Planning a wedding is an exciting, yet often overwhelming, journey. From choosing the perfect venue to finalizing the guest list, every decision counts. But did you know that by hosting your wedding at a Marriott property, you could be earning valuable Marriott Bonvoy points that can transform your honeymoon or future travels into an even more spectacular experience?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about earning Marriott Bonvoy points for your wedding, from the basic earning structure to maximizing your rewards. So, let's dive in and make your special day even more rewarding!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Unlock a World of Rewards? First, Become a Marriott Bonvoy Member!
Before you can start accumulating those precious points for your dream wedding, you need to be a Marriott Bonvoy member. It's absolutely essential! If you're not already, this is your very first, and most crucial, step.
Why this is important: Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott's loyalty program, and only members are eligible to earn points on qualifying stays and, crucially, events like your wedding.
How to join: It's simple and free! Visit the Marriott Bonvoy website (
marriott.com/loyalty
Step 2: Understanding the Core Earning Structure for Weddings
Once you're a Bonvoy member, you're officially in the game! Now, let's talk about the fundamental way you earn points for your wedding.
Base Earning Rate: For eligible wedding expenses, you generally earn 2 points for every $1 USD spent. This applies to qualified package inclusions, food, beverages, and "Wish List" items.
Example: If your eligible wedding expenses total $30,000, you'd earn a base of 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (2 points x $30,000).
Maximum Base Points per Event: Marriott Bonvoy has a cap on the base points you can earn per event. This limit is typically 60,000 points or 20,000 airline miles per event.
Important Note: While the base earning is capped, elite bonuses and promotions can significantly increase your total earning potential beyond this 60,000 point limit, potentially up to 200,000 points or even more in some cases!
What Counts as "Eligible" Expenses?
Generally Included: Food and beverage, event space rental, audiovisual equipment provided by the hotel, and eligible third-party services booked through the hotel as part of your wedding package.
Generally Excluded: Outside vendor services (e.g., independent photographers, florists not contracted through the hotel), taxes, service charges, and gratuities (though policies can vary by property, always confirm).
Pro-Tip: Always clarify with your Marriott event planner exactly what charges will qualify for points before signing any contracts. Get it in writing if possible!
Step 3: Supercharging Your Points with Elite Status
Being a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member can drastically increase the number of points you earn on your wedding. Elite status is earned through qualifying nights or spending within the Marriott ecosystem.
Elite Bonus Earning: On top of the base 2 points per dollar, Elite members earn additional bonus points:
Silver Elite: Earns an additional 10% bonus points on eligible purchases.
Gold Elite: Earns an additional 25% bonus points.
Platinum Elite: Earns an additional 50% bonus points.
Titanium Elite & Ambassador Elite: Earn an additional 75% bonus points.
How this impacts your wedding points: Let's re-use our $30,000 example:
No Status: 60,000 points (capped at base)
Silver Elite: 60,000 base + 6,000 bonus (10%) = 66,000 points
Gold Elite: 60,000 base + 15,000 bonus (25%) = 75,000 points
Platinum Elite: 60,000 base + 30,000 bonus (50%) = 90,000 points
Titanium/Ambassador Elite: 60,000 base + 45,000 bonus (75%) = 105,000 points
Earning Elite Night Credits (ENCs) from your Wedding: Not only can you earn points, but your wedding might also help you achieve or maintain elite status for future travels! You typically earn one Elite Night Credit for every 20 room nights booked as part of your wedding block, up to a maximum of 20 Elite Night Credits per event.
This is a fantastic perk if you're close to reaching the next elite tier!
Step 4: Leveraging Promotions and Special Offers
Marriott frequently runs promotions that can significantly boost your point earnings. Keep an eye out for these!
"Vow to Get Away" or Similar Wedding Promotions: Marriott has historically offered specific wedding promotions, like "Vow to Get Away," which sometimes allow couples to earn triple points or receive other enhanced benefits for their wedding. These promotions can be incredibly valuable.
Always check the Marriott Bonvoy Events page or inquire directly with the hotel's event sales team about any current or upcoming wedding-specific promotions.
Targeted Promotions: Marriott Bonvoy members often receive targeted offers via email or on their account dashboard. These could be general event-earning bonuses or specific to certain regions or property types.
Make sure your email preferences are set to receive marketing communications from Marriott Bonvoy so you don't miss out!
Step 5: Utilizing Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards
A Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card can be a game-changer for accumulating points, especially for large expenses like a wedding.
Sign-Up Bonuses: Many Marriott Bonvoy credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses after meeting a certain spending threshold within the first few months. Strategically putting some of your wedding expenses on a new card (if you can meet the spending responsibly) could net you tens of thousands of bonus points.
Accelerated Earnings on Marriott Purchases: These cards often offer accelerated earning rates (e.g., 6 points per $1) on purchases made at Marriott properties. While the event earning is separate, using your card for any non-event-related hotel stays or incidentals can add up.
Elite Status Benefits: Some Marriott Bonvoy credit cards even grant you automatic elite status (like Silver or Gold Elite), which, as discussed in Step 3, directly increases your wedding point earnings!
Step 6: Smart Strategies to Maximize Your Wedding Points
Beyond the core earning, here are some clever ways to squeeze even more points out of your wedding:
Consolidate Spending: Try to put as many eligible wedding expenses as possible through the Marriott property. This means food, beverages, room blocks, and any services the hotel can directly bill you for.
