Planning / VRBO & Airbnb wedding venues
VRBO & AirBnB Wedding Venues Colorado
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR VACATION RENTAL WEDDING
VRBO & AirBnB Wedding Venues
When it comes to planning your wedding, finding the perfect venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. While traditional venues are always an option, more couples are turning to platforms like VRBO and Airbnb to book private estates and vacation rentals that offer something a little more personal.
Especially for elopements and micro weddings that have smaller guest counts, traditional venues may not be a good fit due to event fees and the outrageous food and beverage minimums.
These platforms open up a world of possibilities, from intimate mountaintop cabins to sprawling beachfront estates, creating the perfect setting for a dream wedding without the limitations of a traditional venue.
In this guide, we’ll explore why couples are choosing VRBO and Airbnb for their wedding venues, how to find the perfect spot, and what to consider before booking and the best VRBOs & AirBnBs in Colorado.
the benefits of
Vrbo & AirBnB wedding venues
Destinations
Airbnb and VRBO offer a wide range of properties in destinations like beachfronts and mountain tops. You can find everything from A-Frames, treehouses, and geo-domes to mansions and luxury estates. You can truly find a venue that fits your vision and aesthetic.
Lodging & Venue In One
Many properties on VRBO and Airbnb can host both your wedding and overnight guests. This makes logistics easier and with lodging and venue combined, you can turn your wedding into a full experience or mini-vacation with your loved ones.
Cost Effective
Vacation rentals can be more affordable than traditional venues, especially for small weddings or elopements. You can find places that fit with your budget simply by filtering, and avoid high food and beverage minimums that come with traditional venues.
Can you use an Airbnb as a wedding venue?
airbnb for events and gatherings
So, first things first.. can you actually rent an AirBnB wedding venue? Technically, no, you are not allowed to use an AirBnB as a wedding venue. This is because AirBnB codified their party ban, which prohibits any disruptive parties and events. This is set in place as an effort to reduce any community disturbance with excessive visitors and excessive noise.
However, you may be just looking for a place for a small group to come together and have a nice dinner- not throw a loud party. This is where there is some grey area. What classifies as a disruptive gathering? This is why some hosts will agree to let you hold a small event on their property, while others will not. This may largely come down to how many guests you’re planning to have and what your plans are.
With the party ban in place, hosts are unable to advertise their listings as party or event friendly. This makes finding hosts that will allow small events quite difficult, and requires manually reaching out to many hosts. While some hosts may agree to let you hold a wedding on their property, you run the risk of violating Airbnb’s terms of service, which could result in complications if the platform enforces its rules. “Airbnb may take steps up to and including suspending or removing a guest, Host, or listing from the Airbnb platform if they fail to comply with our policies.” This makes Airbnb a much riskier option for couples looking to host their wedding day without any disruptions.
However, couples have successfully had small AirBnB weddings. You just need to be aware of the risks and make sure you are being completely open and honest with your communication to the host to minimize the risk of last minute cancellations. And don’t lie to them- remember, lots of places have cameras outside and can see if you’re not following the set rules. You can also try to find the same property on VRBO or see if they have a separate website.
Airbnb Elopements
airbnb for elopements without guests
If you’re planning an elopement without guests, AirBnB may still be a good option for you. Since the main restriction with AirBnB is around parties with concern of too many people and noise issues- an elopement with just the couple is much more likely to be approved by a host.
When planning an AirBnB elopement, you will still need to communicate your plans with the host prior to booking. This is mostly because you will likely have multiple vendors coming to the AirBnB, even if it’s just for getting ready, and this shouldn’t be a surprise to the host. Consider your hair and makeup artist, photo/video team, and even a private chef. Furthermore, if you’re planning to set up any type of ceremony space you should be sure to clear it with the host first to ensure it’s okay with them.
Why Choose A VRBO Wedding Venue Over AirBnB
vrbo for events and gatherings
Unlike AirBnB, VRBO not only allows events on their platform – they make it easy for you to find properties that are suitable.
VRBO stands out as the preferred platform for couples planning their wedding at a vacation rental because it offers a built-in filter for properties that allow events. When searching on VRBO, you can simply select the “Events Allowed” filter, and it will show you only properties that explicitly permit gatherings and special occasions.
This feature ensures that you are operating within the guidelines of the platform and the property owner, giving you peace of mind that your wedding is officially allowed and supported by the host. By choosing VRBO, you’re not only respecting the platform’s rules but also setting yourself up for a smoother, less stressful experience overall.
Alternatively, a small wedding venue or elopement location may be a better fit depending on what you’re envisioning for the day.
How to Find VRBO & AirBnB Wedding Venues
Step By Step Guide
Finding the perfect VRBO or AirBnB wedding venue requires a bit of research. Below, we’ll outline how to find the best spots. This guide will be on VRBO, since AirBnB doesn’t technically allow events and as such doesn’t have a way to find properties that are suitable. However, you can use the same general guidelines to find places on AirBnB as well.
