Ultimate Guide to Planning an Under Canvas Wedding
Table of Contents:
- What is Under Canvas?
- What is a Destination Wedding Weekend?
- Under Canvas Glamping Locations
- Why You Should Get Married at Under Canvas
- FAQ’s About Under Canvas
- Bonus Tips for Your Under Canvas Wedding from a Planner
- Under Canvas Destination Wedding Photographer
- Real Under Canvas Glamping Wedding Inspiration
Are you ready to learn what your destination glamping wedding could look like at Under Canvas? Keep reading for the only guide you’ll ever need to having an incredible Under Canvas destination wedding!
Picture this: you wake up the morning before your wedding wrapped in bedding that’s soft as all hell, in a glamorous tent smack dab in the middle of a glorious landscape (be it desert, coast, or forest).
You sit out on the porch with your love, sipping a mug of hot coffee while you take in the scenic views surrounding you, breathing in the fresh air mixed with leftover campfire smoke from the night before.
You welcome your friends and family a couple of hours later with a delicious picnic brunch, with a fully-decorated, stunning tablescape and yummy options galore. Once your stomachs are full and you’ve asked them about how their travels went, you’re ready to go off on a hike together out in the epic wilderness just minutes away from you.
You end the day with cocktails + complimentary s’mores around the campfire, and head into your tents for the night after doing some stargazing up into the clear night sky. But these aren’t just normal tents – these are bougie tents filled with luxurious amenities, beautiful decor, and cozy furnishings.
This is what the start of your Under Canvas destination wedding weekend could look like.
Sounds magical, doesn’t it? And that’s just the beginning, my friend. I’m here to introduce you to the concept of a glamping wedding weekend at the most incredible venues across the country – because bougie accommodations + activities out in the middle of the complete wilderness is my jam.
Ready to learn everything you need to know about holding your wedding celebration at Under Canvas?
What is Under Canvas?
If you haven’t heard of Under Canvas, you’ve been missing out. Under Canvas is a “unique upscale glamping experience that fosters connection with extraordinary places, people and the planet by enhancing access to the great outdoors” – sounds absolutely magical, yes?
They specialize in luxurious glamping experiences out in the middle of the wilderness, with 10 different locations across the country and so many ways to customize your experience, whether you’re staying just for fun or hosting your wedding.
From the safari-inspired canvas tents to the cozy king-size beds, the delicious on-site dining to the extraordinary landscapes, and to the free s’mores by the campfire, Under Canvas is a place you will truly crave as soon as you leave.
What is a Destination Wedding Weekend?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s make sure we’re all familiar with what exactly a destination wedding weekend is.
Hear from one of my favorite Under Canvas wedding planners (more bonus tips from her later in this blog post) on what it means to have a destination wedding weekend:
“From a planner’s perspective, there’s nothing quite as unique as having your loved ones stay in the same place for multiple days during your wedding weekend.
Think about it this way, the day everyone arrives is the day you host a welcome party that also serves as an ice breaker for your guests. People get to meet each other in a more casual setting before the main event. Friendships are made, drinks are had and by the time the wedding day rolls around, you’ve had time to truly enjoy a conversation with every single person.
Whether you just had a cup of coffee with them the morning of the wedding or you were reminiscing about old times around the campfire the night before, there’s so much more quality time to be had during a destination wedding weekend.”
Sounds like a damn no-brainer to me – so let’s get into all the details you’ll need to know about holding your destination wedding weekend at Under Canvas!
Under Canvas Glamping Locations
First, let me introduce you to all of the incredible locations Under Canvas has to offer! Check out each of the 10 locations and the dates the camp will be open, how far each one is from the nearby national park, the closest major airport, & some of the top features of that destination.
