Having an Airbnb Wedding: What You Should Know

 

Why More and More Couples Are Choosing to Have Airbnb Weddings

Before you get inspired by the most beautiful Airbnb wedding venues, here is a short reminder of the current situation: These Airbnb wedding venues are perfect for parties and celebrations, but currently there are some important pandemic restrictions in effect. Nevertheless, we can always plan for a time when we can celebrate love again together with lots of friends and family members, so start dreaming!

Because of pandemic restrictions, large weddings are no longer the standard. Instead, many people choose to have smaller and more intimate ceremonies, such as micro weddings, with their family and closest friends. Airbnb wedding venues are ideal for this. Not only does a wedding like this provide plenty of privacy, but it will allow you to take a personalized approach when planning your wedding.

Weddings like this can also be surprisingly convenient. When you stay at the right Airbnb, you won’t have to book a hotel or travel to your wedding venue. You’ll be able to stay right on the property. If you choose to rent a larger venue, such as a villa, your guests may be able to stay at the venue as well.

 

Cannery Cabin in Seldovia, Alaska

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

Lake Lodge – Private Lakefront Compound in Hot Springs, Arkansas

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

Traditional wedding venues can be prohibitively expensive. In contrast, an Airbnb wedding can be a much more affordable option. Instead of splurging on a costly wedding package, you can choose a venue that’s unique, beautiful, and comfortably within your budget.

 

Is An Airbnb Wedding Right For You?

Having an Airbnb wedding has some definite benefits, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for all couples. Before making a decision, it’s best to look at both the benefits and the drawbacks of getting married at an Airbnb.

When you’re exploring your options, it’s important to remember that not all venues will allow you to host events on-site. In fact, if you browse Airbnb listings, you’ll see that many hosts specifically state that parties and other events are not allowed. Even if you find your dream venue on Airbnb, you may not be able to host your wedding there.

 

Beautiful Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat in Austin, Texas

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

If you would love to get married in Texas, check out our post about everything you need to know before planning an elopement in Texas.

 

Saddle Peak in Topanga, California

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

For more inspiration, make sure to check out the most amazing elopement packages in California for 21/22, or these incredible wedding venues in Los Angeles.

It’s also important to think about what you want for your wedding. If you want to plan everything yourself, a venue like this could be ideal for you. You won’t be locked into the options that are in a wedding package. Instead, you’ll be able to choose precisely what you want.

However, if you don’t want to negotiate with caterers or decorate your venue yourself, hosting an Airbnb wedding could wind up being a big source of stress for you. Think about what you are and aren’t willing to do and look at the amount that would go into hosting your wedding at an Airbnb.

 

Amazing Tiny Home, on a volcanic Lava Field in Pāhoa, Hawaii

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

Hilltop Estate in Nantucket, Massachusetts

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

It’s also important to consider issues of liability. In some cases, you may need to take out an insurance policy for your event. As a matter of fact, many vendors won’t be willing to work with you without the appropriate level of insurance. While hosting your event at an Airbnb can save you money, this is something that can cause your costs to rise.

Think about what your ideal wedding would look like. What sort of venue would you want? How many guests would you want to have? See if it would be possible to host a wedding like that at an Airbnb property. You should also take a closer look at the properties near you. In some areas, you’ll find an impressive selection of options. In other locations, your options will be much more limited.

 

How You Can Plan An Airbnb Wedding

If you want to host your wedding at an Airbnb, your first step will be to find an Airbnb that allows weddings. Take the time to find appealing venues in your area. Once you’ve found rental properties that seem like a good fit for your wedding, you’ll want to look at the listings more closely to see if parties are allowed.

If the listing doesn’t explicitly state that the owner allows for weddings, it’s best to contact the owner directly. Let them know that you are interested in hosting a wedding at their property. You should confirm that you have the owner’s approval before you book the venue or start making plans. Never try to book a property for a wedding without the express permission of the property owner.

 

Atlas A-frame on Lake Adney in Crosby, Minnesota

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

For more inspiration, check out this beautiful barn wedding or this emotional and joyful wedding in Minnesota.

 

Villa Harrah in Glenbrook, Nevada

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

You may also want to check to see if nearby properties are available to rent. For example, you could book one property for your event, and you could book the property next door so that your guests will have a place to stay. If a venue has the right look but it’s too small for your event, see if you can get more space by booking a property that’s close by.

If a host explicitly states that the property is available for weddings, the host may be able to provide you with a list of vendors that they’ve worked with within the past. Because these vendors will be familiar with the venue, you may want to work with them on your event.

 

Other Things To Consider When Choosing A Venue

While your primary focus should be finding a property that permits Airbnb weddings, there are many other things you’ll need to keep in mind when choosing the best space for your wedding. Think about the type of wedding you want to have. Do you imagine a rustic wedding? Do you want the ceremony to be indoors or outdoors? You’ll want to look for a venue that’s a good fit for the type of wedding that you want to have.

It would help if you also looked at the location of the venue. How far will you have to travel to reach the venue? Is it in a location that will be easy for your guests to access? If the venue is a long distance away, you may want to make sure you have a place for your guests to stay.

Hepburn on the Lake in Greenwich, New Jersey

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

For more inspiration, check out these amazing rustic wedding venues in New Jersey.

 

Quintessential Southampton Village Charm in Southampton, New York

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

For more inspiration, check out these New York elopement packages.

You’ll need to communicate with the property owner throughout the planning process, which is why you should find a host that quickly responds to your questions. You should make sure that you’ll be able to get all the information that you need.

