A Poconos Airbnb Elopement with Family Near Ricketts Glen

August 28, 2023

Olivia and Jason planned a beautiful Poconos Airbnb elopement that perfectly balanced adventure, family, and meaningful moments together.

The couple lives in the Pacific Northwest, but they knew they wanted their closest family members to be part of their wedding day. One person in particular made the trip extra meaningful. Olivia’s Nan was turning 96 the day after their wedding, so including her in the celebration became a priority.

They decided that a Poconos Airbnb elopement would give them the flexibility to create a relaxed day surrounded by nature while making sure Nan could comfortably attend and celebrate with them.

Their Private Airbnb in the Pocono Mountains

Olivia and Jason rented a beautiful Airbnb on a 125-acre property near Ricketts Glen State Park. The property had everything they needed for an intimate celebration.

There was a large farmhouse where everyone could get ready together, a peaceful pond that became the backdrop for their ceremony, and acres of woodland trails to explore. A small stream wound through the property, crossing under a charming old stone bridge that quickly became one of our favorite photo spots.

One of the biggest benefits of planning a Poconos Airbnb elopement is having an entire property to yourselves. It allows couples to move through the day naturally without worrying about crowds, strict timelines, or venue restrictions.

A bride and groom during their first look. They are walking in front of a red barn, and the brides sisters are peeking around the corner to try to get a glimpse. The groom is in the foreground wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a shear bodice

Emotional First Looks at Their Poconos Airbnb Elopement

Olivia got ready inside the renovated chicken house with her sisters and close friends. She wore a stunning A-line dress with a sheer bodice that felt elegant and timeless.

Before the ceremony, we set up a first look with her dad outside the house. The moment he turned around and saw her was incredibly sweet and emotional.

Afterward, Olivia walked toward Jason for their first look. Jason wore a custom maroon suit with the most adorable detail, a tiny felted mouse pocket square. As Olivia approached him, her sisters peeked around the corner trying to catch a glimpse of the moment.

It was one of those joyful, slightly chaotic, love-filled moments that make intimate weddings so special.

A groom kisses the brides grandma on the forehead as he walks to the ceremony on his elopement day
A brides grandma walks her down the aisle towards her groom and the officiant. The ceremony is at a Airbnb in front of a crystal blue pond, and blue skies.
A bride and groom stand on a pier in pond during their intimate ceremony. The bride and groom are holding hands, and the brides sisters are officiating. One is wearing a floral dress and one is wearing a red dress

An Intimate Ceremony by the Pond

For their ceremony, Olivia and Jason chose a quiet spot beside the pond on the Airbnb property. Surrounded by trees and water, it felt peaceful and incredibly personal.

To make the ceremony even more meaningful, Olivia’s Nan walked her down the final portion of the aisle. Watching the two of them share that moment together was unforgettable. The bond between grandparents and grandchildren always melts my heart, and this was such a beautiful way to honor their relationship.

A bride and groom holding hands facing each other on their elopement day. They are standing in a rocky riverbed surrounded by woods. There is a stone bridge in the background. The groom is wearing s custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with shear sleeves and bodice.

Portraits in the Pocono woodlands

One of the reasons the couple fell in love with this property was the surrounding forest.

The Airbnb’s woodland trails led us to a small stream and an old stone bridge tucked beneath the trees. Because the day was intentionally relaxed and intimate, Olivia and Jason had plenty of time to explore the property together and soak in the scenery.

This slower pace is one of the best parts of a Poconos Airbnb elopement. Instead of rushing between locations, couples can fully enjoy the landscape and the experience of the day.

A bride and groom walking hand in hand on their elopement day. The groom is holding a glass of champagne, and the bride is holding her bouquet. They are walking in the woods.
A bride and groom , enter the reception tent of their elopement. The couple is throwing confetti at their friends and family sitting in the tent. The groom is wearing a patterned Hawaiian shirt, and the bride is wearing a cotton dress
A bride and her grandmother share a sweet moment. They are holding hands, and their foreheads are touching

A Relaxed Reception Under the Tent

After their ceremony and portraits, the celebration continued under a tent set up on the property.

Olivia and Jason changed into more casual outfits and turned the evening into a laid-back family party. There was BBQ, drinks, lawn games, and lots of laughter.

The guest of honor, Nan, was right in the center of it all.

The entire evening felt relaxed, joyful, and completely focused on spending quality time with the people they love most.

Planning Your Own Poconos Airbnb Elopement

A Poconos Airbnb elopement is a wonderful option for couples who want a private, nature-focused wedding day while still including their closest family and friends.

Having access to an entire property allows you to create a relaxed timeline, explore the surrounding landscape, and celebrate in a way that feels authentic to you.

