I'm not sure if Camping would be a good idea?

Honestly, if I was invited to a wedding where I was expected to camp out afterwards I would decline. Why can't you have it in a hotel ballroom so that all the guests have to do is go upstairs to their rooms after partying?

I would love it! I thought about doing the same thing when I started to plan my wedding! But Jen is right not everyone likes to camp or have the ability to camp.

Is there a hotel near by? Can you maybe block off some rooms in the hotel for people who don't want to camp? I would love to camp after a wedding! FH and I are actually going camping for our honeymoon after our wedding!

I go camping several times in the summer and have no problem roughing it, but not after a wedding. The only way I would attend a wedding like this was if the camp ground had nice cabins to rent with running water.

I agree with PP about a hotel ballroom.

I would love it! Went to one wedding where there was hiking, apple picking and making fresh pressed cider. There were bon fires and a beer truck. Lunch was a big pot of stew someone cooked for hours over a fire. Dinner was more "formal" in a large wedding tent. It was wonderful! A lot of older people really enjoyed it bc it was more about sitting and visiting with people. I'm not a huge drinker and my idea of a good time has never involved a ballroom with flashing lights on a dance floor. That being said, I do know one friend who would turn up her little nose.

Can you look for a place that offers camping but also cabins? People will have the option of staying indoors also

Ballroom is to fancy. It's a casual dress. And the cabins have heat and running water. Indoor bathroom. Kitchen on site in a rec hall. A second option was a park close by and a hotel room block. It's hard to find a park that allows live bands. But there is one close by. So it's a good option. And I guess I never thought guests would be against is, but maybe they will.

Having a hotel block still might be a good idea though.

View Quoted Comment Yes. For those who wouldn't want to camp in cabins. There is a hotel and casino close to the camp ground.

View Quoted Comment That’s perfect. It accommodates both types of guests and their lodging preference.

Well there's also going to be a ton of kids (under 18) some 10 years old.so it can't be to crazy of a party lol. But I figured the older kids could stay with the younger ones, make smores and play games. And I am currently researching the hotel casino near the campground.

I actually have been to a wedding like this and it was a lot of fun. The drive for me was about that far. In addition to the camp, my friend did arrange a room block at a nearby hotel for older guests who didn't want to camp. She did do it over Labor Day Weekend though and it was a weekend event than just a day, so that made the travel worth it.
She assigned everyone bunks and put friends and families together. Everyone could arrive on Friday. They did a baked potato bar and ham dinner for everyone along with some sangria (people brought their own booze as well, but they had something to offer). I actually hosted a trivia night for them that Friday and that was the entertainment.
Saturday they served everyone breakfast, I think it was just bagels, eggs, and bacon and sausage. During the day they had kayaks, canoes, archery, a scavenger hunt for the kids invited, essentially a bunch of activities, and they served lunch, just deli meats and stuff. Saturday evening they had the wedding and did a big roast with lots of sides. Sunday morning they served breakfast as well. People could stay and hang out as long as they wanted.
They had a very extensive wedding website, which is something to keep in mind, and I still didn't feel totally prepared. We needed to bring our bedding, which was on the website, but I didn't realize the cabins we'd be staying in wouldn't have electricity, so outlets in the main area were at a premium for cell phone charging. My FH and I ended up driving around for a bit to charge my phone during the day of the wedding. They had maps for everyone's bunk assignment and they also gave little flashlights to everyone (a must, or let people know they need to bring one). I honestly had a blast, but it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea, so no there may be people who decline your wedding. It's good that a lot of your guests are already campers. I am not, so when planning and creating your website, take it from the approach what would you tell someone who's never been camping before. I think the long weekend made the trip more worth it for a lot of people, and the activities were a lot of fun. I would just make sure to have food options beyond what you are serving for dinner at the wedding. That made it more enjoyable, because we were really out in the middle of no where and it was nice to not have to worry about packing our own food or having to drive around and find something.

Sounds like getting married at my family reunion. We have a 4 day weekend, rent a 4-H camp and come and go as we please. It's awesome. The lodge has an industrial kitchen and plenty of space in case of inclement weather. Some of the cabins have a bathroom attached, beds, and electricity (we reserve those for our elders and those that need those accomodations.) Otherwise the other cabins have the bunk beds or enough space to throw the mattresses down on the floor and build your own "nest". We've gotten a DJ and had themed parties over the year. My family loves to dance and have a good time.

I'd totally be down for a wedding weekend like this even though I don't identify as a "camper". I'd also expect that majority would be in jeans even for the ceremony/ reception.

