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Campgrounds?

Have any of you known/heard of anyone who has used camp grounds as a venue for their wedding?

I've been dreaming of an intimate outdoor wedding, and camping grounds seem to have the exact sort of scenery I was hoping for.  (And of course I wouldn't set up anywhere that is too far from the parking area- I don't want it to be a pain in the a-- to get to the site.) Also, I've noticed a lot of them rent cabins for reasonable prices, I was also thinking since FI and I have a bunch of hippie friends who camped with us at vibes, they might eat up the idea of having a few cabins rented to camp in if they want.  I know FI and I would definitely like to at least rent one for ourselves.
I'm looking at early october (basically right in that sweet spot where it's cooled down from summer but isn't cold just yet, but it's also not rainy like spring) so it would be in the off season.  

Problem is, I can't find too much info out there- is this because it's just not common for people to want their wedding on campgrounds, or is it because it's generally a bad idea?  As much as I'm in love with the idea, I'd like to know if there's anything I'm overlooking that would make campgrounds unusable as a venue- if I'm wasting time on a dud idea I'd like to know so I can focus on something else!
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Re: Campgrounds?

  • My old boss got married at a campground, though I don't know too many details.  I think the did BBQ for the reception, and it was a weekend event for those who wanted to stay.  They did little welcome bags as favours with bug spray, toilet paper and such.  That's about all I know though.  She loved it

  • Have any of you known/heard of anyone who has used camp grounds as a venue for their wedding?

    I've been dreaming of an intimate outdoor wedding, and camping grounds seem to have the exact sort of scenery I was hoping for.  (And of course I wouldn't set up anywhere that is too far from the parking area- I don't want it to be a pain in the a-- to get to the site.) Also, I've noticed a lot of them rent cabins for reasonable prices, I was also thinking since FI and I have a bunch of hippie friends who camped with us at vibes, they might eat up the idea of having a few cabins rented to camp in if they want.  I know FI and I would definitely like to at least rent one for ourselves.
    I'm looking at early october (basically right in that sweet spot where it's cooled down from summer but isn't cold just yet, but it's also not rainy like spring) so it would be in the off season.  

    Problem is, I can't find too much info out there- is this because it's just not common for people to want their wedding on campgrounds, or is it because it's generally a bad idea?  As much as I'm in love with the idea, I'd like to know if there's anything I'm overlooking that would make campgrounds unusable as a venue- if I'm wasting time on a dud idea I'd like to know so I can focus on something else!
    Do you mean the gathering of the vibes???
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    "I'm not a rude bitch.  I'm ten rude bitches in a large coat."

  • edited January 2014
    Have any of you known/heard of anyone who has used camp grounds as a venue for their wedding?

    I've been dreaming of an intimate outdoor wedding, and camping grounds seem to have the exact sort of scenery I was hoping for.  (And of course I wouldn't set up anywhere that is too far from the parking area- I don't want it to be a pain in the a-- to get to the site.) Also, I've noticed a lot of them rent cabins for reasonable prices, I was also thinking since FI and I have a bunch of hippie friends who camped with us at vibes, they might eat up the idea of having a few cabins rented to camp in if they want.  I know FI and I would definitely like to at least rent one for ourselves.
    I'm looking at early october (basically right in that sweet spot where it's cooled down from summer but isn't cold just yet, but it's also not rainy like spring) so it would be in the off season.  

    Problem is, I can't find too much info out there- is this because it's just not common for people to want their wedding on campgrounds, or is it because it's generally a bad idea?  As much as I'm in love with the idea, I'd like to know if there's anything I'm overlooking that would make campgrounds unusable as a venue- if I'm wasting time on a dud idea I'd like to know so I can focus on something else!
    Do you mean the gathering of the vibes???
    @JCBride2014 I do mean the gathering of the vibes :)  FI and I still have our camping passes on our wrists
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  • Awesome!  I haven't been in several years but it was an annual tradition with my dad until I was in high school.  Probably not the greatest environment for a kid... but at the time I thought it was fun.  My dad is friends with the guys from Max Creek and Mike the bassist from Phish.  So of course once I was old enough, I ran as far as possible from the hippie scene and my dad and his uncool friends!  Now looking back I realize what a cool childhood I actually had.  Fond memories of running around in the mud with other bandmates' kids.

