The Venue

Camp de Benneville Pines is located near Big Bear Lake, in the San Bernardino National Forest. The region contains many beautiful valleys, soaring mountains and is home to towering pines, sparkling streams, and hidden lakes. The camp is on 17 acres of land and boasts 16 buildings for eating, playing, and sleeping. Activities include volley ball, tether ball, archery, ping pong, and taking a relaxing dip in the hot tub.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know this is a little different from your traditional wedding, so we've tried to gather the most common questions! Don't forget to look at the camp rules section too!

Is there cell phone service? How about wifi? 

There is cell service, but it's spotty. Verizon seems to do okay. As for wifi, it does exist, but you won't be able to watch Netflix -- the connection isn't very fast. We'll have lots of games and activities to help you forget about facebook for the weekend!

There's snow in your pictures. AM I LITERALLY GOING TO FREEZE TO DEATH!?

No, you're not going to freeze to death. All the buildings are heated, and there's a 24/7 tea and coffee station if you need a warm beverage. However, it's almost guaranteed that the temperatures will be below 70 degrees outdoors (and it will be pretty chilly at night), so bring a jacket or five depending on how much you like the cold. We'll update you with a weather forecast closer to the occasion!

WHAT DO I EAT, I MUST FEED

Don't worry, all meals while you're here are provided! Weekend meals are dinner Friday through brunch Sunday, and will be provided by the camp's kitchen. All dietary restrictions will be accommodated (but, like, we know "caviar-only-diet" isn't a thing, so don't try it). If you haven't filled out our longer RSVP questionnaire, please do so using the RSVP link to the left.

I want to bring my own snacks!

Okay! Feel free to bring snacks or whatever if you want something special. Important note: if you want to bring a perishable food item to share with everyone, that's awesome, but please get in touch with us to discuss it! We need to do a couple things so it's cool with the kitchen. REALLY IMPORTANT NOTE: be responsible with your snacks, do not leave them outside to attract creatures like bears! Maddalena is DEATHLY AFRAID OF BEARS and if you lure one to the celebration, she might just kinda die, and that will be very awkward and all your fault. Also, Zac has been known to try to mistake bears for old ladies and strike up conversations with them while they're fishing around in dumpsters, so please don't add that element of danger to the weekend. Thanks!

Is alcohol a snack?

Uh, sure, but you won't catch me phrasing it like that. You're welcome to byob, although we will have intoxicating beverages for anyone who wants to partake and is not a child or a woodland creature pretending to be a guest.

Can I bring my huge collection of drugs?

Absolutely not! The only intoxicating substances allowed are alcohol, disgustingly sappy wedding love vibes, karaoke, and cigarettes (on cabin decks only, and if you don't use the provided receptacles, you will receive a dose of lethal stink eye and possibly be sprayed with a hose). See the camp rules section.

Is there a camp dog?

Why yes, audience plant! Her name is Daisy, and she's very soft and very friendly! 

Can I bring my own dog?

Ah, no, sorry. We did ask, but that's a flat no. Unless your dog is a service dog, and in that case you'll need to bring the proper documentation. I think this generally extends to all pets, but if you want to bring a parrot or huge lizard or something quiet and weird let us know and we'll find out.

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS!

Excellent. If they're about sleeping and cabins, look on the Lodging page! If they're about getting to and from the event, look at the Transportation page. If they're about the ceremony, what to wear, what not to wear, there will be a ceremony page at some point!

Camp Rules

• No drugs please (including weed): despite all the legalization going on, the camp is in a National Forest and it is not allowed. No exceptions. Yes, I asked the camp director. No, it's not actually fine as long as you sneak off somewhere. Sorry to be a square, but this is a get drunk in the forest wedding, not a get high in the forest wedding. If you ignore this, I will try to throw you in the lake (and more seriously we may have to kick you out and/or declare a blood feud).
• Don't leave food around! See above, where we talked about bears. You can have it inside any buildings, because none of the local creatures know how to operate doors yet, but we're going to need everyone's help to avoid leaving cups and snacks around outside. Thanks! 
• Do NOT set any forest fires! Seriously, it's super rude. So, dispose of your butts in the butt-holders, don't create impromptu firepits, don't attempt to make torches and run around at night like you're in Skyrim, and just... don't burn anything down. You know who you are.

Above is the lodge! We will be eating and partying in here. There's a 24/7 tea and coffee station, a toaster, and a microwave for nocturnal guests who want warm drinks and/or midnight toast (who wouldn't want midnight toast??).