When I first met Dasha and Eric for their Green-Wood Cemetery engagement session, I knew they were not your typical couple. Thoughtful, genuine, unpretentious—people who don’t need to follow the standard script to create something beautiful. Their wedding confirmed it completely. Instead of a grand ballroom affair, they built something far more personal, creative, and heartfelt: a true Airbnb wedding in the Hudson Valley.
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Before their wedding weekend, we had already shared something special—a cemetery engagement session at Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery that turned out to be one of my most unexpected favorites. What could’ve sounded dark or unusual became a story about love surrounded by history, art, and peace. That shoot revealed who Dasha and Eric really are: thoughtful, open-minded, and unafraid to find beauty where most wouldn’t look.
The Beauty of an Airbnb Wedding
Let’s talk about this idea first, because it deserves attention. Hosting an Airbnb wedding can be a game-changer for couples working within a budget but unwilling to sacrifice atmosphere. Think about it: for roughly the cost of a hotel stay, you get not only accommodation but also your wedding venue—often with natural beauty, privacy, and built-in charm.
Dasha and Eric found an incredible property in Austerlitz, upstate New York—a 5,000 sq ft home built in 1990, perched on 36 scenic acres with meadows, woods, and a lake straight out of a Monet painting, complete with a small bridge, lilies, and even an island with a fire pit! The property seems to have had a barn and what used to be a horse meadow. It’s one of those places that feels worlds away but sits comfortably within the Hudson Valley wedding radius—peaceful, accessible, and picture-perfect.
If I got it right, they paid around $6,000 for three nights, which might sound like a lot until you realize that it covered lodging for about ten families and friend groups. Seven full bedrooms in the main house plus extra guest rooms, all beautifully furnished and authentic in style. There is also an additional house for a few more families across the lawn. It’s what you’d expect from a high-end getaway—except this one doubled as their venue. Split the cost among guests or consider it instead of a hotel block, and suddenly your budget stretches to include better photography, videography, and other experiences that truly matter.
Morning Preparations—All Here, All In
The morning felt exactly as it should when everyone’s under one roof—busy but stress-free. The house buzzed with quiet purpose: people getting ready, laughter echoing from room to room, breakfast smells drifting through the halls. There was no rushing, no frantic schedule, just a natural rhythm of family and friends working together.
With everyone already there, it felt less like “wedding prep” and more like a day of celebration unfolding in slow motion. Every moment—friends chatting while helping out, kids wandering in and out, parents checking in—added to that intimate, lived-in warmth that made the whole morning feel like home.
That’s the charm of a backyard wedding at heart—even when the “backyard” happens to be 36 acres wide. It’s personal, real, and free from the pressure of timelines and formality.
Family in the Kitchen
If you’ve ever attended a Russian or Eastern European family gathering, you know that food isn’t just part of the celebration—it is the celebration. Dasha’s family leaned into that beautifully. They didn’t hire a catering company. Instead, the kitchen buzzed with the sounds and smells of home cooking (again, think Thanksgiving!)
Her father led the charge, preparing an impressive spread that could rival any restaurant. Several women from the family joined in, each bringing dishes and flavors passed down through generations. The photos from before the ceremony show that pre-wedding flurry—chopping, laughing, toasting—love expressed in the language of cooking. It may not have the polish of a professional service, but it carried a level of heart and authenticity money can’t buy.
And what a menu it was: a feast of Slavic and Eastern European cuisine that perfectly reflected the bride’s heritage.
DIY Everything—with Grace
The day had all the hallmarks of a DIY wedding done right. Makeup and hair? Handled by Dasha herself and a few helping hands. Playlist? Curated and managed by her sister instead of a DJ. Officiant? A close friend. No hired planner, no coordinators buzzing around—and yet, nothing felt chaotic. The simplicity gave everyone space to breathe, laugh, and just be there.
The result was a day filled with genuine emotion instead of overproduction. Kids ran and crawled around freely, guests lounged and chatted, and the energy was warm, gentle, and family-centered. A few guests drove in just for the day, but most stayed around—including one in an RV parked on the property.
