Are you considering getting married at a cozy Airbnb, with your closest loved ones there to celebrate? If your dream is a lowkey, nontraditional wedding and you want to DIY to your heart’s content, definitely consider booking a rental property for your wedding or elopement!

Why Plan an Airbnb Wedding?

Airbnb’s are an affordable alternative to traditional wedding venues, especially if you’re planning an elopement or a microwedding. 

If you find the right Airbnb, you’ll have a lot of freedom to make the day more personable to you guys. You won’t need to worry about tearing down your decorations and setup the night of, or having to leave the venue by a certain time! The timeline and overall vibe of your day will be much more flexible than adhering to a traditional venue’s schedule!

Depending on what you use the space for, you also won’t need to worry about travel time between venues. Since so much of the planning is in your hands, you can streamline the experience for your guests and avoid having to drive long distances to get from your getting ready space to the ceremony to the reception venue.

Here are 5 tips for an amazing Airbnb wedding or elopement!

1. Get Appropriate Permission (please!)

Some Airbnb’s don’t allow events whatsoever, so please don’t hold a wedding if you know they’re not allowed at the property you’re looking at! This could come back to bite you if the neighbors are bothered, anything gets damaged, or if the owner finds out in any way. Believe me, you don’t want that stress of trying to hide something, or worrying about having to pay a fine

Some Airbnb’s say “no events” on the property listing, but if you feel like it’s the perfect space for you, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to them and just ask! Explain what would be happening, how many people there will be, in what part of the Airbnb, and how long the group of people will be there. Give them any details that are relevant – everyone always appreciates good communication!

If they don’t allow your elopement there, respect that. If they say yes, yay! Remember, some hosts will charge you an extra fee for the event to cover any cleanup or possible accidents.

If the listing says that events are allowed, great! Make sure your specific type and size of event is allowed on the property, so you’re following all the rules correctly. When in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to let the host know that you’re planning a wedding at their Airbnb and ask if there are any details you need to inform them of. 

2. Know Your Intentions

While you’re looking for the perfect space, think about what you’ll be using it for. Is it just a spot to get ready in? Will your ceremony be in the backyard? Are you going to host the whole day there, from getting ready to your evening celebration?

Make sure there’s enough room for whatever part(s) of your day you’ll be celebrating there, and for all your guests If you’re going to have dinner with a small group of your friends and family, check to see if there are enough chairs for everyone to sit down. If you’re counting on using the yard, will there be space inside in case of bad weather? Is there a hot tub for you and your guests to relax in, or some deck space to hang out on in the evening?

And of course, make sure the Airbnb fits with your personal style and the overall vibe you’re dreaming up for your day. Your elopement photos will reflect the aesthetic of the space and of your day, so I want you to love it! 

3. Work With a Rental Company

Instead of relying on the furniture/items that the Airbnb provides, work with a rental company for extra tables, chairs, or decorations. You can rent anything from centerpieces for your reception to an arch for your ceremony! Personalizing the space so it’s perfect for you is one huge benefit of planning an Airbnb elopement, and not worrying about adhering to venue rental restrictions!

You can also consider renting a tent in case of bad weather but check with your Airbnb host to make sure they’re okay with you setting up something so large (if there is a backyard space, of course).

BONUS TIP: If your budget/schedule allows, consider renting the Airbnb for a few days prior to your wedding! This will give you guys time for decorating and setting up! It could also be used as a rehearsal dinner space, or just as a space for you to relax and enjoy the time together.

4. Hire a Private Chef

Considering the location of your Airbnb and the type of food you guys want, you might want to hire a private chef! With a professional taking care of dinner, your guests (and most importantly – YOU!) can relax and enjoy the party. And eat yummyyy food of course.

If you don’t want to hire a private chef, make sure your dinner location is a reasonable drive to go out to eat that evening. If you’ll be eating out, definitely reserve a private room or a table for your guests. Also, if you’re enjoying dinner at the Airbnb, see if the place you like has catering services, or cook a meal with your guests if that feels more fitting to you!

5. Book Ahead of Time

As soon as you know what date and location you want for your wedding, start searching for your Airbnb wedding venue. Look at multiple options and message the hosts if you have any questions, and then book as far in advance as possible. You wouldn’t want to lose out on the perfect place for your big day!

As you think about planning an Airbnb elopement, check out another recent blog post all about How to Elope in Colorado for more elopement tips, or get some inspo from this Fun Cabin Engagement Shoot! No matter what kind of venue you choose I’m here to support you as we tell your unique love story in a beautiful way. Happy planning, friend!