Pink Cake, Tattoos, and Tender Vows at a Queer Airbnb Wedding
When Jess (they/them) and Cheyenne (she/her) got engaged in London, they knew they didn’t want a wedding that felt like anyone else’s. They imagined something intimate, romantic, and filled with personal touches – exactly what they created. With less than 10 guests, a courtyard ceremony at a New Orleans Airbnb, and vintage dinnerware hand-picked by the couple, this wedding was more than just a celebration. It was a whole weekend of queer love, art, and intention. Jess, a tattoo artist, and Cheyenne, a jewelry expert, leaned into what made them feel beautiful, comfortable, and completely themselves.
Why did you choose to get married in an Airbnb?
We loved the idea of making a full weekend out of it, not just a single day. We found a big Airbnb with a beautiful courtyard and thought, why not get married here? It let us be with all our guests in one place, prep together, and make memories beyond the ceremony itself. Plus, it felt like home. It gave us full control over the vibe, and we didn’t have to worry about fitting into someone else’s mold of what a wedding should be.
What was your wedding day like?
It was soft, slow, and really peaceful. Exactly what we needed. We had prepped so much beforehand that the day itself was super relaxed. We shared a meal with family, handwrote our vows, and got ready together. We do that every day, so it felt right to do the same on our wedding day.
Cheyenne’s aunt officiated the ceremony in the courtyard as the sun set. She got ordained just to marry us and built her entire speech around our story. Afterward, we had a private vow exchange, then sat down to an intimate dinner party with our loved ones. It was simple, special, and full of meaning.
What inspired the styling and decor?
We wanted the vibe to be romantic and timeless, something that felt like us. Jess has an eye for detail (they’re an artist), so they took the lead on styling. Everything was soft, colorful, and intentional. We picked out vintage dinnerware and created the floral arrangements ourselves the night before with our wedding party. Every little piece had a story behind it, and that made the whole day feel extra personal.
Tell us about the outfits!
Jess: I went with a simple jumpsuit. I’m not really into suits or dresses and knew what brands I liked, so it came together quickly.
Cheyenne: My dress journey was harder. I originally picked something out, but months later realized it wasn’t right. As a plus-size bride, finding something that fit well and matched the vibe was tough. I tried so many different options, just trying to find one that made me feel good in my body. In the end, I found a dress that made me feel beautiful and comfortable, and that’s all I wanted for the day.
How did you keep the wedding budget on track?
We were strict with our budget from the start and made sure each vendor fit within the cap we set. Jess’s tattoo clients were super helpful. A few had wedding industry connections that guided us toward solid options. We researched micro weddings and took a very DIY approach, which helped us save while still making everything feel thoughtful and elevated.
What made your photographer the right fit?
We’d seen Kaylee’s work on Instagram and loved how natural and emotive her photos felt. A lot of photographers we saw were really posed or polished, and that wasn’t what we were looking for. We wanted our photos to feel like movie stills: moody, romantic, and honest. Kaylee from Thistle and Roots totally got the vision and delivered above and beyond. We’ll always treasure the moments she captured.
Did you include any family traditions or queer reimaginings?
We rewrote a lot of traditions to fit our relationship. For example, we got ready together, something that felt completely natural to us. We also read our vows privately after the ceremony, which created a quiet and intimate moment just for us.
Cheyenne’s aunt officiating was a huge part of the ceremony’s meaning too. She shaped her words entirely around our story and made it feel like no one else could have done it better.
Any standout vendors?
Our photographer, Thistle and Roots, was everything. Kaylee was so thoughtful, professional, and present throughout the entire process.
Our rings and all of our wedding jewelry came from Carter’s Collective Fine Jewelry, where Cheyenne works. We both have unique jewelry styles, and they helped us find pieces that felt right for us, including a stunning opal engagement ring and a beautiful wedding band set.
We also hired a private caterer who built a menu around our tastes and Cheyenne’s vegetarian diet. She even made our cake: a pink vintage-style heart cake with raspberry and lemon. It was perfect.
Any advice for other couples planning a small wedding or elopement?
Don’t be afraid to do something unconventional. If a tradition doesn’t fit you, skip it. If a venue doesn’t accommodate small weddings, get creative. This is your story, and you’re allowed to write it however you want. Some of our favorite parts of the day came from choosing what felt right for us, not what was expected.
Photography by Thistle and Roots
Hair Grace Polley
Rings Carter’s Collective Fine Jewelry
