Hello! My fiance went back and forth with this for a while. We finally decided to just let everyone book on their own- we're not using a TA. We didn't want to do that, but we felt like it would be a huge headache for us (and added stress) if we did room blocks. I contacted several TAs, and all the rates we got were more $$ than online prices. I asked if they would match online prices and most said no, because it was already a special rate. The big thing for us was that we HAD to block a minimum of 10 rooms (at least that's what they told us), which we would have put down a $100 deposit on (so $1000). If we couldn't fill all 10 rooms then we'd lose our deposit for those unfilled rooms. Since we're having a smaller wedding, I didn't want the pressure of making people book through the TA, when they could just book on their own for way cheaper (the package deals were usually cheaper too, air + hotel). Idk, I just pictured us having like 5 rooms booked and then almost "begging" people to book through the agent so we wouldn't lose $. We ended up booking OUR trip right when the air rates came out as packages (about 11 months out) and it ended up being about $800 cheaper than what we were quoted. I will say, there are many benefits to having a TA and blocking rooms (like not having to pay in full right away), but it just didn't work out for us. Anyway, good luck and congratulations!!