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The Ultimate Guide to Plan a Glamping Wedding

If you’re looking to plan an elopement, especially an adventure elopement, then we know you’re all looking for the most unique way to adventure together possible. Have you thought about planning a glamping wedding? In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know when planning a glamping elopement adventure.

What is Glamping?

So what is glamping, and why should you consider doing it for your wedding? Glamping is a fancier way of camping, which is perfect for your wedding. Instead of camping in a regular tent, these glamping setups are a lot more comfortable and luxurious including lights, running water, electricity, and other comforts you usually find when vacationing at a typical resort.

Consider planning a glamping wedding if you’re looking to explore a nearby national park. A lot of wedding venues have popped up recently that cater to glamping accommodations for adventurous couples. Deciding on these venues (which we’ll share some of our favorites below), will allow you to have a similar vibe for your photos when it comes to both your getting ready photos and ceremony.

Another reason you may want to plan a glamping wedding is if you’re planning a micro wedding. Some of these glamping sites are perfect for hosting an intimate wedding and reception after you both adventure together. It’s also a unique idea to consider if you don’t want a typical hotel as your accommodation. After all, you’re planning a unique wedding day experience, so you deserve a unique accommodation.

How to Plan a Glamping Wedding

If you’re all about something unique, adventurous, and personalized in the great outdoors, then it’s time to plan a glamping elopement together!

Here’s what you need to consider when planning a glamping wedding:

Connect with vendors to bring your elopement vision to life

When it comes to planning, the most important aspect, believe it or not, is your vendors. Your vendors are not only the most reliable and stress-free way of planning your elopement, but they are also awesome resources. For glamping elopements, we recommend a photographer/videographer and a planner!

Your photographer/videographer can give awesome suggestions on locations and share their own experiences. Your planner can help you bring your vision to life, especially if you have a specific Pinterest board in mind when planning your glamping adventure.

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Decide who you are inviting and what activities you are doing

Glamping weddings are perfect because they are entirely customizable and you can invite multiple people if you’re thinking about planning a micro wedding. Consider what activities you want to do, and if you want to do your whole wedding and ceremony at the glamping site, or if you want to travel somewhere else to explore.

Pick your glamping wedding venue or create your own glamping experience

A lot of couples will either decide to stay at a wedding venue site dedicated to offering glamping experiences or create their own glamping setups with the help of “mobile glamping services”. Either decision you make, consider the type of glamping you want to do and secure your accommodation ahead of time, especially if you’re eloping at one of the best places to elope.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Even though your glamping experience is meant to be more “luxurious” than your typical popup tent camping experience, you are still outdoors. Make sure you’re prepared on what you should pack, what wildlife is around you, and what is and is not allowed where you have decided to glamp it out. Again, your vendors are awesome people to ask when figuring out what to prepare for, and asking whoever is in charge of the actual location you’re staying at.

Types of Glamping

When it comes to glamping, you actually have a lot of options to consider (and the list continues to grow too). We love glamping weddings because they are so unique, and it really depends on what type of experience you’re looking for. When thinking about your glamping setup, think about what overall look you want to go for. Do you want a traditionally shaped tent, but just a little fancier? Do you prefer a more geometric style? Or maybe you’re looking for something mobile?

Here are some of the most popular glamping options to consider:

  • Upscale Tents
  • Yurts
  • Domes
  • Treehouse
  • Tepees
  • Camper Van
  • Trailers
  • Exo Pods

Activities For Your Glamping Elopement

Photo by Sam Starns

So you’re planning a glamping elopement, but what activities can you do during your glamping wedding? In short, anything you want! The beauty of a glamping wedding adventure is it’s very similar to an elopement in general. When planning your elopement, there really isn’t any rules you need to follow, except for any LNT rules and regulations from the property you’re staying at.

Some of our favorite activities you can incorporate during your glamping elopement include:

  • Exploring nearby trails
  • Walk around the property to take some epic portraits
  • Get ready together and take things slow before your elopement
  • plan a romantic picnic with a mini wedding cake and even a charcuterie board
  • Take a dip in a hot tub or a nearby hot springs
  • Bring a hammock and relax together
  • Glamp with your pets
  • Host your own wedding reception with your close family and friends after your elopement adventure
  • End the night with a campfire and roasting some marshmallows

There are honestly SO many activities you can plan during your glamping wedding day. For more ideas, check out these elopement ideas

Glamping Wedding Venues We Love

Keep in mind there are a bunch of wedding venues with Glamping options located across the US. Our best piece of advice is to ask your vendors for some recommendations!

Under Canvas

Under Canvas is probably one of the most popular wedding venues that provide glamping for couples. There are locations in Glacier, Yellowstone, Moab, Zion, Lake Powell, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Acadia, and Bryce Canyon. Under Canvas is a great option because the locations are usually really close to the parks and they provide great amenities and views for your stay.

Slide Ranch

Located in Muir Beach, California, you can glamp it out in a yurt overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This specific location is good for micro weddings since you can have a ceremony at the same location. If you’re looking for group camping, Slide Ranch offers a Dome that can be reserved after your wedding ceremony.

Auto Camp

Another venue with multiple locations is Auto Camp with locations in Asheville, Cape Cod, Catskills, Hill Country, Joshua Tree, Russian River, Sequoia, Yosemite, and Zion. Here you’ll stay in a modern Airstream or a luxurious tent. You’ll get the true glamping experience here with boutique-style amenities and gorgeous views.

T Lazy 7 Lodge

Colorado is one of the best places to elope. In Aspen, CO you’ll find a rustic-chic option for your glamping wedding surrounded by forest and the gorgeous wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. You can camp beneath the stars at T Lazy 7 Lodge at Chuckwagon Grounds.

Wander Camp

Never miss a sunset or a sunrise at Wander Camp. Their rustic tents can be found in multiple locations including Glacier, Olympic, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Yellowstone. Each of these locations provides epic views from their spacious bell tents filled with bed(s), pillows, tables, and many other comforts.

Roam Beyond

Roam Beyond is pretty epic and one of our team’s personal favorites. There are locations for both Glacier National Park and Olympic National Park. This glamping experience is super unique, providing wooden trailers with running water, hot showers, and everything you need to cook.

The Rolling Huts and Methow Tents

Photo by Janelle Renee Photo featuring the Rolling Huts

The Rolling Huts and Methow Tents give couples multiple options for their glamping experience. Besides cool yurts to rent, couples can stay in one of their six renovated metal rolling huts!

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