PROPERLY PLAN A SUMMER CAMP WEDDING

So you’re adventurous and love the outdoors. You both do. You want to get married outdoors and camp with your closest friends and relatives. Great. So how do you make your wedding memorable (in a good way) for guests whom may have never even camped? This article is a good starting point!

Did you know that we can set up camp for your event as well!?

Create a Map

Image: Wildflower estudio

Think tactically about the logistics of how people are entering, staying, and exiting the campgrounds. Plan and map out how each guest and service member would travel there.

Give Yourself Time

Give yourself as much time as possible when setting up your wedding - ideally the day before people start arriving.

Allow for time after your wedding as well. Taking down camp is quicker but it won’t take 30 minutes. Ask you guests to help as a gift to you :-).

Sleeping Accommodations

Where will everyone sleep? A tent, right? Possibly. But you have other options to consider as well.

• Offsite locations: You can shuttle some guests to a location elsewhere. Make sure that clearly communicate any shuttle plans clearly to your guests several times (you don’t want to leave anyone behind).

• RVs: You can find many comfortable campers to rent online - many of which may even include a bathroom! Check out Outdoorsy.com or RVShare.com. You may even be able to have them delivered.

• Tents: Obviously, this is camp wedding after all. But not all tents are created equal. Some guest may be cool with sleeping in an REI tent, but others may not. You could purchase fancy bell tents and furnish them for yourself. Or you can have a company bring in their rental glamping tents and do all the work for you - also creating a beautiful backdrop for photos.

Restrooms

You will easily need of 2-3 bathrooms your guests. Your venue may have some, but possibly not enough for your camping guests. Check out Luxury Restroom Trailers in Oregon and Washington and Royal Restrooms (nationally) - not only do they have bathrooms, but also showers!

Get Help!

Planning a wedding is fun - at the beginning. But the week and day of is stressful for many. Enlist extra help from a coordinator, family and friends. Work with vendors, such as camping tent rental companies that include RSVP management to help take some work off of your plate. The investment will be worth it.

Communicate.

When people feel prepared, they’re able to focus on the fun, Let your guests know what to expect ahead of time. Communicate an agenda, what to pack and where to go at what time. Try to send out the details at least 3 weeks early to avoid a barrage of questions. We also suggest creating great signage throughout camp to direct your guests.

Plan for Wild Weather

Weather will be a major variable during your outdoor wedding event - but it could also be hot…or cold. Certainly make sure that you have some sort of large rain or shade structure so your guests can seek shelter. You may also want to invest in portable fans or heaters as well. And if it is chilly, you’ll want some throw blankets that your guests can grab as needed.

9. Bugs. Out.

Yep, they live outside, right where you will be celebrating. You can combate them with a fogger before guests arrive. Bug spray and citronella candles are a good option to keep handy during your event as well.

Night Lights

Navigating your campground nce the sun & alcohol goes down will be tricky. Try to light up obvious walking paths and provide flashlights to your guests to help avoid any accidents.