5 Ways to Add a Summer Camp Theme to Your Wedding

Sprinkle in some summer camp flair on your big day, from cocktail hour treats to fun activities!

By: Jen Glantz

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A Fun Twist on Summer Weddings

If you’re planning a wedding during the summer season, you might be tempted to brainstorm ways to make the celebration stand out for your guests. You can pick a signature cocktail for the reception, incorporate the outdoors into your cocktail hour, and even implement a dress code that will make everyone in attendance feel comfortable in the warm weather.

But if you’re looking for a fun and unique way to make your celebration unique, consider giving your reception a summer camp theme. Here are five ways you can add a bit of summer camp fun into your wedding adventure.

Campfire Late-Night Snacks

A memorable part of summer camp are the nights spent around a campfire, telling stories, singing songs, and making s’mores.

If you want to mimic this feeling at your wedding, search for a venue that will allow you to have an outdoor fire pit, with safety measures involved, so you can host your after-party there.

You can provide snacks, hot drinks, and blankets for your guests.

Games and Activities

What’s summer camp without a full day of fun activities? If you’re looking for a way to add a spark of fun to your wedding, consider incorporating interactive games throughout the entire celebration.

When guests are arriving and waiting for the ceremony to start, you can have them play paper games at their seats, like a custom-made word scramble or crossword puzzle. During cocktail hour, you can have lawn games, like cornhole or bocce. At the reception, you can do a photo scavenger hunt or do a quick round of trivia, where people answer questions about you and your partner.

You can also set up an arts and crafts station where guests can paint or make beaded bracelets as a take-home party favor.

Camp-Themed Food and Drinks

When you’re planning out your catering and cocktail menu, you can add a splash of summer camp to the food and beverages you offer your guests.

For drinks, you can create a few signature cocktails that incorporate popular summer beverages, like lemonade, apple juice, or even "bug juice"! Using these liquids as a base can help you and your beverage team brainstorm unique and tasty cocktails for guests to try.

If you’re looking for a subtle way to add a camp theme to your food options, you can ask your caterer about cocktail hour appetizers that incorporate snack foods like popcorn, trail mix, or granola bars.

Host the Wedding at a Summer Camp

For big-time summer camp lovers, one venue idea that’s gained popularity over the years is having your event at a summer camp. You can rent out the entire property for the weekend, including the cabins, where your guests can bunk together.

To make it a real summer camp experience, you can hire counselors to lead organized events and offer buffet meals throughout the weekend.

Get Married Near a Lake

If you went to a summer camp that was near a lake or getting married near water is meaningful to you, look for a venue that allows you to host your ceremony or cocktail hour outdoors by the water.

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