Travel

19 Scenic Airbnb Wedding Venues for a Reception to Remember

From oceanside villas to an intimate treehouse in the woods

Perks: A pool and hot tub, stone soaking tubs, expansive views

Built atop one of Phoenix’s most iconic mountains, Skyeview is a four-bedroom, three-bath architectural retreat designed by Hancock-Contreras that’s especially suited to small weddings looking for a big backdrop. Because the house sits behind a private gated drive and feels more like a secluded celebrity hideaway than a typical rental, couples can host nearly the entire celebration in one place: a sunset ceremony on the pool terrace, cocktails around the outdoor fireplace, dinner under the stars, and late-night time in the hot tub or barrel sauna without ever leaving the property. The setting does most of the work. Vows unfold against sweeping views of downtown Phoenix and the red rock of Papago, so decorations can stay minimal. The outdoor spaces are tiered and designed for gathering, with high-end lounge seating, sculptural landscaping, and plenty of room for a dining setup or small reception. Inside, guests are surrounded by an art-forward interior that feels curated rather than themed, giving the space a polished personality that shows up beautifully in photos. From $2,086 per night.

Best For a Breezy, Backyard Wedding: The Craft House Inn in Santa Barbara, California

Perks: Leafy backyard, Wi-fi, catering

Just a few blocks from the beach, The Craft House Inn is a 100-year-old Santa Barbara B&B that’s perfect for small weddings that feel more like a long weekend away with your favorite people. Booked as a full buyout, the five-bedroom (with 5.5 baths) inn becomes your private hideout—ceremony in the leafy backyard, getting-ready photos in the parlor’s original woodwork, and late-night hangs in the dining room or on the patio. Historic details like pocket doors and built-ins stick around, but everything else has been brought up to modern comfort: Parachute linens and Casper mattresses on every bed, daily cleaning if you want it, teeny luxuries like Nespresso in the kitchen and Public Goods toiletries in the baths. One suite even has its own entrance and kitchen, making it the ideal place for hair and makeup pre-ceremony. And instead of scrambling for outside catering, couples can opt for full-service dining led by chef Julian Martinez of Barbareño, one of Santa Barbara’s favorite restaurants. From $ 1,615 per night.

Perks: Outdoor kitchen, pickleball court, bocce, pool, hot tub, firepit, BBQ grill, pet-friendly, long-term stays allowed

The Casa Azzurra compound, set on 10 acres and surrounded by the Joshua Tree desert and its sublime sunsets, will provide a captivating backdrop for saying “I do.” The villa itself, a limewashed modern marvel in light blue, reflects the hues of the sky, while the rooms—organized according to color themes of yellow, orange, and green—take cues from the surrounding landscape and native plants. A wide, open courtyard is ideal for drinks and canapés at an outdoor reception, and there’s even a rooftop deck for snapping surreal pictures with 360-degree views on all sides. From $1,015 per night.

Best for a Destination Wedding: Private Villas in Ubud, Indonesia

Perks: Alfresco dining, pet-friendly, staff to help organize, three pools, yoga,

For a couple that has their heart set on a far-flung wedding setting, this garden-centric enclave in Ubud is one dreamy setting that guests will have no trouble RSVPing “yes” to. They’ll be staying at one of the 10 rooms spread among three villas on the property, with three swimming pools for them to choose from when they fancy a dip. So you don’t have to call in additional hired help for the event, there are more than a dozen staff members on site to help organize your event. They will tackle everything from decorations to helping you book entertainment for the evening. One of your biggest decisions will be deciding whether to have the party among the tropical fauna or on a spot by the river, or inside a joglo (a traditional Javanese house). The best kind of dilemma to have... From $2,290 per night.

Best for an Upstate Moment: Library Retreat in Pine Plains, New York

Perks: Private pool, outdoor shower, fireplaces, multiple kitchens, panoramic meadow views

Quintessentially cute is one way to describe this countryside home in Pine Planes, New York. Bibliophiles need not to look further than the crimson wall of novels as the brainiest backdrop for wedding photos. The mid-19th-century farmhouse is set on a 67-acre estate, just two hours from the Big Apple, and offers seven bedrooms that can accommodate 12 members of your close friends and family (we suggest someone call dibs on the room clad in red toile wallpaper and artisanal quilts). Then again, the bedroom with a secret bookshelf door is a close second. From $1,231 per night, with a two-night minimum.

Perks: Access to secluded cove and private beach, open-air design, sundeck

For honeymooners who don’t want to deal with jet lag after a long night of wedding festivities, head to Mexico for the ceremony and the long vacation afterwards. So long as you don’t mind sharing space ahead of your big day, 12 guests can spread themselves between the six bedrooms in this sprawling villa. You’re a quick walk from a cove and sandy shores for a toes-in-the-sand moment, though the sundeck on the property is also ideal for getting in your vitamin D. The best part? The delicious ocean breeze flowing in from the open-air living and dining areas. Few amenities can top that. From $317 per night.

