Colorado airbnb wedding
how to have a
planning a colorado airbnb wedding
Getting married at an Airbnb was made popular in 2020 following Covid wedding restrictions. Airbnb weddings are amazing because they can allow you and your guests the ability to stay on site. This means so much more flexibility for your day! Airbnb weddings are often more stress-free, perfect for an easy going couple. If you are looking to have an Airbnb wedding in Colorado– I'd love to be your photographer!
UPDATE for 2023: Airbnb has unfortunately banned all events. However, VRBO is still allowing weddings and events. Some Airbnb's do have separate listings for their homes off site, so you might be able reach out directly rather than booking through Airbnb.
Once you have a date and location, it's time to secure the rest of your vendors.
secure your vendors
There are so many Airbnb's to choose from, if you book with me, I'll help you find the perfect spot!
CHOOSE An airbnb
Your photographer will be able to help you location scout and plan, so it's best to secure them early!
book photographer
Chat about your priorities with your partner– budget, how many guests, etc.
start planning
Your license must be both signed in CO within 35 days from the date of issue and must be returned for recording within 63 days.
sign & return license
the process
start the planning process
Some questions to ask yourselves:
- Do you want guests at your wedding?
- Do you want to stay on-site?
- Do you want to get ready together?
- Are you having your ceremony at the Airbnb?
- Do you want to have a reception after your ceremony?
find your photographer
When choosing your photographer, ask some of these questions:
- How long have you been photographing weddings?
- What part do you play in helping us plan and scout?
- Do you have vendor and location recommendations?
- How would you describe your photography style?
choose aN Airbnb
Here are a few factors to consider when selecting your venue:
- What is your budget?
- Do they have an event fee? (Sometimes this can be upwards of $3000! So make sure to take that into account when considering your budget)
- Do they allow off-site guests? Or is the occupancy just folks staying on-site?
- Where will your ceremony take place?
- Is there a rain plan?
- Do they allow tents?
- What are the noise ordinances?
- What are the hours of use?
- What is the parking situation like?
- Is there room for catering and other vendors?
secure your colorado vendors
Some vendors to consider for your wedding day:
- Planner
- Florist
- Officiant
- Private chef
- Hair and/or Makeup Artist
sign & return your marriage license
Here's the detailed breakdown:
- Fill out an application online here.
- Schedule an appointment online at your selected courthouse. Make sure you bring with you: A valid ID (passport, drivers license), Social Security Numbers, and $30.
- Your license is good for 35 days.
- Return in person or by mail to the county clerk who issued it within 63 days. And don't forget to make a few certified copies while there, they cost $1.25!
Colorado airbnb wedding portfolio
some of my favorite
Colorado airbnb Wedding Venues
As a Colorado wedding photographer, I've been to a lot of Colorado Airbnb weddings and venues! Colorado has a wide variety of different wedding Airbnbs, from A-frame cabins to large mountain chateaus. Whatever your vision is, Colorado will likely have an Airbnb that you'll love!
apache ranch
silverthorne
This venue is located just outside of Silverthorne, there are tons of great restaurants and breweries nearby. This venue can be booked with lodging or in off-season for ceremony only!
Wapiti
Steamboat springs
This venue is about 1.5 hours from Steamboat but is easy access to tons of open space. The property is private and filled with wildflowers and aspen trees.
mountain refuge
la plata
This Southwest Colorado Airbnb wedding venue is situated on a private pond and surrounded by evergreens. It is the perfect spot for intimate elopements or larger 50 person gatherings.
Colorado springs
This is the venue I'm getting married at! This spot has sweeping views of Pikes Peak and has plenty of space for you and 20 of your guests to stay on-site.
Summit
river ranch
silverthorne
This venue was a top contender for my wedding day because of the beautiful open space and charming river running throughout. There is room for 24 guests to stay on site.
Stagecoach
ouray
This beautiful log cabin home has room for 8 guests and allows a whopping 99 person wedding occupancy, making it the perfect spot for your larger Airbnb wedding venue!
Lake front
pagosa springs
This rustic lakefront Airbnb is situated, literally lake front. It is in a neighborhood which limits the ability for noise and later evening gatherings. But it is a beautiful home in a beautiful area!
castles ranch
aspen
This Airbnb and Lodge is incredibly unique, with some of the coolest landscapes I've ever seen. There are several different lodging options, a river and hottub.
rivercrest
south forks
This lodge style venue has tons of space and lodging for you and all your guests. There are hot tubs and a river running throughout, not to mention a gorgeous cliff face and meadow backdrop.
When is the Best Time for a colorado airbnb wedding?
Colorado temperatures vary greatly from season to season (and even day to day!!) Here are some weather related tips for your Colorado elopement.
