Anyone who’s ever spent a summer away at camp will tell you: there’s just something inexplicably magical about the connections you make there. And if there was ever a love story worthy of an epically immersive summer camp wedding, it’s Maeve + Ryan’s.
Maeve + Ryan met at camp in Indiana when they were only 13. The two quickly became close friends and later were counselors together at the very same camp where they first met. From there, Maeve + Ryan headed off to the same college and becoming a couple not long after.
To pay tribute to their relationship’s summer camp rom com-worthy origins, Maeve + Ryan took over Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisconsin and with the help of Rosewood Weddings created “Camp Smitty.”
Guests stayed in bunks for the weekend as “campers.” To set the playful, outdoorsy tone, the celebrations began the day before the wedding with tons of lakeside fun + games, and the wedding day itself was a dreamy cottagecore fantasy full of whimsy + nostalgia.
Floral arrangements of airy baby’s breath and earthy mosses seemed to blossom magically from trees and tabletops. Deep greens and summery neutrals created a romantic, woodsy energy. And Wanderlynn Photography perfectly captured the way that Maeve + Ryan infused every element with the childhood joys of their history.
Lakeside Fun
To kick things off, Maeve + Ryan joined their guests for some sunny, festive watersports on Lake Wandawega. LOVE Maeve’s retro tennis gear-inspired matching set! Check out this one from Nordstrom Rack for a similar look!
SO cute that both Maeve + Ryan added retro custom embroidered logo patches to their looks to make them “Camp Smitty” official.
Nothing brings wedding guests together like some friendly competition!
A Camp Wandawega Wedding Day
Bride Maeve decided to dive into the world of DIY, creating paper goods and handmade details for her big day herself and in the process discovering a new passion.
“When researching paper goods and signage vendors,” Maeve says, “it never felt like any options were totally “us” or felt as unique and special as we wanted our day to be. This drove me to spend hours hand painting our invitations and envelopes, ceremony programs, 200 candle sticks, drink menus, dinner menus, welcome sign, seating chart, “just married” sign, our Camp Smitty logo and patches for guest party favors, and more! I loved this process so much that I started my own design business, Al Dente Designs Co, and have since been helping other couples create event decor that reflects their unique personalities, creates a lasting impression on guests, and fits cohesively into their venue and one-of-a-kind event.”
How cute are the matching gingham cami + shorts sets that Maeve’s besties rocked while they got ready! Charming cottagecore bridesmaid gift perfection. Shop the Papinelle Gingham Cotton Blend Seersucker Short Pajamas from Nordstrom to recreate the look!
Obsessed with the fact that Ryan’s groomsmen’s bowties all match his forest green wedding suit.
We love that Maeve + Ryan snuck away to do a private wedding cake cutting by themselves!
“At the end of the day, what everyone remembers is how the day made them feel,” say Maeve + Ryan of how they dreamed up the ideal energy of their big day. “We wanted that feeling to reflect the magic and simplicity of the purest form of happiness we’ve ever known: being thirteen years old at summer camp.”
This wedding day video by Sydney Clarson Photo + Film is absolutely not to be missed.
Congratulations, Maeve + Ryan, on your summer camp cottagecore wedding day! We are absolutely smitten with “Camp Smitty.” Wishing you both all the very best!
photography: Wanderylnn Photography // venue name: Camp Wandawega, Elkhorn, Wisconsin, US // event design: Rosewood Weddings // planning: Rosewood Weddings // florals: Sunborn Gardens // hair stylist: Wide Eyed Bride // makeup artist: Wide Eyed Bride // videography: Sydney Clarson Photo + Film // paper goods: Al Dente Designs Co. // calligraphy: Al Dente Designs Co. // handmade details: Al Dente Designs Co. // catering: Heirloom Mke // tabletop rentals: Event Essentials // furniture rentals: Event Essentials // music: Milwaukee Airwaves // cocktails: Gather Mobile Bar