It’s no secret that airbnb has become a popular choice for many travelers, but did you know that it can also be used as an alternative to hotels and other wedding venues? It is not uncommon for couples to rent out an entire house or apartment on airbnb. This blog post will discuss the pros and cons of using an airbnb for your wedding instead of a traditional wedding venue, along with some helpful tips on how to find the right one.
What is an Airbnb?
An airbnb is a website where travelers can book private rooms or rent out an entire house to stay in. You select your dates and the home will be available for those days you have booked it, just like a hotel room would be. It’s up to you if you want to interact with the homeowners that live there as well.
When to have an Airbnb wedding
Having an airbnb for your wedding isn’t for everyone. I really believe it’s only in certain situations where this will be beneficial over a traditional wedding venue.
I’ll go into more detail about the pros and cons in a bit, but here are some situations where this might be perfect for you: a destination wedding, intimate weddings, smaller budget, lower guest count, or small ceremony.
What are the Benefits and Disadvantages of Using an Airbnb for Your Wedding?
While using an Airbnb for your wedding might sound like a great idea, it’s important to look at the pros and cons and see how they line up. For both the pros and the cons, it’s important to look at each Airbnb separately. Not all pros or cons will apply in every situation because each house is so different.
Pros of having an Airbnb Wedding
There are many advantages of using an airbnb wedding venue. Here are some of the biggest ones:
– It’s cheaper than staying at a hotel or renting a wedding venue
– sleeping accommodations for many of your guests or close people like the wedding party
– Many airbnbs come with fully stocked kitchens and dining areas that will allow you to cook and serve your own food.
– You can rent out multiple airbnbs in one location, which might give you more options than a traditional wedding venue would provide.
-You’re free to pick and choose your own vendors for your wedding.
-create a more intimate wedding or at home feel
-you don’t have to book as far in advance like a traditional venue
-there might be additional modern amenities like a hot tub, fire pit, pool, or private chef
-freedom to run your wedding how you want without a ton of rules
Cons of having an Airbnb Wedding
There’s a reason why airbnb wedding venues aren’t as popular as a traditional venue. Here are some of the major cons.
-Not all Airbnbs permit events
-Additional rental costs might be higher than a traditional wedding venue
-You’ll need to clean the home before your guests arrive (unless it’s already included with rental).
-It can become expensive if you have more people attend than expected, as some airbnbs do charge per person.
-Many of these homes are not located in high traffic areas, so it might be difficult to get an Uber or taxi during the night.
-the surrounding area and backdrop might not be good for photos
-not enough indoor or outdoor space for guests
-wedding vendors will have little experience there
How do I find an Airbnb for my Wedding?
As I’ve tried to make it clear, it’s important that you find the perfect Airbnb. Just because you like the location and the look of the place doesn’t mean it will work for a wedding. The process for finding the right place will be a little involved.
You can start like you would if you were normally looking for an Airbnb. If you already know the general location, that will make things a lot easier. If you are planning a destination wedding or micro wedding somewhere, then it will be more difficult because you can basically go anywhere. Do a general search and see what shows up.
If that sounds like too much work, here is a list of the top Airbnb venues in each state. It will be a bit limiting because you will be stuck in a certain part of the state, but it might be a good starting point.
Whatever search route you use, make sure to read the reviews and check out photos to see if it will work for your wedding. Then, proceed to ask the 5 questions below.
5 questions to ask before booking an Airbnb wedding venue
The thought of airbnb wedding venues sound great, but that doesn’t mean you should jump into booking just yet. Before you book, ask these questions to make sure your wedding day goes smoothly and you get everything you want by using an Airbnb.
1. Do they allow weddings or elopements?
One of the big difficulties of having airbnb for weddings is that every house and situation is different. The first question to ask is whether or not they will even allow you to have a wedding there. Some won’t like the idea of a bunch of people in the main house and possibly messing up their hot tub!
Yes, you could just not tell them and try to keep things quiet. If you get caught or destroy something, though, the fees could be very high or worse, you could get kicked out in the middle of the ceremony and reception.
2. Is professional photography allowed?
Some properties don’t allow commercial photography or videography. I’m sure that you want to remember your wedding day, so this is an important question to ask.
Also, make sure the photographer knows the wedding will be at an Airbnb. It’s very different than a normal wedding venue, so some might have to adjust or even decline.
3. Are there noise ordinances in the neighborhood?
If you were having a big house or dinner party, you would make sure that you weren’t upsetting the neighbors by being too loud. The same is true when using airbnb wedding venues.
Most likely the house is in a neighborhood, so it’s important to see if there are rules about noise. I did a wedding at someone’s house a few years ago, and the cops showed up. Nothing happened, but they could have shut things down if they really wanted.
4. Is there parking?
Wedding venues are made for weddings, which means they know there will be hundreds of wedding guests and the need for parking. Most Airbnbs are in neighborhoods with limited parking. You might be able to fit 4 or 5 cars in the garage and driveway, but after that, you are lining the streets. Ask about the amount of space and any rules for parking, so you can know beforehand if there will be a problem.
5. How many guests are permitted?
Every structure has a limit to how many people can be in there safely at a time. Ask the owner how many guests are allowed. This could be limited by the fire code or just a personal preference by the owner. Again, you could try to be sneaky and invite more friends than are allowed, but you are putting yourself at risk. It’s better to find the perfect airbnb venue that fits your guest count.
How Does the rental Process Work?
Once you know the property is available and can fit your needs, it’s time to book! If you are planning on having a lot of people there for more than one day (or more than one wedding), then make sure that they won’t charge extra. Some airbnbs will just add an additional amount per person or couple over certain numbers.
Also, ask how much notice they need to give if you have a large group. Some places will book up fast and only take reservations with months in advance. Others might work well for last minute weddings as long as there is still availability!
Most will have some form of contract or agreement. Make sure to read it carefully to know what you can and can’t do and any kind of fees or consequences.
Tips for a Perfect Airbnb Wedding
At this point, you probably have a really good idea of everything involved with having an Airbnb wedding, but here are a few more tips and things to consider.
-look for a place wit a built in backup place to go if weather is bad
-make sure you have your guest list at the beginning so you know how big of a space you will need
-Consider what’s available in-house before bringing in rentals.
-see if the airbnb host is willing to help with deliveries and set up of rentals
-check out the neighborhood during a different time of day to see what it’s like at night vs. during the day
-check for any public transit or parking limitations in case guests can’t drive themselves to your Airbnb wedding location.
Best Airbnb Wedding Venues
There are some amazing airbnb wedding venues out there, and this might be the perfect thing for intimate weddings or a micro wedding someone looking to do something different for their wedding ceremony and reception. Airbnb weddings aren’t for everyone, though, so make sure to look at both the pros and cons before deciding.
If you have any other questions or want some help finding the best airbnb wedding venues in your area, check with a wedding planner in the area or feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to help.