The Best Colorado Airbnb and VRBO Rentals for Your Micro Wedding + Elopement

Airbnb and VRBO Micro Weddings and Elopements are my absolute favorite, and I can’t sing their praises enough. Not only are they typically more budget-friendly than traditional wedding venues, but they also offer a unique hominess and intimacy that a conventional venue can’t quite match. There’s something about having your special day in a space that feels like home—it has this incredible power to ease tension and add a level of comfort that sets the stage for an unforgettable celebration.

Why choose an Airbnb/VRBO for Your Micro Wedding or Elopement?

Distinctive Venues for Your One-of-a-Kind Wedding Experience

While the list of reasons to opt for a VRBO or Airbnb property as your wedding venue is extensive, one of my absolute favorites is the ability to discover a space that reflects your authenticity and aligns perfectly with your wedding aesthetic. Navigating through various options allows you to find the decor and specific elements you’ve envisioned for your special day.

Every property boasts its distinctive vibe—whether it’s boho, modern, rustic, or something entirely different. If you’re yearning for expansive mountain-top views, charming lakeside cottages, a serene desert oasis, or a truly one-of-a-kind setting, these vacation homes provide the flexibility to align precisely with the wedding atmosphere you’re seeking. You can customize your choice by selecting special features such as a mountain cabin, a home with a ‘chef’s kitchen,’ a farm stay, or an off-the-grid retreat using the search filters.

Relaxed Wedding Day Timelines

Airbnb and VRBO micro weddings or elopements offer a refreshing change to traditional wedding day timelines. The planning process becomes more relaxed, allowing you to savor every moment, especially if you’ve secured the rental for a few days. With no rush to leave, you can enjoy a leisurely getaway with your loved ones or for just for you and your partner.

This extended timeline opens up a world of extra opportunities. From capturing intimate getting-ready moments to enchanting nighttime portraits, and from dedicating time to write a love letter to your partner to enjoying a private vow exchange, the possibilities are endless. Embrace these opportunities to craft unique and photo-worthy memories that will last a lifetime.

Planning your Airbnb/VRBO Micro Wedding or Elopement

Aesthetic and Location: Finding the Perfect Property

While planning a wedding or elopement at an Airbnb or VRBO rental involves fewer meticulous details than a traditional venue, it still takes some planning. The first step is prioritizing what’s important to you in the property. Are you open to getting married anywhere to achieve your envisioned aesthetic? Perhaps you’re dreaming of a hot tub and a sprawling deck, or maybe the property’s location itself is a priority. Do you need proximity to restaurants, bars, or specific events, such as a concert venue?

A perfect example of this is Sam+Ryan’s Airbnb elopement. They wanted a beautifully decorated property with stunning views, outdoor space, proximity to Golden Gate Canyon State Park for portraits, and easy access to Boulder for dinner. Fortunately, they found the ideal Airbnb with gorgeous vibrant green decor (Sam’s favorite color!), perfectly situated in their desired location. To witness the magic of Sam+Ryan’s Airbnb Elopement day, head over to my other blog post!

Having A Rain Plan

Another crucial consideration is whether the property has provisions for a rain plan, particularly if you have guests. It’s wise to plan ahead, determining whether you need to set up a tent or move the event indoors in case of rain or unfavorable weather conditions. Given that weddings and elopements are often planned months or even a year in advance, weather predictions can be uncertain, especially here in Colorado.

Following Rules & Regulations

Once you’ve determined the perfect location and atmosphere, it’s time to kickstart the wedding planning process and book your Airbnb or VRBO. However, before reserving a vacation home as your wedding venue, make sure you’re paying attention to house rules and regulations. While VRBO provides a filter for selecting properties that can host events, unfortunately, Airbnb lacks this feature. In such cases, direct communication with the host becomes essential.

Many Airbnb rentals have specific rules, like “no events or parties” or “no commercial photography.” Hosts often do this to avoid specific situations, such as large, loud, or late-night parties, commercial film crews, or mass public exposure. Some hosts may have restrictions but be open to a “just us” elopement with a single photographer or an intimate micro wedding. Others might agree to your event with conditions like an additional security deposit. Clear communication about your plans, the number of guests, potential vendors, and other wedding day specifics ensures that both you and the host are on the same page, alleviating stress and ensuring a smooth planning process.

Gathering Ample Information

After securing a place that will let you host your micro wedding or elopement, it’s time to delve into planning other aspects of your special day! Given that touring Airbnb or VRBO properties is typically not an option, paying attention to the available information is key. Do a little research through the provided photos and reviews, which give valuable insights that can help you fully envision your experience.

On this note, I highly recommend arriving a few days early, if possible. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the rental property, take your time setting up, and scout your favorite locations for wedding portraits. The additional time not only takes a huge chunk of stress away but also enables you to fully immerse yourself in the experience of marrying your partner and capturing moments that will last a lifetime.

Personalizing the Details with a Flexible Budget

If you’ve chosen an Airbnb or VRBO that already aligns with your wedding aesthetic, you may have some budget flexibility to enhance and personalize the details. This could mean that you have more room to play with after-wedding activities, catering options, or even special decor like tableware, rugs, and chairs. Exploring local event rental companies is a fantastic idea to see what unique touches they can add to elevate your micro wedding or elopement experience.

If you’re looking for more detailed information on how to plan your Airbnb or VRBO micro wedding or elopement, check out my comprehensive guide.

Airbnb/VRBO Rentals Perfect for Your Micro Wedding + Elopement

So, without further ado, let’s dive into exploring some stunning properties that would be perfect for your Colorado Airbnb micro wedding or elopement.

This modern stately home with lots of natural light, an indoor and outdoor kitchen perfect for a private chef, and a speakeasy!

