How To Choose The Best Accommodation For Your Wedding Guests

Your wedding should be one of the happiest days of your life ... and you're also going to want your


Your wedding should be one of the happiest days of your life ... and you're also going to want your wedding guests to enjoy every minute too.

Chances are that many of your guests are going to want to stay somewhere overnight after your wedding and so it's helpful to include some details of local accommodation along with your wedding invitations so that guests can decide what suits them best.

There are two things to think about here.

First off - provide a range of accommodation to suit different tastes and different budgets.

Secondly, negotiate a special room rate. The hotel is going to get a nice block booking of rooms, so you're in a strong position to get a discount for your guests or maybe a free breakfast thrown in. This is particularly true if you're getting married on a Sunday or Monday - many hotels have spare capacity on a Sunday night and so will be more open to doing you a deal.

What type of guests do you have coming to your wedding?

Obviously they're going to be charming and lovely - but what I mean is this. Are they singletons? Newly weds? Couples with young children? A family with teenagers? Grandparents?

Different people want different things ....

hotel swimming pool A hotel with a pool is always a popular option - this elegant retreat is at Shrigley Hall in Cheshire

Singletons and childfree couples

You've a number of options here. Look out for local B&Bs with family rooms - as many of your single friends may want to have a 'dormitary' room so that they can get ready together and have a laugh.

You could also investigate hotels and mini breaks - maybe with a spa option. If you're marrying at the weekend, these groups may want to make a weekend of it and indulge in some spa treatments, maybe a round of golf, games of tennis, walks in the countryside.

If you're marrying in a big city, look out for city break packages - Superbreaks has some great options around the country which include theatre tickets and entries to local attractions.

child friendly london hotel London hotel The Athenaum is child-friendly

Young families

The trick here is to find accommodation with family rooms, some outdoor space to play in and some local attractions. If you're marrying in the winter, autumn or spring an indoor swimming pool is also a good idea. Ask what the food options for families are and if there is babysitting available. Is there a cot or will your friends have to bring travel cots? Are there stairs up to the main entrance (difficult to negotiate with buggies). Ask the hotel what is on locally - maybe there's a local country show to visit or a castle? As above, think about a city break package if you're marrying in a big city - Superbreaks have some great child-friendly options.

Families with older children

Teenagers are going to want their own bedrooms. Again, a spa type hotel could work well here as could tennis, golf or walking options. Oh, and a swimming pool is a great idea. You could also look into families renting accommodation together for a weekend - and if they want something a little unusual - like a stay in a lighthouse - contact the Landmark Trust who have some amazing short term rental properties - including staying in a wing of a real castle!

Freston Tower Unusual! Freston Tower in Suffolk is available to rent for £409 for four nights, and sleeps four. Via the Landmark Trust.

Grandparents and older relatives

Probably the first thing you should think about is how easy it is to get to the accommodation. You might want to reserve rooms for them at your wedding venue or very close by. Avoid places with masses of stairs and no lift - you're looking for a friendly, welcoming option here where they'll be looked after. Somebody to carry their bag up to their room, help them out of the car/taxi if necessary. A good B&B could be ideal here - particularly if they can run your relatives to and from the wedding venue.

With these ideas in mind, research accommodation near you. In fact, you might like to send out accommodation details with your save the dates so that people can book in early - particularly if you're getting married in the popular summer months.

Featured image via Stapleford Park