Brooke + Tim both love a good party and decided they wanted their wedding weekend to be more of an epic celebration than follow a traditional wedding. After spying a few camp themed weddings on Green Wedding Shoes, they decided that they too loved the idea of throwing a camp wedding to celebrate their love in the company of family + friends! A bit about their day from Brooke:
We wanted our wedding weekend to be a memorable experience for not only us, but also our guests. We planned the wedding over a holiday weekend so that we (and our guests) were able to enjoy the park and one another’s company for an extended weekend. The best part about our theme and the timing of our wedding weekend? We intend to host Camp Shelmadine over Labor Day weekend for years to come!
Big thanks to Heidi with Our Labor of Love for the photos and congrats to Brooke + Tim!
The park itself was our primary inspiration for the wedding. We did very little decorating for the ceremony because we knew better than to upstage nature. We incorporated natural elements (homemade cedar and juniper garlands, pinecones, acorns, etc.) at the reception site as well.
Processional: Winter – Vivaldi (live string quartet)
Recessional: Hallelujah Chorus – Handel's Messiah (live string quartet)
First Dance: Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
Tim and I wrote our own wedding ceremony. While it was a daunting task, I HIGHLY recommend it. We carefully crafted language that represented our religious beliefs and our love for one another. It was the most intimate detail of our wedding weekend.
There was an epic moment for me before I read my vows. Tim had finished his vows, and I took a moment to be present, take a deep breath, and savor everything around me. I can still hear Tim's voice. I can still smell cedar and ponderosa pine. I can still hear the babbling creek and the sound of our loved ones blowing their noses. It's a vivid memory for me, and I suspect I will remember these details for years to come.
Our dessert table was a collection of family recipes. We selected desserts that played an important role in our childhoods and our loved ones generously agreed to prepare them for us.
Roll with the punches through the planning phase and on your wedding day! Anticipate and accept that there will be variables that are out of your control, and trust that your wedding experience will not be compromised by these hiccups. Shortly after we got engaged, I changed our wedding date because we found out we were expecting! A month before the wedding, my s'more roasting dreams were dashed. We were informed that we would not be able to use the huge fire pit at the reception site due to a fire ban in the park. The morning of our wedding, my brother got locked in his apartment (his key broke off in the lock), causing him to miss his flight. He drove 11 hours on very little sleep and arrived shortly before the wedding. Despite these mishaps, the wedding was a smashing success!
photography: Heidi from Our Labor of Love // venue name: State Game Lodge, // florals: Bride and Bridesmaids // wedding dress: Modern Trousseau // hairpiece: Bryd Firth // bride's shoes: Vintage // hair stylist: Molly Cover Rock, Paper, Scissors Studio // groom attire: Eric Vath Clothier // paper goods: Woodsy Wedding Invitations // catering: State Game Lodge, // cake: Jen Hager // music: Complete Music; Rapid City, SD // invitations: Woodsy Wedding Invitations
I adore so much about this wedding! Love the camping theme, chambray dresses, vintage soda bottles, pretty dessert table, the bride’s braids…but maybe most of all that their first dance was to Wagon Wheel. :)
love the casual fun feel to this wedding. the chambray bridesmaid dresses are such a good idea!
Love this camp theme! Really sweet and wonderful. Congrats to the couple!
Camp wedding is really cool. I would recommend this theme to anyone looking for an unique wedding experience. The couple looks so much in love.
Great example of a down home, country fun wedding. It was great how everyone brought their signature dish!