Well... still looking for the perfect venue

We concluded our tour of the beautiful girl scout camp almost a month ago now. I was so eager to see the beautiful lodge. It was beautiful it was quaint it was. . . too small :(

That is when max. occupancy does not equal reception space. The number was 200 My guess with a dance floor... a mere 90 maybe 100. You should've saw my future mother in laws face when we drove up to the place. It was a grated (ie bumpy) three mile drive going not over 10mph. Oh man. The pictures of the place are amazing and would recommend an early summer wedding yet they do not currently have the capacity in the sense of never doing it before at this time. Goodbye dream location.

Questions to ask a summer camp facility for hosting a wedding

Questions to ask during a Camp Wedding Tour

Now I know a lot of you brides have been dreaming of a camp wedding at your favorite summer camp. I recently discussed the idea with my sister while hashing out further details… We could not imagine getting married at our summer camp. Let’s just say the accommodations are a step above sleeping outdoors with nothing that being said I rather sleep in a tent than the open teepees they boast. My fiancé and I are planning a camp destination wedding near my fiancé’s family. So our first step was to find a camp.

Well while looking at venues in the beautiful __________ area I realized that my non-platinum wedding budget wouldn’t get me in the door of some of these places. They are gorgeous luxurious and expensive. The location we are currently looking at is none other than ___________! It has gorgeous grounds and enough to host around 200 creatively placed (meaning if some people are into the whole massive sleepover in the programs room then yes 200).

These are still camp facilities but it has a gorgeous lodge with stunning terraces over looking the lake. I cannot wait. But oh yes… the hitch before we can be hitched. They have never hosted a wedding. So not only do I need to ask sensitive questions about hanging décor but walk thinly to prove that yes we will take the utmost care of your facility while hosting the most magnificent wedding bash ever.

*Note some of these questions you will not have to ask or do since you probably live with in driving distance. I have never physically been to the site so disregard the crazy details.



the questions

 The Layout:

Map out where cabins are do they have numbers? Where in relation are the shower facilities, bathrooms, bathhouses, lake, lodge, craft rooms, picnic areas, and amphitheaters? Draw them in detail so you can make a user friendly map later on! Ask if they have a bird’s eye view of the camp to better render a drawing. (or do as I did before touring... look at google earth!) Note if there are any areas that would be friendlier for Grandparents. Do they have a map of the area? This will save a lot of hassle.

Bathhouses

            Do we need to bring our own towels? assuming yes but hey you never know

Toilet paper, paper towels, see if there are areas to set out readily available things like shampoo, bug wipes, sunscreen.

Do they have mirrors? Are there two or do we need to set hours or designate one as boys or girls.

How many toilets are there? In the camps _________ in the lodge ___________ have this number down to see if port-a-johns/potties are necessary

How many shower stalls? In the camps _________ in the lodge______________

Are there outlets in the bathrooms? Lights? Outdoors lights for night time visits?

Soap?

Path lights?

Cabin Sites

            Do they have outlets?

            Do they have mattresses?

            Can the beds be moved for couples wanting to sleep next to each other?

            Do they have windows for ventilation?

            How many per cabin?

            Total:

            Count of fire pits/picnic tables

           

Tent Cabins Sites

            Do they have mattresses?

            Can the beds be moved for couples wanting to sleep next to each other?

            Do they have windows for ventilation?

            How many per cabin?

            Total:

            Count of fire pits/picnic tables

Bring you own tent Sites

            How many campers per site?

            How big is the site?

            Do they have mattresses?

            Count of fire pits/picnic tables

            Total

            Do they allow rvs or is there room for rv parking

Parking lot & Outdoor areas

            How many cars can fit?

            Is it lighted?

How do we use the gate for the wedding day? Would it be all right to leave it unlocked until the reception starts?

Signs to getting here and going how many would we need how many left how many right arrows? Where is a good spot for the you’ve gone to far marker?

Are they marked parking spots? Would you like us to chalk them before people arrive?

Is there a place to put ice chests? Do you have wagons for transporting items that we could rent?

Are there bike trails near by? Do you allow biking on hiking trails?

Fire permits needed? What are the current regulations for fire nights etc.

Where is the closest hotel?

Where is the closest church?

What do the grounds look like in late/early summer?

Outdoor area for sports?

Would canoeing be an option to rent during our preferred time?

Are there any areas that we do not have access to? Should we put signs up to remind guest?

