How I Pulled Off a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner, Ceremony, Re...

Hi, I’m Jess—a newlywed who just hosted a multi-day Airbnb-style wedding that featured everything from a welcome dinner to a pool party, all under one roof (well, one huge roof!). The best part? I spent less than I would have on a traditional one-night venue plus separate hotel rooms. If you’re curious how that’s even possible—or simply looking for some budget-savvy inspiration—this is the guide for you!

Yes, my entire wedding party stayed on-site. Yes, we had our rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and a farewell brunch plus a pool party, all at this one mansion. No, I didn’t lose my mind juggling the logistics. And if you’re ready, I’m about to spill every detail—from the budgeting strategies to the little “aha!” moments that made the weekend feel magically ours.

Why an Airbnb-Style Mansion?
Setting Priorities: My Multi-Day Vision
Securing the Venue: The Mansion That Had It All
Food & Drinks on a Budget: Creativity Over Caviar
DIY Decor & Touches: Going Big Without Going Broke
Vendors & Logistics: Making Non-Trad Weddings Run Smoothly
My Multi-Day Event Itinerary (Yes, Pool Party Included!)
Budget Surprises: Hidden Costs and Curveballs
WedBnB to the Rescue: Why I Chose a Specialized Platform
Numbers on Paper: My Full Budget Breakdown
- Detailed Cost Table
Your Questions, Answered: A Quick Q&A
Final Tips & Takeaways

(Brace yourself—this is a 3,000+ word deep dive!)

1. Why an Airbnb-Style Mansion?

So, why go the Airbnb-mansion route? Let’s break it down:

Convenience: Instead of booking a separate hotel block and a different venue, everything was in one location. No buses or shuttles required.
Extended Celebration: We wanted more than a quick evening; we wanted three days of festivities—hello, leisurely pool party!
Cost Efficiency: Although the nightly rate might seem high, we saved on separate venue fees, décor limitations, and multiple day rentals.
Personal Feel: Nothing beats waking up with your bridal party under one roof, sipping coffee in your PJs, and hearing the laughter echo through a grand hallway. It felt like our home away from home for a long weekend.

“If you’re the kind of couple who wants an entire wedding experience—not just a 5-hour event—renting a mansion with extra space might be your best move.”
—Jess, still riding the post-wedding high

2. Setting Priorities: My Multi-Day Vision

Before we booked anything, my fiancé (now husband!) and I sat down with a big sheet of paper and wrote:

Venue: Must allow for multiple days of events—rehearsal dinner, wedding day, brunch, and ideally a fun post-wedding activity (we ended up with a pool party!).
Food & Drink: Important to us because we’re both huge foodies. We needed a flexible space for either a caterer or food trucks, plus room for a morning mimosa station.
Photography: We wanted a killer photographer to capture all the moments, from poolside shenanigans to heartfelt speeches.

Knowing these were our top 3 helped us cut corners in other areas (like massive floral installations, which we toned down to simple greenery).

3. Securing the Venue: The Mansion That Had It All

We scoured listings for weeks (and found a ton of “almost-perfect” properties) but landed on a 10,000-square-foot mansion that checked every box:

Sleeps 20+: The main house had 10 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Talk about luxury—and no lines for the shower!
Indoor & Outdoor Event Space: There was a huge foyer for indoor ceremonies, a sprawling patio for the reception, and—best of all—a pool area we used for day-after celebrations.
Barn/Terrace: An attached barn-like structure was perfect for dancing. The owners had used it for family reunions, so it was event-friendly.

The Cost: A Quick Breakdown

Total Rental (3 Nights): $10,000
- This included a wedding event fee plus cleaning services.
Security Deposit: $1,000 (fully refunded after we left the place in good shape).

Bottom Line: $10k might sound steep at first, but consider that it replaced the typical $5,000–$7,000 one-day venue fee plus $10,000+ in hotel bookings for our wedding party (over 10 hotel rooms per night, at $350/night, for 3 nights). In the end, we realized we were saving by combining them into one epic property. Talk about a bargain.

