One of the greatest things about choosing to elope is that you can do it anywhere. And often, it’s just the two of you which means it’s far easier to find a place to stay if you’re heading to a destination location (or just want to stay somewhere new for the occasion, even if it’s local) because you won’t be worrying about where to accommodate your entire wedding party and family. If you’re thinking about eloping in the forests of Northern California (or maybe this will be the spark of inspiration you needed to choose this area 😉) and need to check accommodations off your planning list, you’ll definitely want to scroll through this post — these are nine of my favorite Russian River elopement Airbnbs. Many of them have space for a couple guests, and a ceremony if you’re feeling like a one-stop-shop.
Best in Class
After scouring through dozens of pages of results and hundreds of homes, this one takes the cake as my #1 choice and Best In Class. The key things that went into this choice were:
- exceptional design/aesthetic
- having a beautiful entertaining space (a bonus if you wanted to have your ceremony and/or wedding dinner there)
- incredible outdoor access
This house happens to have all three. Not only is the interior of the house gorgeous and immaculately decorated, but the same amount of thoughtful design has gone into the outdoor space. There are two decks, complete with a banquet table, string lights, and heat lamps so you can stay warm after the sun goes down. Not to mention it’s literally steps away from Austin Creek. This would be a stellar option to host your forest elopement in, with space to bring your two closest people along to help you celebrate.
…..but that isn’t to say the rest of the homes on this list are subpar in any way. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, if not shocked at them. (I definitely was 😉)
7 Runner Up Options
This eclectic and moody treehouse (you’ll see this rental featured in this couple’s Russian River elopement day)
This modern river-side home that takes skylights and windows to another level (with direct Russian River access) Fun fact: I kayaked by and admired this house multiple times before I found it available to rent on Airbnb; I was so stoked about the discovery because it’s such a unique build.
This charming and cozy cottage with plenty of outdoor dining and soaking under the redwoods
This modern home with private, sweeping views of Korbel Champagne’s vineyards (this home is situated at the end of a very quiet cul-de-sac a 5-minute walk away from downtown Guerneville)
This stunning acreage property with an expansive lawn and river access
This fairytale forest cottage with a cozy and serene interior
This bright and contemporary home with a wide open deck high in the redwood canopy (I’ve photographed an elopement here and it’s beautiful — their photos don’t do the outdoor parts of the property justice)
There you have it: my fave Russian River elopement Airbnbs. I love perusing sites like Airbnb and Zillow just for fun; it’s so fun for me to see all the different types of homes out there. Especially when they’re in my backyard — I can’t even begin to tell you how many hidden gems are tucked away in the mountains here.
Also, shameless plug here: just a reminder that I live on the Russian River (0.3 miles away to be exact) in Guerneville so if a local guide and $0 travel fees make eloping here sound even better, send me a note here and let’s get to chatting about designing about your dream elopement.
