YMCA Camp St. Croix Wedding with a Canoe

We met the Adam, Claire, and the Alabama getaway here…

and now they celebrate their wedding day!

Claire and Adam were married in October at YMCA Camp St. Croix in Hudson, WI, just twenty minutes from the Twin Cities. Choosing a campground for your venue is so cool! First of all, nature. Second of all, you can obviously camp there. Third, many have indoor gathering spaces that could hold your reception. The YMCA Camp St. Croix campground has an outdoor space with amphitheater seating that holds a stage in the lower center. The wooden benches are built-in to the hill?! The center stage is like IN THE WOODS?! I felt like I was in a fairy tale. We were surrounded by nature, gorgeous changing leaves, ongoing trails and lots of greenery. Lake St. Croix runs right alongside the YMCA camp for all of your wonderful golden hour needs.

The day started out at an AirBNB in Hudson, and then we met along the trail within the camp for Adam and Claire’s first look. We went to a spot that overlooked Lake St. Croix, and because of the time of year, the leaves were bright and changing colors. How picturesque right? From there, the ceremony was held at one of the two ampitheaters the camp offers. The reception was hosted at Royal Credit Union Discovery Center (nearby the amphitheater and within the campground) which met all of our modern-day needs: (read: indoor bathrooms and A/C.) A wedding in the woods with amenities?? Sing it with me: YOU GET THE BEEEEEST of BOTH WORLDS. Thanks Hannah Montana, for that classic tune.

At the end of the day, Adam and Claire wanted to do a ceremonial canoe ride to honor their marriage. Canoeing together holds a special place in their relationship, so it was their version of a “getaway car,” and it was a blast. My assistant had to wear waders, so that I could take photos of the couple close up without beaching them (do it for the ‘gram.) Ok here are the photos! Congrats Adam and Claire! Cannot wait to go back to this camp. I feel a nature retreat coming on… oh my gosh they have a preschool…

PSA: If you are wanting an outdoor wedding, definitely consider YMCA campgrounds. Many have event centers and accommodations!