Under Canvas Zion
2022 dates: March 10th – November 7th
2023 dates: March 9th – November 6th
Distance from Zion NP: 20 miles from the closest entrance
Closest major airport: McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas
Top features:
- Desert views of vibrant red rock & massive sandstone cliffs
- Located on nearly 200 acres of desert terrain
- Close to Springdale
- Lies under the wide-open desert skies
- Close to many hikes
- 6 tent options
Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains
2022 dates: April 7th – November 28th
2023 dates: April 6th – November 27th
Distance from Great Smoky Mountain NP: under 10 miles
Closest major airport: McGee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville
Top features:
- Views of mountain vistas
- Secluded spot in gorgeous wooded area
- Located on 180 acres of luscious land
- 10 miles from Gatlinburg
- 9 tent options
Under Canvas Moab
2022 dates: March 3rd – October 24th
2023 dates: March 2nd – October 23rd
Distance from Arches NP: under 10 miles
Distance from Canyonlands NP: 20 miles
Closest major airport: Salt Lake City Airport in SLC
Top features:
- Nearby tons of amazing rock-climbing, hiking, & mountain biking opportunities
- Scenic views of sandstone cliffs & textured plateaus
- Incredible stargazing
- Grab & go snacks in the lobby tent
- Communal grills
- 8 tent options
Under Canvas Bryce Canyon
2022 dates: June 2nd – September 26th
2023 dates: May 11th – September 26th
Distance from Bryce Canyon NP: 15 miles
Closest major airport: McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City Airport in SLC
Top features:
- Epic views of John’s Valley, Mount Dutton, & Adams Head
- Clear night skies for stargazing
- Surrounded by juniper forest & crazy cool rock formations
- Located on 750 (!) acres of mountain plains
- 7 tent options
Under Canvas Acadia
2022 dates: May 12th – October 10th
2023 dates: May 11th – October 9th
Distance from Acadia NP: 20 miles
Closest major airport: Bangor International Airport in Penobscot County
Top features:
- Close to Cadillac Mountain Trail
- Located on 100 acres of waterfront land
- Nearby to small coastal towns
- Gorgeous ocean views
- Lush woods
- 7 tent options
Under Canvas Lake Powell
2022 dates: March 10th – October 31st
2023 dates: March 9th – October 30th
Distance from Lake Powell: 16 miles
Closest major airport: Page Municipal Airport in Page
Top features:
- Close to many hiking, climbing, biking opportunities
- Close to Horseshoe Bend
- Stunning sunsets over the Canyon Rim Plateau it’s located on
- On-site slot canyon
- Breathtaking desert views
- 6 tent options
Under Canvas Yellowstone
2022 dates: May 19th – September 6th
2023 dates: May 18th – September 5th
Distance from Yellowstone NP: under 10 miles
Closest major airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Bozeman or Jackson Hole Airport in Grand Teton NP
Top features:
- Jaw-dropping views of the Montana landscape
- Super close to Yellowstone’s West Entrance
- Located on beautiful, wide-open grassy land
- Diverse wildlife
- 9 tent options
Under Canvas Glacier
2022 dates: June 9th – September 12th
2023 dates: June 8th – September 11th
Distance from Glacier NP: 7 miles
Closest major airport: Glacier Park International Airport in Flathead County
Top features:
- Lofted treehouse canvas tents unique to this location
- Secluded location right in the middle of the wilderness
- Easy access to Glacier NP
- Stunning mountain + valley views
- 8 tent options
Under Canvas Mount Rushmore
2022 dates: May 5th – September 26th
2023 dates: May 4th – September 25th
Distance from Mount Rushmore National Memorial: under 5 miles
Closest major airport: Rapid City Regional Airport in Rapid City and Casper-Natrona County International Airport in Natrona
Top features:
- Gorgeous views of Mount Rushmore & the Black Hills
- Surrounded by ponderosa pines & juniper
- Located on an old gold mining settlement
- Opportunities to explore Custer State Park nearby
- 9 tent options
Why You Should Get Married at Under Canvas
In case you haven’t been convinced already by the 10 incredible location options you’ve got, here are some of the top reasons you should choose Under Canvas for your destination wedding.
You don’t have to choose between luxury & the outdoors
You know what Hannah Montana said – the best of both worlds.
With Under Canvas, you don’t have to choose between having a bougie wedding experience and having a wedding experience fully immersed in nature: you get both. You’ll stay in upscale tents filled with gorgeous West Elm furnishings + cozy bedding, and as soon as you step foot outside the tent – bam! You’re presented with a glorious landscape and remember once again that you’re truly right in the outdoors, with plenty of hikes nearby and opportunities for exploration.
You get fun perks
Under Canvas prides itself on providing every guest with a top-notch experience from start to finish, and from the big things to the small. Here are some of the fun little perks you get when you stay at Under Canvas:
- Firepits & complimentary s’mores
- Complimentary camp activities
- Organic bath products
- USB battery packs for charging
- Access to an adventure concierge
It’s dog-friendly
You already know I’m not goin’ anywhere without my pup so you better bet I wouldn’t recommend Under Canvas quite as highly if it weren’t dog-friendly! 😉 You’re welcome to bring your dogs along for a small fee of $25 per pet per night, to make sure they don’t miss out on any of the magic that happens during your wedding weekend + outdoor adventuring near Under Canvas.
