The benefits of having an Airbnb elopement

Think of the money you will save! Having your lodging, getting ready, ceremony and reception all at the same place not only saves a lot of money but also is so convenient. You don’t have to move from venue to venue throughout the day. There is a lot more privacy and intimacy just because there is nobody around except maybe a few neighbors who usually mind their own business.

There is such a unique aesthetic and all different types of options to choose from. There are a million different locations and landscapes to choose from. Some of these offer views you literally cannot get anywhere else. This is the ultimate unique and personalized option out there. There can be more pet friendly options for your four legged friends. There is no timeline rush, you can literally just go about at your leisurely pace following your heart. 

Things to consider when looking for an Airbnb

There are so many important things to think about when you are considering where to start looking for your special airbnb elopement location. You really want to sit and think about the vibe that you are wanting for your day. Are you looking for boho, clean and minimalist, or flowers everywhere? These will be deciding factors in helping choose.

Do you need an airbnb with a huge garden, a log cabin in the woods, a clean minimalist skyscraper? The options are truly endless so just close your eyes and really let yourself feel what you want your day to feel and look like. Another fun way to do it  is to enter an area and look up unique stays. There are some really cool options that you may have just not considered yet. 

What type of scenery are you going for?

There are all kinds of airbnb’s in the world with various options for locations as well. Some airbnb scenery options  are; surrounded by trees, gorgeous mountain views, private backyard waterfalls, beach access, rivers, rolling hills, farm experience, and vineyard stays. There are endless options. First you really need to narrow down the scenery location you are looking for. Then you need to look up if you can have that in the area you are willing to travel to. 

Narrow down the location

Think of the places that have that type of scenery and search in those areas specifically. Don’t be afraid to use the filters to look for specific things to get all the things you want. You would be amazed at what options are out there. Dream big my friend and you might just get everything you ever wanted. If you aren’t set on a location but on a specific state just type that in and start searching to see what you find.

Does the property have neighbors

What is the level of privacy that you are looking for? Keep in mind that the less neighbors the more loud you can be and the less restrictions you will have. Having more neighbors increases the chances that you will have to combat noise or people. You can type the general address into Google Maps to get a feel for how many people actually live nearby. You could also reach out to the host to ask any follow up questions about this and how the neighbors actually are in real time. If the surrounding properties are also airbnb’s you really have no idea what you might get so that should be thought of as well.

What is the lighting like

What kind of lighting is at the Airbnb? Is it all artificial light and if so are the bulbs more warm or cool?  Does it have a lot of windows, will there be plenty of natural light to use when getting ready or for any other inside activities you have planned. Especially if the weather takes a turn for the worst and you have to move the whole event inside, will the lighting ruin your images? Does the face east or west for sunrise or sunset options. Is there any clearance where you can actually see the sunrise or sunset if that is important to you?

What would your getting ready space look like

Speaking of getting ready,  what would your getting ready space look like? Did you want to get ready together or separately? If separately will you have two spaces that fit the aesthetic for these parts of the images? Are there lots of windows for natural light in that space? Will there be enough room for you and everyone helping you get ready or will it be just you? These are all important things to consider.

How many guests will you have and where will they stay

Will you have guests attending your wedding? Will they be there for the getting ready, ceremony and reception? Where will they stay? Do they live locally and can drive home or will they need lodging nearby? Consider the parking and if it is easier to have them carpool and stay nearby? Does the host own an adjoining property where you can double the amount of your guests and space? There are many ways to fulfill this need, you may just need to be a little creative.

Are there outside features you are looking for

Are you really wanting a sauna, hot tub, place to play cornhole etc. Do you need a deck, outdoor grilling area, or a pool? What is the landscape like? Were you looking for a garden, a mountainscape, waterfall, maybe a farm stay to be near animals. There are airbnb lighthouses, beach cottages, log cabins. Some come with outside amenities and some don’t so you will just want to look at the list of options for each place. Don’t just assume because a place has a lot of land that you can build a fire on their property. Always ask first. This will keep you from breaking any rules and help choose a place just right for you.

Transportation

How do you get to the Airbnb, fly, drive, boat, helicopter. In the winter months will there be snow or areas of the road that are inaccessible? Do you need 4 wheel drive to get up the driveway? Are there clearance limitations if you are driving a larger truck or RV? Do some of your guests have mobility issues and need handicap ramps or shorter counters? Are there a lot of stairs that you will have to navigate while carrying a bunch of things? If you are bringing children or pets are there hazards you should know about for them getting around?

Airbnb vs. VRBO

VRBO actually has a lot more options for places that welcome events than Airbnb does. They also have a filter you can apply to only see those options. A lot of the options are listed on both apps so you could try and find the original posting on VRBO with the filters and always check Airbnb to see if it’s posted there if you prefer that app. There are many other honorable mentions as well with places to check.

