As an elopement photographer, I've shot around 80 weddings in the last 6 years. Each one is very different from each other. All are exciting. All are unique in its own ways.
Elopement, in my definition, is intimate, but by no means you won't have fun.
By focusing on what matters to you as a couple, you get to be present at your day, you get to choose how much control you have at your wedding, and (maybe) save money along the way.
Overview:
- Airbnb Wedding Expectations
- List of Airbnb/VRBO Venues per state
- How to set up and decorate your wedding venue
- Why Hiring a Rental Company is Key to Planning Your Airbnb Wedding
- How Florists Transform a Simple Lawn into a Wedding Dream
- Guide to Choosing Ceremony and Reception Music
- Understanding Wedding Photography Styles: What’s Right for You?
- Conclusion

Expectations with rental property
When you plan a wedding at a rental property, like many wedding venues, there are rules. If you follow them, then you get your deposit back. Most people who are planning an Airbnb Wedding, wants something small(<100 people) and intimate.
Many property owners, will not entertain weddings because they just have too much wear and tear in the property. No one really knows what'll happen. There's also insurances that they have to deal with. And in some cases, cancel at the last minute.

Finding your budget | Your way
If budget matters, I wouldn't pick a number. Why? because everything is expensive and sticker shock is real. I would highly suggest finding out what you like first, get shocked, pick your number, then save up to that. There are many ways to save on your wedding.
- Check out subreddit called r/weddingsunder10k, there are plenty of resources to sponge up there.
- Go on facebook marketplace for weddings items
- Get married at the courthouse first, then save up for your dream wedding.
- If you're OCD like me, I have a spreadsheet for budgeting.
Download this spreadsheet below!
To download the spreadsheet below, simply enter your name, email, and phone(don't worry, we wont spam you anything uninteresting.)
I would highly recommend viewing this on a desktop computer.
I might be the only guy who likes to plan a wedding lmao


Airbnb and VRBO Wedding Venues
If you're looking for a wedding venue, here are the states I've went through(so far.)
The reason why I started looking for a wedding venue, is for two reasons; one, its because I am in the middle of planning a wedding, two, my client's wedding venue was destroyed and my team and I saved her wedding, and we had a ton of resources to share with you! <3
Not sure about which wedding venue works for you? Just contact us here for a consultation!

How to set up and decorate your wedding venue
Now that you've found a wedding venue, it's time to decorate it. You'll want to take your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception outside. Servers/food will need to set up in the kitchen. DJs and musicians will need an outlet. The tent, tables, chairs, linen, heaters, will need to be set up the day before. Florists will also need to to start decorating early in the morning.
There are wedding planners who can help you find local wedding vendors, suggests recommendations, and go into little details like

Why Hiring a Rental Company is Key to Planning Your Airbnb Wedding
First off, I want to make sure that I have a rental company that I can use because, one, they book out too quickly in advance. Once I have that, then I can start hiring caterers, photographers, florists, and DJs.
To hire out a rental company, you'll need the number of guests attending. You can either use a round table or farm style table for smaller, intimate wedding.
Sometimes the Airbnb will have their own for you to use, especially when they have done weddings in the past.
It also doesn't hurt to ask if they have recommended vendors they've used in the past.

Creative Food Options for Your Airbnb Wedding
There are many ways of doing food. You can hire a private chef, catering company, or do it yourself. If I am having less than 20 people in my wedding, it wouldn't hurt to hire a private chef to elevate the wedding experience. You will definitely talk about it for a really long time.
When you hire out a catering company, private chef, or doing it yourself, there a bit of preparations involved in it. One couple i photographed had their grandma cook for them which was a **chef's kiss.**
There's quite a bit of preparation involved in it.
If you opt out of a catering company, they'll set it up for your a few hours before your ceremony. You could also hire a food truck or a mobile pizza dutch oven if its available.
A private chef will usually prep a day before, or they would come in early to start cooking.
If you're doing DIY, then you'll need to start prepping a few days prior.

How Florists Transform a Simple Lawn into a Wedding Dream
When you're having your wedding, its not uncommon to have the owner close by making sure everything goes smoothly for the party. They'll usually have a ladder, an extension, or zip ties for you to make sure there isn't any drama flying around.
Which brings me to the next vendor. Florists.
Florists are the icing of cake on the top. They can create a bare lawn into a stunning garden event.
I know because I've worked several weddings where I wasn't the photographer but someone who helped out the florist. One thing that they would absolutely need are ladders, sometimes there isnt enough for them for the workers. They also use countless amounts of zip ties to keep the green foam stuck to the Arch, center pieces, and floral aisle runners.

Guide to Choosing Ceremony and Reception Music
There are 2 parts of the wedding day you'll need to consider music for. Ceremony and Reception.
Ceremony:
Songs you'll need to walk down to.
My favorite I've heard was, "First day of my Life" by Bright Eyes. My eyes welled up on that one.
I've also heard Back in Black.
Reception:
I would highly recommend a DJ for weddings larger than 50+.
A lot of the times, when elopement couples use their friends spotify, they'll put on something that everyone not everyone would enjoy. And you only have until 10:00PM to create an amazing party and you'd wanna tire everyone out
You are hosting this party, you'll need to take lyrics into account. One way of doing that is googling "wedding songs"
Avoid emo songs at all cost. I had a couple play "I write sins, not tragedies"
NO, I say no. "what a beautiful wedding...what a shame the poor groom's bride is a whore"
What?

Understanding Wedding Photography Styles: What’s Right for You?
Hiring a quality wedding photographer is probably the top thing on your list. But the thing is, there isn't short of photographers, ever. Take your time and hire them within 6-12 months because there are probably hundreds in your area.
One, weddings are my thing. If you're not hiring me, hire someone who is actually interested in your wedding. Who is actually interested in your wedding venue. And actually interested in getting to know you.
Because there's nothing more annoying than seeing photos that do not feel like you. Manicured. Unauthentic. On a wedding day that will only happen once.
Let's talk about style.
Wedding photographers will talk about light and airy, dark and moody, true tone, vibrant, vintage, 35mm. All this means is their editing style. You'll say light and airy because you want photos that are slightly over exposed. dark and moody, hiding the details in the shadows, making it dark...and...moody. True tone and vibrant feel slightly saturated with slightly warm or cool tones. Vintage, black and white sepia tones. Truly hate this editing style. 35mm is using analogue colors.
Editorial and Photo-documentary are cliche(yes i know i use them) but it is what is trending right now. It means that photographers will use a wide angle lens to capture a scene. This is especially used in weddings because thats what we do, we document whats happening in front of us.
If you'd like to know more about wedding photography or weddings in general, don't hesitate to leave us a feedback here.

Conclusion
Cakes, Wedding Attires, Hair and Make Up Artists are all highly personal choices. Trends change over time. As you plan your wedding, you'll discover new ideas and present you with new opportunities.
Be open to them.
Most importantly, it's okay to splurge on things.
One of the things that I've learned after talking to many brides after their wedding is; hiring a photographer is what made our wedding worth it. :)

GET IN TOUCH / ASK A QUESTION
Hey y'all! Thank you so much for reading this exhaustive list. I must've been rambling lol
My name is Glenn, owner and lead photographer of Pink Penguin Studios.
I love photography. It's my first and only love. I made this because theres something special about intimate weddings in an Airbnb.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer(s) don't hesitate to email me at glenn@pinkpenguinstudios.com or leave us a message on this form!