NEW YORK ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER // MAINE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER // MAINE ELOPEMENT PLANNER // MASSACHUSETTS ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Airbnbs Are Perfect for Micro Weddings & Elopements and Here’s Why

I feel like Airbnbs are the best kept secret when it comes to planning an intimate elopement or minimony. Imagine sitting in a cabin, the morning light streaming through the tree into your windows, & warm coffee in your hand as you take a quiet moment to write your vows. The makeup artist arrives as you get ready in a room close enough to your partner that you can hear them laugh, but far enough that you won’t catch a glimpse of one another before your first look. Once you’re ready you step out onto a patio with panoramic views of the mountains, your closest loved ones teary eyed & giddy to watch you both commit your lives to one another. After the ceremony you enjoy cocktails outside & an intimate catered dinner. You end the night in your pajamas around the fire pit, stargazing while reflecting on your wedding day.

That could be you! You can plan a wonderful & affordable experience for your wedding day that is unique, private, beautiful, & comfortable unlike any large traditional wedding or bare bones elopement. Whether you’ve just beginning to explore the possibilities of an Airbnb elopement or you’re trying to make tough planning decisions this blog will teach you all about renting an Airbnb, how to find the right location, what to look for, how to make the most out of your stay, & breakdown some of the most beautiful Airbnbs in the Western United States!

You Can Use an Airbnb for Your Elopement 

The days of 50+ parties at Airbnb’s are over, due to their policy change in 2020 dictating that only 16 guests are permitted at an Airbnb rental; luckily if you are planning an elopement or a minimony Airbnb is still a viable option for you! To make sure you aren’t infringing on the terms of service Airbnb provides & the hosts rules it is important to disclose your intentions for the property when booking. Hosts are often happy to work with smaller groups of people & appreciate knowing what you will be doing at their rental. If you decide to forgo politeness, disregard the new party policy, & get caught with extra guests, hosting an event then it is likely you’ll have to pay the host’s security deposit & your account will be banned. That’s a situation you don’t want attached to one of the most special days of your life & is entirely avoidable!

5 Reasons to Elope at an Airbnb

1. Affordability

Can you believe the average wedding venue cost in the United States is $6,000?! Even if you don’t want to have a traditional wedding & are planning elope instead, the average stay in a hotel is $139 a night. Instead you could invest your money into a beautiful space that enhances your wedding experience!

2. Privacy 

If you are wanting to elope I can imagine that intimacy on your wedding day is important to you & Airbnbs offer you an incredible amount of privacy. Everything from morning mimosas to evening toasts will be an intimate experience that you’re sharing solely with the people you invited to be there.  

3. Unique Experience

Many people don’t know that Airbnb’s are often more than just someone’s vacation home—some are on vineyards, others are full blown tree houses, some are even boujee glamping tents. Your wedding day is all about the experience you want to have & where you stay can be another facet of that. 

4. Convenience 

Where you stay, relax, get ready, dine, & celebrate can all be in the same location! That cuts out so much fuss & stress unlike a traditional wedding day. If you have a handful of guests joining you everyone is accounted for & you can enjoy one another’s company in a more natural & relaxed setting.

5. Beautiful Locations

Wedding venues & hotels cannot offer you the same privacy or breathtaking views as an Airbnb. Did you know that some Airbnbs even have private waterfalls & hot springs!? Whether you are looking for an incredible view or to immerse yourself in a small town there is no shortage of incredible stays available.

Now, let’s discuss how those three elements factor into planning your elopement! Luckily due to the rising popularity of Airbnb’s & alternative hosting there are seemingly locations in any given area. Once you decide where you would like to elope you can start looking at Airbnbs in the area that will serve you best on the day of your elopement! The time of year you choose to elope factors into whether that location will be open during that time of year & how far in advance you will have to book that Airbnb! During this process you’ll need to keep in mind the number of people attending & how many rooms will be needed to accommodate them! 

The Best Time of Year to Elope In the Northeastern States

It should come as no surprise that the best time of year to visit is during the fall due to the epic color show the fall foliage puts on across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Bright oranges, reds, and yellows set the hillsides and neighborhoods aglow. It’s no wonder people come from all over the country to leaf peep! Colors come and go through the fall months of September through October. To catch the fall colors at their peak is to plan your wedding between the last week of September to the second week of October. Autumn is also a great time of year to plan your elopement due to less people traveling and the weather being absolute perfection with lows in the 50’s and the highs in the 70’s. This time of year in this region simply cannot be beat!

