Wedding Weekend at Camp Elsewhere

There’s something special about a wedding at Camp Elsewhere, it’s the kind of place where everyone seems a little more relaxed, and able to be a little more present.


Alyssa & Max’s wedding perfectly captured that feeling. They kept the pomp & circumstance really minimal, leaning into just spending the weekend with all of their favorite people. It felt intentional and full in the best way, exactly what a wedding should be all about.



Alyssa and Max got married at Camp Elsewhere in Waupaca on one of those early summer days that still had that crisp Wisconsin air in the morning. A little bit of sun, tall green pines, and just enough of a breeze. You could feel the “north” in the air, if you know, you know. It’s the kind of setting that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile. Which is exactly what a summer camp wedding is all about.


I always love photographing Milwaukee weddings in the city, but getting out into a setting like this is a totally different experience. To be honest this feels like home, maybe even taking you right back to childhood. Except the summer camps I went to were nowhere near this nice, or this fun. A summer camp wedding naturally invites people to be more present with each other, and that was obvious from the very start of the day.


There is less distraction from the world, and it really feels like you're somewhere else.

Three vintage Airstream travel trailers parked among tall pine trees at a scenic campground during sunset.
Elegant floral arrangement featuring coral and peach garden roses with blue hydrangeas and delicate greenery.
A romantic silhouette of a couple embracing in front of a scenic landscape during sunset.

What Makes a Wedding at Camp Elsewhere So Special?


I have been able to see hundreds of different wedding venues, and in many ways Camp Elsewhere might be one of the best.


There is plenty of space, and the natural beauty of the trees and lakes is a selling point by itself.


The best part though is that everyone can stay onsite if you want. There are plenty of great accommodations for you and your guests at Camp Elsewhere. From the cabins and vintage campers, to the “glamping” tents. It is a wonderful all in one setting for your wedding weekend. 


Alyssa and Max’s welcome event felt like I was pulling up to the family cabin more than a wedding venue.

String lights illuminate a rustic outdoor gathering space surrounded by tall pine trees at dusk.
A series of vintage Airstream travel trailers lined up side by side showing their distinctive silver aluminum exteriors.
Aerial panoramic view of a scenic lake surrounded by lush green forests and farmland stretches into the horizon.

What It Feels Like to Be at Camp Elsewhere


If you’re planning a camp wedding, especially a wedding at Camp Elsewhere, one of the best pieces of advice I can give is exactly what Alyssa and Max did: lean into the experience. Let it be fun. Let it be meaningful. Let the setting do what it does best.


Days like this are why I love being a Milwaukee photographer. Whether it’s in the city or out at camp, it’s always about the people and the moments that unfold naturally.



Alyssa and Max chose to work with me because they wanted their day captured honestly — the big emotions & moments, the small in-between moments, and everything that made their wedding uniquely theirs. That’s always the goal: photos that feel like the day actually felt.

Wedding accessories including white lace heels, jewelry, and a clutch arranged on black leather surface.
Elegant wedding stationery collection featuring pink save the date cards, pearl necklaces, and delicate accessories on dark surface.
Three women in pastel dresses sitting together in a dimly lit room.

A Morning Full of Problem-Solving (and Teamwork)


The day started with a little unexpected excitement. Alyssa’s detachable train hadn’t been altered quite right, and it quickly became clear that it wasn’t going to work without some help. Out came the sewing supplies, and for a little while the getting-ready room turned into a tailoring station. 


There was no panic, only solution. Both mom’s and all the bridesmaids went into action, and so did Alyssa, sewing her dress while it was still on her.



Honestly, moments like that always end up meaning more than you expect. Everyone gathered around to help, and by the time it was finally pinned and sewn into place, there was this shared sense of we did it. It set the tone for the whole day — supportive, wonderfully emotional, and completely present.

A sequence of black and white photos showing a bride getting ready on her wedding day, captured in candid moments.
Close-up detail shots of a bride getting dressed in a white wedding gown with lace and buttons.
A person in a pink dress sits near a window with soft natural light filtering through the scene.

Emotional First Looks


Alyssa and Max shared one incredibly beautiful first look that felt grounded and genuine. No rushing, no pressure, just the two of them taking in the moment together. And there was a lot to take in, the sun peaking through the clouds, the gentle breeze, and of course they both looked stunning in their wedding attire. The planning had all paid off, and their worlds were all coming together to celebrate them.


My favorite thing with a first look is that you can always see the weight come off their shoulders. You are here together, and it is going to be such a beautiful day. 


Once there was not one person in a mile radius who wasn’t crying, we brought out Alyssa’s dad for his turn. And again, there was no person without tears in their eyes.


That’s something I always try to create space for during a wedding. But, especially when it is clearly so meaningful for the couple we leave room for whatever you want in your wedding photography timeline. The day moves fast, but those quiet pauses are often what couples remember most.

