The following is a guest post by Wendy Harrop, owner of It’s Your Day! and Director of Wedding Planning Instruction for New Wedding Planet.

As a California event planner for 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of planning wonderful weddings with creative clients at a variety of unconventional venues. Naturally, winery weddings are popular here. So are beach weddings, parties in the park, and receptions at ranches and farms. But for three reasons, bed & breakfasts have a special place in my heart.

1. For small weddings, B&Bs are intimate, economical, and distinctive.

For a wedding of fewer than 50 guests and a couple on a budget, an owner-operated B&B with the necessary permits makes planning easy and economical. Ambience and atmosphere are built in, saving significantly on décor expenses such as flowers. Small ceremony and celebration spaces at a single location reduce time and transportation costs. Beautifully restored Victorian B&Bs–and California has more than any other state–provide the kind of theme that’s easily carried out, from invitations to attire. In addition, I’ve found B&B venues to be quite flexible about the vendors I’m allowed to hire for the event. (I wish hotels were equally open-minded!)

2. B&Bs near wineries help larger weddings work especially well.

Although legendary Napa is strict about winery weddings, nearby Sonoma County–like several other California wine-growing areas–has an abundance of wineries with facilities for a ceremony in the vineyard followed by a party in the tasting room. Some can accommodate as many as 200 attendees. By definition, most are far from cities, so it’s really helpful when there are block-bookable B&Bs located nearby to accommodate overnight guests. It’s safer for partiers at a winery wedding held in Healdsburg to drive the short distance to any of a dozen attractive Russian River B&Bs than having to make their way back to a hotel in San Francisco, hours away, following a reception featuring a dozen local wines!

3. B&B owners are friendly, fun, and well-informed.

Because they’re passionate about their properties, the B&B owners I know are a joy to work with in planning a wedding on-site, or simply blocking guest rooms for overnight guests. Like me, they’re hands-on managers used to rolling up their sleeves to get the job done. Unlike hotel catering staff, they tend to stay put in one place. And they often know more about restaurants, attractions, and transportation options in their area than anybody else around. Most aren’t shy about sharing local lore, opinions, and advice. Like their properties, they have personality!

I wish even more B&Bs offered weddings. And I love helping B&B owners become wedding planners. That’s why we created a dedicated video course tutorial on B&B weddings for the online wedding planning course I helped develop.

First photo: Nunan Estate in Jacksonville, OR
Second photo: Inn on Crescent Lake in Excelsior Springs, MO

Howlers Inn in Bozeman, Montana provides its guests with a unique and unforgettable experience. It doubles as a bed & breakfast and a private wolf sanctuary, and it's the only one that exists in North America. Mary-Martha and Chris Bahn run the inn and sanctuary with great care. The property is set on 40 acres surrounded by mountains, and it's an amazing place for nature lovers and outdoor sport enthusiasts.

Mary-Martha kindly took some time to answer these questions for us about her unique property and what makes Bozeman a special place to visit.

1. What do you enjoy most about being an innkeeper?
Almost every innkeeper will tell you it’s the guests, and they are right. For us, it’s not only about meeting the guests and hearing about their travels, but it is also the opportunity to share with them information about our wolves and wolves in general. Educating the public about this misunderstood animal is a core part of our mission.

2. How long have you been an innkeeper?
We have had the pleasure of doing this for about seven years now, and we still love it!

3. What was your inspiration for your creating your inn?
We’d love to be able to tell you we had this grand vision for the inn and wolf sanctuary, but we are not the ones who started this. We took over the operation in 2004, and fell in love with the wolves so much that we expanded the sanctuary in 2007. Our mission is to provide a life that is as close to natural as possible for a captive-born wolf that needs a home. To that end, we have large enclosures where our wolves live in packs and where they can establish and maintain their own social order. 

