A couple shares a kiss while holding small pennant flags that read "Mrs & Mrs" and "Camp Bonini." Behind them, a joyful group of wedding guests raises their hands in celebration.

A Camp Inspired Weekend Wedding

When Kelsey (she/her) and Beck (she/her) decided to tie the knot, they didn’t just plan a wedding, they crafted an entire weekend filled with camp vibes, adventure, and so much love. From glamping and field day games to intimate vows on a bluff, these two made sure every detail was all about having fun with their favorite people.

What made you decide to have a three-day, long weekend wedding?

We’re not traditional people, so a three-day celebration felt right for us. Our ceremony took place on Friday, followed by a fun Field Day-style celebration on Saturday, complete with an egg toss and kayak races! 

We ended the weekend with a cocktail hour on Sunday at a local brewery. Spreading everything out made the whole experience more relaxed, and it gave us so much time to enjoy with our friends and family without feeling rushed​.

How did you plan such a unique camping inspired wedding?

We wanted our wedding to reflect who we are; adventurous, down-to-earth, and deeply in love with nature. We rented a venue with “glamping” options, like VW buses and a houseboat, which tied into our summer camp theme. 

We also DIY’d so many details, from the felt pennant flags to our terracotta place cards. A lot of inspiration came from the National Parks we’ve explored together, and the casual, camp-inspired atmosphere helped everyone feel at ease throughout the weekend​.

Flatlay of Wedding Details: A flatlay arrangement features a green felt "Bonini" pennant, personalized wedding invitation, pocket watch, and other wedding mementos placed on top of a map of Missouri.
Bride Helping with Shoes: One bride, dressed in a flowy white lace gown, stands while the other bride, in a white suit, helps adjust her shoes outside a blue vintage bus.
Brides with Dogs: The two brides stand close, smiling at each other, while holding a bright bouquet of flowers, with their two dogs beside them, both wearing floral collars.
Bridal Shoes and Bouquet: A floral wedding bouquet rests on a moss-covered rock, next to two pairs of shoes—one floral with a bow and the other tan woven slides.
Brides in a Boat: The two brides sit together in a small boat on a calm lake, one dressed in a flowing gown and the other in a white vest and pants, sharing a kiss with a colorful bouquet at their side.
Brides in a Boat on a Lake: The two brides, one in a gown and the other in a white vest and pants, laugh together while sitting in a small boat in the middle of a serene lake.
Ring on a Love Note: A simple wedding ring is placed on top of a handwritten note, with the words "I love you" clearly visible.
Bride Wiping a Tear: In a black-and-white photo, one bride wipes a tear from the other’s face as they stand together during an emotional moment on a cliffside.
Hands with Tattoos and Jewelry: A close-up of the brides holding hands, showing off their watches and tattoos, while standing side by side.
Brides on a Cliff: The two brides share an intimate moment on a rocky cliff surrounded by lush trees, with one bride holding a bouquet of flowers while the other gently touches her face.
Close-Up of Hands: Two arms reach out to hold hands, with one arm showing visible tattoos and a black wristwatch.
Brides Embracing in a Field: The brides stand close together in a sunlit field surrounded by trees, one bride in a white suit and the other in a flowy gown, both smiling softly.
Brides Holding Hands While Walking: The brides walk hand in hand through a forest, one holding a colorful bouquet, with both smiling and looking at each other.

What were your favorite moments from the weekend?

One of our favorite moments was our private vow exchange on a bluff overlooking the river. It was intimate and gave us time to really reflect on our relationship before joining everyone for the ceremony. We also loved seeing all our friends and family taking part in the Field Day activities on Saturday. There’s something special about watching everyone, from all walks of life, play together and have fun​.

What advice do you have for other couples planning a wedding?

First, get yourself a spreadsheet! We used Excel and a dry erase board to stay organized, keeping track of vendors, budgets, and timelines. 

Second, be patient. We had a two-year engagement, and while the last six months felt like forever, it gave us the space to plan everything at our own pace without stress. 

Finally, make your wedding about you. Include the traditions you love, skip the ones you don’t, and focus on what will make you and your partner happy​.

Welcome Sign: A wooden sign reads "Welcome! The Boninis, Est. 2024" and is attached to a pavilion structure with rustic lighting.
Outdoor Bar Setup: A rustic bar made from wood pallets is decorated with small potted plants, lanterns, and colorful glass bottles, with a lake in the background.
Colorful Flower Arrangements in Glass Vases: A close-up of floral arrangements placed in textured green, orange, and yellow glass vases on a wooden table, with the lake visible in the distance.
Outdoor Gathering by a Bus: A small group of guests gather outside a vintage blue bus, with stairs leading to its roof deck, while two dogs rest nearby.
Bride Wiping Tears During Ceremony: One bride wipes away tears while standing under a pavilion, dressed in a flowing gown, as the other bride, in a white suit, looks on during the ceremony.
Intimate Wedding Ceremony: The wedding ceremony takes place under a pavilion decorated with white pennants, with a small group of guests seated around the brides, who stand beneath a wooden arch adorned with flowers.
Reception Table Setup: A long wooden table is set for a meal, with colorful flowers arranged in vases as a centerpiece, surrounded by folding wooden chairs beneath white pennants.
A white wedding cake topped with fresh berries and a sign reading “Let the Adventure Begin – The Boninis” is displayed on an orange tablecloth.
Champagne is being poured into the top glass of a cascading tower of vintage-style coupe glasses, with flowers and greenery decorating the table.
The couple kisses under a circle of raised glasses, captured from below against a blue sky.
A pavilion decorated with pennant flags and flowers is set up with long dining tables for the wedding reception, next to a rustic wooden bar.
A close-up of the dining tables set for the wedding, showing wooden chairs, floral centerpieces, and hanging string lights under the pavilion.
A felt pennant reading “EST 2024” rests on moss alongside name tags with "Beck" and "Kelsey" written on them.
Two colorful vases filled with flowers are placed on moss-covered books with an orange felt pennant reading “Camp Bonini” displayed next to them.
A rustic bar is decorated with flower garlands, featuring large drink dispensers labeled with creative cocktail names like "Sunset on the Beach" and "Golden Hour."
A close-up of drink dispensers at the wedding bar, labeled with handwritten signs for specialty cocktails, as a hand fills a glass from one dispenser.
A basket with matchboxes labeled “The Boninis,” with a small pennant reading “Perfect Match” displayed beside it.
A mailbox painted in bright colors sits on a table draped with burnt orange fabric. A string of tags spelling "CARDS" is hung across the front of the mailbox.
A vinyl record, placed on a turntable, has the words "For the record, please sign our guest book" written in white paint. The turntable is decorated with a garland of tags.
A vintage turntable is set up as a guestbook station, with a vinyl record inviting guests to sign. Next to it, a photo display titled "Better Together" shows a couple embracing.
A couple shares a kiss while holding small pennant flags that read "Mrs & Mrs" and "Camp Bonini." Behind them, a joyful group of wedding guests raises their hands in celebration.
A dessert table is set with an assortment of pies labeled with small glass signs. The flavors include coconut cream, lemon meringue, banana cream, Dutch apple, and cherry rhubarb.

Photography by Kara Hoganson Photo


Ceremony Venue Lost Hill Lake Events
Dress Boutique BHLDN
Hair & Makeup Emily Miller
Venue Lost Hill Lake Events

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