–VRBO

–Airbnb

–Hometogo

–Vacasa

–Booking.com

–Holiday Homes

–Hipcamp

–Botique Homes

–Glamping Hub

–Whimstay

–Evolve

–The rental castle network

Types of Unique Stays you could search for to level up

There are so many different kinds of rental properties out there. Here is a starter list of some types of very unique options you could look for to really take your wedding to the next level.

-Castle

-Renovated School House

-Renovated Fire House

-Yurt

-Dome

-Treehouse

-Log Cabin

-A frame

-Barn

-Lighthouse

-Houseboat

-Beachhouse

-Old Bank

Things to consider when choosing your Airbnb

All the things discussed above will really help you to narrow down your location, area, vibe and the things that you will want to consider moving forward. Now we are going to explore the deal breakers and things that will really narrow down to the perfect location for you. I am so excited to help you find your dream location wrapped in a perfect bundle with lodging included.

Is the space available for events

You will need to reach out to the host prior to booking. Full transparency is so important here. If you break the rules laid out you could be fined, kicked out with no refund or even sued. It is just not worth it when there are so many other options you can choose that do legally accept events. It’s important to be honest about what parts of the event you will have, how many people are staying there, how many people will be parking, how you will be using the space, how many pets and children and how loud you will be.

Talk to them about the extra activities that you plan to include like having a bonfire etc. Tell them about the decor you plan to bring and set up, some hosts might not want chairs put up all over their lawn where others don’t care. Make sure you get permission for all these things in writing in advance that way if anything comes up later you have proof and are protected. This is so important for making sure the day runs smoothly.

Airbnb Host Rules and Ordinances

You should also check out the rules of the houses you are considering. Are there noise ordinances or people limits? Some may exclusively say they do not allow events which would make it unlawful to host a wedding there. Some may have special restrictions because of the neighborhood HOA laws. You really just need to be clear on any restrictions before booking to make sure that they will allow you to have the day you want to have without breaking any rules.

Neighborhood rules and noise ordinances

Are there extra rules for the neighborhood that don’t apply to the house? For instance you can’t have a bonfire in a no burn zone even if the house says it’s okay. Are there rules to the amount of people who can park on the street or where? Is there a city vehicle that does street sweeping on a certain day. I would just ask the host about this specifically to make sure you have all your bases covered and won’t have any problems on the day of.

Parking

How much parking  will you need and how much is available. Some places will absolutely not allow you to park in the grass to make extra parking spaces. If the parking is done on the road will you be able to insure enough spots for the guests that you will have in attendance?  Make sure to figure out where you can park and where you are not allowed to. There is no point in ruining the day because someone’s car gets towed or ticketed. Also the host can have you kicked out if they tell you not to park somewhere and you do it anyway.

Lodging

How many people are staying there? Is there enough beds for everyone, bathrooms? Where will everyone get ready? Are you going to feel you have enough privacy on your wedding night with that many people in the house? Are there accommodations for small children if anybody has them?

Are pets allowed

Are pets allowed and are there any restrictions? Do they need to be on a leash in the yard? Is there a fence for them to run around? How many pets are you allowed to have? Is there an extra cleaning fee for pets? Is there somewhere they are not allowed to go to the bathroom? Will there be an outdoor trash can to put the remains in?

Are there a lot of stairs they can’t manage? Can you put up a baby gate to keep them secluded in an area while people are getting ready so they don’t get out or do you need a crate? Can you put up a mini fence in the yard like at a camp ground to keep them secure and safe from moving water or vehicles.

If there is inclement weather could you move it inside?

What are your back up options if the weather does not play nice. Can you move the decor, people and events indoors? What would the lighting be like? Will the photographer have enough natural light to make it look good? Maybe they have an awning outside you could use. Some places may let you put up a borrowed tent to keep everyone dry and outside but you would need to get permission first.

What are the cleaning fees and requirements like?

While some places ask you to do too much in my opinion especially considering you are paying a cleaning fee and shouldn’t have to strip beds. Make sure prior to booking that you are willing to do the things that they ask you to do for check out. Also, make sure they aren’t planning on charging you an extra cleaning fee for more people or having an event. These are good things to know and have in writing in advance.

Check Reviews

Always check reviews. This is so important for everything these days! You really want to gauge how the other people have felt when they stayed. Was their experience positive? Was the host responsive to any issues that arose? Did they feel like they got a good value overall? Would they stay there again? These are all important things to consider when choosing a place and essentially your host. 

