August 1, 2023
Bryan Terschan
How To Plan An Airbnb Wedding
With more couples embracing smaller and more intimate weddings, Airbnb weddings have become a very unique way to tie the knot. I love when couples challenge the status quo and have a wedding day that truly feels like them. With Airbnb weddings, the sky is the limit! You can have a unique wedding experience that not many others will have. You can utilize Airbnbs for epic getting ready photos, lodging for family members, ceremony locations, reception or celebratory meals, or all of it! In short, if getting married in a plastic looking ballroom with tons of people isn’t your idea of your perfect day, you may want to consider getting married at an Airbnb!
So now that you have decided to get married at an Airbnb, the questions might start pouring in… how exactly do I have an Airbnb wedding? Well this guide is going to cover anything and everything you would ever want to know about planning and having an Airbnb wedding. By the end, you will be ready to have the most epic, unique, and creative Airbnb wedding ever!
Topics we will cover are:
What are the benefits of having an Airbnb wedding?
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Hosting your wedding at an Airbnb can provide a unique and personalized experience that can’t be found at traditional wedding venues. Because Airbnbs have more flexibility in terms of layout and décor, you can choose a property that reflects your personality and style, and create a one-of-a-kind wedding celebration.
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You’ll be able to create this one-of-a-kind celebration of your love with the increased flexibility that generally comes with using an Airbnb property as your wedding location. Unlike traditional wedding venues that often have strict rules and timelines, you can choose your own vendors, set your own schedule, and have more control over the details of your wedding day.
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Renting an Airbnb for your wedding can be more cost-effective than booking a traditional wedding venue. You can often save money on rental fees, and some Airbnbs may include amenities such as kitchen facilities, which can help you save money on catering costs. One of my favorite things that you can do with an Airbnb wedding is hire a private chef to cook an incredible reception meal for you and your wedding guests! Often they do clean up too!
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If you are inviting guests to your intimate wedding or elopement, Airbnbs can accommodate overnight guests. It can also be a more affordable option than booking hotels or other accommodations based on your desired wedding location. Many couples who chose to elope with a handful of close family members and friends find this to be extremely appealing – the celebration doesn’t have to stop if no one needs to leave the property!
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You and your partner may consider eloping or hosting an intimate wedding to remove distractions and make the setting truly intimate. Hosting your wedding at an Airbnb can provide more privacy than a traditional wedding venue. You won’t have to worry about sharing the space with other weddings or events, and you can have more control over who has access to the property.
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If you and your partner are looking for an adventure elopement, Airbnbs are often right in the middle of the action at many locations. Think about a cozy cabin in Yosemite, an “A frame” cabin in the Pacific Northwest, a treehouse in the North Georgia Mountains, or a beachside tiny home.
What are the important things to consider before booking an Airbnb for your wedding or elopement?
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The first and most important thing to do is make sure that the Airbnb property allows weddings and events. The number of guests and vision for your wedding will partially inform what kind of space you will need, but it’s important to be respectful of the owner’s property. VBRO even has a filter for finding properties that allow events, which you can then use to search for properties on both platforms since most hosts advertise on multiple sites. If an Airbnb doesn’t explicitly say events are allowed or the listing is vague, it’s always best practice to message the host to make sure! (Please note that I do not provide legal advice and can support finding the right people to help with this.)
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If you’ve ever explored the Airbnb website, you’ll quickly see there are many types of properties to choose from. Properties vary in size and capacity, which can be a limitation when planning an elopement. Make sure you know your guest list ahead of time so that you can match a property to the number of guests appropriately.
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Airbnb properties also vary in available amenities. While some may have a kitchen or outdoor space, others may not have the amenities you need for your wedding. You may need to rent additional equipment or furniture, which can add to the planning and coordination of your elopement. Make sure any logistics are also covered by the provided amenities. For example, if you are inviting guests you may want more than one bathroom and to check if there are any parking restrictions at the property.
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Speaking of everything being just right, let’s say part of your unique wedding day experience includes an awesome dance party! Be sure to consider any noise restrictions or quiet hour curfews that you may need to abide by given the property’s location. Outside of noise, be sure to check any other rules or restrictions. For example, some Aribnbs don’t allow decor to be attached to the outside of the home. Also check to make sure photography is allowed at the property and if there is an extra fee for this.
Pro tip: if you plan on moving any furniture make sure to take a picture before you move things so you can’t put it back exactly where it belongs when you are done.
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Most Airbnbs that you find will have the very basics when it comes to tableware and cookware. If you want something that looks a little bit more elegant or more your style, consider renting things like chairs, tables, tableware, outdoor furniture, and more. The great thing about saving money on a venue is that you have more freedom to really make your details pop and let your vision come to life!