Sorry if this rambles, I'm working on my first cup of coffee.

I honestly do not understand people who say they would decline just because it's camping and they don't like camping. I would figure that wanting to go to celebrate their union would trump any dislike towards camping. If people declined to go to my wedding just because they disliked A, B, or C about it, then I guess they weren't really that close with us to begin with. Good riddance, in my opinion!

My fiance would love it. He goes to camping festivals all the time.

I would RSVP no. Not my thing at all.

View Quoted Comment

Sophia, if your wedding requires camping, I'm not going unless you're my best friend. I loathe camping, and I loathe it more than watching someone exchange vows.

So no, this isn't a small thing like if the wedding serves food I don't like. I can go home and get more food. I'm not stuck there in an uncomfortable situation and expected to sleep there.

So... (first post here, hi! And yes, I will change my Avatar, haha).

We are planning a wedding like this - in fact it will be almost exactly like what Deirdre describes, down to it being on Labor Day weekend. Well, we think. I'm supposed to get the confirmation on the date in the next couple of days. (By the way LOVE the flashlight idea!)

Anyway. While most of our friends and family like to camp, we also know that there will be a lot that don't. Logistics are important to us because we really want to include everyone - it's why we have ruled out some really lovely places. We'll probably have between 100-150 for the wedding/reception and I expect maybe half of them to camp. But, there will be elderly people who can't possibly be expected to camp in a bunkhouse cabin. Our venue (a girl's summer camp) is really not around much in terms of civilization and the closest actual hotel is about 30 minutes away. But we're going to reserve a block rooms there for the people who don't want to stay in the cabins (all cabins have bunk beds, bathroom with shower, and electricity). I can't blame people for not wanting to sleep in a bunk bed. 30 minutes isn't bad when it's the only hotel option around. I've also listed on our wedding website (which won't be published of course until confirmation of venue) a lot of local options such as other cabins where people could group up and rent for the weekend if they prefer more luxurious accommodations, state parks, and airbnbs. All of these places are within 5-15 minutes from the property. We will be paying for all of the on-site lodging so my feeling is this: if people want to camp in the cabins for free, that's great and we're thrilled to have them for the whole weekend. If they want something more posh, they can arrange their own accommodations and just come over for the daily activities, and choose to participate in whatever they want on their own schedule.

Our site will have places for people who prefer to sleep in a tent, or their truck (truck camping is really common in our circle of outdoorsy friends), and will allow RVs as well. So basically, if I were you, I'd research the availability of local cabins or airbnbs to rent and link to them on your website.

But it should be a blast! Ultimately, we went this route because we will have a lot of out of town guests and really want to maximize the time we spend with people. I couldn't fathom spending thousands of dollars on an event where I barely got to even speak to some of my best friends because of us trying to squeeze everything into a few hours. This way, we have a weekend to relax and hang out and do a lot of fun stuff, then wrap it all up with a big party.

I think this is absolutely a great idea as there are cabins available too. People who absolutely hate camping would probably hate any outdoor venue you chose, so I don't see what the difference is. Also, DS5 is doing the right thing by reserving a hotel block reasonably nearby. Make sure you do too- I know my own mother needs a handicap accessible shower , and those might be hard to come by in camp cabins.

View Quoted Comment Agreed. I absolutely agree. I love nature but hate camping.

Maybe go go camping on your honeymoon

Here's the thing about those of you that hate camping and saying you'd refuse to go, and saying "why don't you do ____ instead": It's not about you. Sure, every bride and groom should take their guests' comfort into consideration - to a point. But every bride and groom should have a wedding that reflects THEIR desires and aesthetic. Sure, you take the risk that people won't attend because of the choices you make, but so be it. You do you on your wedding day.

We are choosing to do a camping wedding for a few reasons. First, because that's one of the things we enjoy most in life and the majority of our friends are similarly inclined. Second, I happen to be getting a smoking deal on the property for the whole weekend. Third, it suits our personalities to spend time outside by a river, doing camp stuff, and sitting by a fire at night with a lot of our best friends and family - many of which are traveling great distances to be there.

But we also know that not everyone will be into it. That's why I've suggested booking a nicer cabin nearby, or getting a room at the hotel that's 30 minutes away. And it's why we're totally fine with people not coming if they don't want to.

OP - if you want a camping wedding, by all means have at it. I'm sure it's going to be super fun.

View Quoted Comment Everything that you said is golden I think that the guests that are saying "I wouldn't go if the wedding is going to be like that" are forgetting that the wedding is for the bride and groom FIRST, and then the guests