Planning a destination wedding?
Do you want a room block? Do you need a room block??? 🤔
Are you sitting there wondering what a room block even is, or why anyone would not want one? You’re not alone!
Today, we break it all down, from room block vs no contract, what each one means, to how they impact your guests and your wallet.
By the end, you’ll know which option makes more sense for your wedding.
Let’s make sense of it all together, shall we?
👉 A Group Contract locks in your rates, perks, and room availability, helping you save money, avoid surprises, and give your guests the best experience.
👉 No Contract may seem flexible, but often leads to price hikes, limited perks, and guest frustration.
Think of a room block as a “Save The Date” for resort rooms.
When you have a room block, you’re setting aside a set number of rooms at a specific resort, usually at discounted group rates, just for your wedding guests.
Room block contracts include things like:
- Number of rooms you’re holding.
- Dates range your guests can choose from.
- Deposit/payment structure.
- Cancellation terms.
The idea is to make sure your guests have a guaranteed place to stay at your wedding resort.
That way, you’re not dealing with people spread across several different resorts and missing all the fun.
The “no contract” option means you don’t block any rooms in advance.
80% of your guests are still required to stay at the resort, but guests are free to book wherever, whenever, they want.
You’re not signing any agreements with the hotel or travel provider.
Sounds easy, right?
Well, it can be. But it also comes with a few catches (we’ll get into that soon).
No contract means less responsibility for you. But it also means less control and fewer perks. 👇
We broke it down into 6 main categories to compare both in terms of cost, control, and perks.
1) Cost + Commitment
2) Guest Experience
3) Perks + Freebies
4) Planning
5) Resort Options
6) Flexibility
1. Cost + Commitment
Room Block:
You’ll usually need to put down a deposit.
In some cases, you may be financially responsible for rooms that don’t get filled (depending on the contract terms).
But it protects your guests from unexpected rate hikes and change fees.
Need to shift dates or adjust guest counts? That’s usually way easier to do with a group contract in place.
No Contract:
No upfront cost, no commitment.
But your guests are left to book on their own, which can get messy, and expensive because the price is always fluctuating.
2. Guest Experience
Room Block:
Your guests get flat room rates, often cheaper than booking elsewhere.
And they’ll all stay at the same resort, which makes everything, from welcome parties to the wedding day, so much easier to coordinate.
No Contract:
Your guests might end up paying more, staying off-site, or booking last-minute.
And that “everyone together in paradise” vibe? Might not happen.
No contract bookings also mean your guests might not get the same room categories, amenities, or even access to wedding events, depending on where they stay.
3. Perks + Freebies
Room Block:
THIS is where it gets good.
Resorts offer perks for booking blocks. Think free rooms, upgrades, cocktail hours, even $$$ off your wedding package.
The more rooms booked, the more you get.
Some room blocks even come with cashback offers, resort credits, or even spa services.
No Contract:
Reduced perks. Maybe a discount, if you’re lucky. But that’s it.
4. Planning
Room Block:
With a planner helping you manage it, a room block makes life smoother.
We keep tabs on who booked, how many rooms are filled, and when guests are due to arrive.
No Contract:
You’re kinda flying blind.
There’s no centralized system, so you’re chasing RSVPs, wondering where guests are staying, and hoping the resort doesn’t sell out.
You’ll also have to inform the wedding team at the resort about all the guest bookings!!!
5. Resort Options
Room Block:
When you decide to get a room block, you have access to more resorts, many with perks that aren’t listed online.
Room blocks give you better group rates and more negotiating power.
No Contract:
You’re limited to what’s available on public booking sites.
No extras, no upgrades, no hidden deals. It’s all very “take it or leave it.”
Some resorts will NOT confirm wedding dates without a room block, like Atelier, Xcaret, Sandos, SLS, and Tafer resorts. (Garza Blanca, Hotel Mousai, and Villa del Palmar)
6. Flexibility
Room Block:
Guest list changed? Need to add more rooms? You usually have some flexibility to adjust things like room counts or booking deadlines without penalty.
No Contract:
Most bookings are locked in.
Any changes might mean higher rates, cancellation fees, or your guests losing their room altogether.
Says Alison, a certified Destination Wedding Specialist on the Paradise team.
Honestly? In most cases, yes.
Especially if you’re planning a wedding with 30+ guests (which most destination weddings are).
Room blocks:
- Save money.
- Score you sweet perks.
- Keep your people together.
- And make your wedding weekend more fun and way less chaotic.
That said, there are situations where no contract might work.
There are a few scenarios where going the no-contract route could be okay:
- Your guest list is small and you’re only expecting under 10 guests.
- Everyone’s flexible or used to traveling independently.
- You’re not tied to one resort and maybe you’re doing a wedding at a private villa or beach club, and accommodations are separate.
- You’re booking super last-minute; maybe you’re planning a destination wedding with only 2-3 months to go.
But even then…you’ll want to talk to someone who knows the ropes.
Which brings us to our next point.
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We’ve helped 1000’s of couples plan destination weddings across Mexico and the Caribbean.
And if there’s one thing we’ve seen over and over again, it’s this:
Room blocks = less stress, more perks, and a better experience for everyone involved.
And when you book a room block through us, you’re not left to figure it all out yourself.
We help you:
- Choose the right resort
- Understand (and negotiate) your contract
- Track who’s booked
- Handle your guests’ travel questions
- Make sure you qualify for every available perk
In short, we do the heavy lifting, so you can focus on the fun stuff!
We know you want your guests to have the best time possible.
But you don’t have to do it alone.
If this still feels overwhelming or you’re not sure where to start, we’re here for you.
Our certified wedding specialists have planned 1000s of weddings in Mexico and the Caribbean, and can help plan yours too, for free.
Call us today at 877-737-0177 or email us at contact@paradiseweddings.com.
Can’t wait to hear from you!
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