Perks: 2,000-square-foot patio, chef’s kitchen, firepit

If all you need is a massive backyard and a space full of designer touches to make your day, this remote four-bedroom rental property has wedding-day potential. The curb appeal is real: Expansive windows let in plenty of natural light at golden hour for group shots, while wood paneling and midcentury furniture warm up the interiors. Get married in the backyard and retreat to the house for a cocktail hour, or make your way out to the firepit when the temperatures drop. If an outing is in order, a handful of quaint Catskills towns—Margaretville and Roxbury—are within driving distance. Note that this property fills up quickly, so you’ll want to plan way ahead to secure a celebratory weekend. From $830 per night.

Perks: Private hot tub, proximity to national park, firepit, outdoor kitchen

Nature enthusiasts will certainly want to say “I do” to this lodge near Glacier National Park. Just to get the juices flowing: Imagine planning a wedding party hike on the nearby trails and then ending the day in the hot tub to ward off muscle soreness before the big day. There are six bedrooms that are deceptively roomy, with enough beds to sleep more than 16 people. Vibes here lean classic ski chalet, complete with lush throw blankets, a fireplace, and a chef’s kitchen for grazing and cooking. The manicured backyard is also surrounded by trees so you can touch grass, stargaze, and plan an intimate ceremony right out on the lawn. From $1,676 per night.

Best for Completely Disconnecting: Pinhoti Peak in Chatsworth, Georgia

Perks: Sauna, hiking trail access, three kitchens

Ditch the phones, plan a day full of sauna sessions and pool swims, and get ready for a wedding weekend that feels like a complete disconnect. This large Airbnb was designed by HGTV alums for an overall mountain lodge feel, with a dreamy outdoor setting overlooking the nearby peaks of Fort Mountain State Park. Three separate living rooms and three kitchens are ideal for cohabitating with your wedding guests without crowding each other out. And the quiet, private environment of your temporary lodgings sure beat trying to book a generic venue a year or so out. From $1,144 per night.

Best for a Forest Wedding: The Treehouse Lodge in Dundee, Ohio

Perks: Large common areas, hot tub, indoor and outdoor fireplace

For getting married in the midst of nature, with just some trees as your witness, consider a treehouse-style Airbnb in the woods like this three-bedroom home that can fit 12 guests (including you) inside. Outside, there’s a raised platform that’s begging to be used to consecrate your vows, and there are plenty of spots around the property that are strategically optimized for gathering (around the indoor fireplace, perhaps, or along the modernist-meets-rustic bench seating outside). The moody interior color palette is like a big, happy sigh—couple that with the sound of a light rainfall for some wedding ASMR. From $473 per night.

Perks: Outdoor dining area, tech-enabled concierge, pool, game room, pet-friendly, EV charger

If you’ve been dreaming of a secluded outdoor wedding, this just might be the spot for your big day. The mountain views are unbeatable, and the outdoor courtyard with the elongated dining table is the ideal place to take it all over some catered canapés and cocktails. Plan your ceremony around the desert sunset before breaking for a night of dinner and dancing. Take note: There are additional fees if you plan to heat the pool or bring pets, so Fido might have to sit this one. From $1,370 per night.

Perks: Pool, Sonos sound system, valley views, indoor fireplace, pet-friendly

A dreamy infinity pool is the jewel of this luxe seven-bedroom villa in Joshua Tree. With views of the nearby mountains and sleek interiors that evoke a swanky gallery, the wedding photos (and the after-party) are bound to turn out beautifully. Full-length sliding doors fully encourage indoor-outdoor flow and fresh air, making it an ideal spot for a sunset wedding dinner. For the day-after activity, head to Joshua Tree National Park to stretch your legs—then soak in the posh stand-alone tub. From $1,467 per night.

Perks: Rooftop jacuzzi, spacious bedrooms, city and mountain views

Live out your fairy-tale dream wedding in this LA castle that looks like something out of a Disney movie, complete with butter yellow sofas, a glass-enclosed upper balcony fit for Sleeping Beauty, and lots of private nooks and sleep spaces. Between the sprawling living spaces and six bedrooms that accommodate up to 16 guests, it’s the perfect rental for housing close friends and family in the same magical spot where you aim to tie the knot. Views of the city below—and the Hollywood Hills—will heighten the drama for a next-level wedding. Plus there’s a special bedroom in the tower turret that the newlyweds can retreat to after the reception has died down. Note that DJs and rowdy parties are not allowed, so if you aim to celebrate with some light debauchery, you may want to book elsewhere. From $1,912 per night.

