Pros and Cons of Room Blocks – How to Decide if They’re a Good Idea for Your Destination Wedding in Hawaii
Photography by Logan Cole Weddings
Your friends and family are packing their bags, booking flights, and getting ready to celebrate with you in Hawaii. With everyone traveling from the mainland (or even further), accommodations quickly become an important part of the planning process.
There are dozens of resorts, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals to choose from on Oahu. While variety can be great, it also gets overwhelming fast. A hotel room block offers a way to simplify the experience for your guests and create more ease for you.
In this post, we’ll walk through the pros and cons of room blocks for Hawaii destination weddings so you can decide what feels best for your celebration.
What Is a Hotel Room Block for a Destination Wedding?
A room block is a group of hotel rooms reserved for your wedding guests, usually at the same property. In Hawaii, most couples will be working with a contracted room block, which offers discounted rates, potential perks like upgrades or early check-in, and the guarantee that your guests have rooms set aside. The tradeoff is that contracted blocks also come with more responsibility, since you may be liable for unbooked rooms.
There is another type, known as a courtesy block, where hotels hold a limited number of rooms without financial commitment from the couple. Courtesy blocks are less common in Hawaii and usually only offered by certain properties or smaller hotels.
Because resorts on Oahu fill up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons, contracted blocks are often the best option for couples who want peace of mind that their guests will have reliable accommodations nearby.
Photography by Emily Turner
The Pros of Room Blocks for Hawaii Weddings
Convenience for Guests
With a contracted block, your loved ones have a clear, reliable option for where to stay. Instead of searching across dozens of booking sites, they can reserve directly from your link at the negotiated group rate.
Keeps Everyone Together
When most of your guests are in one place, it’s easier to coordinate shuttles, plan welcome events, and enjoy spontaneous hangouts by the pool or at the bar.
Discounts and Perks
Contracted blocks often come with benefits like group discounts, early check-in, or even complimentary nights for the couple once a certain number of rooms are booked. These extras can make the experience feel even more special.
Peace of Mind
Knowing your guests have secure accommodations near your venue is a big stress reliever, especially when planning from afar.
The Cons of Room Blocks
Financial Risk
The biggest consideration with contracted blocks is liability. If your guests don’t book the agreed-upon number of rooms, you may be responsible for paying the difference. Courtesy blocks avoid this, but they are far less common in Hawaii.
Guest Preferences
Not all guests want to stay at the same property. Some may prefer an Airbnb, a more budget-friendly hotel, or accommodations that better suit their family’s needs.
Management and Deadlines
Contracted blocks come with cut-off dates and booking requirements. Unless you have a planner helping, tracking these details and reminding guests can feel like another job on your list.
Should You Book a Room Block for Your Destination Wedding in Hawaii?
For most couples planning in Hawaii, a contracted room block is the most reliable option. Resorts on Oahu often sell out months in advance, and securing a block ensures your guests have a guaranteed place to stay at a fair rate. It also makes transportation, group activities, and overall coordination much smoother.
A room block is usually a smart choice if:
You’re inviting 50 or more guests.
Your wedding is at or near a resort.
You’d like your guests to have a centralized experience with easy access to your events.
A block may not be necessary if:
You’re hosting a very intimate wedding with fewer than 20 guests.
Your venue is remote or surrounded by smaller vacation rentals.
You know your guests strongly prefer to choose their own accommodations.
For couples who want flexibility, consider reserving a block at a resort and providing a list of alternative lodging options. This way, guests who want convenience have it, while others can explore different price points or styles of accommodations.
Photography by Megan Moura
Love Letter Weddings Tips for Choosing the Right Room Block
If you decide a hotel block makes sense, here are a few of our favorite tips to make sure you choose the right property:
Tour when you can
If you’re visiting Oahu for venue tours, tastings, or trials, add a couple of hotel visits to your itinerary. Photos online don’t always tell the full story, and seeing a property in person gives you a better sense of how it feels.
Decide what matters most
Think about your priorities. Do you want ocean views? A variety of price points for guests? Upgrade options for you as a couple? Or a certain vibe that will look beautiful in your getting-ready photos? Clarifying your must-haves makes the decision much easier.
Pay attention to how the hotel treats you
When you reach out, notice whether they’re flexible, responsive, and genuinely excited about earning your business. The way a hotel communicates with you upfront is often a good sign of how they’ll treat your guests later.
Think logistics
Look beyond the pretty pictures. How difficult does the hotel make it for vendors to access the rooms for hair and makeup, photography, etc? Is there a common space for welcome drinks or pre-wedding gatherings? Do they make transportation easy for group shuttles? These details can make a big difference in your overall guest experience.
Start early
Hotels on Oahu book quickly, so we recommend securing your room block 9–12 months before your wedding date, especially if you’re planning during a busy travel season. This gives your guests the best chance at booking, and you the most peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding is about bringing your favorite people together in a meaningful way. Whether that means everyone stays at the same resort or they spread out across the island, the decision should reflect what feels right for you and your guests.
If you’d like some inspiration, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Hawaii wedding accommodations for guests in this blog post.
Not sure if a room block makes sense for your wedding? Let’s chat about your guest list, venue, and travel plans. We’ll help you make the call that feels right.
Contact us here to start the conversation.
