Courtesy vs contracted room blocks and attrition
Plain-language guide to courtesy blocks, contracted blocks and attrition clauses, with counts of resorts that publish each term in the Wedding Hotelist catalogue.
Courtesy blocks
The hotel holds rooms at a group rate until a release date. Rooms your guests do not book return to inventory; you are not billed for empty rooms. Hotels often keep courtesy blocks smaller and may offer a milder discount than a contracted commitment.
Contracted blocks and attrition
You sign for a number of room nights. Attrition is the share you may release without paying. If pick-up falls below the remaining commitment, the hotel can charge for the difference. Always ask how attrition is measured (per night vs total stay) and whether outside bookings count toward pick-up.
What resorts publish in our catalogue
0 of 224 resorts publish that a courtesy block is offered; 0 publish contracted-block terms; 0 are counted in catalogue stats as courtesy=true when the field is verified true. We quote only published terms — we do not invent attrition percentages.
Choosing when the guest list is uncertain
Prefer a courtesy block, or a contracted block with a high attrition allowance and a mid-planning review date. For destination weddings that unlock a free package via room nights, treat that room-night rule as a soft contract and keep a buffer.
Courtesy vs contracted room blocks and attrition: FAQ
What is attrition?
The portion of a contracted room-night commitment you can release without paying. Below that floor, the hotel may charge for unsold nights.
Does Wedding Hotelist negotiate blocks?
No. We publish what each resort states on its own site. Room-block quote partners are not live; contact resorts from their profiles.
Where is the resort-by-resort table?
On the courtesy vs contracted room-blocks guide under /room-blocks/, which lists every resort that publishes these fields with the date we checked.