Room Block Pricing for Bridal Party

There's no way to know what your bridal party members' budgets can accommodate unless you ask them. I would send them the options (including whatever you have decided to pay for yourselves) and then just let them choose. If they would prefer to stay off-site, I would be gracious about that.

I agree with Maggie. I know for me, I could do a night at $300+ and that’s around what we spend for vacations, but I definitely wouldn’t be wanting to spend multiple nights at that price point for a wedding. That’s just me though- maybe your wedding party won’t have an issue with it.

I can't speak for the wedding party, only they can answer if they can afford their rooms. But, as a guest, I would be attending the wedding and maybe staying one night. I would not stay three nights at those prices.

I'm also not sure I'd opt for the $109 room because it's 30 minutes away. That's a lot of traveling for a three day "event." As above, I might stay 1 night and the go home.

Most likely, I'd attend the ceremony, and whatever festivities follow that evening, then stay 1 night, or go home.

View Quoted Comment Hi to clarify it’s a fusion Indian/American wedding since I’m Indian. Most Indian weddings run multiple days so we’re condensing to two days plus the rehearsal day. But thanks for the perspective - hopefully some guests are able to find AirBnBs closer.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! I’m seeing one of my bridesmaids this week so I’ll definitely talk to her about her perspective!

If you’re getting to the point where you’re picking up the tab and then charging your bridal party a subsidized date, I’d just figure those costs into your budget and cover all hotel costs for all nights. It does seem like you’re being awfully inconsiderate of your guests though—I wouldn’t dream of doing a hotel block 30 minutes away from the venue unless I was providing a shuttle, and that would still be a stretch.

View Quoted Comment Paying for the rooms is something we’ve been considering and yes of course I am providing a shuttle… it was either suggesting $300+ room blocks close by or $100 room block 30 min away unfortunately. I know which my guest list would prefer. I’m well aware these options aren’t the best and wish I had realized them sooner when booking my dream venue, but weddings are stressful so please be kinder with your words.

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Ah, I see. So, I assume they are also used to higher costs as guests for multiple day stays. As you said, out of 120 guests, I imagine 6 will stay at the same B&B. And in your response to Kylie, you said you'd provide a shuttle to those who want to say further away in more budget friendly rooms, that will definitely help! I wouldn't mind staying so far away if I wasn't the one driving back and forth to the events.

I'd say your doing what you can to help people afford to attend. If anyone has issues, I'd take them on a case by case basis to see what can be done to help them out.

Congrats, and I hope it all works out!

Look into courtesy blocks at a mid to low priced hotel. That way you are not responsible for pay for the rooms and they can easily afford them.

View Quoted Comment Yes, definitely trying to do be as mindful as I can! I think the alt room blocks are the best I can do while leaving it open for my guests to decide what’s best for them but I will definitely talk to the bridal party on what they feel most comfortable with! Thanks again!

I personally would not pay $600 to stay 2 nights in a B&B for a wedding. But, I don't know your friends/family and if this is reasonable for them. To be honest, if my friend asked this of me....I would be angry. Because it puts me in a hard position. I have to either suck it up and pay, or admit I couldn't afford it and potentially be the only bridal party member not staying on site.

I also would not stay 30 minutes away, so as a guest I would also be in a hard position. I would probably decline the invitation with a made up excuse.

I think you need to be honest with yourself and think like a guest. Do any of these options really sound okay to you?

View Quoted Comment $600 for 3 nights but maybe I’ll pose the question to ask what they’re comfortable with spending. I’m doing the best I can with what’s available. I have one on location room block and one affordable but far away room block. Everything in between those two locations are local B&Bs I’d also have to buy out or $300+ room blocks. I am trying to be mindful of my guests but also my budget and while paying for the bridal party’s rooms could be on the table I can’t constitute buying out another B&B. My wedding website does have those two options in addition to a list of recommended accommodations with price ranges if they’d like to book for themselves or a link to AirBnB. I’m not really sure what else I can do, which is why I’m looking for constructive advice because I’m well aware of the situation. This is still my wedding and we love our venue, but unfortunately we didn’t realize these logistics would be so complicated when we booked it. I’m really trying to do the best I can or I wouldn’t be here asking these questions.

You are generous in gifting your bridal party with a reduced rate and a free night. I personally would not pay $600 for 3 nights unless it was a splurge for a pampered spa weekend at a resort. Will you be expecting bridal party to host shower(s) and attend bachelorette as well? As long as you've been up front from the beginning about expectations, then your bridal party should know what they agreed to.

I’m in a similar situation where my venue is a resort in the middle of nowhere with $300/night rooms. My sister’s wedding is also 2 hours from our family’s hometown and hotels are $300-500/night. So don’t worry, you are not alone in this dilemma! It’s just one of those things that isn’t on the top of your mind when looking for a venue. It sounds like you know all of your options and you’ve presented them to your guests via the wedding website. I think helping pay for rooms to the best of your ability (in terms of your budget) would be really helpful. I’d include the ‘discounted’ rate on your website if you haven’t already. After the guests have all of the information, I think it’s really up to them to choose whichever option works for them. The only thing you can do is be understanding and gracious of their choices if they choose to not stay each night. I hope it all works out & good luck!!

So I’m actually getting married in the exact same town (different venue) and have the same price for a hotel block. I know my bridal party won’t want to spend what it costs to actually stay in Middleburg so we opted out of doing a large air bnb for everyone due to cost and instead just added the night before the wedding to our room block for the bridal party and family. For that area 30 minutes down the road really isn’t bad, and all the hotels are near the airport if anyone is flying in. Our hotel was also able to provide a small shuttle to and from the venue for our guests who don’t have a car.


I’d say check in with your people and see what they’re willing to spend and if they’re willing to deal with the trade off of having to drive a bit. With the hotel/bnb costs in the immediate area I personally felt that the cost of everyone staying in Middleburg just wasn’t worth it.

Personally, my husband and I would not want to stay an Airbnb with mostly/all other wedding guests for 3 days. We like privacy and space and I could not handle constantly running into people at the hotel. Maybe know your crowd for this, I know a lot of people who’d opt for their own accommodations in this situation.

View Quoted Comment Yes I agree! I don’t think my guests will want to stay in Middleburg, which is why if there are people interested in that price at my venue I think six rooms is enough. Otherwise I’m sure they’ll look into their own accommodations based on weddings I’ve been to with them in the past. But maybe our room block place outside Middleburg is the same because they’re providing a shuttle too!