Best Airbnbs For Elopements In Northeastern United States

MAINE

The Prowhouse

Machiasport, Maine

4 guests | 4 bedrooms | 2 beds

Explore nearby harbor, 30 acres of coastal hiking trails, or just take in the views from the deck of this beautiful, cliff-perked cottage.

Raymond Retreat

Raymond, Maine

14 guests | 4 bedrooms | 10 beds

This large luxury lake house sits on 2 acres of secluded lake front property with a private dock and beach access to enjoy watersports or simply bask in the sun. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Soul’s Retreat

Newbury, New Hampshire

4 guests | 1 bedrooms | 2 beds

Ling Treehouse is nestled in the trees and is largely made of windows, giving you the feeling of being totally immersed in the forest.

VERMONT

The Canopy House

Stowe, Vermont

8 guests | 3 bedrooms | 5 beds

This stunning remodel a-frame is drenched in gorgeous light, thoughtfully decorated, perfectly cozy, and only minutes from downtown Stowe.

MASSACHUSETTS 

Octagonal Glass Treehouse

Otis, Massachusetts

4 guests | 1 bedrooms | 2 beds

On 7 private acres you’ll find this unique glass treehouse with a chicly decorated interior that has floor to ceiling windows providing stunning views of the surrounding woodlands. 

Berkshire Mountain Retreat

Lee, Massachusetts

8 guests | 2 bedrooms | 2 beds

Consider this exquisite home as a haven of relaxation in the mountains while providing modern comforts; located only 15 minutes from Great Barrington. 

RHODE ISLAND

Dome House

Tiverton, Rhode Island

8 guests | 4 bedrooms | 7 beds

Perfect for an intimate wedding and formal private dinner The Quonset is beautifully decorated, surrounded by lush greenery, and near the beach.

Treehouse by the Sea

South Kingstown, Rhode Island

3 guests | 1 bedrooms | 2 beds

You can find this lofty, bright treehouse perfectly cozy and located only a short bike ride from the beach and nearby town. 

CONNECTICUT

NEW YORK

Mountain View Retreat

Cold Spring, New York

11 guests | 3 bedrooms | 10 beds

An hour away from bustling NYC is this grand chalet with spacious and classy entertainment areas both indoors and outdoors. 

NEW JERSEY

Dream Lakehouse

Vernon Township, New Jersey

8 guests | 3 bedrooms | 4 beds

From every direction you can see the glistening lake out of the floor to ceiling windows in this minimal lakehouse just steps from the shore of Highland Lake. 

Goldie Point

Barnegat Light, New Jersey

14 guests | 5 bedrooms | 7 beds

This dreamy, retro, beach cottage is an escape from everyday life with the beach only minutes away and  backyard oasis to enjoy. 

PENNSYLVANIA

The Deacon

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

16 guests | 8 bedrooms | 13 beds

It doesn’t get more grand than this renovated church in Philly with gorgeous gathering areas for you

5 Tips To Enhance Your Airbnb Wedding Experience

1. Follow the Airbnb platform & host rules. This is just a friendly reminder to be respectful of the house rules, doing so ensures you’ll avoid host issues during your stay! Don’t invite more people than what you discussed with your Airbnb host & be mindful of noise restrictions.
2. Hire a planner. If you are looking for a hands off experience, to relieve some stress, & have extra funds to spare then treat yourself to a wedding planner that will help you arrange your booking, flights, vendors, & everything else!
3. Make the most out of every space! Think about getting ready, first look, ceremony, celebrating, & dinner—plan how to utilize spaces for all the different parts of your wedding day. If you have rented a beautiful place in an incredible location make the most of it!
4. Bring on local vendors. Some vendors to consider are caterers, makeup/hair artists, florists, & mixologists! Invest in the aspects that are important to you & will have an impact on your experience. 

Arrive early and stay late. Times like this seem to fly by, no need to rush it further by planning a short trip with a tight turnaround. Take the time to enjoy the space, soak up this time together, & really slow down.

Wherever You Choose You’ll Need a Photographer!

Whether you’re officially sold on having an Airbnb wedding or you still need to do some more investigating, one thing is for sure, you need a phenomenal photographer. Someone who can scout out locations, give you advice on which rentals will have the best lighting, will travel with you anywhere, is ready to capture all the perfectly ‘you’ moments of your wedding day, and is named Audrey. Okay okay, the last one on the list is optional, BUT everything else is non negotiable in my book! I’m always ready to pick up a call to give you advice or pack my bags to meet you & your honey at your dream location. If you have any questions about this blog, are looking for more planning resources, or want to learn more about my services you can contact me here—I am very excited for this chapter of your love story.