    I have nothing helpful to offer for campground weddings.  But since most of my childhood memories involve mud, it might not be the best idea.

    But an alternative-- at least here in NJ, there are a lot of beautiful public parks with trails.  Our wedding will be at this very high-end restaurant with a catering hall, but it's situated inside a county park with mountains and miles of beautiful trails.  So we plan to offer a trail map to our OOT guests and will probably take some pictures out in the woods.  Fi and I have been hiking there several times and it's a great way to enjoy the outdoors while still having the convenience of a traditional wedding venue.
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    "I'm not a rude bitch.  I'm ten rude bitches in a large coat."

  • Have you thought about looking at actual summer camps? I know where I'm from the local summer camps rent out to groups in the off season. And they usually have gathering spaces for large groups of people. I haven't actually attended a wedding at a summer camp but I am aware of several having happened.
  • Awesome!  I haven't been in several years but it was an annual tradition with my dad until I was in high school.  Probably not the greatest environment for a kid... but at the time I thought it was fun.  My dad is friends with the guys from Max Creek and Mike the bassist from Phish.  So of course once I was old enough, I ran as far as possible from the hippie scene and my dad and his uncool friends!  Now looking back I realize what a cool childhood I actually had.  Fond memories of running around in the mud with other bandmates' kids.

    I have nothing helpful to offer for campground weddings.  But since most of my childhood memories involve mud, it might not be the best idea.

    But an alternative-- at least here in NJ, there are a lot of beautiful public parks with trails.  Our wedding will be at this very high-end restaurant with a catering hall, but it's situated inside a county park with mountains and miles of beautiful trails.  So we plan to offer a trail map to our OOT guests and will probably take some pictures out in the woods.  Fi and I have been hiking there several times and it's a great way to enjoy the outdoors while still having the convenience of a traditional wedding venue.
    FI met them at a shakedown at toad's place!  I will definitely consider public parks as well, that sounds lovely.  I'll bet I could have a ceremony more out in the open and have the reception a little farther down a trail so it would feel a bit more intimate.  Of course I'd still want to stick close enough to any parking areas that nobody's going on a long hike.  
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  • Yeah.... my dad and his friends all have crazy nicknames.  I'm sure this is the same crowd-- cool!  Or I guess I should say, right on. :)
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    "I'm not a rude bitch.  I'm ten rude bitches in a large coat."

  • Yes, it's definitely done.  Shenandoah National Park does weddings.  They have a grassy area for ceremonies and an event hall for receptions.  Likewise, a campground near me does wedding receptions in their event hall.

    Some things to consider:
    -Disability access. Will everyone in your group be able to reach the ceremony and reception sites?
    -Are the trails to the sites paved?  If not, you might want to warn everyone that they'll need shoes that they're comfortable walking in.
    -What's your backup plan for bad weather, washed out roads, etc?

    Fair warning-  October isn't off season for camping in my area, it's peak season, because the fall foliage is at its peak and weather's cooler and comfortable.
  • I'm not getting married at a campground, but we did just rent out 3 four-person Airstreams at a sort of fancy campground for some of our guests. We had to pay up front, but since it's an expensive area, I'll be reaching out to some of my grad school friends to see if they want to stay there as a group. Then they can after party together. I also may look into campground opportunities for another group of friends who are really into camping. I'll at least point them in the direction of a few places.
  • Camps around here rent for weddings all of the time.  Some are owned by park districts, 4H groups, scouts, religious organizations, etc.  

    acacamps.org is a good place to start when trying to find a location.  

    Formerly known as flutterbride2b
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  • So funny - my ex was HUGE into Phish. I went to more concerts than I can count! 

    When I was researching venues, I found a summer camp that hosted events. You could rent out the cabins for overnight and also camp on their grounds. Are you in the NY area?
  • FI and I almost went with a campground, but we figured it would not be very accessible for some of our handicapped guests. October tends to be part of the peak season so you will want reservations very soon if you do go that route. September is more of the off season because everyone is going back to school then.
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