When asked what was the most time-consuming part of their wedding planning, logistics is likely to be on the list for any couple. Where are they going to be staying? What will be their method of transportation to the event? Who is towing the home team after the reception? Doing that all in one venue that offers on-site accommodation is one option.
The work that goes on behind the scenes in a hotel block
Simple as hotel blocks might sound, they have contracts and minimums as well as deadlines. You might have to book a certain amount of rooms, follow people up to the venue and set up shuttles from the hotel. Spend the night at a hotel far from the city and guests are deprived of late-night moments since they are waiting for the last shuttle.
What different things change when people are staying at the property?
- No Post-reception driving. Guests will be able to party and then walk up to their room.
- More time together. Breakfast, pre-wedding coffees and Sunday brunch are all included.
- Easier getting ready. The wedding party can dress in the venue and the photographer will be able to run from one room to another without having to travel time.
- Simpler timelines. The fewer the number of shuttles and fewest the number of moving parts, the fewer that can go wrong.
- An authentic getaway experience. The wedding turns into a joint weekend instead of a night.
Why mountains and rural locations are most beneficial
When there aren’t lots of hotels nearby, or they’re spread out, on-site lodging is the most important thing, and mountain towns are a good example. Many wedding venues in Julian, CA, about an hour east of San Diego, are nestled among pine forests and curvy streets and rooms are busy during apple season and on holiday weekends.
That’s why there are lots of couples that choose Julian California wedding venues that are created for overnight stays. Restored former Pine Hills Lodge, The Dempsey, provides lodge style guest rooms and private cabins for up to 54 guests over eight private acres. The wedding ‘event buy out’ means the whole property is the wedding’s for the weekend.
Questions to ask on accommodation and the spot to stay
- What is the capacity of the guest accommodation in terms of the number of guests and type of room?
- Does the venue fee cover accommodation or is it an additional cost?
- Is there a minimum number of nights?
- Who assigns rooms (you or venue)?
- What time is it to check in and out and do they match your time frame?
- Does the venue have a bridal suite or a special getting ready area?
How to fairly allocate rooms
The first people you should start with are the ones who are closest to you; the wedding party, the parents, grandparents and anyone with mobility issues. Next, fill in the other rooms with close family and the farthest traveling friends. Provide a brief list of nearby inns or cabins available to all, and a plan for getting a shuttle to and from them if one is necessary.
Make the weekend around the stay
After guests arrive, it’s simple to include some much-appreciated special experiences: a welcome dinner on Friday, a morning walk or yoga class, lawn games in the afternoon, and a relaxed brunch before they head home. These little activities can be guests’s favorite fund of the weekend.
Staying in the area is a luxury. It alters the entire look of the celebration, and makes it a weekend your guests will never forget.
