Camp Saturna Wedding Photographer + Wedding Guide
Washington State Wedding Venue
Hi there! We are Traci and Bill adventure wedding photographers based here in Maple Falls, Washington. We are practically next door neighbors to this incredible wedding venue, perfect for a couple wanting an adventure elopement and time with loved ones. In this blog you will find information about getting married here, working with us, the general area of Maple Falls and more!
Everything you need to know about Camp Saturna!
What is Camp Saturna?
Camp Saturna is an old boy scout camp that got sold to a private owner. Camp Saturna is 133 acres sharing Silver Lake with Silver Lake State Park. The space hosts events, weddings and other retreats.
Where is Camp Saturna?
The venue is located in Maple Falls, Washington – our town!! Maple Falls is a small town just off of hwy 542 which leads to the ever famous Artist Point area and various other hikes in the Mount Baker area. Maple falls has a few gas stations, a small grocery store, a brewery and a food truck. Outside of that the closest towns are Bellingham, WA and Abbotsford in Canada. Both of these towns are 30-45 minutes away and have a ton of accommodations in regards to shopping, things to do and restaurants.
Why get married at Camp Saturna?
There is a wedding venue for everyone and every type of wedding. Camp Saturna may be the perfect fit for your elopement day if….
- You want to get married somewhere quiet, beautiful and relaxing like a weekend get away that is the best camping trip you’ve ever taken. #campvibes
- If you want to combine an adventure wedding in the mountains, just you two, but also celebrate with all of your loved ones.
- If you want to get married somewhere that also allows everyone to stay in one place, at the venue so no one has to worry about driving home after the party of a reception.
- If you want to book a venue that gives you the creative freedom to pick your own venues and plan out the space and day of how you want it to be.
Hosting your wedding at Camp Saturna
When is the best time to get married at Camp Saturna?
Camp Saturna is open year round and you can get married there year round. The venue is in lower elevation than the surrounding mountains which makes it great anytime. However, if you wish to combine your day with adventuring in the mountains I may recommend getting married here in late July to late September. If you want to combine your wedding day with skiing up in the mountains then I may recommend choosing a date from late November to mid March.
How many guests can Camp Saturna accomodate?
The camp ground itself can host overnight around 60 people depending on if you have guests willing to camp in tents or not. Otherwise the bunk house can sleep 44 people and then there are few other smaller cabins. As far as for a ceremony there are two main locations – the seating over looking the lake, great for a back lit ceremony and then the mossy chapel in the woods. Both of these can seat around 100 people. The indoor dining hall can seat around 130 people. However, the outdoor seating is comfortable with around 75 people or less. The deck overlooking the lake which is wonderful for a dance floor can comfortably fit 60-70 people at a time.
So this answer depends on your vision and your party – we would recommend no more than 80 people so space doesn’t feel cramped.
What is there to do on our wedding day at Camp Saturna?
Camp Saturna offers activities like hiking, canoeing, swimming, kayaking, rock climbing, yard games, a shooting range, camping and star gazing.
Things to do near by that are not at camp, but within a 1 hour drive:
- Visit Artist Point
- Ski in the winter
- Hike in the Summer
- Summit Mount Baker
- Camp in a Fire Tower
- Go Fishing
- Watch for Eagles
- Go on a Whale Watching Tour
- Explore Breweries
- Go Fishing
- Go Hunting
- Visit the San Juan Islands
How much does it cost to get married at Camp Saturna?
Renting out the venue costs depends on when you plan to get married, the winter rates are much cheaper. It also depends if you want to rent out the space for a weekend or weekday. Rates vary from $1800 – $3400 per night. This rate does not include any other vendors or accommodations other than the space which includes two spaces for ceremony, the entire 133 acres of camp ground, massive kitchen and sleeping arrangements.
Camp Saturna Wedding Photographer
Why hire Adventure and Vow for your wedding at Camp Saturna?
We are a great team for your wedding day at Camp Saturna! We have photographed at this venue before and we absolutely love this place! We also live next door which means we know the area like the back of our hands, can connect you with local vendors, can easily swing by to do the tour with you if you choose to visit the venue beforehand.
Outside of photography our services also include:
- Officiating if needed
- Timeline planning
- In person scouting
- Elopement planning guide
- Connecting you with vendors
- the option to add on video
Our photography packages start at $7000 and you can learn more about our services on our packages page.
We are a trusted team with over 123 5 star reviews on Google that care about your wedding day as much as you do. We take the time to get to know each of our couples to help them craft a wedding day that is connective and immersed in an experience they wish to share together to start off their marriage. We focus on adventure weddings so we are the perfect team if you are looking for someone who can help you fuse an adventure elopement with an intimate camping wedding.
Sample Timeline for Weddings at Camp Saturna!
Want some ideas for how your adventure wedding could look if you chose Cam Saturna as your venue? Below are a few ideas for you to explore, they are for sure not the only options when it comes to putting together your day. Some of these are real timelines from past weddings and some are just ideas we have!
Half Day Mini Wedding
3pm Couple gets ready together in private cabin
4:15pm Ceremony with loved ones in mossy chapel
5:15pm Dinner outside on the deck
6:30pm First Dances
7:15pm Couple canoes together back to other side of camp
8pm Sunset portraits
9pm Coverage Ends
Sunrise/Sunset Adventure Wedding
5:15am – Meet for sunrise hiking into the mountains for First Look, Private Vows and morning coffee
9:30am – BREAK
2pm Casual getting ready images + candids
3:30 – 4:15pm Ceremony at mossy forest chapel
4:20 -5pm Canoe Photos
5 – 6:15pm Dinner
6:15 – 7:40pm Yard games + Group Photos
7:45pm – First Dance(s)
9:15pm Coverage ends
2 Day Adventure Wedding
Day 1
Write vows at sunrise in the canoe on the lake together.
Morning Games Challenge with guests
BREAK
Brunch on the deck with guests
Guests and Couple Get Ready
First look by Chapel
Couple Canoes across lake for ceremony to enter ceremony
Ceremony at lakeside venue
Dinner in the lawn
Day 2
Morning at camp together getting ready, making breakfast
Leave for Mountain
Hike in
Private Vows
Journaling together and building anniversary box
Star gazing
Hike back down
Couple returns to camp
Read more blogs you may find helpful in planning your wedding in Washington!
