Nostalgic Lakeside Wedding With Vietnamese Influence at an Off-Season Summer Camp in Maine
Rhonda and Andrew admit their paths would have never naturally crossed, given their lack of mutual friends and because they lived in separate areas of New York. The two hit it off on a dating app instead, with their first date involving brunch and plant shopping. With Andrew in Park Slope and Rhonda in Williamsburg, the two soon decided to move in together in Hudson Valley, New York to embrace an outdoor lifestyle, complete with their dog, cat and chickens. Since she considers herself more introverted, an elaborate proposal or public display wasn’t quite what Rhonda wanted, so her groom-to-be kept it casual. “When Andrew proposed, it was on a summer day in front of our chicken coop,” Rhonda says. “I was wearing no makeup and a t-shirt from Buc-ee’s—it was simple, personal and perfect for us.”
In keeping with their love of the outdoors, the couple felt a summer camp wedding was perfect for what they envisioned. A dream since his childhood, Andrew wanted to live the camp life while celebrating the union with his future bride. “With friends from all over, we wanted to create a weekend where everyone could come together, relive childhood memories and enjoy classic camp adventures, like kayaking, rope swings, cabin stays, bonfires and more,” says Rhonda. These activities and the laid-back atmosphere set the scene for a more relaxed and welcoming environment, focusing on unwinding and making new friends.
Surrounded by beautiful greenery and a lake at the Kingsley Pines campground, sticking to this theme was easy for the couple’s wedding day decor. With an “organic yet elevated” vibe, the two brought custom creations and artistic elements from their team of vendors to the forefront. From bird-themed place cards to rustic table runners made of butcher paper, they utilized the space while adding a touch of ethereal magic to the campsite. Rhonda adds, “Andrew handcrafted the candle holders from trees he chopped on our property, adding a personal and meaningful touch. For signage, we worked with Madeline La Rosa Designs, who created custom watercolor illustrations featuring our cat, dog and chickens, making every detail feel uniquely ours.”
To elevate the natural appearance of their venue, their florist crafted floating floral arrangements with moss in a color palette of “marigold, white and green with subtle pops of color,” says Rhonda. These shades were strewn throughout the decor, including the bouquets and boutonnieres of the wedding party and soon-to-be-weds. They describe the floral arrangements as rustic and refined, natural and whimsical for an Alice in Wonderland aesthetic.
Another aspect of tailoring their day was incorporating Rhonda’s Vietnamese heritage. The night before the wedding, they threw a Vietnamese welcome dinner with a fusion menu of American favorites, like lobster rolls, alongside Vietnamese-inspired pork belly bánh mì sliders. The nearlyweds chose to honor the occasion by wearing traditional Vietnamese áo dài, while the bride-to-be's father and brother gave speeches in both English and their Vietnamese. Rhonda wore a beaded red áo dài with a custom hat, while Andrew’s attire was in a traditional blue. “One of my favorite moments was seeing guests arrive in traditional Vietnamese áo dài, embracing the cultural elements we incorporated,” Rhonda says.
For their ceremony outfits, the bride wore the first dress she tried on in New York, saying, “I know I didn’t want to try on a million dresses, and knew I wanted something simple and modern but with a unique twist.” The look was paired with an elegant lace veil, a low, sleek bun and minimal makeup. Andrew stuck with blue for his ceremony look, which was a collarless navy suit custom-made in Vietnam.
Their musician friend officiated the wedding, adding Buddhist elements to the script, and another friend (a chef and food creative) made their wedding cake, a mixed berry shortcake. For their father-daughter dance, the bride opted out of one and decided on something more unique to her family instead. “Growing up, my dad, brother and I took karate together,” Rhonda says. “I was just one belt away from earning my black belt but failed the test because I couldn’t break the board. Instead of a traditional dance, my dad and I took the opportunity to rewrite that moment—we broke wooden boards together in front of our guests,” she continues. Like any memorable camping experience, the wedding night ended around a campfire where their loved ones connected, shared stories and had a moment to truly relax. Rhonda says, “It felt like the perfect way to end the day—surrounded by our loved ones, under the stars and truly present in the moment.”
Planning such a fun-filled day that made use of the camping grounds was one of the couple’s favorite aspects of their wedding. Both Andrew and Rhonda played to their strengths and took the lead on wedding planning, with the bride working on the more visual components while the groom collaborated with their wedding planner. “I believe it’s important for both partners to put effort into making the day special—it’s not just about one person. When you work together, it makes the whole process more meaningful and, in the end, incredibly rewarding,” Rhonda says. Their teamwork, they say, helped to craft a meaningful experience they both enjoyed and can look back on fondly.