Step 1 – Enter Your Search Area, Dates & Travelers
Start by narrowing down your desired location, whether it’s a particular city, state, region or even an entire county. For the most results, it’s best if you don’t enter a specific date. However, if your timeframe is set, enter your dates as well as if they are flexible by a few days. Then, enter how many people you want to stay overnight in the house (not how many guests you’d like to have just for the ceremony as this limit can differ).
Step 2 – Filter for Event-Friendly Properties
Not all properties allow events or large gatherings. Luckily, on VRBO you can filter “Events Allowed” to easily find listings that are suitable as small wedding venues. On the top right of the search screen click “Filters” and scroll down to “House Rules”, then click “Events Allowed”. There are also many other filters that can help you narrow in on the perfect place such as pets allowed, property type, location, features and amenities, etc.
Step 3 – Look Through The Photos & AMENITIES
Be sure to look through all the photos and descriptions to ensure it fits what you’re hoping for. Look for space, lighting, design and decoration and ensure it has any amenities you would like.
Step 4 – Read the house rules, Reviews & Cancellation Policy
When you find a place you like, it’s important to scroll down to house rules. Here, they should list if there are limits on the number of guests that can be at the house or any other event restrictions. Be sure to also read through reviews, and be aware of what happens if you need to cancel your reservation.
Step 5 – Contact The Host
Always reach out to the host to confirm that the property can accommodate your event. Hosts may have specific requirements or limitations, so it’s better to discuss these early in the planning process and BEFORE you book.
What to look for in VRBO or AirBnB Wedding Venues
Here are the main things to look for in a vacation rental property whether for getting ready, ceremony, after party or all of the above.
- Unique Spaces: Look for properties that offer distinctive features like A-frame cabins or a large outdoor patio overlooking the mountains or a lake.
- Lighting: For your photos and the overall ambiance, windows are essential. Large windows that let in daylight can make all the difference for stunning getting-ready shots and create a bright, airy atmosphere.
- Location: Book your lodging as close as you can to your photo locations to minimize drive time on the wedding day.
- Amenities: Check if the property has the necessary amenities for your event, such as a spacious kitchen for catering, parking for guests, and outdoor space for the ceremony and reception.
- Accessibility and Logistics: Consider the logistics of how easy it is for you and your guests to reach the venue. Make sure there’s ample parking, and ensure you all have suitable vehicles to reach the location as some roads require high-clearance or 4 wheel drive.
the best
VRBO & AirBnB Wedding Venues In Colorado
Blue Sky Mountain Ranch
Blue Sky Mountain Ranch is a privately owned VRBO that can be rented out for weddings. The property is extremely large, has multiple ceremony locations on-site and has on-site lodging for up to 12 guests! Their elopement package also includes a private chef for your reception. You’d be hard pressed to find a better small venue for your elopement.
Cost: Starts at $3,000 for The elopement package, Intimate weddings under 85 guests for $7500+
Capacity: Summer 85 At the or 200 in tent outdoors, 50 winter
Alta Lakes Observatory
“Alta Lakes Observatory is located 13 miles from Telluride, 5 miles off the highway, on a mountain dirt road, accessible by 2 wheel drive vehicle (high clearance!) through breathtaking scenery! Wild flowers abound! Great fishing, hiking, mountain biking – they are right out our front door. In the summer it’s the perfect venue for weddings, just because gatherings, retreats, corporate groups (50 people max).”
GUESTS: 3 bedrooms, sleeps 12
MAXIMUM EVENT ATTENDEES: 50
COST: ~$2000/NIGHT
Mountain Views
- Classic Breckenridge Lodge For Weddings
- 35 Acre Mountain View Luxury Chalet
- Award Winning Mountain Home In Boulder
- Home Backed by National Forest
- Mountain Home, 2nd Story Deck with Private Hot Tub
- Luxe Mountain Home
- Close 2 Town/Lifts! Skiers oasis. 2000 sq Ft patio
- Endless views – modern luxury family retreat
- The Summit Colorado Springs
- Heavenly views-Mountain Dream with New Hot Tub
Waterfront
the best
Vacation Rental Wedding Venues Colorado
Windcliff Vacation Rentals
Luxury vacation rentals in Estes Park ranging from large estates to smaller homes. Ask if what you’re planning is allowed before booking.
GUESTS: Varies
COST: $$$
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planning Resources
Planning guide
Small Wedding Venues in Colorado
Planning guide
The Best Places To Elope In Colorado
Planning guide
Colorado Elopement Planning Guide
Hey, we’re Savannah & Greg!
Colorado Elopement Photographers
We’re a husband and wife team specializing in elopement photography and videography in Colorado. We believe eloping is the best way to get married, so much so that we did it ourselves! We know it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start, which is why we help couples set a date, pick a location, make a timeline, etc!
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