You enjoy being out in nature and are marrying the love of your life—you've got the perfect excuse for a memorable camp wedding. Many couples love camping weddings because they're refreshing, unique, and filled with adventures, but planning one is no easy feat. If it's how you want to tie the knot, this guide will help you say "I do" in your dream camping wedding venue.
This type of event is only successful if you find camping wedding venues that align with your goal and have the essential services and amenities you need. Lucky for you, there are tons of outdoor spaces that can double as a campground wedding venue.
Remote Wilderness
Ultimate outdoor adventures await you and your wedding guests in a secluded and remote wilderness area. Check if they have well-established campsites or a nice clearing you can decorate. Here, the chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the soothing gushing sound of the flowing river add to the music background for the serene ceremony.
Lakeside Retreat
There’s nothing more romantic than exchanging vows in a lakefront location with the glistening waters and the beautiful nature as your backdrop and a witness to the magical event. Soak in the gentle breeze while you listen to the wedding officiant or the couples expressing their unconditional love for one another.
Natural Reserves and Parks
Coordinate with the local government or agency to host your summer camp wedding at a national park or nature reserve. These sites often have areas for camping, gathering, and elopements. With canyon floors, mountain views, dramatic landscapes, and miles of hiking trails and photography areas, your wedding photos are bound to be magical.
House with a Backyard
If you’re far from any camping area, national parks, or the wilderness, don’t fret. You can still have your dream camp wedding when you book a place with a backyard and pool. The best thing about it is that you don’t have to worry about power sources or several amenities that those remote outdoor spaces don’t have.
Finding the perfect venue is one of the challenges of camp weddings. You'll want an authentic summer camp wedding experience in a private, intimate space, so you'll need thorough planning and research. Remember that some services and elements you'll typically see in traditional venues may not be available in campsites.
Location
Like for any wedding party, location is everything. Is your potential venue centrally located near transportation hubs, lodging options, and shopping areas? The closer it is to the airport, bus and train stations, hotels, and shops, the better.
Accessibility
You might've found a dreamy setting with an alluring rustic charm and that offers beautiful photo opportunities, but there's no point booking the space if it takes nearly half a day to get there. You must also think about how your elderly guests or those with mobility issues can access the venue.
Modern Amenities
The available amenities and services can make or break the couples' and guests' overall experiences, especially for an outdoor wedding. List your must-haves and nice-to-haves and select from camp wedding venues that can provide your needed amenities like clean, well-maintained restrooms, on-site cabins, and indoor options.
Power Source
A reliable power source isn't a major concern in a traditional wedding, but if you want to exchange vows in the middle of the great outdoors, you have to think about the power source. Many camp wedding venues use generators, but you must prioritize a place that takes advantage of eco-friendly and sustainable energy sources.
Perhaps you and your partner have spent most of your dating time in nature and want it to be part of your biggest celebration, or maybe you simply want a one-of-a-kind wedding in a whimsical environment. No matter the case, there are plenty of ways to elevate your big day and make your guests happy campers.
The best thing about summer camp weddings is that you can say your “I dos” amidst the glorious nature and spend a minimal amount of money on wedding decor. However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bother decorating.
Instead of the typical party streamer, display the couple’s cute photos for custom decor. You can also put natural elements and textures like wine barrels, driftwood, and stone place names together with camping items like lanterns, flags, and plaid blankets. Then, design a picturesque wedding walkway with fresh flowers and string lights.
Have different stations for entertainment, photography, relaxation, and food and drinks. Rather than a standard bar setup, use an old canoe or buckets and fill them with ice for guests to grab the drinks they want. For your table setting, design pretty picnic tables and have mismatched furniture or wood folding chairs for a legit camping feel.
For outdoor activities and entertainment, lawn games like ring toss, scavenger hunts, and wedding cornhole boards will always be a favorite. If games aren’t your thing, how about hiking, boat riding, or canoeing?
It’s the couple's big day, so they deserve only the best. You'll want to ensure the bride and groom enjoy a stress-free and unforgettable celebration.