Pro Tip:
If you book through a specialized site like WedBnB, you know the host won’t freak out when they hear “wedding.” They’re listing it exactly for that purpose.

4. Food & Drinks on a Budget: Creativity Over Caviar

Food can eat up (pun intended) a huge chunk of your wedding budget. But an Airbnb-style wedding means you can get creative.

How We Handled Meals

Rehearsal Dinner: We used the mansion’s kitchen for a homemade pasta night, courtesy of my grandma and a few family members. We spent maybe $300 on groceries and wine.
Wedding Day Catering: Two local food trucks pulled up in the driveway—one for gourmet tacos ($15/head) and another for mini sliders ($13/head). At 60 guests, that tallied to $1,680 total.
Bar Setup: No formal bartender. We stocked a self-serve drink station with water, lemonade, some signature cocktails, and local craft beer in kegs.
Brunch: The day after, we had a brunch buffet in the house’s big dining room—pancakes, fruit, mimosas. Simple but fun.

Blockquote
“If you have cooking enthusiasts in your circle, lean on them for a laid-back meal one night. People love showing off their culinary skills—and it’s a great bonding experience!”

My Food & Drink Spend

Food Trucks: $1,680 (tacos & sliders)
Groceries for Rehearsal: $300 (pasta, sauce, salad fixings, wine)
Beverages: $600 total (2 small kegs, signature drink ingredients, plus sodas & juices)
Brunch Supplies: $200 (pancake mix, fruits, eggs, bacon, coffee, etc.)

Total: $2,780

Again, compare that to the usual $60–$120 per plate at a standard venue. We felt like budget geniuses.

5. DIY Decor & Touches: Going Big Without Going Broke

I have a love-hate relationship with DIY wedding décor. On one hand, it’s super rewarding. On the other, it can easily turn into a black hole of time and money.

My Decor Approach

Keep the Mansion’s Aesthetic: The place was already gorgeous—stately columns, a grand foyer, a sweeping staircase—so I didn’t need to “over-decorate.”
Focus on Key Areas: We set up a photo wall in the foyer, added string lights and lanterns around the pool, and placed potted greenery on the terrace.
Greenery Over Flowers: Fresh florals are expensive. We used mostly eucalyptus, ferns, and succulents for a modern, organic vibe.
Sentimental Touches: My mom lent us vintage frames for table numbers, and I made a Polaroid guestbook station.

Blockquote
“Pick 2–3 statement décor elements. Don’t spread yourself thin by trying to DIY a hundred micro-projects. You’ll end up with half-done crafts and a meltdown.”

Decor Costs

Greenery & Succulents: $400
String Lights & Lanterns: $200 (we actually reused some from a cousin’s wedding)
Misc. DIY Items: $300 (paint, frames, signage, etc.)
Table/Chair Rentals: $700 (since the mansion itself didn’t provide enough chairs for 60)

Total: $1,600

We could have gone cheaper, sure, but I really wanted that romantic, fairy-light look around the pool at night—and it was 100% worth it when we saw the photos.

6. Vendors & Logistics: Making Non-Trad Weddings Run Smoothly

Traditional venues often come with a built-in coordinator or vendor list. At an Airbnb-style mansion, you’ll do more legwork—but you’ll also have full control over who you hire.

My Vendor Crew

Photographer: $2,500 (full day coverage + day-after brunch cameo). Pricier, but photos were a top priority.
DJ/MC: $700 for 6 hours. He brought his own setup, including uplighting for the barn area.
Day-of Coordinator: $600. She was a gem—coordinated vendor arrivals, kept us on schedule, and shooed away any day-of chaos.
Florist (just for bouquets & boutonnieres): $300. We DIY’d the rest.

Pro Tip
“Make sure each vendor knows it’s a mansion rental, not a traditional banquet hall, so they’re ready for unique setups and potential quirks.”

