How to Plan an Airbnb Wedding

Whether you want to host your wedding celebration in a unique location or a spot meaningful to your relationship, finding the right venue is no small feat. Rental properties give engaged couples the opportunity to explore out-of-the-box locations, save on wedding costs and have more control over the big day’s details. 

Renting an Airbnb for a wedding can give you more flexibility over things like the wedding timeline and party activities. 

Can You Get Married at an Airbnb?

If you’re looking for the perfect wedding venue and have your eyes on some scenic Airbnbs, you’re in luck! You can have a wedding at an Airbnb, but with some caveats. You’ll need to connect with the Airbnb host before booking to find out whether they permit weddings and events on the property and note any restrictions or limitations. During your conversation, be sure to ask about these critical factors:

Guest limitations: First and foremost, you should determine whether the host has guest limitations. If you’re planning a large wedding, you’ll need to know how many people can be on the property at any given time. You should also record how many people are able to stay the night and the sleeping accommodations available if you’re considering using the property for this purpose. 
Parking availability: If guests are driving to your event, you’ll need to confirm there’s space for cars and overflow to avoid damaging the host’s property or interfering with neighboring houses. You may need to consider offering bus or van transportation from nearby hotels to your venue to avoid parking issues.
Neighborhood ordinances: It’s important to ask about rules for the surrounding area. For example, many neighborhoods have noise ordinances and other event restrictions that could impact the start and stop time of your wedding. Be sure to have these rules in writing. 

How to Plan an Airbnb Wedding

An Airbnb backyard wedding requires more DIY effort than one at a traditional venue. While the natural landscape or architectural features might offer great photo opportunities, you also want to consider the overall vibe you’re going for and what you need to achieve it. Some of the most important aspects to consider are the venue itself, vendor availability, whether you need to rent amenities, and which decorations will transform your space into a picturesque scene.

Find the Right Venue

Your first step is to find the right venue. Specific Airbnb limitations and locations will significantly impact other aspects of your wedding, such as catering availability, nighttime accommodations and travel needs. Find the perfect location by answering these questions:

Is the location special to you and your partner? Whether it’s a spot you’ve visited a thousand times before or a space that reflects your offbeat style, your venue should mean something to you and your partner. 
Are there nearby accommodations? Whether you have a small or large guest list, make sure there are other rentals or hotels nearby that can accommodate everyone. Your wedding day is about you and your partner, but looking into accommodations ensures your guests can enjoy the day with you. 
Can vendors reach your venue? Consider vendor options for food and drinks, music, photography and other relevant services and activities. While a remote Airbnb may offer scenic views, it’s important to consider whether vendors can access the spot. Think about aspects like narrow driveways, limited parking and how distance could impact vendor travel fees. 

Choose Your Vendors

Once you nail down a venue location, you can use this information to identify local vendors or determine travel fees for vendors from farther away. Don’t forget these essentials:

Wedding planners: While some couples forgo a wedding planner, hiring one for your Airbnb wedding could reduce stress and ensure your day goes smoothly. You’ll have a lot more planning on your plate by opting for a nontraditional venue, and a planner with Airbnb experience can help you keep everything on track. 
Food and drink vendors: Determine whether you want a business to cater your wedding and if you want a buffet-style or plated meal. Some businesses have traveling food carts, which could be ideal for your venue. If you’re looking to save on food and beverage costs, consider having your family and friends bring dishes. Many traditional venues do not allow outside food and drink, so your Airbnb could be a perfect opportunity to combine all your family favorites. 
Photographers and videographers: Look for photographers and videographers with experience traveling for weddings. Check out portfolios to find the right photographer for your style and vibe. It’s also important to verify with your Airbnb host that they allow photography and to determine whether any areas are off-limits. 

Check and Rent Amenities

An Airbnb for weddings may not have the same amenities as traditional venues. For instance, there may be limited bathroom facilities, insufficient tableware or a lack of kitchen appliances. Evaluate what’s available at your Airbnb and consider renting additional amenities to ensure everyone’s comfort. For example, large tents can create elegant outdoor dinner spaces, and renting a few portable bathrooms can prevent long lines from building as the night goes on.

Prepare Decorations

When it comes to decorations, you’ll likely need to handle everything yourself. Whether you’re envisioning a vintage-inspired event with handmade decor or an elegant affair with flowers from the local florist, it’s important to consider which pieces you can rent and which you will make yourself. Items like tables and chairs are a must, but table centerpieces and similar elements offer tons of flexibility.

Tips to Make Your Airbnb Wedding Unforgettable

Like any wedding, an Airbnb celebration requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Check out these additional tips to create a smooth and enjoyable experience:

Ask the host for recommendations: Your Airbnb host likely has lots of local knowledge. If you’re traveling to your venue, consider asking them for vendor recommendations and whether they’ve worked with any local businesses previously. 
Use the entire property: Make the most of your rental by using as much of the property as possible. For example, set up the ceremony in the backyard, and invite guests for a cocktail hour in the dining room. Get creative and give guests plenty of space to move around.
Rent a few days in advance: A significant benefit of renting an Airbnb property is having timeline flexibility. Consider renting your venue a day or two in advance to ensure enough time to set up decorations and get a feel for the space before your big day. 
Hire a cleaning service: Many Airbnb rentals include a cleaning fee in their rental prices, but hiring a cleaning service after a large event can help ease the morning-after stress and ensure you avoid extra charges from your host after leaving. 

Shutter and Sound offers wedding photography and content creation for couples in more than a dozen cities, and our dedicated team is more than willing to travel to capture your big day’s unforgettable moments. Contact us to learn more about our services and packages.