Decorations and setting up 

There are a lot of moving pieces that go into each unique wedding. That being said, you do want to go over all the pieces of that plan with your host in advance to make sure there won’t be any issues further down the line. Here are a few you may want to consider.

Altars and chairs

If you are setting up an altar of any kind and/or chairs you may want to check with the host because some of them are funny about the lawn and its care. They may have a certain place you are allowed to put those things and others that are more off limits. Also, if there is no fence you want to make sure you don’t accidentally set up on the neighbors property. 

Dining options

Are there places for dining nearby? Fine dining options as well? Are you planning on cooking at the house to feed everyone? If so, does the kitchen have ample room to cook and lay out all the food? Will there be enough room in the fridge? Do they have an extra freezer in the basement available to be used?

Fire/ lighting restrictions on the property

Some properties have fire and lighting restrictions that you need to be aware of. For instance some properties won’t allow you to light sparklers so you may need to find a battery operated version if you were looking to use them. You could always opt for bubbles as well. There are a lot of cool alternatives to fire products out there. The important thing to know is what the restrictions are so that you make sure you are obliging by.

Marriage requirements for the state

Virginia is  a state where they do not allow just anyone ordained online to legally marry you and you cannot self solemnize. There are some requirements that are important to know so I will go over those below. I just want to mention that there are a few workarounds to this if you really have your heart set on being married by your best friend or being all alone for that part. Option 1 is to get married at the courthouse that morning and do a symbolic ceremony in front of your family and friends. This option would work well if the date itself is really important to you.

Option 2 is to get married in your hometown on a different date and just celebrate with family and friends on this date with a symbolic ceremony. Either option works great it just depends on what your preference is.

Apply for marriage license

The state of Virginia requires you to have both parties to be at least 18, present valid government-issued photo IDs (e.g., driver’s license, passport), and apply together at any Virginia Circuit Court Clerk’s office. The information they require you to have is their age, address, social security number, place of birth, and parents’ full names (including mother’s maiden name).

The fee is usually $30 payable by check, cash or card. The license is valid for 60 days and the ceremony must take place during that timeframe or you will have to reapply. There is no waiting period after applying, you can get married immediately after that as long as it is before the 60 period. If one of the parties was previously divorced some jurisdictions require a copy of the divorce decree as well.

Find an officiant

The state of Virginia requires you to be married by a minister or someone authorized by a Virginia circuit court for it to be official. There are some non minister options out there sprinkled throughout the state and some do travel. If you really want to get married on the day of and make it official in front of friends and family this would be the way to go. Just a side note but the marriage license must be returned to the Clerk’s Office by the person performing the ceremony within 5 days of the wedding.

Choosing your vendors

Finding vendors in an area you are not from can be hard that is why choosing the right photographer is important here. You could also find recommendations to these through a wedding planner if that is the route you wanted to go. Here are a few you may want to consider checking out to see if they are available in the area you are wanting to get married in.

Rentals

Kinds of rentals you may be interested in booking can include; tablewear, dishes, plates, chairs, altar, awning or tent, fencing for animals, 4 x 4’s, beach cruisers, cornhole boards, firepit. This is just to name a few. If the item is big it may not be a bad idea to see if you can rent it locally and have them deliver and pick up just to save yourself the headache.

Florist

Whether you are just wanting a bouquet and boutonniere or some extra flowers for table settings and maybe even some to go around your altar or up and down the aisle. I really believe getting these flowers fresh and local is the way to go. Flowers can dry up and die so quickly I don’t think traveling with them is the smart play.

Hair and Make-up

You can find a hair and make-up artist anywhere. Just make sure they are professional, have lots of reviews and previews of what their work looks like indoors and out. Also, make sure they have a contract so that you are protected and they have to show up for you. Make sure you talk to them about the kind of look you are going for and they have examples of having done that look before and are comfortable they can deliver. You may want to go over how many people they will be expected to do and may even find some out there who can do both if you are the only one needing hair and makeup.

Food Truck/ Private Chef

This is always an option but there are private chefs who do cook for small groups for intimate evenings such as this. It may be a nice way to splurge and treat those closest to you. If you have enough people hiring a food truck might be the way to go as they have options and cater to more people without you having to cook yourself. Another route to go is to hire a caterer like you would at a wedding. They have plated and buffet options. 

Baker

I highly suggest getting the cake local. I am not even sure what the logistics of moving a cake would look like. The only drawback to this is if you do not live close by you cannot sample the cake beforehand. You can talk to some bakeries to see what the options might be for this or even just keep it simple and go with something for everyone like vanilla.

