These Are The Best Destination Airbnbs to Rent for Weddings
These homes, villas, and chateaux will make you want to reconsider a traditional venue for intimate affairs—when it comes time to travel again.
Airbnb has quickly become one of our favorite hotel alternatives—and the ideal way to immerse oneself in a destination while traveling. Rentals are for the explorer, the adventure seeker, and the traveler who thinks outside the box. For those who entertain the same way, hosting an intimate wedding at a home away from home feels undeniably authentic to how you'd typically travel or host your nearest and dearest. While flying off on vacations right now is limited by health and safety restrictions, these ideas are for couples planning for an intimate affair once travel is deemed safe. Airbnb's Luxe and Plus programs are dedicated to providing travelers with a curated list of venues that have met specific guidelines for keeping everyone safe, and where hosting an event is host-approved.
With staying healthy top of mind, we've gathered a list of the best properties on Airbnb to host your wedding in the future, no matter how big or small. It also doesn't hurt that staying at your venue saves a bit on accommodations–so don't feel guilty splurging on other parts of the guest experience, like music, tabletop, or that five-course tasting menu. With more and more brides skipping traditional wedding venues and looking for the elevated version of a stay-at-home experience, consider renting a castle in Scotland, a Tuscan villa, or even a modern home in Bali. After all, small weddings are no less special than grand, 200+ guest affairs, so why not take yours abroad? Here, our short list of Airbnb's top rentals to host your wedding.
A few tips for throwing your wedding at a rental property:
- Before booking, let your host know you're planning a wedding. They'll likely be extra accommodating when it comes to production on-the-ground and share red flags you'll need to know pre-booking to avoid added costs.
- Consult a seasoned wedding planner. A home rental comes with protocol, policies, and rules that need to be followed—and you'll want an advocate in the planning, on-site prep, and load-out.
- Don't forget to ask questions—your host (as well as your planner and designer) will likely have excellent recommendations for local caterers, floral designers, musicians, and more.
- Ensure the country you are planning on visiting has been green-lit for travel by the CDC or its U.S. embassies or consulates. Understand the paperwork, testing, and policies of the country before you schedule any event, site-visit, or book any travel.
Vouliagmeni, Athens, Greece
Sleeps: 8
Bedrooms: 4
Why We Love It: With the Aegean Sea as its backdrop, The Margi Villa is the perfect way to host your nuptials with eight of your closest friends and family. Everything in this venue is al fresco, from the showers to dining areas, leaving you more in tune with the best Greece has to provide.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Rhône-Alpes, France
Sleeps: 10
Bedrooms: 4
Why We Love It: Weddings don't always have to be in warm weather. At Chalet Solaire, you can breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy a little rest and relaxation by the fire after hitting the slopes with your loved ones. Having an après-ski-themed reception is just one idea that could be inspired by this serene setting for an intimate wedding come 2021.
Grace Bay West, Caicos Islands, Turks & Caicos Islands
Sleeps: 8
Bedrooms: 4
Why We Love It: A ceremony on a private beach? Sign us up. Perfectly catered to host special events like weddings or family gatherings, this North Shore facing enclave reminds us more of a 5-star resort than a home rental. Enjoy stunning views of the protected Princess Alexandra National Park while you host your guest at a personalized wedding they're sure to enjoy through and through. The best part? The Turks & Caicos Islands are known for their resorts—from five-star properties to more affordable, all-inclusive options. A wedding here promises the ability to host a slightly larger event, with guests having ample opportunities to stay nearby, yet off-site.
Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico
Sleeps: 16
Bedrooms: 6
Why We Love It: Minutes away from premier golf courses, this coastal, six-bedroom rental is perfect for a sophisticated at-leisure wedding. Hop on over to Puerto Vallarta for a day trip if you're feeling stir crazy—but we highly doubt you will with this home's style of airy architecture.