You get more quality time with your loved ones
Because everyone stays on-site at Under Canvas, you’ll get way more time to spend with them after they travel to see you and celebrate with you. Under Canvas is all about connecting you with your favorite people as well as nature, and having everyone in the same place means you’ll have endless opportunities to mingle, to give hugs, and to enjoy this special time together.
You have the opportunity for a next-day adventure session
Having your wedding at Under Canvas means you have the opportunity to have an epic next-day adventure session after your wedding! These are simply adventure sessions I take you on to have an extra opportunity for photos of you and your love in your wedding attire (or not!), and to give you more time to be present with each other + enjoy the incredible environment you’re in. We won’t have to go too far, since all of the Under Canvas locations are super close to the nearby national parks, so it’ll be easy peasy for us to sneak off the day after your wedding for an adventure, and come right back to your guests for more celebration!
FAQ’s About Under Canvas
How many guests can we have at our wedding at Under Canvas?
That’s probably one of the most important things you need to know about weddings at Under Canvas – how many of your loved ones you can bring along on the experience with you.
Under Canvas locations have two different hosting options: groups under 30 people or full camp buyouts.
Groups under 30
If you’re planning a wedding with 30 people or less (counting all of your guests), Under Canvas requires a 2-night minimum stay on-location – which, let’s be real, shouldn’t be too hard of an ask. Who wouldn’t want to spend a few nights out in the middle of nature at a unique, luxurious camping experience with all of their favorite people?
Pricing isn’t package-based at Under Canvas; your rental cost will depend on a variety of factors including the destination you choose, camp availability, the tents you stay in, and additional events/activities you may want to add. You can reach out to them for a custom quote at the bottom of this page! They recommend that you book your celebration at least 6 months in advance to make sure they can accommodate all of your guests, and so you have ample time to prepare & plan your dream wedding experience with them.
Full camp buyouts
If you’re planning a larger celebration with even more of your most loved humans, filled with intentional activities that everyone can participate in, you’ll need to do a full camp buyout instead! The guest capacity varies by location, typically ranging from 80-250, so you’ll want to contact the specific Under Canvas destination you’re looking at to get an idea of specific guest capacity. Note that a full camp buyout requires a 3-night minimum stay on-location instead of 2!
Under Canvas recommends booking your wedding experience at least 12 months in advance for such a large group to ensure both they & you have plenty of time to plan, prepare, and keep it as stress-free as possible. You, as the couple, will be required to pay a deposit to book, and then your guests can pay for their tents individually, unless you’re covering those costs!
Do we need to put down a deposit for our wedding?
Yep, you’ll need to put down a 50% non-refundable event deposit, and the remaining balance must be paid in full by 30 days before your wedding at Under Canvas – similar to many other wedding vendors and services.
How much does it cost to get married at Under Canvas?
A great question that I can’t give you a clear-cut answer to! Under Canvas provides their couples with custom quotes based on the location, amount of guests to host, rental details, and camp availability. You can also see price ranges on their website, but no set prices. So once you reach out about the specific location you’re looking to book and give them more info about your celebration, they’ll be able to put together a custom quote for you!
Can we bring our pets?
Hell yeah you can! Under Canvas is 100% dog-friendly as long as you keep your 4-legged babies on leashes, and clean up after them, of course (so pretty much just be a kind, decent human). It’ll only cost you $25 per pet, per night, but service animals are welcome free of any charge. They also ask that you don’t leave your dogs unattended in your tent with all the glamorous decor & setups they put time and money into creating for you!
Is there Wi-Fi?
Nope – and that is fully on purpose! One of the elements I love most about Under Canvas is the value they place on intentionally connecting & being present with the people you are spending time with. That’s why they don’t offer Wi-Fi at any of their locations. I highly recommend taking advantage of that chance you’ll get to escape from real life and spend quality time outdoors with your favorite people.
Are there any pools or hot tubs?
Under Canvas Yellowstone is the only location with a hot tub and pool, so choose that one if time by the pool in your best bathing suit, sunnies + a cocktail in hand are a nonnegotiable for your wedding!
What do we need to bring?
