Wedding Planner - Gettin' it done! - FUTUREMRSCULBERT's Black Wedding by Color Blog

This week we finalized our out of town guests' hotel. We decided on Country Inn & Suites. My FH and I went a couple weeks ago to each of the 4 hotels that were closest to us. The first, Ayres Hotel was VERY pricey. The highest on the list, so we counted that out. Next, Dynasty Suites. A much smaller hotel and the rooms were very dated and small. Out. Next, Comfort Suites, I really thought this would be the winner. It is a bit closer to us and I had done business with them w/ my prior company. But they have a church conference the week of my wedding that they are blocking rooms for. And they wouldn't call me back after they'd "check" to see if they could make it work. So, lastly, we checked out Country Inn and Suites and my FH and I couldn't believe how BIG the rooms were. Geesh, they could fit practically everyone in that room, like hanging out. In the queen room, there is also a sleeper sofa. So, hey, you can't beat that. A great vanity area out side the bathroom if more than one person is getting ready and a microwave, fridge and sink. Not to mention the complimentary hot breakfast.

They offered to give us a great deal on the champagne suite as well if we get 10 or more bookings. But we aren't sure exactly how many, so we will just wait and see about that. I kinda wanted to spend that night in my own bed since we will be gone for 7 days on the honeymoon and I'll miss my 3 kitten faces terribly :(

But we do want to get a room for my FH for Friday night. The guys are all going out for drinks after our BBQ for OOT guests. And he can get ready/hang out there the next day before the wedding.

This weekend we will be finalizing our group booking with Men's Warehouse to get our number so that all the guys can start making their reservations.

I updated our wedding website with a ton more info. It's nice to be getting things checked off the TO DO list!! Love that part!!

Lastly, I also attached a pic of the shot glasses for the guys. We just bought them plain at the 99cents store, bought two 4-packs. But since my FH has seen me DIY everything else, he wanted me to do a little something for these. Whatcha think??

They look great very nice job!

They look awesome!!! :) I love getting things done too!! Woohoo! :)

I have a question how does that work, I am in the process of finding my out of town guess a hotel. Do I just go to the hotels and block off a certain amount, is there a deposited involve. I am so clueless. Just looking for some directions.

Thanks ladies!

@godsblessing The process is really easy. We visited each hotel and asked to see the rooms. They gave the key cards for us to check them out. Then you can speak to a manager about information regarding blocking rooms for your wedding. We found all them said it had to be 10 or more. They did not require a deposit, tho one said they'd need a credit card number. They wouldn't charge it but to show we were serious. Then they set you up on their system under your last names and guests call and ask for that "group". Most will give you a $10-20 dollar discount per room. We had them do mainly queens and a few kings but you can chose. They also gave us the promotion if we reserve 10 rooms or more we get a comp champaign suite for the night. They did note in our letter that since it's a group reservation, guests will have a cancellation period of one week instead of the usual 24 hours. But there isn't any penalty if say they only use 7 out of the 10 rooms blocked. We plan on checking periodically to see if we need to add additional rooms but our contact said she'd watch it as well and let us know. Then check back maybe a few weeks prior to the wedding and see if we still need any remaining rooms. Any other questions, just let me know!

Love the glasses Melissa!

I think it would be so nice to be @ the hotel w/ the guests that stay. Unless you really don't want to be bothered w/ them ;)

Since we are doing our wedding @ the hotel, we get a room for the bride and groom included. Also, the next morning a Champagne Brunch, which I plan on inviting the people that stayed over night. Luckily, we won't have many OOT guests. But since the hotel is on the outskirts of Chicago, most ppl will probably just stay. It's not the most ritzy hotel, but it'll work for one night lol!

Funny about the tuxes. Another place, Jos Banks tuxedos called me this evening (from signing up @ a bridal expo) and scheduled us for a day to come in. I think they all run about the same price though. Got more info girl, I'm about to post something right now!

Kendra - well the hotel would only be the night after the wedding and it would be late, it wouldn't like we'd be socializing. But we will be spending time w/ everyone OOT at the BBQ. And yeah, I think the tuxes run about the same. We are getting Shane's tux for free with the group, so we are happy about that. We have enough expenses w/ this wedding it's nice not to have to worry about that.