Sammie & Matt’s Whidbey Island Airbnb elopement felt like a celebration pulled out of a storybook – you are going to love this fairytale-esque day filled with magical decor, whimsical setups, and meaningful touches galore. Enjoy!

A Whidbey Island Airbnb Elopement Full of Whimsy & Romance

This one is so special to me. Sammie and Matt are some of the best humans I have ever come across in this lifetime – they were so sweet during every interaction, and from the very start I knew we’d be friends. You know I love me a good novel (Sammie is even in my book club now!) – the “clients-turned-friends” trope is one of my all-time favorites 😉

But let’s talk about their magical elopement on Whidbey Island — which Sammie somehow pulled together by herself, the details & decor glowing with that DIY, handmade touch that so many of us cherish for special days like these. She and Matt rented a house on Whidbey right next to the ferry dock so that they could make all their waterfront elopement dreams come true, and those dreams came to fruition flawlessly. Sammie loves the nighttime, so she knew she wanted to incorporate that into her & Matt’s special day – even for their engagement photos, her vision always centered around the gentle glow of light in the darkness (melt my heart why don’t you).

A glimpse inside this magical Whidbey Island Airbnb elopement

She and Matt spent their morning getting ready with their most loved people, pulling together all of the last-minute details, stepping into the outfits they had chosen to celebrate in, and taking in the emotions of the day. I absolutely will never get over what an honor it is to witness the “moments before” – the moments, small & big, before two become one, before you come together to exchange your vows and celebrate alongside your favorite humans. 

After a sweet first look & private vow exchange, and once the sun had set over the ocean, Sammie & Matt made their way to the shores for their nighttime elopement ceremony. They had created the most stunning setup by the water to bring their celestial ceremony vision to life – twinkle lights galore, a geometric arbor accented by asymmetric floral arrangements, and a small blue rug for the couple to stand on. Everything about it was absolutely magical and I was definitely tearing up behind the camera just SOLELY based off of how they were looking at eah other during their ceremony!

Once they wrapped up their ceremony under the stars and a rockin’ walk back down the aisle through a glowing show of sparklers, Sammie, Matt & their loved ones enjoyed a DELICIOUS meal catered by her coworker. The newlyweds cut their cake, pulled out their best dance moves, and finished the night off with a bang alongside their guests.

All in all, this Whidbey Island elopement was a dream come true – not only for myself as a photographer, as it was way too easy for me to capture the magic of the day, but for Sammie and Matt, who have been dreaming it up for months. I couldn’t have imagined it turning out more beautifully!

The beachfront Whidbey Island Airbnb

If you’re intrigued by the thought of holding your own wedding or elopement at an Airbnb, then don’t close out of this tab quite yet! I’m obsessed with the growing popularity of Airbnb weddings and all the benefits they offer – from a private space to host all of your favorite people, to the opportunity to enjoy luxurious overnight accommodations the night of your wedding, to cozy amenities & so much more. 

Picking an Airbnb for your ceremony and/or reception instead of a formal venue will help cut down your costs, will provide an inviting, home-y space to celebrate, and can even double as a place for your guests to stay if you rent out a large home! Not into the idea of getting cozy with your friends & fam (as much as you love them)? Book a small Airbnb with a spacious lawn, or even a patio/deck for your ceremony, and say goodbye to your guests at the end of the day so you can enjoy a private night to yourselves.

The Airbnb that Sammie & Matt booked for their Whidbey Island elopement is a beautiful cabin, aptly named “Ferry Cove,” and is located on a sandy beach covered in driftwood, with beautiful mountain views in the background. The large outdoor areas provided spacious spots for both their ceremony and reception, and the luxury-beach-cabin-from-the-1950s vibe was immaculate!

Note that if you’d like to have your wedding at an Airbnb, it’s important to ensure that the Airbnb of your choice allows events, and that you get express permission from the host to hold your wedding there. Extra fees & stress for not following the rules? No, thank you!

The creative team

A big thank you to the fellow creatives who helped breathe life into Sammie & Matt’s vision for their dream Whidbey Island elopement day!

Florist: Fellow Florist

Dress: Reformation

Robe: Solstice Intimates