Vendor Logistics

Parking: We arranged a shuttle for guests staying at a nearby inn to minimize cars clogging the driveway.
Power & Noise: The property had robust electrical capacity, but we agreed to move all loud music indoors by 10 PM to avoid neighbor complaints.
Catering Setup: The food trucks only needed the driveway. Easy-peasy.

7. My Multi-Day Event Itinerary (Yes, Pool Party Included!)

One of the biggest perks of having a giant house for the weekend? We got to stretch the celebration beyond a single day.

Thursday Night: Check-In & Casual Hang

Moved in décor and groceries.
Bridal party and close family arrived; we ordered pizza and toasted with Champagne.

Friday: Rehearsal Dinner

Morning: Mild setup, finalizing décor touches in the foyer and pool area.
Afternoon: Quick walk-through of the ceremony with the bridal party.
Evening: Homemade pasta night in the mansion’s enormous kitchen. Wine, laughter, and a late-night jam session in the barn.

Saturday: Wedding Day

9 AM–12 PM: Bridal party prep (hair, makeup, mimosas).
1 PM: Photographer arrives for first-look photos.
3 PM: Ceremony on the grand staircase (yes, it was super dramatic!).
4–5 PM: Cocktail hour on the terrace.
5–8 PM: Reception + dinner on the patio, near the pool area. Food trucks rolled in, guests mingled, we cut our cake at sunset.
8–11 PM: Dancing in the barn (DJ + string lights). After 10, we closed the barn doors to keep the noise contained.

Sunday: Brunch & Pool Party

10 AM: Brunch buffet in the dining room—pancakes, fruit, coffee, and some leftover wedding cake.
12 PM–3 PM: Pool party time! Floating loungers, an inflatable unicorn, and laid-back tunes.
Evening: Slow clean-up, leftover barbecue, and a final night of reflection with the bridal party.

Monday: Check-Out

We tidied up, packed everything, and did a final walk-through with the property manager. Stressful? Maybe a bit. But we had help from our squad, so it was relatively painless.

8. Budget Surprises: Hidden Costs and Curveballs

No wedding is perfect—here are the sneaky extras we encountered:

Extra Pool Maintenance: The mansion’s host required an additional $150 for post-event pool cleaning (since we had 60 people dipping in and out).
Trash & Recycling: We had to hire a local waste service for about $100. The mansion’s bins weren’t nearly enough for all those plates, cups, and leftover décor items.
Rain Backup: We put down a $500 deposit for a tent rental in case of a storm. Ended up forfeiting $100 when we canceled, but it was worth the peace of mind.
Late-Night Snacks: People get hungry after hours of dancing. We spent about $100 on pizzas we spontaneously ordered around 11 PM.

Blockquote
“Always budget at least 10–15% more than you think you’ll need. Wedding magic (or chaos) can happen, and you don’t want it to break the bank.”

9. WedBnB to the Rescue: Why I Chose a Specialized Platform

I found our mansion through WedBnB, a platform built for couples seeking event-friendly rental properties. Here’s why it stood out:

Curated Listings: Only event-ready homes (no last-minute host freak-outs).
Transparent Pricing Calculator: I could see approximate costs based on the number of nights and guests.
Preferred Vendors: They had suggestions for florists, caterers, and coordinators who had worked at this specific mansion before. So helpful!
Peace of Mind: Clear guidelines about noise restrictions, cleanup, and event insurance.

“I’ve heard horror stories about couples booking an Airbnb, only for the host to cancel upon realizing it was for a wedding. With WedBnB, I dodged that bullet.”

10. Numbers on Paper: My Full Budget Breakdown

You came here for the budget details, right? Let’s do this. We aimed for $25,000 total, knowing a typical wedding venue + hotel rooms can easily surpass that. We ended at about $22,780, so score!

Quick Overview

Mansion Rental (3 nights): $10,000
Security Deposit: $1,000 (refunded)
Food Trucks & Groceries: $2,780 total
Decor & Rentals: $1,600
Vendors (Photographer, DJ, Coordinator, Florist): $4,100 combined
Attire (dress, suit, accessories): $1,300
Misc. Extras & Emergency Fund: $3,000 (some of which covered pool cleaning, trash removal, leftover snack runs)

Total: ~$22,780

(This doesn’t include our rings, which we purchased separately as a personal expense outside the wedding budget.)