If you’re dreaming about your own Poconos elopement, you can check out my guide to planning a Poconos elopement for more location ideas and tips.

And if you’re looking for a Pennsylvania elopement photographer, you can learn more about working with me here.

The mother of the bride sees the bride for the first time. The photo is in black and white. The mother has her hand over her mouth with emotion.
A closeup of the groom and his felted mouse pocket square. The groom has a tattoo on his hand, and is wearing a custom maroon suit.
The bride shares a sweet moment with her dad when he sees her for the first time on her elopement day. She is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice and sleeves
The bride and her dad embrace when he sees her for the first time on her elopement day. She is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice and sleeves.
The bride shares a sweet moment with her dad when he sees her for the first time on her elopement day. They are both looking at the camera and smiling. She is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice and sleeves
A bride and groom during their first look. They are walking in front of a red barn, and the brides sisters are peeking around the corner to try to get a glimpse. The groom is in the foreground wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a shear bodice
A bride and groom during their first look. The groom has his hand over his mouth with emotion after seeing his bride for the first time. The groom is in the foreground wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a shear bodice
A bride and groom kiss and embrace in front of a red barn during their first look on their elopement day. The groom is wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice
A bride and her dad standing under a tree waiting to walk down the aisle for the brides wedding ceremony. The dad is looking at his daughter, and the bride is laughing. The bride is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice
A bride and groom stand on a pier in a pond during their intimate wedding ceremony. They are looking out at their guests. The brides sisters are the officiants. They are standing below a arch made of pampas grass. The groom is wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice
A closeup bride and groom hold hands during their elopement ceremony. Both have tattoos on their hands. The groom is wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice
A bride and groom hold hands during their elopement ceremony. Both have tattoos on their hands. The groom is wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice with buttons going up the back. The photo is focused on the groom
A bride and grooms first kiss during their intimate wedding ceremony. Both have tattoos on their hands. The bride is holding the grooms face. The groom is wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice with buttons going up the back. They are standing on a pier in a pond under an arch made of pampas grass.
A bride and groom hold hands during their elopement ceremony. Both have tattoos on their hands. The groom is wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice. The photo is focused on the bride
A bride and groom walk up the aisle during their wedding recession as their guests throw biodegradable confetti at them. A bride and groom hold hands during their elopement ceremony. Both have tattoos on their hands. The groom is wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with a sheer bodice
A bride and groom holding hands facing each other on their elopement day. They are standing in a grass surrounded by ferns and woods. There is a stone bridge in the background. The groom is wearing s custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with sheer sleeves and bodice with buttons going down the back
This photo is in black and white. A bride and groom holding hands facing each other on their elopement day. They are standing in a rocky riverbed surrounded by woods. The bride is grabbing the grooms face. The groom is wearing s custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with shear sleeves and bodice.
A bride and groom holding hands facing each other on their elopement day. They are standing in a rocky riverbed surrounded by woods. There is a stone bridge in the background. The groom is wearing s custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing an a-line dress with shear sleeves and bodice.
he bride and groom sit together on an arched stone bridge over a stream, with dappled sunlight shining through the surrounding forest, creating a romantic scene.
The bride and groom pose playfully with a young girl held upside down, smiling widely in a grassy field during their wedding celebration.
A bride and her grandmother share a sweet moment. They are holding hands, and their foreheads are touching
A couple stand on the porch of their airbnb while cheersing beers The man wears a colorful floral shirt and black shorts, while the woman dons a flowing white dress.
A detail photo of the rings of the bride and groom. The rings are in a hexagon shaped box made of glass and gold, and are on a bed of moss
A detail photo of the tables at the reception. They have antique glassware, candles, and wildflowers.
A neon sign hung on a tree that says "til death do us party"
A couple shares an embrace in a sunlit field. They are both looking at the camera and smiling. The man wears a colorful floral shirt and black shorts, while the woman dons a flowing white dress. The golden light of the sunset creates a romantic atmosphere, illuminating the grassy meadow around them.
A couple shares an embrace in a sunlit field. The man wears a colorful floral shirt and black shorts, while the woman dons a flowing white dress. The golden light of the sunset creates a romantic atmosphere, illuminating the grassy meadow around them.
A couple shares a fun picky back ride down a hill. The man wears a colorful floral shirt and black shorts, while the woman dons a flowing white dress, and no shoes.The golden light of the sunset creates a romantic atmosphere, illuminating the grassy meadow around them.
A bride and groom sitting on an old stone bridge in the woods during their poconos elopement. The couple is sitting, and their legs are hanging over the bridge. The groom is wearing a custom maroon suit, and the bride is wearing a dress with sheer long sleeves
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