A romantic wedding photo sequence in a forest shows a couple sharing an emotional first look moment in blue suit and white gown.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom during their wedding ceremony in a wooded outdoor setting.
A bride and groom share a joyful dance moment in black and white photography.
A bride in a white wedding dress walks through a forest setting during a photo session.

Letting Camp Elsewhere Shine


One of the best parts of this camp wedding was how Alyssa and Max leaned into the setting without overdoing it. The decor was minimal and intentional, letting the natural beauty of Camp Elsewhere do most of the work.


The florals were absolutely stunning — Alyssa’s bouquet and Max’s pocket square added just the right amount of color and texture without overwhelming anything or feeling out of place.


And then there was the custom-built phone booth, made by Alyssa’s dad. It was one of those details that felt both personal and playful — exactly the kind of thing that works so well at a summer camp wedding. It gave guests something fun to interact with for their guestbook while also being a meaningful contribution from family.



Another incredibly special detail: all the desserts were homemade by family members. You could feel the love behind every single tray that was laid out.

A bridal portrait series showing a white wedding dress, delicate veil, and vibrant peach and pink floral bouquet in a forest setting.
A pearl necklace and delicate floral bouquet with pink roses and blue flowers rest against white fabric.
A wedding dress with a flowing train creates an elegant silhouette against a backdrop of tall pine trees in a forest setting.
A couple in wedding attire poses together in a serene pine forest setting during their special day.
Wedding party celebrates and dances together on a rustic wooden dance floor during an indoor reception.
A black and white photo series showing a wedding ceremony in progress inside a rustic wooden church venue.
A black and white panoramic view of a crowded reception under a large tent with string lights overhead.

Documenting the Full Camp Experience


One of my favorite parts of working with Alyssa and Max started before I even arrived on the wedding day. I brought them disposable cameras so they could document their time at camp — golfing, hanging out, and getting ready with friends.



It added this extra layer to their story, capturing the full experience from their perspective and eyes of their friends while being at camp. A wedding at Camp Elsewhere is about more than the big moments. Documenting the late night moments around the campfire and times I was not there -and to be clear, I was there a lot-  just really filled in the gaps of the story.

A series of panoramic photos showing a rural landscape with cars, buildings, and trees under a cloudy sky.
Golf carts drive along a winding path through a lush green golf course on a sunny day.
Group of friends enjoying drinks and socializing outdoors at night in a casual gathering.
A dimly lit bar or restaurant interior with patrons seated at tables and booths in a casual dining atmosphere.
Group of friends celebrating and having fun at a party with flash photography in dimly lit setting.
A group of people dancing and celebrating at a dimly lit party venue with blue lighting effects.
A group of people dancing and celebrating together at a nighttime party event.

Sunset at Camp Elsewhere


As the day wound down, we snuck away for sunset photos — always one of my favorite parts of any wedding day. The light softened, the air cooled a bit, and everything felt calm in that end-of-day kind of way.



After a full day of emotion, these moments felt especially fulfilling. Just Alyssa and Max, married, soaking it all in.

Black and white photo of a bride and groom sharing an intimate moment outdoors on their wedding day.
A misty path through a forest with dark silhouettes of trees creating a moody monochromatic atmosphere.
Black and white photos show couples dancing at a wedding reception under elegant circular chandeliers.
Two people dance together in an intimate embrace during a romantic ballroom dance performance.
People walking and dancing at a dimly lit event venue with festive energy.

Planning Your Own Wedding At Camp Elsewhere?


If you’re planning your own Camp Elsewhere wedding photography or dreaming up a summer camp wedding, I’d love for you to scroll through the images from Alyssa & Max’s day. And if you’re planning a wedding at Camp Elsewhere and have questions or want to start talking about photography, feel free to reach out anytime. I’m always happy to chat.


I’d love to bring your vision to life!


Check out their stunning wedding below, and if you’re planning your own, let’s chat about making magic together!

Elegant engagement ring with a sparkling diamond solitaire displayed on a dark background with dramatic lighting.
A flowing white wedding dress and autumn bouquet create a romantic scene along a pine tree-lined forest path.
A romantic wedding couple walks through a pine forest while the bride's white dress flows elegantly behind them.
Close-up details of a white wedding dress and pearl necklace with embracing couple showing elegant bridal styling.
A stunning bridal bouquet of peach roses and greenery is held against a white wedding dress in an outdoor forest setting.
A groom in a classic black tuxedo stands smiling on a wooded path during a wedding photoshoot.
A close-up of a boutonniere featuring peach ranunculus, blue delphinium, and baby's breath against a navy suit jacket.
A person in a navy blue vest and white dress shirt adjusts their tie in a series of candid getting-ready photos.
Two people share an intimate embrace while wearing a pink dress in a softly lit room by a window.
Black and white photo showing bridesmaids helping each other get ready in white dresses.