Camp Inspired Wedding Weekend Retreat
A weekend wedding retreat is a unique and immersive experience for couples and their closest friends or family members. It often combines the celebration of love with a relaxing, scenic retreat away from the usual wedding hustle. Add in some fun camp activities and adorable cabin accommodations! Here’s a breakdown of what a weekend wedding retreat might look like:
1. Venue and Location
Destination Setting: The location is key. Many couples opt for scenic venues like vineyards, mountain resorts, beachfront hotels, lakeside cabins, or even secluded country estates. These venues often provide everything from the ceremony site to accommodations and activities.
Relaxing Ambiance: The retreat venue should offer a serene, intimate atmosphere, allowing guests to unwind while celebrating. Think private cottages, a boutique hotel, or a rustic barn with beautiful outdoor spaces.
Kennolyn’s Stone Creek Village: Offers a quiet, private location in the stunning Santa Cruz Mountains surrounding by towering redwoods and quant cabins and cottages for guests to spend the weekend celebrating together!
2. Camp-Inspired Wedding Theme:
Rustic Details: Incorporate natural elements like wooden signs, lanterns, burlap, and mason jars into your décor.
Campfire Ceremony: Consider holding your ceremony by a campfire or having a fire pit where guests can gather afterward.
Nature Vibes: Use flowers, greenery, and natural materials in your bouquet and centerpieces.
Outdoor Seating: Set up rustic wooden benches or picnic tables for your ceremony and reception.
3. Attire:
Casual or Boho Style: Think flowy dresses, lace, and earthy tones for a laid-back vibe. Grooms might opt for a more casual suit or even suspenders with rolled-up sleeves.
Comfortable Shoes: Hiking boots, sandals, or flat shoes are great options, as your guests will likely be walking on dirt or grass.
Layering: Depending on the time of year, layers are key. Have blankets or shawls available for colder weather.
4. Food and Drink:
Barbecue or Picnic Style: A traditional camp meal like barbecue, grilled foods, or a picnic-style feast can fit the setting.
S’mores Station: A fun and interactive dessert option, especially if you have a fire pit nearby.
Outdoor Drinks: Think about serving drinks in mason jars, or offering a rustic drink station with lemonade, iced tea, or signature cocktails.
Campfire Drinks: Mulled wine or hot cocoa served around the fire can add a cozy touch to your evening.
5. Activities:
Hiking: For a more adventurous crowd, offer activities like hiking, or.
Bonfire & Storytelling: Nothing beats gathering around a bonfire for some stories or toasts. It can even be part of your ceremony or reception.
Games: Lawn games like cornhole, giant Jenga, and ring toss can keep guests entertained.
Group Bonding: Some couples may plan group games or bonding activities like cooking classes, team challenges, or trivia nights, helping guests connect before the big day.
Casual Hangouts: With the slower pace of a retreat, there’s ample time for guests to relax, socialize, and enjoy each other's company in a relaxed, beautiful setting.
6. Flowers and Décor:
Wildflowers: Incorporate wildflowers into your bouquet or the décor, which blends perfectly with the natural surroundings.
Twinkle Lights: String lights around trees, tents, or pavilions create a magical evening ambiance.
DIY Touches: Consider crafting some of your own decorations—like wood slice centerpieces, floral garlands, or hand-lettered signs—to match the rustic, camp theme.
7. Camping Essentials:
Restroom Facilities: Make sure there are clean, accessible bathroom facilities, whether it’s a basic campground bathroom or portable luxury restrooms.
Transportation: If the camp is remote, consider arranging transportation for guests from a central location.
6. Benefits of a Wedding Retreat
Intimate Experience: With a smaller guest list, you can foster deeper connections and spend quality time with loved ones.
Less Stress: The relaxed atmosphere helps to minimize the typical stress of a traditional wedding.
More Flexibility: There’s room to create a schedule that works for you and your guests, as opposed to rigid time constraints typical of more formal weddings.
Unforgettable Memories: A weekend wedding retreat offers guests not only the joy of attending a wedding but also the opportunity to create lasting memories in a beautiful setting.
A wedding retreat is ideal for couples who want to prioritize quality over quantity, blending a joyful celebration with a memorable escape for themselves and their loved ones. A camp wedding allows you to embrace a laid-back and fun atmosphere with beautiful natural elements that create lasting memories for you and your guests. Why not have both here at Stone Creek Village?!