Detailed Cost Table

Category	Budgeted	Actual	Notes
Mansion Rental + Event Fees	$10,000	$10,000	3-night stay, bridal party accommodations, huge common areas, barn, and pool.
Food & Drinks	$3,000	$2,780	Food trucks for 60 guests + groceries for rehearsal dinner, brunch supplies, drinks, etc.
Decor & Rentals	$1,500	$1,600	Lights, lanterns, greenery, table/chair rentals. Went slightly over but loved the ambiance.
Photography	$2,500	$2,500	Full-day coverage + partial next-day brunch cameo.
DJ/MC	$700	$700	Great vibe, handled announcements, 6-hour service.
Day-of Coordinator	$600	$600	Lifesaver for vendor coordination and schedule management.
Florist (Bouquets/Accents)	$300	$300	Bouquets, boutonnières, and a few accent pieces.
Attire (Dress/Suit)	$1,500	$1,300	Off-rack dress + minimal alterations. Groom wore a discounted suit.
Misc./Emergency Fund	$3,000	$2,000-ish	Covered late-night snacks, extra pool cleaning, trash service, etc.
Total	$23,100	~$22,780	Ended up just under our expected total. Woohoo!

(Note: Some small items—like rings, license fees—are not included, as we treated them as separate personal expenses.)

11. Your Questions, Answered: A Quick Q&A

Q: Did you run into any issues hosting multiple events (rehearsal, ceremony, reception, brunch, pool party) in one place?
A: Not really—because we spaced everything out! We had nearly 4 days to set up, celebrate, and clean. No rushed transitions or frantic drives between venues.

Q: How did the pool party fit into the wedding vibe?
A: It was the perfect “cool-down” after the main event. We had leftover wedding cake, some fruity cocktails, and a bunch of inflatables. It gave us one more bonding moment with our guests.

Q: Did the mansion have any strict noise ordinances?
A: Yes, we had to move the DJ indoors by 10 PM. But that was easy enough—people just migrated to the barn, and we kept dancing there.

Q: Was a day-of coordinator really necessary?
A: For me, 100% yes. She was crucial in handling vendor arrivals, answering questions about the property, and making sure everything stayed on schedule.

Q: Any regrets?
A: I might have scaled back a few décor projects to save time (looking at you, 50 handmade tassels!). But overall, it was a dream.

12. Final Tips & Takeaways

If you’re flirting with the idea of hosting multiple events at one mansion-style venue, do it—but go in with a plan:

Clarify Your Vision: Write out the exact events you want—welcome dinner, ceremony, reception, brunch, pool party—so you know what kind of space is necessary.
Be Realistic with Your Budget: A grand mansion may cost $10k, but remember it’s covering lodging, event space, and that oh-so-luxurious vibe.
DIY Smart: Decorate the important spots—no one will notice if the random hallway is empty.
Delegate Tasks: You can’t handle a 4-day event’s worth of details solo. Spread the workload among trusted friends or family.
Savor the Time Together: The beauty of an Airbnb-style mansion wedding is how much time you get with guests. Late-night talks, morning coffees, poolside laughter—these are priceless.

“Whether you’re hosting a single-day bash or a multi-day extravaganza, your wedding should feel like an extension of who you are—quirks and all.”

And that’s it! I hope my deep dive inspires you to think big, plan creatively, and discover just how affordable it can be to host an epic wedding weekend at a mansion—complete with rehearsal dinners, pool parties, and everything in between.

Here’s to your own unforgettable celebration!
—Jess, the happily married mansion-party bride

(Word Count ~ 3,200+, so cheers to you for reading the whole thing!)

How I Pulled Off a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner, Ceremony, Reception, Brunch, and Pool Party at a Mansion—All for Less Than a Traditional Wedding + Hotel Combo

Table of Contents