Low-Cost, Low-Key Ephraim Airbnb Wedding | Cassie and Mike's Wedding

One of my favorite wedding trends are intimate Airbnb weddings. Not only do they save a TON of money, but they’re also relaxed, easy, and focus on what really matters. Renting a large venue typically costs $5,000 for the night and catering can easily exceed $30/person, so by cutting out these two factors alone you could realistically put a down payment on a home. Maybe this sounds crazy coming from someone who pays his bills with high-budget weddings, but I hope more couples choose to go this route because there are so many pros and such few cons.

Cassie and Mike rented out one of Ephraim’s beachfront Airbnbs for themselves and their nine guests; how simple is that! When I arrived, I was promptly greeted by the neighbor’s golden retriever.

Although the intention was to get married on the beach (a fantastic idea if you’re planning your own wedding), the water level is so high this year that there wasn’t much beach at all. Instead, they said I do in a small wooded area next to the house. To make the ceremony even more intimate, our officiant was Cassie’s brother-in-law who became ordained specifically for this moment :)

After the ceremony and ensuing hugs, we toasted to the newlyweds and spent 5-10 minutes on family formals (another plus of intimate weddings). In fact, we were running 20 minutes AHEAD of schedule, so we had enough time for newlywed portraits both on-site and at the Hardy Gallery.

Dinner was at The Cookery in Fish Creek, and as a local kid you know I ordered the perch!!! We shared so many stories and laughs over dinner, and the whole experience reminded me why I have the best job in the world; I had only met the family two hours prior, but I felt like I’d known them for years. Oh, and I was honored to witness Cassie and Mike sharing their first cheese curd as a married couple, and I hope that becomes a new tradition!

I said my goodbyes to the family and wished them safe travels home, and Cassie, Mike, and I concluded our evening watching the sun set over the bay. If the rest of 2019’s weddings are even half as awesome as Cassie and Mike’s, I’m in for one hell of a year.