Negotiate Point Earning with the Sales Team: Don't be afraid to discuss points earning with your Marriott event sales representative. Sometimes, there might be flexibility, or they can highlight specific offers you weren't aware of.
Consider All Pre- and Post-Wedding Events: Think beyond just the main wedding reception. If you're hosting a rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch, or even guest hospitality suites at a Marriott property, these could also qualify for point earnings.
Room Blocks for Guests: Encourage your guests to book their accommodations within your reserved room block at the Marriott property. While your guests will earn points on their individual stays, the cumulative room nights can help you earn those valuable Elite Night Credits for your own status.
Pay Deposits with a Bonvoy Credit Card (Responsibly!): If your credit card offers a high earning rate on Marriott purchases, and you can pay off the balance immediately, consider using it for wedding deposits to earn even more points.
Step 7: Understanding the Value of Your Marriott Bonvoy Points
So, you've earned a mountain of points. What are they actually worth?
Average Value: While the value of points can fluctuate, Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at around 0.9 cents per point when redeemed for award stays. This is a good benchmark to consider.
Redemption Options for Your Wedding Points:
Honeymoon! This is the most popular and often the most rewarding way to use your points. Free night awards at stunning Marriott properties worldwide can make your post-wedding escape truly unforgettable.
Free Night Awards: Redeem your points for free hotel nights at any participating Marriott property. The number of points required varies by hotel category, demand, and time of year.
Cash + Points: Combine points with cash for stays, offering more flexibility.
Marriott Bonvoy Moments: Use your points to bid on or instantly redeem for exclusive experiences, such as VIP access to concerts, sporting events, culinary adventures, and more.
Transfer to Airline Partners: Convert your points to airline miles (typically at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus for every 60,000 points transferred) for flights to your honeymoon destination or future trips.
Car Rentals, Cruises, Shopping: Other redemption options are available, though often at a lower per-point value.
Maximizing Value: To get the most out of your points, aim for redemptions where the cash cost of the room or experience would be higher than the calculated value of the points you're using. Look for "sweet spots" and off-peak redemptions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Marriott Wedding Points
Here are 10 common questions, starting with "How to," to help you further understand and maximize your Marriott Bonvoy wedding points:
How to ensure my wedding expenses qualify for Marriott Bonvoy points?
Quick Answer: Work closely with your Marriott event planner. Ensure your contract explicitly states that your wedding is an eligible event for Marriott Bonvoy points, and clarify which specific expenses (food, beverage, room block, etc.) will be included in the points calculation.
How to find out if a specific Marriott hotel participates in the Marriott Bonvoy Events program?
Quick Answer: Most full-service Marriott brands participate. However, some brands like Marriott Executive Apartments, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Design Hotels, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Vistana properties, and Homes & Villas by Marriott International do not participate. Always confirm directly with the hotel's event sales team.
How to calculate the exact number of points I will earn for my wedding?
Quick Answer: You'll earn 2 base points per $1 USD on eligible spend, up to 60,000 base points. Add your Elite status bonus (10% for Silver, 25% for Gold, 50% for Platinum, 75% for Titanium/Ambassador) on top of that base. For example, a $30,000 eligible spend with Titanium Elite status would yield 60,000 base + 45,000 bonus = 105,000 points.
How to use Marriott Bonvoy points for my honeymoon?
Quick Answer: You can redeem points for Free Night Awards directly on the Marriott Bonvoy website. Search for your desired destination and dates, and select the "Use Points/Certificates" option. You can also use a combination of cash and points.
How to combine points with my partner for a larger honeymoon redemption?
Quick Answer: Marriott Bonvoy allows members to transfer points to another member's account. You can transfer 1,000 or more points, up to a maximum of 100,000 points per year, to another member. Both accounts must be in good standing and open for at least 90 days (or 30 days with qualifying activity).
How to earn additional Elite Night Credits from my wedding?
Quick Answer: You typically earn one Elite Night Credit for every 20 room nights actualized within your wedding room block, up to a maximum of 20 Elite Night Credits per event. Encourage guests to book through your block!
How to find current Marriott Bonvoy wedding promotions?
Quick Answer: Check the "Weddings" or "Meetings & Events" section on the Marriott Bonvoy website. Also, directly ask your Marriott event sales contact about any specific wedding-related promotions or bonus point offers.
How to ensure all my wedding expenses are tracked correctly for point earning?
Quick Answer: Maintain clear communication with your event planner. Review your final bill carefully before payment to ensure all eligible charges are accounted for points. Keep copies of all contracts and invoices.
How to know the value of my Marriott Bonvoy points when deciding on a redemption?
Quick Answer: A good general benchmark is 0.9 cents per point. To calculate the exact value for a specific redemption, divide the cash cost of the booking by the number of points required. If the value per point is higher than 0.9 cents, it's generally a good redemption.
How to avoid my Marriott Bonvoy points from expiring?
Quick Answer: Marriott Bonvoy points expire after 24 consecutive months of inactivity. To keep your points active, simply have any qualifying activity (earning or redeeming points) within that 24-month period. This could be a paid stay, a small point redemption, or even using a Marriott co-branded credit card.
