In need of tips for having a hotel wedding? Look no further! Hotels have been a popular choice for brides and grooms for a long time, and it’s no secret why. Convenience for guests, affordability, and customizable options are just a few reasons why couples opt for having a hotel wedding. 

 

Expecting a lot of out-of-town guests for the big day? Having a hotel wedding means your loved ones don’t need to rent cars to travel to and from their hotel room to the wedding location. In addition, your guests can enjoy your signature cocktails without having to hail a cab home. 

 

Having a hotel wedding can also be budget-friendly! Many hotels offer multiple services for your wedding day, from catering to day-of coordinators to florists, even hair and makeup! Bundling all of your wedding services can make your wedding day more affordable. 

 

Finally, if you are having a hotel wedding you can easily transform the event space to fit your dream wedding vision. Since most hotel event centers and ballrooms are used for a multitude of purposes, they act as a blank canvas. Transform the space into a luxury affair with uplighting and draping, bring in geometric decor and greenery for a more modern vibe, or create a cozy and intimate space with tons of candles.

 

If hotel nuptials seem like the best choice for you, take a look at a few tips for having a hotel wedding!

Determine your budget

First and foremost, you must determine the budget for your venue. There are many things to consider when budgeting for your hotel wedding. It’s helpful for you to know the size of your guest list and when your wedding will take place. If you’re expecting 500 or more guests, you may need to stick to a lower cost catering option like a brunch wedding or buffet. If you opt for a more intimate wedding with a smaller guest list, there is usually more room in the budget for a sit-down dinner. 

 

In addition, some venues have different pricing for busy season and off-season. If budget is a concern, consider planning a wedding outside of peak wedding season. This will not only reduce your venue costs, but other vendors as well! 

Book early

This is especially the case if you expect a lot of your guests to stay in the hotel. By booking early, you can reserve a block of rooms for your guests (and take advantage of a discount, if applicable!). This will hopefully prevent your guests from having to stay at a different hotel and worry about transportation. When you’re reserving rooms, try to be as accurate as possible about how many rooms you’ll need. This will help you avoid potential fees if you’re unable to fill all of the rooms.

 

Another reason you want to book your hotel early is to secure all of your top choices for vendors! In some circumstances, a hotel will offer an all-inclusive option that includes catering, decor, florals, planning, and even photography! However, not all venues offer this option. Booking your vendors far in advance raises your chances of them having your date available!

 

Once you’ve booked your date and venue, it’s time to shop for a wedding dress! At The Bridal Collection, we have the largest selection of wedding dresses in Colorado. You will work one-on-one with a bridal stylist who will help you find the perfect gown for your hotel wedding. Book an appointment to get started! 

Communicate with your guests

If your timeline allows, be sure to notify your guests of the date and location as soon as you have the details secured. This gives your guests plenty of notice to schedule time off from work, search for flights, and book their rooms. When the information comes available, let your guests know that you have a block of rooms reserved and share the discounted room rate (if applicable). If you plan other events during your wedding weekend that are off-site, let them know so they can plan for transportation.

Create welcome packages

This is one of the totally optional (but super fun!) tips for having a hotel wedding. Imagine walking into your hotel room and finding a cute, customized welcome bag or basket from the bride and groom. It’s so thoughtful! These are especially great if you have a lot of guests who are not from the area. Fill your welcome packages with a printed itinerary and little local goodies that represent you as a couple. Or, load them up with “wedding weekend essentials” like water, mints, custom koozies, and snacks! 

Timing is everything

When reserving your hotel event space, make a note of the start and end time of your event. Knowing when you (and your vendors) can start setting up and decorating is important — some venues will allow you to start the night before, while others have multi-event days so you may have to wait until just hours before your soiree. 

 

Now that we’ve shared our tips for having a hotel wedding, take a look at this styled shoot at Hotel Boulderado! A few local wedding vendors collaborated to create a vignette that showcases the stunning features of this Colorado hotel. Consider this elegant venue when you’re planning your very own hotel wedding! 

Vendors:

Planning: Prisma Events

Venue: Hotel Boulderado 

Photography: Ash Marie Photo

Floral: Inspired Designs

Hair: Ember Hair Salon

Dresses: The Bridal Collection

Beer: Boulder Beer Company