Lauren & Murray's Airbnb Elopement in the Adelaide Hills

Can you have an elopement at an Airbnb?

After photographing Lauren and Murray's intimate elopement at Luminous Pond Farm in Bridgwater, Adelaide Hills, I can confidently say that an Airbnb elopement or wedding can be incredibly special.

Their day was intimate, personal and completely their own.

There were close friends and family, beautiful countryside, Irish heritage, bagpipes, plenty of laughter and, of course, some very memorable Highland cows.

It was one of those weddings where I kept looking around thinking:

This is so them.

An Airbnb elopement that felt completely theirs

Lauren and Murray chose Luminous Pond Farm as the setting for their elopement celebration.

Rather than spending a few hours at a traditional wedding venue, they were able to create a much more relaxed experience around the property.

Their people were there.

They had space to get ready, spend time together and celebrate.

And the farm itself became part of the story.

I think that's one of the things I love about an Airbnb elopement.

The location isn't just a backdrop.

You actually get to experience it.

Someone is wandering around getting ready. Someone is having a drink. Someone is laughing in the kitchen. People are talking outside.

The day starts to feel less like an organised event and more like a gathering of people who really love each other.

And that's exactly the kind of thing I want to photograph.

An elopement filled with their heritage

Lauren and Murray brought so much of themselves into their elopement day.

Their Irish heritage from Murray was an important part of the celebration, and one of the most memorable details was the bagpipes.

I love when couples include traditions because they actually mean something to them.

It doesn't have to be a perfectly traditional wedding.

It doesn't have to follow a particular formula.

You can take the parts of your culture, your family and your relationship that feel meaningful and make them part of the day.

That's what makes an elopement or intimate wedding feel personal.

And then there were the Highland cows

Okay.

We need to talk about the cows.

Luminous Pond Farm has Highland cows, and naturally they became part of the experience.

There is something wonderfully ridiculous about photographing an elopement while a giant fluffy cow is casually standing nearby.

And I loved every second of it.

But what made the photographs even better was that Lauren and Murray weren't trying to make everything look perfect.

They were having fun.

They were enjoying the people around them.

They were enjoying the place they had chosen.

And when people stop worrying about whether they're doing the "right" thing for a photograph, that's when I get the photographs I love most.

The weird ones.

The spontaneous ones.

The ones where everyone has forgotten about the camera.

Why choose an Airbnb wedding in Adelaide?

An Airbnb or private accommodation can be a beautiful option for couples who want an intimate wedding in Adelaide or the Adelaide Hills.

Instead of moving between several different venues, you can create a much more relaxed day around one place.

You might:

• Get ready together

• Have your ceremony nearby or at the property if permitted

• Spend time with your closest people

• Have lunch or dinner together

• Take photographs around the property

• Stay overnight

• Wake up and have breakfast together the next morning

Of course, not every Airbnb allows weddings or events. Always check the property's rules, guest capacity, noise restrictions and event policies with the host before booking.

For Lauren and Murray, the setting became part of what made their wedding so memorable.

An elopement doesn't have to mean just the two of you

I think the word elopement can sometimes make people imagine two people disappearing somewhere by themselves.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

An elopement can include your closest friends and family.

It can be a farm in the Adelaide Hills.

It can be an Airbnb.

It can involve family traditions, bagpipes, a few drinks, a lot of laughter and a Highland cow wandering around in the background.

There really isn't one correct way to get married.

Lauren and Murray created something intimate without feeling small.

Personal without feeling overly planned.

And completely, wonderfully theirs.

Planning an Airbnb wedding or elopement in Adelaide?

If you're looking for an alternative to a traditional wedding venue, an Airbnb wedding or private farm celebration could be worth considering.

The most important thing is finding somewhere that fits the two of you and gives you enough freedom to actually enjoy your people.

You don't need a huge guest list.

You don't need a ballroom.

You don't need to follow somebody else's wedding timeline.

You just need a place you love, people you love and a day that feels like yours.

And if your version of that happens to involve bagpipes and Highland cows...

I'm very much here for it.

Lauren & Murray's Wedding at a Glance

Couple: Lauren & Murray

Wedding style: Intimate Airbnb elopement

Location:Luminous Pond Farm, Bridgwater, Adelaide Hills

Setting: Private farm and accommodation

Celebration: Intimate gathering with close friends and family

Special touches: Bagpipes, Highland cows and personal traditions

Photography: In Ecstatic Motion

Photography style: Candid, documentary-inspired and a little bit weird

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you have a wedding at an Airbnb in Adelaide?

Some Airbnb properties and private accommodation venues allow weddings and intimate events, while others do not. Always speak with the property owner or host before booking and confirm their rules around weddings, events, guests, noise and photography.

Lauren and Murray chose Luminous Pond Farm in Bridgwater, Adelaide Hills, a farm setting that caters for intimate events and wedding celebrations.

Is an Airbnb wedding good for an intimate wedding?

Yes. An Airbnb or private farm stay can be a wonderful option for an intimate wedding because you can spend more time with your closest friends and family and create a celebration around the space.

Can you have an elopement with family and friends?

Absolutely. An elopement doesn't have to mean just the couple. You can bring your closest people and create a small, meaningful celebration together.

Are there Airbnb wedding venues in the Adelaide Hills?

There are private accommodation properties and farm venues in the Adelaide Hills that cater to intimate events and wedding celebrations. Always confirm directly with the property that weddings are permitted before making a booking.

What should you consider when planning an Airbnb wedding?

Check whether the property allows weddings or events, how many guests are permitted, whether overnight accommodation is available, noise restrictions, parking, catering arrangements and photography rules.