Airbnb & VRBO Wedding Photography
Rent the house. Bring your people. Say your vows. We'll capture every moment.
Traditional venues aren't for everyone. Some couples want to rent a beautiful property, bring their favorite people, and create something that feels like a really good house party that happens to include vows. We get it—and we love photographing these celebrations.
Whether it's a beach house elopement, a private estate wedding, or a weekend takeover of a historic home, rental weddings have a different energy. More relaxed. More personal. More you.
Why Couples Choose Vacation Rental Weddings
More couples are skipping traditional venues and renting a beautiful property instead. It's not about cutting costs—it's about creating something that feels like you.
Everyone Stays Together
Your wedding party wakes up under the same roof. Coffee on the deck, getting ready together, no shuttles or logistics. The celebration starts when you arrive and doesn't end until checkout.
Complete Privacy
No other events happening next door. No venue coordinator hovering. No rigid schedules. Just your people, your space, and your timeline.
Built-In Character
Beach houses, historic estates, lakefront cabins—vacation rentals have personality that ballrooms can't match. The setting tells part of your story.
Flexible Guest Count
Whether it's 10 people or 50, you pick the property that fits. No minimum headcounts, no per-person fees, no pressure to fill seats.
What Makes Rental Properties Photograph Beautifully
We've photographed weddings at beach houses, mountain cabins, lakefront estates, and everything in between. Here's what we look for:
Indoor-Outdoor Flow
The best rental weddings use both spaces naturally—ceremony on the lawn, cocktails on the deck, dinner inside, dancing under the stars. We capture the movement between worlds.
Natural Window Light
Vacation homes are designed to let light in. Those big windows and glass doors create beautiful getting-ready photos without any artificial lighting.
Unique Architecture
Mid-century modern, coastal cottage, Spanish revival—every rental has architectural details that make your photos distinct. We find the angles that showcase the space.
Golden Hour Access
Unlike venues with strict schedules, rentals let us chase the light. Sunset portraits on the beach, twilight shots on the balcony—no rushing back for the next event.
Real Vacation Rental Weddings
See how couples have made private properties their perfect wedding venues.
Beach House Wedding: Harlee & Tanner
Harlee and Tanner traveled to St. Augustine and rented a beach house for their intimate celebration. Their ceremony on the deck overlooking the ocean was exactly what a vacation rental wedding should be—personal, relaxed, and full of real moments.
We were only supposed to stay a few hours, but honestly, we didn't want to leave. The ceremony wrapped up a couple hours before sunset, which gave us plenty of time for beach portraits as the light turned golden. That's the beauty of a rental wedding—no one's rushing you out for the next event.
View Full Gallery: Harlee & Tanner →Private Estate Wedding: Naima & Avery
When Naima and Avery described their dream wedding—trees, nature, a dock over a pond, ducks, about 50 guests—we offered our own backyard. Their celebration at Casa Futrell proved that the best venues are often private properties with personal meaning.
This one was personal. Avery's dad is one of our best friends. These two sealed their vows with a raw milk toast after heartfelt speeches. Getting to photograph them at our home, surrounded by the people we all love—it doesn't get better than that.
View Full Gallery: Naima & Avery →Historic Inn Elopement: Amanda & Max
Amanda and Max chose St Francis Inn—a historic bed and breakfast in downtown St. Augustine—for their intimate elopement. The Inn's courtyard was transformed with white draping, candles lining the aisle, and string lights twinkling overhead.
They had ring security on duty (two boys in sunglasses with earpieces), the cutest dog in a tuxedo walking down the aisle, and Nights of Lights portraits through downtown afterward. Sometimes the best wedding venues are the ones with rooms upstairs and breakfast included.
View Full Gallery: Amanda & Max →Types of Rental Wedding Venues
Different properties suit different celebrations. Here's what works:
Beach Houses
Oceanfront decks for ceremonies, beach access for portraits, coastal light all day. Perfect for barefoot elopements and small gatherings. St. Augustine Beach and Ponte Vedra have excellent options.
Best for: Beach elopements, sunset ceremonies, 10-30 guestsPrivate Estates
Grand properties with manicured grounds, multiple indoor spaces, and room to spread out. Often come with catering kitchens and enough bedrooms for the whole wedding party.
Best for: Larger celebrations, multi-day events, 30-75 guestsHistoric Homes
Character properties with architectural details, wrap-around porches, and stories in the walls. St. Augustine has gorgeous historic rentals in the downtown area.
Best for: Intimate ceremonies, photo-focused couples, 10-40 guestsLakefront & Riverfront
Water views, dock ceremonies, kayaks for portraits. More private than beach properties, with that same magical waterfront light.
Best for: Nature lovers, private ceremonies, 15-50 guestsHistoric Inns & B&Bs
Charming properties with courtyards, gardens, and old-world character. Many offer elopement packages with ceremony coordination, and your guests can stay on-site. St. Augustine has beautiful options downtown.
Best for: Intimate elopements, destination weddings, 10-40 guestsPlanning Your Vacation Rental Wedding
Rental weddings require some extra planning, but the payoff is worth it. Here's what we've learned:
Confirm Events Are Allowed
Not every Airbnb or VRBO allows weddings. Search for 'event-friendly' properties, read the fine print, and message the host directly. Some platforms have dedicated wedding rental categories.
Book Early, Book Long
Reserve extra nights before and after. You'll need setup time, and you don't want to rush teardown. Most hosts offer discounts for extended stays.
Plan for Parking
Residential areas have limited street parking. Consider a shuttle from a nearby lot, valet service, or choose a property with ample driveway space.
Bring Your Own Everything
Rentals provide a space, not a service. You'll coordinate your own catering, rentals, florals, and cleanup. The freedom is the point—but it requires organization.
Know the Noise Rules
Most rentals have quiet hours. Plan your timeline so the party winds down before neighbors complain. Acoustic music or a small speaker often works better than a DJ with subs.
Have a Weather Backup
Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful until they're not. Make sure the interior can accommodate your guest count, or rent a tent for peace of mind.
Airbnb Wedding FAQ
Common questions about vacation rental weddings
Yes, but not at every property. Many Airbnbs explicitly prohibit events, while others welcome them. Look for listings that mention 'event-friendly' or 'weddings allowed.' Always message the host directly to confirm before booking—and get approval in writing.
Search for 'event-friendly' in your destination, filter by guest count, and look for properties with large outdoor spaces. VRBO tends to have more event-friendly options than Airbnb. Sites like Peerspace and Swimply specialize in event rentals. We can also recommend properties we've worked at before.
Rental costs vary wildly—from $300/night for a beach cottage to $2,000+/night for a luxury estate. The property itself is often cheaper than a venue, but remember you're providing everything else: catering, rentals, setup, cleanup. Total costs can be similar to traditional venues, but you get more control and flexibility.
It depends entirely on the property. A beach house might comfortably host 20-30 for a ceremony and dinner. A large estate could handle 75+. Be realistic about the space—check occupancy limits, outdoor square footage, and parking. Intimate celebrations work best at rentals.
Everything: catering (or a private chef), rentals (tables, chairs, linens, dinnerware), florals, officiant, music, and often day-of coordination. Some rental hosts can recommend local vendors. We're happy to share our vendor list for the St. Augustine area.
Always request additional photos or a video walkthrough before booking. Read recent reviews carefully. If possible, visit in person or have a local (like us!) scout it for you. We've photographed at dozens of rental properties and can tell you which ones actually deliver.
Planning a Vacation Rental Wedding?
We've photographed at beach houses, estates, and everything in between. Let's find the right approach for your celebration.
Get in Touch