Do you have a sample-cooking menu of what is fixed for the campers for food? We would love to give nod to the summer camp style and maybe incorporate that into our menu.

What kind of cooking equipment do we have access to? How many pans/pots/bowls etc.? Do you have cutlery and plates? Dishwasher or do you prefer us to use

compostable products during the rest of the week?

Where do we keep the trash? Recycling? Compost?

Dish soap? Towels?

Lodge:

How many can sleep here?

Restrooms?

Sign in area/ check in area?

How many tables? Dimensions? Extra tables for food, place cards, cake table etc? 

Room measurements

Chairs and couch able to be dressed up? Or removed?

Cocktail hour on the deck?

Dance floor location measurements?

Ceiling height?

Décor?

Lounge area?

Doors that can open for more room? /flow? For more intimate lounge area etc?

Insurance company for event insurance?

3- 24 hour time chunks Thursday at 3PM-Sunday at 3PM Can we add hours last minute if need be?

Craft room capacity for crafts?

Area for a board game room?

Book exchange bookcase?

Guess What! Reading the fine print helps! The camp we are looking at demonstrates before hand to show them how to work everything!! Double dance! 

Remember: The hitch at least in at this location is that we will be possibly renting a lot of extra things that some venues included. Make sure that your killer deal won't mean your pockets are empty because of rental fees.  

This is my list thus far. We have confirmed our tour at 10AM on Friday June 5th 2013! So I will add the questions we also asked and omit the ones that were silly to even ask, 

Camp Wedding?

Now, I know a lot of you brides have been dreaming of a camp wedding at your favorite summer camp. I recently discussed the idea with my sister while hashing out further details… We could not imagine getting married at our summer camp. Let’s just say the accommodations are a step above sleeping outdoors with nothing that being said I rather sleep in a tent then the open teepees they boast. My fiancé and I are planning a camp destination wedding near my fiancé’s family. So our first step was one find a camp.

One of our camping trips in Northern California

Well while looking at venues in the beautiful __________ area I realized that my non-platinum wedding budget wouldn’t get me in the door of some of these places. They are gorgeous luxurious and expensive. I am so fortunate that my future in laws have graciously decided to give us our wedding. That means extra bargain hunting for me so I do not feel indebted to them. The location we are currently looking at is none other than ___________! It has gorgeous grounds and enough to host around 200 creatively placed (meaning if some people are into the whole massive sleepover in the programs room then yes 200).

These are still camp facilities but it has a gorgeous lodge with stunning terraces over looking the lake. I cannot wait. But oh yes… the hitch before we can be hitched. They have never hosted a wedding. So not only do I need to ask sensitive questions about hanging décor but walk thinly to prove that yes we will take the utmost care of your facility while hosting the most magnificent wedding bash ever. 

Hey what's up with the _______ blanks? Well I do not want you to steal my perfect location! ;) Once we have it for sure dates and everything... I'd love to share it with you but until then wonder away! 

Next Entry: about all the ridiculous questions you need to ask... for Wedding Locations!

Need more inspiration? Check out my Pinterest Board> Camp Wedding

About me... well at least me for today

Our engagement pictures

Hello there!

This is going to be our official life journal. Saves paper? Saves sanity? hoping to accomplish both.

Where am I right now in my life?

Well, I am a umm Female, 27 years of age 1985 baby. Living in the gorgeous North West United States. I am engaged as of 25/12/2012! Been with my side kick for three years now. We are planning a wedding bash for the summer of 2014! Woot woot. Raise your hands up and listen to the faux dj kick it.

Contemporary Christian as I like to call it.... attend church with rock music and most of the crowd have tat sleeves love it. My other is a devote Catholic, so we might have a Catholic wedding more on trying to understand all to.

I am a hard working gal, literally 24/7 job which I love. Need a friend outlet and yes public living is now the source of my entertainment.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that our dream location lets us have a Summer Camp Wedding. Haven't heard of that? Follow me on facebook (FB: nalfo.ur), pinterest (Pinning addict: journaljourn), and soon youtube to find out what that entails.

Please feel free to ask any questions... to better describe myself if your curious just ask.

My name is not Nalfo nor my last name Ur, I signed up for a facebook real page instead of a like page and they required a real sounding name, didn't like Journal nor journey as a real first name poor children that have awesome names like that. So Journalforourjourney  became my new name.


My next entry... planning thus far for our 2014 Wedding


Please introduce yourself so I can start following your journey too!