Marrakech, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco
Sleeps: 8
Bedrooms: 4
Why We Love It: Minutes away from Jardin Majorelle and the Souks Market in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, this fancy little number comes with a full-time cook and concierge service, ideal for the five-star experience you were likely hoping to have and host. Enjoy a different side of Marrakech when you book this luxury rental, and welcome your guests to an immersive experience that's best enjoyed with a smaller, more intimate group.
Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
Sleeps: 10
Bedrooms: 5
Why We Love It: Ideal for a surfer's wedding, this property, dubbed Mandala the Home, is only minutes away from Petitenget and Seminyak beaches. Each room is specifically made to have outdoor access, giving you ample space to host an indoor/outdoor wedding for your closest friends and family.
Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal
Sleeps: 8
Bedrooms: 4
Why We Love It: If you haven't discovered Portugal yet, we suggest you start here. Located in the small town of Montemor-o-Novo, this handsome villa will charm you, your loved ones, and your soon-to-be spouse. Made almost too perfect for afternoon of wine tasting, Villa Arinto will be the ideal escape for couples who enjoy good architecture—and even better food and wine.
Tambon Choeng Thale, Chang Wat Phuket, Thailand
Sleeps: 16
Bedrooms: 5
Why We Love It: There's nothing more green, luxe, and unique than getting married in a lush jungle—especially when there's full-time catering involved. With a plethora of exciting activities nearby for you and your guests to enjoy, we're confident this destination wedding will win over the hearts of all who are lucky enough to score an invite.
Dairsie Castle, Fife, Scotland
Sleeps: 13
Bedrooms: 6
Why We Love It: When the current owners bought Dairsie Castle in the '90s, it had been in ruins since the 19th century. Now that it has been fully restored, this castle is the ideal setting for that fairytale wedding you've dreamed of—in a castle all your own.
Villa Delenia, Euboea, Greece
Sleeps: 16
Bedrooms: 5
Why We Love It: Located on Greece's second-largest island behind Crete, Villa Delenia has plenty of space for your wedding guests to stay. Distance aside, you'll want to book this villa for its picture-perfect ceremony location—a terrace looking out over the Aegean Sea.
Palazzo Vanneschi, Bucine, Italy
Sleeps: 16+
Bedrooms: 9
Why We Love It: Only an hour south of Florence, this stone house is situated on a farm in the heart of Tuscany with a large garden that is ideal for the ultimate backyard wedding. Another plus? Your host can also organize a cooking class for your guests to enjoy as a welcome activity in the days leading up to your ceremony.
Borgia Castle, Passignano Sul Trasimeno, Italy
Sleeps: 13
Bedrooms: 7
Why We Love It: Located on a lake at the border of Tuscany and Umbria, this castle once belonged to the Borgia family (yes, like from the show) and has 22 acres of gardens for hosting what could be the most beautiful outdoor wedding of all time.
Seminyak Villa, Bali, Indonesia
Sleeps: 12
Bedrooms: 6
Why We Love It: Brides looking for a more tropical destination have fallen in love with this modern villa in Bali, located within walking distance of the beach. With its ideal location in Seminyak, you're near some of the best bars, restaurants, and cultural sites to enjoy in the days leading up to your nuptials.
Villa Bossona, Montepulciano, Italy
Sleeps: 16
Bedrooms: 8
Why We Love It: Located just outside of Montepulciano, this 18th-century villa has belonged to the same family for over 200 years and was recently restored. With eight bedrooms spread out over three floors, your wedding guests definitely won't feel crowded, and you'll have ample space to sleep, dine, explore, and celebrate.
La Selva Giardino del Belvedere, Montevarchi, Italy
Sleeps: 16
Bedrooms: 7
Why We Love It: Surrounded by 32 acres of olive groves and ancient oak trees in the Chianti hills, this 17th-century stone farmhouse also comes with a stone amphitheater for your wedding ceremony, plus a pizza oven in the garden for your reception dinner.
Lyndsey Matthews is the Destination News Editor for AFAR; previously she was a Lifestyle Editor across all of Hearst Digital Media's brands, and a digital editor at Martha Stewart Weddings and Travel + Leisure.
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