How to Plan a Summer Camp Wedding 

Are you and your partner both adventurous and love the outdoors?  And you want to have a unique and memorable wedding?  A glamping wedding could be just what you need!  It is essentially a summer camp for adults, where you get to get married outdoors and then camp with your closest friends and family.  What’s not to love?! 

Wondering how to make your wedding memorable (in a good way) and ensure that all of your guests (even if they don’t camp) have a great time? 

Well, this article is a great starting point! At City Lights Glamping, we are experts at helping you create the perfect glamping wedding. Read on to learn more, and then contact us to book your unique glamping experience! 

CREATE A VISIONBOARD 

Sit down with your partner and envision what you both want for your special day.  Be specific and find photos of details you love.  Pinterest can be a great spot for this!  Having a clear idea of what you both like to start with helps make decisions easier throughout the planning process. 

FIND A VENUE 

The first step of creating a summer camp wedding is finding the perfect spot to host it.  This blog highlights a few aspects to consider when picking a location. If you’re located in Washington or Oregon, check out our lists of possible venues!

CREATE A MAP 

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

GIVE YOURSELF TIME 

Creating a summer camp wedding is much more complex than a standard reception.  There are aspects (many listed in this article) that you would not have to prep at a traditional venue.  Take that into consideration when creating your timeline.  Give yourself as much time as possible when setting up your wedding. Begin the set-up process, at the very least, the day before your wedding. Ideally the day before guests start arriving.  Also, allow for take-down time after your wedding. 

SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS 

Where will everyone sleep? Consider tents from City Lights Glamping! But know that you have other options, as well. 

  • Offsite locations: You can shuttle some guests to a location elsewhere. Make sure that you clearly communicate shuttle plans to your guests several times. 
  • 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 a camping wedding after all. However, not all tents are created equal. At City Lights Glamping, we provide roomy tents with luxurious and comfortable amenities. Contact us to learn more!

RESTROOMS  

Everyone will need a place “to go”! Hopefully your campsite already offers restrooms. If not (or, if you want to pamper your guests with a more luxurious experience), check out Luxury Restroom Trailers in Oregon and Washington and Royal Restrooms (nationally) – not only do they have bathrooms, but showers too! 

GET HELP! 

Planning a wedding is fun – at the beginning. When you get closer to the big date, things become more stressful.  The week and day-of the wedding can be hectic to say the least. Enlisting extra help from a coordinator, family, and friends is the way to go. Partner with reputable vendors and consider booking with City Lights Glamping to provide high-end glamping accommodations! 

COMMUNICATE 

When people feel prepared, they’re able to focus on the fun. Remembering that this is not a standard wedding, make sure to 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 signage throughout the camp to help direct your guests. 

PLAN FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER 

Weather can be a major variable during your outdoor wedding event. Make sure that you have some sort of large rain or shade structure so your guests can seek shelter if the weather takes a turn. You may also want to invest in portable fans or heaters. If it is chilly, you’ll want some throw blankets that your guests can grab as needed. Remember: your and your guests’ safety is always the top priority. Seek shelter during extreme inclement weather. 

BUGS OUT 

Yep, they live outside, right where you will be celebrating. There are a few tactics to help lessen these pests and save your guests from bites.  First, you can combat them with a fogger before guests arrive. Providing bug spray and having citronella candles on hand are both good options as well. 

NIGHT LIGHTS 

Navigating your campground once the sun goes down could be tricky.  Especially after a night of celebrating! Try to light up walking paths with fairy lights, shine a light on signage, and provide flashlights for your guests to help avoid any accidents. 

There you have it! Some top tips for your summer camp wedding! 

Interested in partnering with City Lights Glamping to make your special day truly unique? Get in touch with our helpful team today! 

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