Summer is one of my favorite times to photograph in Colorado because the weather is so predictable. Temperatures are relatively mild (especially comparing it to Texas, my home state!)
Spring can be colder than you might think! Especially if you're wanting to go into the mountains. And there might not be as many flowers and fauna since it takes longer for the winter ice to melt.
Fall has the most gorgeous colors, but it comes and goes quickly! Fall is my favorite season in Colorado. The orange and yellow leaves are absolutely magical. But Fall can come and go quickly. Sometimes those gorgeous leaves only last a week. But if you plan it right (and with a little luck) your wedding would be stunning.
Winter can be freezing or mild. Winter in Colorado is always a toss up. It can be frigid or mild. Always plan for it being cold. (Layers, proper transportation, etc.)
my take...
When would I plan a Colorado Airbnb wedding? Go with Summer or Fall! If you're wanting those gorgeous fall colors, aim for late September. Luckily though, Colorado is beautiful all year round– you really can't go wrong!
who to invite to your Colorado airbnb wedding
Choosing who to invite to their wedding is probably the biggest stressors for couples eloping or having an intimate wedding. But at the end of the day, you are choosing to have a non-traditional, unique and authentic experience with just you and your partner– so you should do whatever feels best to you.
Some things to consider if you choose to invite friends and family:
1. Is everyone on your list fully onboard with your decision to marry your partner? Are they fully onboard with your vision to have a small wedding and the way you see your day?
2. Would it be impactful to you to have some of your guests hear your vows? Or is that something you want to be private and intimate?
3. Is there anyone on your guest list who you're concerned will hijack your day? Make it about them? Provide any unnecessary stress and anxiety for you?
4. Does your Airbnb location have a capacity limit? Will you be able to have the day you've envisioned with X number of people or will you need to adjust your vision to invite more people?
5. How will travel and lodging work? Will you need additional resources to include more people?
Remember, this day is about you and your partner. There is no right or wrong answer! I want you to have the best day ever that fully is the day you've envisioned. You've likely chosen to have an Airbnb wedding because you want to break free of the stress and norms of a big wedding. So stick with your guns and choose the day that is right for you!
COLORADO airbnb wedding vendors
With a smaller wedding, your vendor list will likely be smaller than those planning a traditional wedding, but you're still going to want the dream team of wedding vendors! Here are some of my favorite hair and makeup artists, videographers, officiants and florists.
The proof is in the pudding!
112 five star reviews and counting!
"Leah was simply AMAZING! From the engagement shoot to the bridal portraits and the wedding she went out of her way to make everything perfect! Her kind heart and outstanding professionalism made working with her so easy. Leah isn’t there to just capture pictures, she is there to capture moments and emotions that will last a lifetime. If you are looking for a photographer, your search is over. Don’t pass this girl up!"
- Katie G.
let's work together!
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"The kindest soul you'll ever meet."
"She truly puts her clients first and will go through great measures to make sure they are comfortable and happy with their photos. I was on a budget for photos and I do not exaggerate when I say that she is the most talented photographer I know. In my opinion she's the best of the best and for a great price. I could not recommend her enough I'm so happy to of met such a wonderful person!"
-Maddy
"leah is my photographer turned best friend"
"She took the time to plan out a detailed wedding day schedule with us and to get to know our preferences for photos, so she could be sure to capture the moments that were most important to us. On the wedding day, Leah kept to the schedule and made taking photos so fun! Many of our family members commented on how efficient the family portraits were. We were able to get all the photos we wanted and more! We are so happy with all the wonderful photos we received from Leah. We highly recommend Leah Goetzel Photography!"
-Wannie
"you need leah!"
"Leah was incredibly professional and so fun to work with. There are inevitably things in the wedding planning process that can be higher stress and I can say that not only working with Leah with photography was not stressful, her and her team made other aspects easier. And we love the photos! She has a very smooth photography planning workstream and was such a treat to work with. You need Leah!"
-Scott
"WE CANNOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT LEAH!"
"I feel like Leah is my photographer-turned-best-friend! Leah is such a genuine person and actually tries to get to know you and your partner. She wants to learn your personalities so its reflected in the pictures. Leah's now photographed our engagement session, our mini Covid wedding, and will photograph our full wedding next year. I wish we lived closer to each other (I'm now in Seattle, she will be in Denver) because I want her to capture ALL of our moments in the future, too! Book Leah today - you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't!"
-Amelia
"We will cherish your work forever!"
"Leah was absolutely amazing! She captured the story and feeling of our intimate wedding so perfectly in her pictures! She did an amazing job at balancing being a fly on the wall while grabbing those candid moments and also keeping us moving in the right direction and giving cues for those posed picture. She has a great eye for what to capture and her editing was beautiful and very timely! You will not regret booking her, I can't think of anything more I'd want from such wonderful pictures! Thanks again Leah!
