation.

See if the hotel will guarantee half of the rooms with kings and half with two beds.

Guests may be on different floors because of smoking preferences and accessibility needs. Make sure to reserve both.

Suggestions
Assign someone to coordinate individual reservations (usually a family member).

Inform guests about hotel information (rate and phone number) so they can take care of their own reservation individually.

Send a map, list of restaurants and local attractions to out-of-town guests.

Guests should book two weeks in advance so hotel can release unreserved rooms.

Letting guests take care of their own reservation makes it easier to stay an extra day.

You can find information to send your guests at the hotel where you reserve rooms, in the phone book, the area chamber of commerce, or local tourism bureau.