This breathtaking home, just a stone’s throw away from Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, is truly a stunner, if I may say so myself. Featuring a spacious deck and outdoor area, there are several breathtaking spots ideal for holding your ceremony. What’s more, this property boasts a personal sauna, offering a sanctuary where you can let the stress of the big day melt away. Every corner of this vacation home is picture-perfect, providing gorgeous backdrops for your wedding portraits. If you want to take it a step further, plan your wedding portraits among the beautiful scenery of the nearby Red Rocks Trading Post Trail!

This charming home with a large deck, beautiful views, and cozy boho decor.

This mountain retreat truly immerses you in the heart of Colorado, enveloped by sweeping mountain views. Boasting tall vaulted ceilings, skylights, and numerous windows that invite abundant natural light, this vacation home provides the perfect setting for stunning portraits and those cherished getting-ready moments. Adding to the charm, a double-sided fireplace on the main floor elevates the overall coziness, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

This modern cabin with a large deck and wooded seclusion.

This highly sought-after vacation home offers everything you need for a cozy retreat in the Colorado mountains for your micro wedding or elopement. The expansive deck serves as an ideal ceremony space, surrounded by picturesque outdoor settings for stunning portraits. Additionally, a table on the deck can be beautifully decorated for an intimate dinner under the Colorado skies.

This eclectic mountain home with heavenly panoramic views and an open-air living room.

Nestled on the edge of Pike National Forest at over 8,300 feet and on 3 acres, this Airbnb is an idyllic setting for a Colorado mountain micro wedding or elopement. With a fully-opening glass side, the living room transforms into an open-air mountain view masterpiece. The spacious patios, oriented perfectly to the sun, are ideal for ceremonies, dances, and sunset portraits. Beyond its stunning backdrop, this Airbnb offers a comprehensive experience, providing multiple rooms, a guest house, an equipped kitchen, and a relaxing hot tub for a perfect wedding celebration amidst captivating natural surroundings.

I am lucky enough to have experience photographing micro weddings at this beautiful property. To see more, check out my other blog post!

This A-frame with a large walkout patio to accommodate whatever weather the mountains bring.

This cabin strikes the perfect balance, offering proximity to restaurants, bars, and shops while nestling into a natural setting. The master bedroom features a walkout patio and a cozy seating area with excellent lighting, providing a fantastic spot for those getting-ready photos.

This colorful cottage with a renovated Airstream trailer for separate getting ready spaces.

The vibrant green accents at this property bring a playful burst of color that can be seamlessly incorporated into your wedding day decor. Adding to its charm, an Airstream is available that can be used as an extra bedroom for guests or a delightful space for getting ready. With the home being surrounded by aspen trees, this would be absolutely stunning for a fall micro wedding or elopement.

This cozy abode with walkout creek-side patio, perfect for a “just us” elopement.

This quaint studio is perfect for a Colorado mountain elopement. The chic and modern rental fully opens up to a walk-out patio along the creek, offering the best of both worlds for your wedding or elopement ceremony. Additionally, its proximity to both Denver and Idaho Springs provides convenient access to excellent dining options and activities, making it an ideal location for your celebration.

This modern mountain masterpiece with firepit, hot tub, and geodome (yes, GEODOME!)

If you’re searching for a unique touch for your wedding or elopement day, this property fits the bill perfectly. Adorned with rustic old-world flair and modern comforts, the beautifully decorated space also offers a breathtaking outdoor area that would be perfect for wedding portraits. The geodome, in particular, stands out as an absolutely amazing spot for your ceremony or even a fun space for getting ready.

A striking emerald cabin with a private rock overlook and unbeatable park access.

This property provides an idyllic backdrop with breathtaking mountain views. Additionally, the vibrant green design accents and the overall atmosphere of the home are nothing short of fantastic. However, what truly sets this property apart is the towering rock formation featuring stairs carved into its side, creating an ideal spot for a private mountaintop ceremony. This unique feature adds a special and adventurous touch to the entire property, making for an unforgettable celebration. Since it borders Golden Gate Canyon State Park, it also offers a plethora of amazing options for portraits.

This is another Airbnb where I’ve had the pleasure of photographing an elopement. Check out my other blog post for more from this property!

This dog-friendly A-frame featuring a large patio and mountain views.

This property provides everything you need for your Colorado micro wedding or elopement. The upstairs loft offers ample lighting, making it a great spot for getting ready portraits. Additionally, the property features a gorgeous deck and game room, providing a fun and enjoyable space for you and your guests to relax and unwind during breaks from the wedding festivities.

This cabin featuring sunrise and sunset views, large dining table, and a connected ADA-accessible apartment.

This very popular Colorado mountain home is brimming with character in every room, featuring a deck that offers the best scenic mountain views. Beautifully decorated with playful pops of color, it gives off a vibe reminiscent of a Pinterest board come to life. With every corner of this home being picturesque, both inside and out, it provides many stunning backdrops for your ceremony and capturing memorable portraits on your special day.

A quaint wooden A-frame nestled into the forest perfect for a rustic “just us” elopement.

This unique and artistic home can make your wedding day feel like you are stepping into a fairytale. Beautiful woodwork, plants, awe-inspiring natural light, and adorable woodland creatures visiting the yard create a magical atmosphere. It also boasts a tiny home treehouse with a private deck that would be such a fun place to get ready. For portraits, this space has plentiful options, both indoor and outdoor. Oh, and you can’t forget that it has a hot tub for you to sit, relax, and soak in the beauty of such an important life event.

Let’s Create Your Dream Airbnb/VRBO Micro Wedding or Elopement

I am here to support and assist you every step of your journey to “I do.” Feel free to reach out with any questions regarding your Airbnb micro wedding or elopement. If you’re ready for a highly personal and intimate wedding experience, get in touch, and let’s start the process.