This is a great question, because you might not have ever had a glamping experience before – or at least none this luxe + lavish. You won’t have to bring any traditional camping materials such as tents, sleeping bags or pillows: Under Canvas will provide you with comfy furniture, cozy bedding, basic toiletries (including towels, shampoo, & conditioner), and so much more to make sure your experience is as easy and relaxing as possible. You just need to bring along your best self to enjoy your glamping wedding to the fullest, along with appropriate clothing, backpacks, hiking gear, & anything else you may need for specific activities.
How do we book Under Canvas for our wedding?
You’ll want to book your wedding at least 6 months in advance for groups of 30 people or less, and at least 12 months in advance for a full camp buyout. Fill out the Under Canvas contact form to get the process started!
Bonus Tips for Your Under Canvas Wedding from a Planner
I always love delivering an absolutely above & beyond experience to every one of my couples, from the moment they inquire to the moment they receive their wedding gallery from me. That also includes what information I serve you with through my blog posts, so I thought I’d add in a lil bonus section here, dedicated to my all-time favorite Under Canvas wedding planner + the incredibly helpful advice she gifted me with for all of you!
My favorite Under Canvas wedding planner: Cause We Can Events
Let’s talk wedding planners real quick – because they can truly make or break your day. Hiring a good wedding planner means you’ve got somebody you can put your full trust in to help your wedding go as smoothly + seamlessly as possible! You won’t need to carry the weight on your shoulders of making sure your vendors are all hired + paid, ensuring your family all comes over here for the next family photo, or that your timeline will run without a hitch.
I wanted to highlight an incredible wedding planner I’ve worked with on multiple Under Canvas weddings now and absolutely adore: Gabby of Cause We Can Events! They’re a full-service destination wedding planning company for adventurous couples, based out of LA, Nashville, & Maine – but they plan weddings anywhere and everywhere. They specialize in destination glamping + festival-style weddings (YES a festival-style wedding is absolutely an option you didn’t even know you had), and like to say that they “plan their couples’ weddings with all 5 senses in mind.” Gabby and her team are seriously the best of the best when it comes to planning a stunning, intentional, and memorable Under Canvas destination wedding!
Now that I’ve bragged a bit about Gabby, let’s go through some of the insider bonus tips she gave me to help you plan your Under Canvas wedding.
“While a full weekend in nature with your friends and family is a dream come true, there’s still a lot of planning that goes on behind the scenes.
With lighting and power not being as easily accessible, it takes an experienced wedding planner to know where to find generators and lights for your outdoor wedding weekend.
Don’t want to hear the sound of the generator during your ceremony? Generator knowledge 101 is key when planning a wedding at Under Canvas! Don’t worry, there are some amazing local vendors that can power your entire wedding weekend with a quiet but powerful generator.”
“Planning a wedding at Under Canvas is exhilarating but can also be logistically challenging given the fact that you’re exposed to the elements.
Will the gusts of wind that weekend send all your name cards flying off the tables?
Does the rain soak your ceremony or do you have a back up tent?
Could a bear walk through your buffet line (just kidding that hasn’t happened…yet)?
While the most attractive thing about Under Canvas weddings is that they are surrounded by nature, that also means you are at risk of wind, rain, dust and more!
I always recommend making sure your name cards are heavy or attached to the plate/napkin somehow and that you hire professional vendors to provide the rentals so you know they won’t just blow away!”
“My last little secret tip for you is: Provide your guests with an all-you-can-eat snack station!
Since you will be far away from most towns/cities, it’s nice to have access to some snacks and drinks in between meals for guests who want to hang out on camp.”
Thank you to the wonderful Gabby for gifting us with a lil insider knowledge – and there is so much more where that came from. Trust me when I say you want to hire Gabby and I for your Under Canvas wedding – we’re the dream team, baby.
You can check out the Cause We Can Events website here, follow them on Instagram here, or email Gabby at gabrielle@causewecanevents.com!
Under Canvas Destination Wedding Photographer
If you’re looking for a photographer who’s ready to fly to your Under Canvas camp ASAP, capture every moment of intentional celebration with your guests, and help your wedding weekend go smoothly, I’m your gal. Take a look at my pricing here, with multi-day Under Canvas weddings starting at $7K. And when you’re ready to reach out and get this party started, you can say hello to me here!
Real Under Canvas Glamping Wedding Inspiration
Now that you’ve likely fallen head-over-heels in love with the idea of having an Under Canvas wedding. I wanted to give you some more real-life inspiration to scroll through. Check out two of my favorite weddings I’ve photographed at Under Canvas at both Zion & the Smoky Mountains locations below!