Budget is usually one of the primary concerns during the wedding planning process, and it’s something that you’ll want to keep at the forefront of your mind when you’re selecting a venue for your wedding. Booking an Airbnb venue can be much cheaper than a traditional wedding venue, but there are other costs you’ll need to consider as well. It would be best if you tried to estimate your other expenses when comparing the cost of different venues.

Lastly, it would help if you looked at the amount of space that you’ll have. Don’t just rely on pictures when you’re determining how large a venue is. Photographs can make a property appear to be larger — or smaller — than it actually is. Instead, it would help if you looked at the property’s square footage to see how many people the property will be able to accommodate.

 

A Luxury Waterfront Home in Kinnakeet, North Carolina

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

For more inspiration, here is everything you need to know when planning an elopement in North Carolina.

 

The Box Hop in Hocking Hills, Rockbridge, Ohio

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

If a property seems like it will be large enough to meet your needs, you’ll want to contact the property owner to see if it will be possible for you to tour the property. Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and it’s best to see a venue in person before you make any commitments.

In addition to looking at the size of the property, you should look at the layout. If the room you want to have your reception in is on the smaller side, you may not have enough space for your guests to move around comfortably. If you want to have your ceremony outdoors, you’ll want to look for a property with a larger yard. Find a venue that is perfect for the type of wedding that you want to have.

 

Wedding Planning Tips To Keep In Mind

It’s always best to start planning an Airbnb wedding sooner rather than later. Try to book your venue far in advance so that you’ll have plenty of time to plan your wedding. Remember, your work won’t be done after you book a venue. You’ll need to arrange vendors and rent supplies for your wedding as well.

When you’re decorating an Airbnb wedding venue, you should try to take full advantage of the venue’s existing decor. Examine pictures of the venue and see if you can spot any decor that you’ll want to feature in your wedding photos. It would be best if you also considered investing in an installation, such as an arch, for your ceremony.

 

Private Beach House in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

Bale & Butterfly Bungalow in Rapid City, South Dakota

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

You’ll also want to look for ways to utilize the entire property. For example, you could choose to have your wedding inside the venue, and you could move outdoors for your reception. You’ll also want to look for spaces that vendors can utilize to store supplies and equipment.

While an Airbnb wedding property may not have a bar that you can use for your event, you can get around this by renting a mobile bar instead. Mobile bars typically don’t take up a lot of space, and they’ll typically provide you with everything you’ll need for your event. In many cases, you’ll even be provided with a bartender. Mobile bars tend to be very compact, which means you’ll be able to find space for the bar at your venue.

Luxury Cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE/ PHOTOGRAPHY AND BEYOND

 

For more inspiration, make sure to check out the most beautiful wedding venues in Tennessee and these amazing Tennessee elopement tips.

 

Solenborg in St.John, Virgin Islands

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

In addition to hiring a mobile bar, you may want to look into renting other facilities for your event. For example, you should assess the property to see if there are enough restrooms for your guests. If the property only has a few restrooms, you may want to look into renting a few upscale portable toilets.

Likely, you’ll also need to rent other items for your event. If you’re hosting your ceremony or reception outdoors, you may want to rent a tent so that you’ll have protection from the elements. You may also need to rent tables, chairs, or even a dance floor so that you’ll have all of the supplies that you need. Try to utilize the furniture at the venue when possible. This could save you quite a bit of money.

 

Cabin Creek Riverfront Lodge in Easton, Washington

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

Historic Stylish Farmhouse in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

If an Airbnb host allows for weddings, it may not be easy to book their property on a Saturday. That’s why you may want to consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday. This could make it easier for you to secure the venue you want the most.

You should also keep in mind that an Airbnb wedding celebration can be anything you want it to be. While many of the weddings hosted at Airbnb venues are small and intimate affairs, the right property could be suitable for a larger event as well. If you’re still trying to find a venue for your wedding, you should look at local Airbnb venues to see if they could work for you. You may be surprised when you see the kinds of properties that you can book.

 

Will The Airbnb Wedding Trend Continue?

While Airbnb events have seen a surge of interest due to COVID-19 restrictions, these events will likely continue to be the popular event after restrictions are lifted. Research shows that fewer couples are willing to drain their bank accounts to have the perfect wedding. Instead, couples want to have budget-friendly weddings to have more money to put towards a down payment on a home and other expenses.

Hosting a wedding at an Airbnb property makes it possible to have a beautiful wedding without spending a fortune. From smaller events to large events hosted at beautiful mansions, the right venue could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, allowing you to make the most of a limited wedding budget.

The Barn in La Pointe, Wisconsin

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

If you are interested in barn wedding venues, make sure to check out our post about woodsy wedding spots in the U.S.

 

Connors Lake – Chalet and Bunkhouse in Winter, Wisconsin

This screenshot is taken from the AIRBNB WEBSITE

 

There’s also a great deal of interest in smaller weddings. People no longer feel obligated to invite friends they haven’t spoken to in years or family members that they aren’t close to. Instead, people want to share the celebration with the people that are most important to them. Airbnbs are perfect for these kinds of events.

Experts have predicted that Airbnb rentals will continue to be popular even as hotel stays rise. As long as Airbnb continues to be popular and profitable, there will be a wide range of properties available through the service. Whether you’re planning to get married in the next year or are thinking about an event that’s a few years down the road, Airbnb will likely be a viable option for your event.

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