Should you look into VRBO weddings? Yes! If you are looking into wedding venues, I highly recommend booking a VRBO rental. With VRBO, you’ll be able to have a private “venue” without having to rent an actual wedding venue. Plus, you can stay for multiple days if you want, can fully customize the space with your wedding decor, and can have incredible views of Virginia only you and your guests can enjoy at your private location.
After looking through this blog post, you’ll know what you should look for when booking a VRBO for your intimate wedding and what your wedding couple look like through Megan & Nick’s wedding photos.
3 Things to Note About VRBO Weddings
Now, three things to note about VRBO weddings:
One: It’s against Airbnb’s official rules to host events, parties, and weddings. So, if you find an airbnb listing you like, try to reach out to the host directly via their Instagram, website, or find the same listing on VRBO where they do allow events.
If you’re simply staying at the Airbnb property just the two of you, you can use Airbnb, but if you plan to host any family or friends, and certainly if you plan to host your ceremony at the rental property, you want to stick with VRBO or booking the property directly with the host, outside of Airbnb. There have been cases of Airbnb’s cancelling bookings on couples because the found out about a wedding!
Two: VRBO does allow you to search for rentals that allow events, so I will always recommend starting with VRBO if you do plan to host the ceremony or reception at the rental property. Look for properties that have big yards and/or scenic views where you could do your ceremony outside as well as lots of space indoors for people to hang out and move around.
Three: It’s always a good rule of thumb to run your wedding plans by the host just to make sure it’s okay with them!
How Many People to Invite to Your Intimate Wedding at a VRBO
In the Virginia mountains, there are lots of great Airbnb and VRBO options! While you are looking for a VRBO to use as your wedding venue, be aware of how many people you would like to attend and how many people the VRBO allows. For an intimate wedding at a VRBO, I would say the cap is around 30 people. Any more than that, and it’s going to become more complicated with logistics, parking, bathrooms, etc. When you cross into 40+ people, you will need more of an official small wedding venue vs a private rental property. It can be a case-by-case basis, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend doing 50 or more people at a VRBO unless it’s a specialized property for events!
Remember the whole point of doing a small wedding IS to keep it small so that the focus of your wedding day is still on the two of you, not throwing a party for guests. So keep your guest count around 30 or less, and enjoy your wedding with those who are closest to you!
VRBO Weddings: Top Tips When Planning a VRBO Intimate Wedding
There’s a lot to plan and coordinate for a VRBO wedding, so these are the top tips you should consider to help with your wedding planning!
- When you’re looking for a VRBO, try to find a rental that has lots of natural light and good aesthetics that fit your elopement vibe.
- Look for a rental that has enough space to host all of your guests comfortably. Whether it’s a large backyard, an open floor plan inside, or a spacious dining room. You want to make sure there’s enough room to host your event. Especially if you are having your elopement ceremony there!
- If you can, look at the surrounding neighbors and area! Is the rental as private as the listing says it is?
- Read the reviews of the VRBO! See if anyone else has had a wedding or event there, and take note of their experience.
- If you want to also spend some time at a nearby park, such as Shenandoah National Park, for example, rent a VRBO to host your ceremony & reception, and then go into the park for a private adventure with just the two of you and your photographer. That way, you avoid having to navigate bringing people into the park, trying to find a ceremony spot, etc.
- Book your VRBO a few days before the wedding, so you can to set things up and make sure everything is ready to go.
Megan & Nick’s VRBO Wedding Near Shenandoah National Park
To see what your VRBO wedding could be like, these are the wedding details and photos of Megan & Nick’s intimate wedding. Megan & Nick knew they wanted to host their Virginia intimate wedding at a private rental property in the Shenandoah Valley, so they found a cute farmhouse that fit their vibe perfectly.
They rented the property for several days before the wedding so they could come and make sure everything was good to go, and they could set things up the way they wanted for the wedding. They even brought in lots of family photos and personalized decor to make the home feel more like “them” and brought in their own arbor as well as rental chairs and tables to customize the experience.
Getting Ready Wedding Photos
Even elopement and small weddings have meaningful personal details. Hair & makeup was already started with Meg when I arrived as their wedding photographer which is always helpful to keep the timeline moving. For your wedding, plan to start hair & makeup about 1.5-2 hours or so before your photographer arrives. But of course, check with your hair & makeup team for exact time estimates. When you get ready at your VRBO, you can wake up already where you need to be and relax knowing that if you ever need a touch up, you’re at your wedding venue!
VRBO Front Yard First Look Wedding Photos
After getting ready, Meg wanted to do a first look with her dad in the front yard before doing a first look with Nick. I coordinated what time and where for everyone involved, and captured these intentional moments as they saw Meg for the first in her wedding attire.
Wedding Couple Photos at Shenandoah National Park
While Megan & Nick spent most of the day at their VRBO rental, we headed into Shenandoah National Park for private vows and mountain couples photos. With just the three of us on a Tuesday in October, Megan, Nick, and I were able to easily find locations away from people, so they could share private vows.
It was important to them to get those iconic mountain views but without having to hike. That’s one of the things I love most about Shenandoah is that there are tons of great drive-up overlooks to take photos at or some very easy 1-2 mile hikes that have epic views! Can you see yourself visiting Shenandoah during your Virginia elopement?
Backyard Wedding Ceremony with Mountain Views
While we were gone exploring Shenandoah National Park, Megan & Nick’s families finished setting up the wedding ceremony site and the dinner decor inside the VRBO. Guests began to arrive, and the ceremony took place in the backyard with a wonderful view of the mountains. Megan & Nick even did a surprise unity ceremony by mixing up margaritas! It was a funny and memorable moment for everyone!!
When they were pronounced husband and wife, they walked back down the aisle while everyone blew bubbles during their exit! They stopped at the end of the aisle and kissed again.
Wedding Reception Around the VRBO During Sunset
Right after family photos, we went to the front of the house for the first dance as newlyweds. It was so beautiful. The sun was beginning to set and everything had a magical glow outside. When the dances were done, everyone went inside. Sean, their private chef from Morelli’s Kitchen, had already prepared a few appetizers as people mingled during cocktail hour.
In fact, they hired Sean to cook several meals for them the day before and the day of the wedding as a private chef! Catering sometimes makes sense for events at VRBO’s, but don’t sleep on unique experiences such as a private chef.
As people began to take their places at the tables, we cut their cake before they sat down for a delicious candlelight dinner. Having their closest friends and family celebrating with them over food and drinks was a meaningful way for them to end their intimate wedding.
Feeling inspired by VRBO weddings?
If you have been researching about VRBO weddings and can imagine yourself celebrating your marriage similarly to Megan & Nick at a VRBO, you should start looking at VRBO rental options! You get to celebrate your love story any way that you want, and if that’s at a VRBO, you should do it!
When you book with me as your wedding photographer, I will support you in planning your perfect day at your VRBO. I’ll document every moment, and you’ll receive guidance through the entire process! You deserve to love your day and remember it exactly as it was. The feelings, the emotions, what you did – everything. That’s why I assist in planning and spend a full day with you to make sure you get photos of your full wedding day story. To inquire with me, fill out my contact form, and I will be in touch shortly!
Wedding Vendors from This VRBO Wedding in Virginia
Dress and Veil: Blush Bridal in Newport News, Virginia
Jewelry: Etsy
Rings: Adele Diamond
Hair & Makeup: Refeyeance
Private Chef: Sean from Morrelli’s Kitchen
Baker: Merri at Cake Krums Cafe
Tables, tablecloths, chairs, plates, cups, speakers, etc. Rental: Sammy’s Rental