The Ceremony by the Water
The ceremony took place on the porch, overlooking the pond. It was one of those perfect late-September days—sunny, warm, a hint of gold in the trees. A simple but beautiful floral arch did the job, and nature complemented it. The lake reflected the light, the bridge shimmered in the background, and their vows felt completely at home in that quiet setting.
As photographers, my wife Lara and I always look for the soul of a location. For this Airbnb wedding, it was easy—the place breathed serenity.
Sunlit Portraits by the Lake
After the ceremony, we took a quiet walk around the lake for Dasha and Eric’s portraits. The afternoon light was pure gold—soft, warm, and gliding over the water like silk. Every turn offered something new: reflections on the pond, tall grass swaying in the breeze, the bridge with its Monet-like charm. The two of them moved easily, wrapped in that post-ceremony calm that always brings out the most genuine expressions.
A Little Maternity Magic
Adding to the uniqueness, Dasha was expecting. Between the portraits and couple shots after the ceremony, there was a quiet moment that naturally became a mini maternity session. No big belly poses, no fanfare—just a few tender frames acknowledging the new life soon to join theirs. Subtle, graceful, and deeply moving.
A Wedding That Feels Like Home
It didn’t even feel like an event production, but more like a gathering. The dining setup alone told the story. With so many people staying under one roof, the couple arranged two large tables around a corner from each other, still within sight and conversation range. There was no dance floor, no fancy lighting setup, no professional decor, but it didn’t need any of that. The house itself carried the elegance: rich wood, classy and modern furnishings, and a natural warmth that made the celebration feel like Thanksgiving with your favorite people. And with a massive group-oriented platform at its core, an Airbnb wedding won’t be challenging to pull off.
The Evening Glow
Dinner felt like an embrace—guests filling both tables, clinking glasses, passing dishes, and laughing across the corner gap. Afterward came cake, hugs, and then something even more special: everyone wandered to the island on the lake.
The fire pit came alive with colored flames—some secret powder that made it shimmer blue and green. Sparklers flickered, s’mores roasted, and people huddled close under the night’s starry sky. There was no loud music, no DJ cues—just the sound of laughter, conversation, and the crackling fire. It was magic in its simplest form of an Airbnb wedding.
Hospitality That Travels
And then, of course, came the final act of true Russian hospitality. When we packed up to leave, Dasha’s father wouldn’t hear of it until they’d filled our hands with food containers—some of that gourmet meat he had roasted in the oven—and two bottles of wine for the road. You can’t argue with that kind of love.
Hudson Valley Wedding Inspiration
This day is everything I love about Hudson Valley weddings—open skies, lakeside light, intimate gatherings, and the ability to make a space your own. Whether it’s an Airbnb wedding, a backyard, or a family property, the region offers endless possibilities for couples who care more about atmosphere and authenticity than spectacle.
It’s a photographer’s dream too: every turn of the property gave us new backdrops—the porch ceremony, the lake reflections, the barn, the fences, the fields. And yes, that soft Hudson Valley light did the rest.
Why I’ll Recommend Airbnb Weddings Again
An Airbnb wedding isn’t for everyone. It takes flexibility, teamwork, and families willing to pitch in. But when it works—it’s unforgettable. You get a venue, a home, and a weekend of memories that no banquet hall can match.
My advice to couples considering it:
- Look for properties that combine indoor comfort with outdoor beauty.
- Communicate early with hosts about guest count and activities.
- Consider it a wedding retreat, not just a one-day event.
- Invest what you save on what truly matters, or an experience you’ll treasure.
- And above all, make it yours.
Cozy, Authentic, and Unscripted
At its heart, this was the definition of a backyard wedding—cozy, authentic, and real. It had none of the usual pressure and all of the right energy. Everyone belonged.
Dasha and Eric created something rare: a wedding that felt like home from start to finish. And as we drove away—our car packed with leftover food and wine—I couldn’t help but think how fitting that was. Warmth, generosity, love, laughter—it all came with us.
Wishing these two (soon to be three) all the comfort, joy, and togetherness that began that weekend in their Airdne home.
