A Rustic, DIY Wedding at Camp Kiwanee in Hanson, Massachusetts

Lindsay Baker (27 and an orthodontic dental assistant) and Christopher Miller (32 and a plumber) met through a mutual friend they had both known for years. “We both ended up at her house one night for a party and hit it off right away,” says Lindsay. “We were both pretty fresh out of long term relationships and neither one of us were ready for anything too serious though, so we dated for six months before even mentioning the words ‘girlfriend/boyfriend,” but it was pretty clear to everyone we were a couple.” After a year-and-a-half of dating, Christopher decided to pop the question while they were in Greece visiting his family. “Chris is very romantic and it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up,” says Lindsay. “We took a trip to the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion and at sun set overlooking the water, Chris got down on one knee and proposed, he even brought glasses and a bottle of champagne to celebrate! How could I ever say no!”Lovers of the outdoors, Lindsay and Christopher decided on a rustic theme for their wedding. “We both had an image of spending the weekend with our friends and family enjoying camping, swimming and games with a wedding thrown into the mix,” says Lindsay. “We looked at farms and venues that had a rustic feel, but couldn't find something that fit the laid-back feel that we had in mind.” That is, until they came across Camp Kiwanee in Hanson, MA. The camp had everything they were looking for and more — a lake, cottages where guests could stay, a reception hall, a deck overlooking the water and the flexibility that allowed for them to make the day truly theirs. They opted for a color palette of soft pastels and pops of bright teal, inspired by the vintage teal mason jars Lindsay found for the centerpieces. To give the decor a personal touch, while making sure they stayed within budget, Lindsay and Christopher made all of the decorations themselves, from the burlap table runners to the unique vintage centerpieces. Blue Ribbon Barbecue tempted guests with a mouthwatering assortment of classic barbecue eats and fit not only with the July 4th weekend wedding date, but also with the wedding’s laid-back vibe. And a well-known DJ from the area kept guests dancing all night long. “After the wedding, we invited our guest to the camp ground pavilion for sandwiches, pasta salad and some more dancing!” says Lindsay. “Our DJ moved from the hall to the camp ground in no time and our guest didn't miss a beat getting into round two of the party. The best part was just walking a few feet to our cabins when we were finally done dancing the night away!”