Maire & James threw an amazing summer camp wedding. They both grew up going to summer camps every year. So why not tie that into their wedding theme? Camp Widjiwagan, located on Lake Springfield, was the perfect spot!

September can be a hit or miss weather-wise in Illinois. It can be super hot and humid. It was hot on September 12th. On the positive side, it was not super humid!

DYI Wedding Details for a Summer Camp Theme

Before you read & look any further, you must know that Maire thrifted or handmade EVERYTHING you see in these photos.

No no like I mean everything. The huge paper flowers, her paper flower bouquet, the felt pennant table numbers! She thrifted the linens, the bridemaids dresses and getting ready robes. Like ALL of it.

I met up with Maire + her girls as they finished getting ready at the LRS building at Camp Widjiwagen. Everyone looked so good in their thrifted fits!

Maire’s wedding dress was her mothers!!!! Fixed up by her aunt to make it Maire’s. So so special. Another handmade, heartfelt detail of the day that I will never forget.

Then, M&J had a first look outside when they were ready!!

And of course, some photos with their dog, Lester.

After their first look, Maire & James opted to read their vows in private (with their dog, Lester). When they came out, they were both wiping their eyes of tears. 😭

Before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony!!!

Outdoor Ceremony at Camp Widjiwagan

Maire’s family is Irish! It was important to incorporate traditions that mattered to them. One was that Maire was walked in by her parents after a bagpipe procession!!!

During the ceremony, they partook in a hand-fasting ritual. AKA, they literally tied the knot!!!

The flower petals you see everyone tossing? Maire, her mother, and her friends collected REAL flower petals through the last year, drying them for this special moment.

The sun was perrrrrfect right here, so we took a few more pics. I will never be over her mom’s vintage Juliet wedding cap + veil.

Then it was time to head to the tent with their guests!!

Outdoor Tent Reception at Camp Widjiwagan

The streamers hanging around the tent? All Maire. Give this girl an award.

The energy when they were announced in was crazy good!!!

Instead of cutting the cake in front of everyone, Maire & James decided to save it for later. Because it’s your day, and you can do what you want! Instead of cake for dessert, they had Girl Scout Cookies for everyone, in honor of Camp Widjiwagan.

What was extra special – having their grandmothers sign their marriage license as the witnesses.

After speeches, dessert, and a violin performance, folks danced and talked late into the night. It was PERFECT.

More colorful vintage cakes please!!!

If you saw me standing on a chair to get this shot of the streamer chandelier… now you know what I was going for!!!

Summer Camp Wedding Venues in Central & Northern Illinois

If you’re looking for other campgrounds to host your wedding, here are some you can check out!

• Saukenauk Scout Reservation – north of Quincy
• Timber Pointe Outdoor Center – on Lake Bloomington, north of Bloomington
• Camp Wonanka – with cabins for guests to stay at, just north of Peoria
• Camp Tuckabatchee – cabins have monster faces on them! Outside of Ottawa
• Camp Aramoni – less rustic, more boutique campground. Outside of Ottawa
• Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center – featuring a 1920s Tudor-style stone castle! Outside of Oregon, IL

I’m no stranger to camp ground weddings- check out Brit & Pat’s wedding at Camp Saukenauk!

If you’re looking for a photographer for your summer camp wedding, I would love to be there for you. Fill out my contact form for allll the deets, and ask for a link to Maire & Jame’s full wedding day gallery!

• venue: Camp Widjiwagan
• table florals: @goodseedsflowerfarm
• catering: @curedcatering
• cake: @incdelcakes
• chair rentals: Cook Party Rentals & Noonan Rentals

Check out these other outdoor late summer weddings: