Your Straightforward Guide to Wedding Room Blocks in Bend, Oregon

You’re deep into wedding planning and someone drops the phrase “room block.” Suddenly you’re Googling things like how do hotel room blocks work or courtesy vs contracted room blocks—and getting buried in industry jargon. Let’s fix that.

If you're planning a wedding in Bend, Oregon—or anywhere, really—this guide is here to help you understand how hotel room blocks work, why they matter, and how to choose the best option for your crew. Whether you're inviting 10 guests or 100, room blocks are one of the easiest ways to keep your wedding weekend smooth, social, and logistically stress-free.

What Is a Room Block?

A room block is a group of hotel rooms reserved in advance for your wedding guests, typically at a discounted or guaranteed rate. It helps ensure your guests can stay close by, often at the same hotel, and sometimes with a few perks thrown in. At Riverhouse, it also means staying right on the Deschutes River—an easy win for your guests and your overall wedding vibe.

Courtesy vs. Contracted Room Blocks: What's the Difference?

Courtesy Room Block
The easiest, lowest-pressure option.

• How it works: The hotel reserves a handful of rooms (typically 5–10) for your group based on availability. No contracts, no deposits, no strings.
• Pricing: Guests pay the current market rate (it’s not a discounted rate).
• Your responsibility: Send out information to guests that you have arranged for a block of rooms at this preferred hotel. No cancellation, no fees, no financial obligation.
• Perfect for: Smaller weddings, elopements, or couples who want to offer guidance to guests so they know where to book without couple being responsible financially.

Contracted Room Block
A little more commitment, but more benefits too.

• How it works: You and the hotel agree to reserve a number of rooms (usually at least 10) with a commitment of filling a percentage of the agreed upon rooms.
• Pricing: Locked-in, guaranteed negotiated rate for your guests.
• Your responsibility: If guests don’t book the agreed number of rooms, you may have to cover the difference (otherwise known as “attrition”). But attrition can be flexible sometimes... depending on the time of the year (more on that below!).
• Perks: Often includes extras like a complimentary room upgrade for the couple or other custom perks. Plus, with a contracted block, you may qualify for additional incentives based on the amount of rooms booked.
• Perfect for: Larger weddings, full-weekend events, or couples who want the best value and experience for their guests.

Both types of blocks are managed through a white-labeled booking portal using your names (e.g. “Katie & John’s Wedding”), so your guests can easily reserve through a custom link.

Seasonality Matters

Let’s be real: peak wedding season in Central Oregon runs May through October. But that doesn’t mean you should write off the rest of the year.

Why Non-Peak Dates Are Worth Considering:

• More Flexibility: In winter or shoulder seasons, Riverhouse can offer more wiggle room on pricing, perks, and minimums.
• Better Cancellation Terms: Life happens. And in non-peak months, cancellation policies are often more forgiving.
• Unique Experiences: A “Winter Wonderland” wedding in Bend? Snow-dusted river views, cozy fireside receptions, and lower room rates? Yes, please.

Sundays are also offer more flexibility with hotel room blocks and venue availability... Sunday Brunch wedding anyone?

Bottom Line: Room Blocks Are About Ease

At Riverhouse, we want to make your wedding weekend easy—for you and your guests. Whether you want a low-stress courtesy block or a fully supported, perk-filled contracted block, we’ll help you pick the path that works best for your celebration.

Ready to set up your room block?

Contact our wedding team directly at sales@riverhouse.com or click here to learn more and start planning your a wedding in Bend, Oregon (congrats!!).