Tips for having a Summer Camp Wedding in New England

Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire offer some of our favorite outdoor adventures and as someone who grew up in Maine as a kid, I loved going to summer camp every year. Now these camps are the perfect location for couples who are looking for a full weekend wedding experience and looking to enjoy the fresh air, dancing around a campfire, and spending a whole weekend with your favorite people.

Katelyn Mallett Photography

Katelyn Mallett Photography

Katelyn Mallett Photography

Picking a Camp + Location

Pick a camp that fits your needs and consider the following:

• Power, bedding included or brought in, catering on-site or outside catering required, water and outdoor activities available, area amenities, what rentals are included for the weekend and for your wedding, are animals allowed, rain plan areas, how are the cabins setup (bunkrooms, private cabins, shared bathrooms, bathhouse, etc.). Consider how adventurous your guests are and how many can sleep on-site, is there a nearby hotel or other accommodation for older guests or guests who do not enjoy the outdoors as much as you?

• Please note that most Summer Camp weddings tpyically happen between August-October.

Events and Timeline

• For a full weekend celebration, we suggest asking your guests to take Friday or Monday off from work to enjoy that extra full day. The weekend might look something like this: hosting games and a big welcome cookout on Friday, celebrate Saturday, and encourage relaxing on the water or other activities for Sunday and depart on Monday morning.

Welcome Bags and Education

• Create welcome bags to welcome your guests to their cabins. Items to consider are snacks, water bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, hydration packets, Advil or ibuprofen, travel shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, custom items, flashlights, thank you note and something local or special to you. Depending on your weekend plans, custom shirts for the weekend can be a fun addition.

• Plan meals for your guests or provide nearby options for lunch and breakfast. Let your guest know which meals will be provided and what meals will be their responsibility to source.

• Educate your guests on what they need to bring, when food will be served, things to do nearby, where they will be staying or alternative accommodation options and the weekend schedule. This information can be included on an insert card with your invitation and/or included on your website. We always suggest both to really ensure guests can access this information in two ways. The more you can educate your guests, the easier it will be for your guests and the more relaxed the weekend will be for everyone.

Other Important Details and Considerations

• Lighting- people will be walking back to their cabins at night so lighting is important. We suggest lighting pathways with solar lights or lanterns all weekend.

• Rain Plans- have rain plans and rain activities planned

• Babysitter- If you plan on having a kid-friendly weekend, think about setting aside one cabin for kid activities and hiring and local babysitting company for the night of the wedding.

• Late-night snacks/food- This will depend on the availability of your venue and caterer, but what is a summer camp wedding without s’mores and maybe a little late-night pizza or gourmet hotdogs? If you plan on going late into the night, make sure there is a food option for guest staying on site.

• Fire Restrictions- Does your venue allow open flames and is that important to you? Candles and bonfires are popular options for Summer camp weddings. Some venues have restrictions on this, so it’s good to check beforehand.

• Catering- Some venues require that you cater your wedding with them or choose from a provided list of approved vendors. If you have a food truck or a caterer that you are dying to work with, make sure the venue will allow it.

Summer Camp Wedding Venues to Explore In New England

• Camp Wild Wood- Bridgton, ME

• Camp Cody- Freedom, NH

• Camp Ogontz- Lyman, NH

• Migis Lodge- Sebago, ME

• Camp Manitou- Oakland, ME

• Camp Mataponi- Naples, ME

• Cow Island- Long Island, ME

• Camp Beech Cliff- Mt Desert, ME

• Lanakila- Fairlee, VT

• Ohana Family Camp- Post Mills, VT

Want to get planning? Reach out to us for your Summer Camp Wedding!