A Guide to Air BNB & Rental House Weddings
For couples who want a chic yet cozy backyard wedding, right here in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.
Below I list + link wedding-worthy homes for you to browse but, first, let's talk about what you should look for when choosing a rental home for your intimate Asheville wedding!
Part 1 - Is a wedding in a rental home right for us?
Now's the time to look for things that a traditional event venue may offer and decide if those are necessary for you. These decisions may be based on your guest list - is it just you 2 eloping to the mountains? Immediate families only? Anyone with special needs?
Grab your guest list to reference then go through the list below.
A traditional wedding/event venue will offer these things and a rental home likely won't:
Staffing for set-up and clean-up
Rental items like tables + chairs + glass + silverware + dishes for a meal
Maintained bathrooms for guests that are regularly cleaned + restocked
Plenty of guest + vendor parking
Lighting - for safety or ambience or photos!
Maintenance if anything breaks
ADA compliance
Preferred vendor list (I offer a vendor list, happy to recommend the best florists, caterers, musicians, etc.)
Still loving the rental home option?
What to look for in the rental home to ensure a smooth wedding day:
Are you allowed to hold an event there with X amount of people? Not all rental properties allow weddings or events, it'll be up to you to uphold any rules as the renter.
Is there a backup location if weather is bad? Do you still love the idea of getting married indoors there if rains?
Is there parking for guests + vendors?
Is that parking right in view of the ceremony? If so, chat with your photographer about where cars should park or how they can angle away from the parking area so cars aren't your ceremony backdrop.
Are there a few spots around the property or nearby you'd love to have photos taken as a couple?
If getting ready photos are important to you, do you like the look of the bedrooms where you'd be getting ready?
Is there seating for the reception?
Is there space to dance? Lighting for the dance floor?
What do your vendors need? As a start, they'll need space for their setup and enough power outlets - ask what they need!
Do you need space for your out of town guests? Some have fun game rooms if you have kiddos to entertain and some can sleep your whole family!
What are the check-in and check-out times when planning your itinerary?
If you have to move this party indoors...
It's likely you're planning part of the event to be outside but what if you need to move the whole event indoors?
Every rental home is different but 2 things the can make a world of difference to capturing beautiful images indoors: window light and a nice decorative style.
The more windows the better, 'nuff said.
If you hate the way the inside is decorated with antiques or orange walls then you won't want to move indoors as your rain plan because there's no hiding the overall decor of a space in photos! Most rental homes have plenty of images, send the link to your photog for a 2nd opinion if needed. Many of my clients send me links and ideas for my input to make the most of it.
Another rain option - rent a tent for the yard! String lights and candles can do wonders to create a beautiful tented reception.
Part 2 - Where are the best rental houses in the Asheville area?
Below are a few of my favorite Asheville area rental properties for your wedding or elopement!
Pisgah Highlands Cabins - For those who are truly eloping (just 2 people!) - charming cabins with killer views.
ModCabins - A set of 3 stylish and modern cabins in the woods. They even have beautiful covered porches for a rainy day back-up!
Hart House - Beautiful side yard for a private wedding ceremony + sweet covered porch for cocktail hour. Southern manor feel on the outside.
Pine Hollow - Multiple outdoor location options for a ceremony and reception! There's gorgeous trees, a lush yard and even little pond.
Cabin Heaven - Cute cabin and some of the best mountain views I've seen from the sprawling lawn!
River's Ridge Lodge - Spacious yet cozy cabin creekside with a killer deck and gazebo. And wedding-hosting experience too!
Laughing Waters - Plenty of mountain views in WNC but we have a few spots for the water lovers too, like this one!
Laurel Falls - Multiple cabins, rustic yet modern. Mountain views and plenty of photo spots!
The Gables - Newly built home with room to sleep 20 and all the amenities needed for a fun family getaway.
SKI Quaint Farm Barn Loft - This is such a cute option for an elopement for 2 - a modern charmer!
Weaver House - More of an event venue than an Air B&B but it is a house-like setting and since it's new - a hidden gem in WNC! The Poplars at Bearwallow Mountain - Privacy, woodsy forest and mountain views, 2 cabins on site. Dreamy ceremony spot under the trees with a pavilion as a rainy day option! Stony Woods Estate - After shooting a wedding here in 2021, I had to add it to the list! A remote location surrounded by mountains and plenty of space to get ready and have family stay with you.
Continue your search on VRBO, Air B&B or HomeAway - these have been helpful for my past clients.
Don't forget to check out local Inns and Bed & Breakfasts in the area too. The owners are often excited to help coordinate the event with you and they provide great insight.
And some have stunning settings, check out the gorgeous tree at Mountain Magnolia Inn for your ceremony backdrop or the stately setting at Albemarle Inn!
Part 3 - Found the place! Now what?
You've chosen your rental home and you're ready to plan this party! Can you do a walk-through? Ask your vendors if you need to scout anything for them - such as...
Does hair and makeup needs certain type of bathroom space for you + 4 friends to get ready? Outlets? Natural light?
Does the musician need an outlet on the porch? Certain wattage? Enough space for a band or 1 guitarist?
Does the catering team have what they need in the kitchen and storage areas? Enough space for a bar?
Final pro planning tips:
Don't hold back on your dreamy wedding goals, I've seen couples turn a simple dining room into a Pinterest dream.
Get a head start! If you're planning an Air B&B wedding, you're likely including some DIY fun - get started early.
Lighting! String lights, candles in hurricane glass, uplighting - all of it’s important to capture those beautiful moments.
Make sure there's plenty of toilet paper and paper towels before everyone arrives! These supplies are often limited when a rental owner only prepares for 4 visitors vs 20.
Don't forget clean-up, HIRE help! If you've ever rented an Air B&B before, you know that the cleaning requirements are often strict. Hire help because cleaning up after a wedding of any size is a chore that you don’t want to put on your guests. Double check that there's a dishwasher too!
