Camp Wandawega Wedding Venue | Wisconsin Cabin Wedding Spotlight

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If you’re planning a wedding that feels more like a weekend getaway than a formal event, Camp Wandawega is one of Wisconsin’s most nostalgic, soulful places to get married. Tucked into the woods near Elkhorn, Camp Wandawega is a historic summer camp turned wedding venue—and it’s everything you’d imagine it to be: unplugged, immersive, and wildly photogenic.

This venue has a cult following for a reason. With cabins, bunkhouses, fire pits, trails, and vintage canoes, it delivers something that few venues can: a complete weekend experience. No ballrooms. No banquet halls. Just you, your people, and the freedom to do things your way.

Why We Love Camp Wandawega

  • Entire camp reserved for your wedding weekend
  • Charming vintage cabins and tents for overnight guests
  • Lakeside ceremony site with forest views
  • Bring-your-own-vendor flexibility
  • Perfect for creative couples and immersive weekends

We’ve photographed weddings here that felt like a blend of Wes Anderson meets old-school camp nostalgia—with string lights, canoe docks, and barefoot dancing under the stars.

Venue Overview

Location: Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Guest Capacity: Up to 150 for ceremony and reception
On-Site Lodging: For approx. 55 overnight guests
Rental Style: Exclusive use of camp for 2–3 days
Price Range: $15,000–$22,500+ depending on season and day of the week
Website: campwandawega.com

Wandawega doesn’t do weddings every weekend—they’re selective, and it’s part of what keeps the magic intact. Expect a campfire vibe over a ballroom layout, and a venue that prizes history and heart over perfection and polish.

Ceremony & Reception Spaces

Most ceremonies happen at the open-air chapel, a simple wooden structure tucked in the woods overlooking the lake. Guests sit on benches or hay bales, and couples exchange vows under the pine canopy. It’s rustic and reverent in the best way.

Receptions are flexible and open-air. Some couples use the lawn and string lights, others bring in a sailcloth tent or scatter picnic tables through the trees. There’s no “standard layout,” which is part of the appeal—everything feels custom to the couple.

Lodging & Weekend Flow

What sets Camp Wandawega apart is the weekend experience. When you book the venue, you get full access to the property for 48+ hours. That means:

  • Friday welcome bonfire
  • Saturday ceremony + celebration
  • Sunday coffee and canoe send-off

Your guests stay on-site in a mix of cabins, bunkhouses, and glamping tents. Think wool blankets, vintage books, old rotary phones, and coffee on the porch. It’s not a luxury resort—it’s nostalgic and intentionally simple.

Need more guest lodging? Nearby hotels and Airbnbs in Elkhorn and Lake Geneva fill the gap.

Bring-Your-Own Approach

Wandawega is a BYO venue, meaning you choose your own:

  • Caterer
  • Bartender
  • Rentals
  • Planner or coordinator
  • DJ or band
  • Florals

There’s a preferred vendors list, but you’re not locked in. This is ideal for couples who want full creative control, or who want to build a non-traditional day from the ground up.

What It’s Like to Photograph Here

From a photographer’s perspective, Camp Wandawega is a dream. The textures, the trees, the lake—everything here feels timeless and emotionally rich. Morning fog on the dock. Sunset through the pines. Candids during cabin check-in. It’s full of story-driven moments, not just posed portraits.

If you’re hiring us to capture it, we’ll help you build a photo-friendly schedule that honors the location, light, and flow of the weekend.

Tips for Planning a Wandawega Wedding

  • Book early – they take a limited number of weddings each year
  • Hire a planner – especially if you’re doing a full weekend setup
  • Communicate with guests – send a weekend itinerary and packing list
  • Plan for weather – most ceremonies are outdoors; consider tent rentals
  • Use the space creatively – from dock ceremonies to barn dinners, there’s no “template” here

Final Thoughts

Camp Wandawega is not just a wedding venue. It’s a feeling, a retreat, a shared breath away from normal life. If you want your wedding to feel like a story you’d want to tell again and again—about that one magical weekend where your people gathered at a lakeside camp in Wisconsin—this is the place.

To explore more or schedule a tour, visit campwandawega.com.
And if you’re looking for a photo and video team who knows how to capture the spirit of this place—we’d love to help.
Contact us here to talk dates and details.

How many guests can attend a Camp Wandawega wedding?

The venue can host up to 150 guests for your ceremony and reception, with on-site accommodations for around 55 guests.

What’s included in the rental fee?

The rental gives you exclusive access to the entire camp for a full weekend (usually Friday through Sunday). This includes cabins, tents, the chapel, fire pits, canoe access, and common areas.

Can we bring our own vendors?

Yes. You’re free to choose your own caterers, bartenders, planners, and musicians. There’s a suggested vendor list, but you’re not locked into it.

Is there a rain plan?

Most couples rent a large tent in case of bad weather. There are no fully enclosed indoor spaces for large groups.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, the venue is dog-friendly. Bring your furry ring bearer.

Do they host weddings year-round?

Most weddings are booked for late spring through early fall. The camp closes in winter

Camp Wandawega Wedding Venue Elkhorn WI Wisconsin
Bride in a white dress rests her head on the groom’s shoulder during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with seated guests visible in the background.
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A bride and groom share a first dance in the center of a dimly lit, elegant ballroom with round, candlelit tables surrounding them.
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Two men in dress shirts and suspenders stand indoors; one is smiling with hands over his mouth, while the other looks down and holds a bag.
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A bride in a white wedding dress sits indoors reading a note, while a small dog sits on the wooden floor in front of her.
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A bride in a white wedding dress and a groom in a military uniform sit closely together on a rustic rope swing in an outdoor grassy area.
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A couple in wedding attire stands outdoors holding large coconuts in front of their faces, with palm trees in the background.
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A bride in a lace dress and an older man in a suit wipe their eyes while standing outside near a staircase.
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A bride and groom stand outdoors, holding hands and smiling, with rocky mountains and trees in the background.
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A bride and groom share their first dance in a wooden barn while wedding guests watch in the background.
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A bride and groom kiss while dancing closely at their wedding reception, surrounded by seated guests in a large, decorated banquet hall.
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A bride and groom stand hand in hand facing a calm lake under a cloudy, overcast sky, surrounded by mountains.
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A couple stands on rocky terrain atop a mountain, with the man leaning in to kiss the woman in a flowing red dress as wind blows her hair. Mountains and sky are in the background.
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A bride and groom stand in the center of a path at night, surrounded by guests holding lit sparklers as smoke drifts through the air.
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A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors, holding a bouquet, with autumn trees and cloudy skies in the background.
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A bride and groom stand together inside a bar decorated with vintage beer signs and brick walls, with a counter and barstools in the background.
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