Wedding Room Block Tips

St. Pancras, London

Searching for a nice, affordable hotel for your out-of-town wedding guests can be stressful. Luckily, Taylor & Hov has an in-house hotelier with years of hospitality experience. Over the years, Anna has picked up a few tips on how to make the wedding room block process a little smoother. There are so many things to worry about in order to execute your perfect day so hopefully these tips will relieve some of that stress; because who really wants think about room blocks when you have vows to memorize?

1.     Be Informed Before Choosing Your Wedding Date.

When large City Wide events like conventions, sporting events, and graduations are happening, hotels offer significantly higher room rates. If you are looking to book your rooms at a lower rate, check out the CityWide Calendar on the Destination DC website (or the convention and visitor bureau’s website of the city you are in) to see what dates are less full. Hotels will be able to offer you lower rates and are more likely to honor special requests like early check-in and rooms on the same floor when they don’t have a completely full house

2.     Be As Accurate As Possible.

When signing a contract for a room block you will come across an attrition clause. Hotels charge for attrition if you partially cancel the rooms from the contracted room block. Most hotels permit an attrition allowance of up to 20% of the contracted revenue. If it exceeds 20% then you will be responsible for 100% of the contracted room revenue. Be sure to remind your guests about cut-off dates and to book a room within the room block, otherwise it can negate the low room rate for your whole group.

3.     Pay Attention to Check-In/Check-Out Times

Most hotels have a check-in time of 3 PM. If your wedding is in the early afternoon, encourage your guests to book their rooms the day before. This will give them a little time to settle in and ensure they don’t have to get dressed in the hotel lobby bathroom. For guests whose schedules won’t permit them to arrive a day early, have them call the Front Desk the day before they arrive and find out what hotel occupancy is. If the hotel is not at full occupancy, chances are the rooms that were vacant the night before will be ready for check in bright and early! Check-out times are usually around 11 AM or 12 PM. If your guests’ flight is not until the evening, the front desk should be able to store your luggage after check-out until you are ready to depart.

4.     Keep the Front Desk Informed.

Be sure to prepare a wedding weekend itinerary for your guests. I can’t tell you how many times wedding guests call the Front Desk to ask questions regarding the wedding they are attending.. The Front Desk can distribute information upon check-in, along with key packets and any gift bags you may have prepared. Also, make sure you include important details in your itinerary like breakfast arrangements and shuttle arrival/departure times.

5.     Say Thanks!

Be sure that you thank all the hotel staff! Everyone from the bellman who carried your 100 lb. suitcase to your suite to the women at the Front Desk who had to listen to your Great Aunt complain about the traffic on the drive in.

If you've found a nice hotel that’s affordable, you’ve done your job! Now go worry about your honeymoon and let us handle the boring stuff.

E-Sessions: Pumpkin Patch

Now that October is coming to an end and November is on the horizon, another pumpkin decor post is in order until next year.  When a photographer friend of my asked me to assist him with choosing a location for one of his e-sessions, I suggested a season appropriate pumpkin patch. I love photoshoots in natural elements and the pops of orange is an added plus.  Here is to some pumpkin patch inspiration.

~Stay Sweet

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Photos via: 1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5.

Movie Elements: Coming to America

This 1980's movie has become an iconic romantic comedy for generations.  For those very few people who have not gotten the opportunity to view this golden nugget of pop culture, this movie is about a man's pursuit of the woman he loves. Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) is the prince of the fictional African country, Zamunda, and he comes to NYC, disguised as a foreign student, to find a wife that will love him for him. While working at the fast food restaurant, McDowells, he meets the owners daughter Lisa (Shari Headley) and falls in love. Throughout the movie he pursues her to win her heart and eventually....they get married.

Besides the plot, the gorgeous wedding scenes are something to admire.  From the feather-clad dancers to Lisa's fashion-forward pink wedding gown, this movie has elements to admire for an African-inspired celebration. 

[Inspiration]

A Coming to America-inspired wedding doesn't necessarily need to have the look of Prince Akeem's extravagant nuptials (although it would be a dream...), but elements of some stand-out scenes can certainly inspire a romantic pared down version.

[Elements]

Photos via: Fruit Bowl // Pearl Headband // African-inspired Invitations // Blush Bridesmaid Dresses // Mr. & Mrs. Signage // Exotic Bouquet // Pheasant Feather Centerpiece // Fruit Naked Cake // Feather Escort Cards

The Autumn Party: Pumpkins

Pumpkin decor isn't only for Halloween, the festive gourds can liven up any Autumn event from a wedding reception to a swanky dinner party.  It can be painted, pinned, glittered, you name it...essentially if you can imagine it, it can be created.  That's generally our motto. So let these creative gourds inspired you to see outside the orange box.


~Stay Sweet

1. Pumpkin Vases

2. Pumpkin Kisses

3. Lace Pumpkin

4. Geometric Pumpkin

5. Glitter Pumpkin

6. Pumpkin Cupcakes

7. Studded Pumpkin

Images via: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

Designer Crush on Virgos Lounge

Recently, I came across Virgos Lounge, an online European clothing boutique, that has been heavily documented on some notable fashion blogs. I don't know where I have been, but this boutique is becoming the go-to online destination for special occasion wear. With sequins, bold colors and feminine shapes these garments are sure to turn heads. More importantly, their dresses are bridesmaids and reception dress approved.  These swoon-worthy styles make me want to get dressed and celebrate.

The Summer Party: Watermelons

Summer is the high season for weddings galore, but what's a summer without picnics, festivals, vacations...and everything in between. Summer is high season for parties period, so why not muse on inspiration for your summer party. First up, is the juicy watermelon. This summer staple is juicier when consumed in unconventional party stylin' morsels. Get inspired with these creative summer party ideas.

~Stay Sweet

1. The Donut

2. The Ice Cream Cone

3. The Cake

4. The Farmer's Market Tote

5. The Pinata

6. The Giftwrap

Photos via: 1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6.

Themespiration: Pineapples

Not everyone opts to host their wedding in their hometown. Some dream of a destination wedding at a tropical location.  Usually, a place where they would also like to honeymoon, which serves as double duty. A tropical setting calls for fun tropical decor....why not decor you can eat? I love using fruit as decor, and finding creative ways to use kitchen staples in different ways. Even if you are not getting married on an exclusive island, you can still add some island flavor with this decor. Let these pineapples not only be sweet to taste, but also sweet on the eyes.

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2. LOVE LOVE LOVE this pineapple vase!

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Photos via: 1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5.