Other things to consider

I would encourage you to book the airbnb at least a few days before to allow yourselves time to get situated, recover from jetlag, and apply for your marriage license in advance. I also encourage you to book some days after and extend your adventure so you won’t feel rushed and can really enjoy your experience. You could consider making gift bags for your friends and family if they are staying at the house to make them feel really welcomed. Just some small items that bring comfort they may have forgotten like fuzzy socks to wear around the house. You could even get them monogrammed so they will always remember your day.

Here are some really cool options I have found

You can check out this guide I made laying out cool airbnb’s from different regions in Virginia and also elopement plans for each one! These are some pretty cool options you can use even if just for inspiration.

How am i the best option and how i will plan your day 

My mission is to help you feel seen, heard and like you truly belong and are celebrated for showing up as you are. I strive to create a space where you can feel safe and secure. So you can be comfortable as your true selves. This will ensure the images authentically capture your emotions in a natural manner. 

I am a Virginia Based Adventure Elopement Photographer. I know this whole state like the back of my hand being born and raised here. This location happens to be in my current backyard basically and I have been there so many times. I can expertly guide you through all the steps to elope here and come up with fresh new ideas for how to make the day your own and add on little side quests as well. I can plan a truly epic day for you with this location on the itinerary. 

What makes me different from others?

Virginia native born expert

While I have lived in Virginia most of my life and in several different areas throughout the state.  I am the perfect person to be your Virginia elopement guide. I am well versed in the areas as I have been exploring them my whole life. I am well versed on the quickly changing weather patterns of the state. Also, how different regions, elevations, and moon cycles affect the weather, tides and skies. I am familiar with the wildlife in our region and how to keep you safe out in the wilderness!

A true empath

Being an empath gives me the unique ability to feel what other people are feeling. I know that no matter how comfortable you are with your spouse and photographer, sometimes it can be hard to voice what you are feeling in the moment, especially if you don’t want to mess up the good vibes of the day. That is where I come in, picking up on how you feel throughout the day and using that to redirect the day as needed.

For instance, we have been walking for awhile and the temperature continues to rise, we keep passing people who keep stopping to congratulate you… I can sense that you are getting overstimulated and need a moment.  So I direct us to a private spot and step away to give you two a private moment alone together and time to have a snack, take a breath and get away from people on the trail, the mood is saved. There are many instances where this really comes in handy as I am great at detecting the subtle changes in mood and anticipating the needs of  others.

The ultimate single mom

This also plays into being a single mom for the last 21 years. I have had to be the ultimate multitasker, keeping all the plates in the air at the same time. While I have managed several schedules at the same time and at times had to be in multiple places at once while still paying attention to all the things. I have had to wear all the hats which really helped me in running an elopement photography business where I also wear all the hats. This assures I don’t get stressed out over things not working out and I work really well under pressure. I will remain calm and offer up some solutions to the problem. 

My Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

My OCD which I have done much therapy to be in a healthy place from and don’t take lightly. I have learned to use those traits to benefit my life and improve it instead of holding me back. My disorder makes me expressly good  at planning and paying attention to all the little details. I tend to overthink which makes me great at playing out all the scenarios and having a million back up plans in the back of mind at all times.

While this does make me sound rigid and strict I can assure you that I have had to loosen my grip on that from being a single mom where I really have to go with the flow. I am adaptable to the plan and that is why having a million back up plans is so helpful. Paying attention to all the details really comes in handy during the planning, actually shooting and posing, culling and editing. While it may take a little bit longer to get your images back I promise its worth it after I have gone over every little detail.

I am a nomad/gypsy at heart

I get claustrophobic if I have to stay in one place too long. My heart yearns to be on the open road, travelling, and exploring new places. I get away as often as I can whether it be for work or my job. I do have a type A personality so I plan all these trips extensively even down to the unique food places in the area. I have been planning these trips for the past 25 years.

This gives me so much expertise and has made me the best travel advisor ever. Oddly enough this is one of my favorite things to do… planning trips and experiences that mean something. This naturally extends into my job as an adventure elopement photographer. When I say I will also be your wedding planner, I mean it plus I am so good at it.

So what is next?

If this sounds like your jam just fill out the inquiry form below so we can get started planning your specialized elopement. After I receive your inquiry I will be reaching out to set up a consultation call so we can make a customized elopement package to get you exactly what you need and want. I can’t wait to get to know you!

Airbnb Elopement Packages

If you are looking for a very knowledgeable expert elopement photographer to plan your customized elopement at this beautiful bald knob location I am your girl! Inquire below to find out more about my awesome packages.

Janel Alexandra Photography Elopement Experience

I offer packages ranging from 2 hours to 2 days. Pricing starts at $1000 for 2 hours coverage. I also offer customized packages to ensure you get everything you want and nothing that you don’t.