The truth is, camp weddings aren't easy to pull off. But when the scenic nature is your venue, all the pressures and challenges are worth it. Here's how you can make the process easier and turn your dream wedding into reality.
Scout the Location
Determine the ins and outs of what every potential venue has and doesn’t offer to help you know whether or not it’s the right one for you. You must visit the site before booking, and as you do so, imagine the ceremony and reception taking place there. If you can visualize your wedding in that setting, it’s a good sign.
Manage Logistics
You’ll want guests to get lost in the moment but not on the way to the campground. Plan the logistics of how people and your wedding gear will enter and exit the site, and where guests and crewmembers will stay. It’s a good idea to create a map and clear signage throughout the campground.
Coordinate with Vendors
There's nothing that effective communication can't resolve, so always communicate and coordinate with vendors and suppliers for a smooth operation. From photographers and caterers to event planners and managers, everyone should be on board for creating a memorable occasion and understand their roles and responsibilities.
Check Lodging Options
Are there glamping tents available, vintage trailers, nearby RV sites, inns, or hotels? Your venue might be among the towering trees without any event building but look for accommodation options within or near the site.
Have Backup Plans
Don't let the bad weather put a damper on your special event. Have backup plans so that you're always ready for things beyond your control.
Do you want to do something different from the traditional wedding at a chapel, high-end hotel, or event center? Imagine standing in front of the love of your life surrounded by towering pines or vibrant flowers. If you need more inspiration, here are summer camp wedding ideas to spark your imagination.
Farm Wedding Party
Open, spacious, historic, and welcoming—farms are becoming a go-to place for unique weddings. It’s easy to transform the area based on your theme, like a boho or countryside setting with vintage and rustic decor pieces. If there’s a petting zoo at the farm, you can include it in the program so kids and adults can pet and learn more about those intriguing farm animals.
Romantic Mountainside Gathering
Declare your love at the summit or at the foot of dreamy mountains away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You’re away from the crowds and noise of the world in a serene and romantic setting with your life partner and the people you care about.
Rustic Ranch Rehearsal Dinner
You’re preparing for your special day, so you want to make it comfortable for everyone, relaxing, and laid back. Why not host your rehearsal dinner in a converted farm building or ranch? It’s a great way to enjoy a local experience and impress guests with farm-to-table dishes.
Enchanted Woodland Ceremony
You'll instantly feel like a fairytale prince and princess in an enthralling woodland wedding ceremony. It’s a place of reverence, stillness, and peace—an ideal spot to open a new chapter in your colorful life as a married couple. Fill your ceremony with the enchanting sound of rustling leaves and birdsong and the rich scents of the forest.
Fairytale Garden Wedding
Sometimes, a camping wedding doesn’t have to be hosted in a remote forest or a campsite. A garden venue offers fresh air, lush greenery, colorful flowers, and breathtaking scenery you'll find in many outdoor spaces. Some gardens also have a designated dining hall or function room for receptions.
Camp weddings aren't new but some people may not be familiar with this concept. If you're a guest attending this type of event for the first time, you might have some reservations or are unsure of what to pack for the wedding. For couples planning the event, you're probably making a list of must-haves to ensure that guests are happy and comfortable throughout the ceremony. Here are a few items you should add to your list:
Bug Repellent
Keep those annoying bugs and mosquitoes away from your wedding party by packing bug repellent or insect sprays. They can be great wedding favors or giveaways as guests arrive at the campground.
Personal Hygiene Kit
Many hotels provide hygiene kits like soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste but not camping sites. You'll have to bring your own, especially if it's a weekend getaway stay. Apart from the toiletries, you can also add first-aid supplies.
Practical Footwear
You'll want to wear your best for the ceremony, but don't forget to pack comfortable shoes for the reception or outdoor activities. Depending on the wedding venue, you might need different pairs, such as flip-flops, hiking boots, and trainers.
You and your future spouse are certified nature lovers who enjoy camping and want to incorporate it into your big day. You're in luck, as Giggster has multiple camping wedding venues you can book, from an urban lake property to acres of barns and farms, for your dream celebration.