-Alicia
"I highly recommend her"
"Leah is fabulous!! She made us feel like models in front of the camera, when we both don't enjoy getting our photos taken. She was super professional and got the job done when we were in a bit of a time crunch. Leah took time to get to know us as a couple and took that into consideration when photographing us. We are so happy that Leah photographed our engagement and wedding photos. I highly recommend her for your photography needs!"
-Melissa
"leah is the type of person you never forget"
"Leah was such an absolute joy to work with!! Her positive and reassuring attitude throughout the day kept such a calm and fun atmosphere present. We did experience some rain on our day which I thought might ruin some of our special shots we were trying to capture, but Leah delivered beautifully and worked with the elements to create photos that we will cherish for a lifetime. Not only is she great at what she does but she is also a wonderful person and you will leave your session feeling like she is someone you could be best friends with."
-Gwen
"simply, working with leah was a dream"
"Our wedding celebration had to be postponed due to COVID. However, she was able to capture both our original wedding day in March as well as our newly scheduled wedding celebration in July. Leah was always professional while also managing to seem like someone you've known for years. She's a calming force during a hectic & chaotic time. On top of her reassuring demeanor, she captured both days perfectly. Her positivity carried us through the uncertainty of both days and working with her was an absolute joy."
-Emily
"leah made our day so special"
" Leah helped make the day run smoothly and held our hands through the scheduling process. She also has a great "bride guide" on her website to help her clients know what to expect on their big day as well as tips leading up to it. Leah was respectful and polite but stern and took charge when necessary to keep the day running smoothly and include all of the memories in the photos. I actually cried when we got our sneak peek gallery because of how well they turned out and how they brought me back to the day, all of the emotions and love."
-Mckinlee
"you'd be crazy not to book leah!"
"From the engagement shoot to the bridal portraits and the wedding she went out of her way to make everything perfect! Her kind heart and outstanding professionalism made working with her so easy. Leah isn’t there to just capture pictures, she is there to capture moments and emotions that will last a lifetime. If you are looking for a photographer, your search is over. Don’t pass this girl up!"
-Katie
Are airbnb weddings allowed?
Weddings are no longer allowed when booked directly through Airbnb. I recommend reaching out to the venue owner directly or going through VRBO. All of the venues I recommend have been researched recently and do allow events ranging in size.
frequently asked questions
+ Reach out to the owner directly on your booking site of choice.
+ Inform them you're interested in booking them for a wedding.
+ Expect to pay an event fee anywhere from $500-$3000.
+ Get everything in writing!
How do i get married at an airbnb?
I provide a guide with all my favorite Airbnb, VRBO and lodge style venues, but all communication, booking, etc. is done by you. My guide does have capacity, location, rules/regulations and the event fees to save you time in your search! And let's be honest, the searching is usually the hardest part!
Will you help with booking?
Some venues do allow pets, but this is something you should definitely clear with the owners beforehand and expect to pay some sort of pet fee.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Again, check with the owners! But most venues that allow events will also allow for rentals and the like to be brought in.
CAN I HAVE AN ARCH OR BRING IN ADDITIONAL SEATING?
Colorado is beautiful all year round and it totally depends on the vibe you're going for! Check out the above info on my suggested times.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR A COLORADO AIRBNB WEDDING?
The choice to have a non-traditional wedding venue does come with risks inclement weather. But Colorado weather passes quite quickly, there have been times when I’ve had a wedding with torrential rain and hail and in 30 minutes it has completely cleared and been sunny and beautiful. To reduce the risk of afternoon showers (which are incredibly prevalent in Colorado) have a morning ceremony! In the event of rain I have 15+ clear umbrellas for you and your guests. But remember, rain or shine, you’re getting married!!
WHAT IF IT RAINS ON OUR WEDDING DAY?
I am located in Denver, Colorado. But I will travel wherever! Lodging fees do apply if your location is more than 2 hours away. I offer discounted rates for certain "bucket list" wedding locations.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED? DO YOU TRAVEL?
My style is a mix of photojournalistic and traditional. I love capturing candid moments, the authentic smiles, the natural tears, the goofy glances— all the things that make your wedding authentically you. But I also want to make sure that you get the shots you've been waiting for. I want you to have the classic images of you and your partner seeing each other for the first time, or your first dance, or just a big family photo that your mom will display in her home.
WHAT IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE?
Yaaaaas!! I’m so excited for you! For next steps, send me a message! I’ll help you every step along the way, from sending you potential Airbnb venues to finding the perfect photo locations. I am your photographer and your guide!
I’M SOLD! I WANT AN AIRBNB WEDDING! WHAT NEXT?