4. What sets your B&B apart from others?
There are two things. The main difference is our wolf sanctuary. We currently have six wolves living in two enclosures attached to the inn. Our wolf sanctuary is not open to the public; only registered guests have the privilege of seeing the wolves. We do this to protect the animals. Seeing a lot of strangers can be stressful for our wolves, so by not being open to the public, we protect the animals, and can offer our guests something unique they can’t experience anywhere else. In addition to walking around the perimeter of the enclosures, two of our guest rooms overlook the enclosures, so guests can watch the wolves play from the privacy of their rooms. And of course, they get to experience hearing them howl at night. Our guests describe it as having a symphony in the back yard! Second, we are a true log home set on 40 acres in a beautiful mountain canyon, with mountain views from every room. The peace and quiet is simply amazing and the views outstanding.

5. Why do you think travelers should choose B&Bs over hotels?
B&Bs offer experiences you simply cannot get at a chain hotel. Each one is different and unique and has something special to offer. The B&B becomes part of the trip, part of the experience, not just a brief stopping point on the way from A to B. What a bargain!

6. What makes your town worth visiting—are there any interesting local attractions or activities?
Bozeman, MT is an amazing place. We are an easy day trip to Yellowstone National Park, which is a magical experience any time of the year. There is fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding, caverns to explore, and white water rafting in the summer.  During the winter, there is downhill and Nordic skiing, dinner sleigh rides, and dog sledding. We also have a world class dinosaur museum in town, the Museum of the Rockies. Add to that the charming Western town of Bozeman, and it makes for a fabulous place to visit.

Need to escape the hustle and bustle of your busy life? A relaxing getaway is even better if it comes with a beautiful view. Whether you want to sunbathe on a beach, go boating on a lake, relax by a river, or stroll along a historic canal, there are B&Bs and inns across the world that offer the luxury of being located right on the water.  

Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Amstel Canal Guest House

The Amstel Canal Guest House is located along one of Amsterdam’s famous canals. Some of the guest rooms have unobstructed views of the canal, which is merely feet away from the windows. While the view may be relaxing, you’re located right in the heart of the city with endless things to do. The Amstel Canal Guest House is close to countless cafes and restaurants and within walking distance of the major museums and tourist attractions.

Venice, Italy: 3749 Ponte Chiodo

The Italian city of Venice is well known for its winding canals, and many travelers enjoy staying along the water and taking romantic gondola rides. One of these picturesque canals runs along the exterior of the 3749 Ponte Chiodo Guest House and then leads to a lagoon. This inn is named after an ancient bridge at the entrance of the house, which is only one of its kind left in Venice. The property gives you the benefit of being close to the city center, but in a quiet and peaceful area.

Rangiroa, French Polynesia: Pension Bounty

Located on the atoll of Rangiroa in French Polynesia, this property has some of the most spectacular views in the world and is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. Pension Bounty is just meters from the white, sandy beaches of Ohotu Bay and in a prime location for scuba divers. Watch the sun rise or set over the clear, sparkling water. Tiputa Pass is just a half-mile away, where you can spot dolphins playing and swimming. The property is also surrounded by a coconut plantation.

Tahoe Vista, California: The Shore House

The Shore House sits along the north shore of Lake Tahoe and offers a stunning vista of the lake and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The property has its own pier, balconies and decks overlooking the lake, and a large outdoor lakefront hot tub. Several of the rooms have incredible lake views, and there is also a separate waterfront cottage ideal for honeymooners. The lakefront location couldn’t be more perfect for those who love water sports, and in the warmer months, you can take a private cruise on the innkeepers’36-foot cabin cruiser.

Hardy Creek, Montana: River’s Bend Lodge

River’s Bend Lodge offers a haven for outdoor lovers who want to get away from the city. Surrounded by greenery and sitting along the banks of the beautiful Missouri River, this comfortable and rustic lodge is ideal for those who love fly fishing. The lodge is near Tower Rock State Park, a former campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It’s not only ideal for fisherman; there are plenty of other opportunities here for hiking, cliff jumping, biking, swimming, birdwatching, river floating, canoeing, and more.

Have you ever stayed at a waterfront B&B? What is your favorite place?