Every summer Lauren’s family hosts an event called “Camp Champagne.” Friends and loved ones gather at the family’s lakefront home, split up into teams, and compete in epic field day games. There’s kickball and dodgeball and—you guessed it—plenty of champagne.
Lauren + her fiancé Craig decided that the most exciting way to get married was to make their wedding the most spectacular “Camp Champagne” to date, amplifying a family tradition that already meant so much to them and to many others.
To make a big wedding weekend of it, Lauren + Craig chose Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisconsin as the setting for their celebration. Planner Danielle at Rosewood Weddings came onboard to help the couple create a playful, elevated, and unforgettable three-day event full of feel-good energy.
Guests arrived on Thursday to take in the beauty of Camp Wandawega’s grounds and get settled into their bunks. Friday was wedding day! And Saturday was filled with games, archery, and lots of joyful competition.
Uttke Photography snapped these gorgeous pictures throughout the romantic and adventurous weekend, and we can’t get enough.
Groom Craig spiced up his wedding suit with a colorful custom lining.
The First Look
Before the ceremony, Lauren + Craig met up at the “Love Nest” deep in the Camp Wandawega woods.
The Ceremony
Bright floral installations from Sunborn Gardens added whimsy and color to the rustic summer camp setting.
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Don’t take the process too seriously. We opted for untraditional flower girls (Lauren was the flower girl in each of their weddings!), who loosened everyone up before the ceremony commenced. Their spirit took the edge off of an intense moment.
Try not to be too disappointed if something doesn’t work out the way you planned—our videographer canceled two months before our wedding. We were lucky to get connected with Gione, who, by the end of the wedding weekend, felt as though he was one of our guests all along.
Find people you trust and let the stars align. Our planner and her team conquered every last-minute challenge they faced, and we were confident they would make great decisions by proxy. They nailed it every time.
Passing champagne instead of tossing flower petals is SUCH a clever touch!
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding The wedding ceremony! When expressing our wishes for the ceremony, we told our officiant, “We hope married couples are reminded of their weddings, and that single friends are warmed by our love for one another.” Charisse, our great friend and officiant exceeded our expectations and made every guest feel as though they’d watched our love blossom from the beginning of our relationship. It’s wild to think that 140 loved ones from different periods of our lives convened at Camp Wandawega to celebrate us… each of their individual lives would contain that shared hour, the moment when Craig and I formally joined paths. We are so grateful.
Dedicated GWS readers might recognize officiant Charisse from her stunning Palm Springs wedding!!
These two newlyweds are BEAMING!!
Lauren’s beautiful soft-glam makeup look was the work of artist Paige Wall.
We LOVE the floating lace neckline of Lauren’s gown!! Originally she was set on lots of color for her wedding day look, but her try-on day with her mom and sister led her to this dress. “I wanted anything but white, and tried on every colorful dress we stumbled upon,” Lauren says. “But I decided upon a gown I felt beautiful and confident wearing.”
The Reception
We love a statement wedding shoe!!! Lauren added a glamorous pop of purple with these Alexandre Birman Madelina high-heel pumps.
Lauren + Craig filled Camp Wandawega’s main lawn with a sprawling banquet table setup and plenty of dangling string lights.
White guest seating, light wood tabletops, and shiny silver details from Relics Rentals made for a bright and elegant reception feast.
Nüage Designs provided linens like these sky blue velvet table runners. LOVE them paired with the delicate gold table numbers.
Planner Danielle says the vision for the reception florals was inspired by the Dutch Masters. Check out the grapes worked into this colorful compote arrangement! Straight out of an oil painting.
Julie Michelle Cakes was behind the sky blue and white three-tier piping masterpiece. Opulent retro cakes are a wedding trend we are loving to see!!
Lauren’s sparkly reception dress is nonstop Old Hollywood glamour. Especially with those GLOVES.
Our Musical Choices Processional: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, performed on piano
Recessional: “You are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
First Dance: “Lady May” by Tyler Childers
Let the Games Begin!!
Let’s hear it for “Camp Champagne!” After partying the night away on Friday, guests took it slow on Saturday morning with breakfast sandwiches and coffee campfires to fuel up for competition!
What a way to wrap up the celebration!
And don’t miss their wedding film by Gione da Silva Images!
Lauren + Craig, your wonderful wedding weekend was for sure the best “Camp Champagne” yet!! Here’s to so many more!! Congrats from GWS!
photography: Uttke Photography // venue name: Camp Wandawega, Elkhorn, Wisconsin, US // event design: Rosewood Weddings // planning: Rosewood Weddings // florals: Sunborn Gardens // makeup artist: Paige Wallace // videography: Gione da Silva Images // paper goods: Tate Design Co // catering: Celebration on Wells // cake: Julie Michelle Cakes // tabletop rentals: Relics Rentals // furniture rentals: Chance Productions // linen rentals: Nüage Designs // music: Bluewater Kings Band