Best for Long Guest Lists: Loft606 in Chicago, Illinois

Perks: Chef’s kitchen, full-size bar, rooftop deck

What was once a factory space is now a massive loft near Chicago’s Logan Square, Wicker Park, and Bucktown neighborhoods that can easily serve as an indoor reception hall that’s all yours to command for a wedding weekend. With sleeping space for at least 20 guests and plenty of room for long tables, the industrial-style interior is decked out with a timber-beamed ceiling and skylights that let light stream in during the day. There’s also an outdoor space (which is equipped with a grill), for when you want to take in fresh air during the post-wedding cookout brunch. From $2,094 per night.

Best for Summer Camp Vibes: Cabin Creek Lodge in Easton, Washington

Perks: Commercial kitchen, wedding equipment available, dining space for 100+

No need to trim your guest list for your nuptials just because your venue is a little off the beaten path. The Cabin Creek Lodge is what cabin wedding dreams are made of, with room to sleep over 40 guests on the premises. This DIY space—meaning there are no required vendors so you can really make it your own—offers up to 10,000 square feet to do as you please: Set up a dance floor with a DJ, bring in a food truck or two, and get the party started. The commercial kitchen here has plenty of room to support a full catering service and the chairs, tables, tablecloths, glassware, and dinnerware on hand even allow you to forgo the party rental company. From $2,511 per night.

Perks: Chef’s kitchen, additional apartment, screened sleeping porch, pool, beach access

For a ritzy Southern wedding to remember, you’re going to need the right location. Thankfully, this massive beach house (with room for around 16 guests) has the right idea with a main home and an apartment for you to throw your own Gatsby-like affair. The vibe is polished Southern elegance, complete with plenty of stripes and florals, a coastal color palette, and sweeping balustrades in the entryway that would make a classy backdrop for family snapshots. There’s also plenty to keep your guests occupied before and after the ceremony between the oceanfront pool and spa, an outdoor kitchen, and tons of sun-drenched spaces for lounging. From $3,051 per night.

Best for a Lavish Private Ceremony: West Enclave 7 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Perks: Private pool, patio dining area, butler and bartender service

Cabo San Lucas is the place to be for those craving a destination wedding, and this five-bedroom villa ensures that you have everything you need for a day to remember, from an optional butler and concierge service to transport to and from the airport for your guests. The home itself has a beautifully manicured lawn and modern poolscape leading to a sandy beach that would make a desktop-worthy backdrop for wedding photos. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows perfectly frame your tropical surroundings (one side of the living area faces the sea, and the other faces a reflecting pool next to a twinkle-light-lit tree). With an outdoor dining area that’s primed for dinners, plus proximity to nearby golf courses and restaurants, your wedding day could easily turn into an extended getaway. From $7,842 per night.


Things to consider when choosing an Airbnb wedding venue

Before we jump into the best Airbnb wedding venues, let’s go over some of the basics. Unlike more traditional wedding venues, Airbnbs are not likely to have a planner fine-tuning on-site logistics or corralling reception chairs or tables. If you’re opting for an intimate wedding with a small guest list, this may not be an issue. On the other hand, those expecting a crowd for the wedding ceremony might want to call in a furniture rental company and bring their own wedding planner.

The beauty of an Airbnb wedding is that you’re not pressured to hire a specific catering company (something that some venues require when you sign an event contract). You could hire a private chef, order takeout from your favorite restaurant, host a potluck, or even take on the dinner prep yourself (or assign the task to the home chef in your wedding party).

Find the best photo locations by scouting out the Airbnb grounds in advance, taking care to pay attention to spots soaked in natural light. Better yet, ask a loved one to be in charge of creating a photo op list, complete with who should be in each shot. This will save you the stress of having to shuffle everyone around instead of enjoying your moment.

What is Airbnb’s rule on parties and weddings?

First things first: Tell your Airbnb host upfront that you’re planning to have a wedding in the space. Some Airbnb rentals are especially accommodating for celebrations with a substantial guest list, so you’ll want to seek out a listing that leans more event space than living quarters. Look for a large rental—like a barn or a city loft—if you’re heading in this direction.

In August 2020, Airbnb enacted a party ban for all listings, including a capacity limit of 16 guests for each rental (you can read more about this here). They have since codified this ban to protect the homes from damage and the surrounding neighborhood from party noise. That said, there is no specific language around weddings. It’s safe to say you should look elsewhere if you’re planning an all-out rager, but if you’re looking for a quiet wedding with a handful of guests, Airbnb has options.