How Do We Choose the Perfect Airbnb Location?
There are a few key things to consider when searching for the perfect Airbnb for your elopement or wedding. Since this space will be a key location for your day, you’ll want to make sure you find the right property. Here are some decisions you’ll want to make to help you find the Airbnb that checks off all your boxes:
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Where do we want to get married?
The first part is to decide the location in which you’ll want to get married. It could be somewhere special to you and your partner, like where you first met, or it could be somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. The second piece of this question is deciding where you actually want to be when you get married. Do you want to say “I do” at your Airbnb or on top of a mountain or beach nearby? Are you envisioning a porch overlooking the beach or a quiet, grassy backyard? The answers to these questions will immediately help you narrow your search.
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What amenities are critical to make our day happen how we envision?
Amenities include things like a kitchen, outdoor space, parking, swimming pool, etc. If you’ll be having food catered by a local vendor, it might only be necessary to have a fridge and a sink instead of a full kitchen. But if you are hiring a private chef, you will want to make sure the kitchen is fully stocked. If your guests will be traveling together and only in a few cars, you might not need to worry much about how many parking spots there are. Having a clear idea of what is critical to make your day a success can help you in the search for the right property.
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How many people will be there?
You might still be deciding the exact headcount, but once you have a good estimate of how many people you want with you on your special day, you can start searching for the right size Airbnb. You’ll want to comfortably fit everyone inside and/or outside and make sure there is enough parking for everyone.
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Will all your guests be accommodated?
Do you plan on having all your guests stay overnight at your Airbnb? If so, make sure there are enough bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone to be comfortable overnight. Also consider accessibility for your guests. Is the property located off a paved road or gravel, and will everyone be comfortable navigating to the Airbnb? Are there a lot of stairs that could be hard for any of your guests to safely navigate?
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Find a reputable host and be honest about your plans
Whether you use the Airbnb platform or a similar one such as VRBO, research the host and make sure the space has a good reputation for hosting events. In addition to searching for your desired location and date (unless it’s flexible), you can also search by property/host ratings. Many times homeowners will say “no parties or events” on the listing. If you have your heart set on one of these properties, you can ask honestly and respectfully, and they may be willing to make an exception for you!
Amazing Airbnbs for Weddings Around the United States
Remember your wedding day is incredibly special – don’t skip anything that’s important to you! Here are a few epic Airbnbs to help get you started on your search:
GEORGIA
FLORIDA
VERMONT
ARIZONA
TENNESSEE
MAINE
Waterfront Home in Acadia National Park
Modern Oasis in Acadia National Park
CALIFORNIA
WYOMING
Tips to help bring your Airbnb wedding vision to life.
Look for unique Airbnb features
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Keep an eye out for large lawn spaces or decks. Bonus points if there is a firepit!
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Some Airbnbs will have a large kitchen, but you can also look for an Airbnb that has an outdoor BBQ
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If you are wanting to have the ceremony at the Airbnb, make sure it has an epic view!
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Hot tubs can make for a relaxing end to your wedding day
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Look for any unique decor that will match the vibe you are looking for
Come early to enjoy the scenery and get everything ready
After finding your perfect Airbnb, don’t arrive the same day as your wedding. Make sure to come early to take in the scenery and decompress before your wedding day. Arriving early can help you get any logistics worked out too! You can really get to know the property and decide where you want to have certain events take place.
Make a Detailed Plan
Once you’ve chosen your Airbnb, make a detailed plan for your wedding. This should include a timeline of events, a list of vendors you’ll need (such as catering, music, and flowers), and a budget. Make sure you have contingency plans in case of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Of course, I can help you with timeline planning and finding other local vendors. If your Airbnb is seasoned with hosting events, you can ask them about local vendors they have worked with in the past.
Your Airbnb Wedding Photographer
I hope this guide helped you decide whether having an Airbnb wedding is right for you and how to make it incredibly unique!
My name is Bryan and I love working with couples that want to challenge the status quo and have a wedding day that truly lets them be themselves. I am so dedicated to connecting with my couples on a core level in order to document the purest form of their relationship. I know how important this decision is and I don’t take it lightly. You are putting your trust in me to capture one of the most important days in your life and I make it my responsibility to give you the best possible experience from start to finish. My passion for the outdoors, human connection, and documenting moments has led me here and I am truly honored any time I get to document your wedding day.
If you’re interested in having me capture your adventure on your wedding day, let’s connect! I’d love to hear from you!
