How to Plan a Personalized Wedding Without Overcomplicating It
Let’s talk about how to have a personalized wedding at Camp Aramoni without overcomplicating it!
If you missed my first post, I’m Sam Masini, the Venue Manager at the Bricks and Stones event venue at Camp Aramoni in Tonica, Illinois. Each month, I’m sharing tips and insights for planning a wedding at Camp Aramoni. For my next post, I’m focusing on wedding personalization and how we help couples create moments that feel meaningful, unique, and true to who they are without overcomplicating the process. If you’re looking for thoughtful ways to plan a personalized wedding without breaking the bank or spending endless hours on DIY projects, you’re in the right place!
Your Wedding As A Personal Retreat
When couples ask how to have a personalized wedding without overcomplicating it, one of the best pieces of advice I can offer is to view your celebration as a personal retreat rather than a single-day event. Weddings take so much time and planning, so why limit it all to just one day? Camp Aramoni allows couples to seamlessly connect the campground and event spaces, creating a weekend-long experience that feels intentional and immersive. Guests are not simply attending a wedding – they are stepping into a shared getaway designed to celebrate connection, relaxation, and togetherness.
Lodging Matters
Between the campground, the venue, and our brand new Airbnb home rental, The Hideaway, Camp Aramoni truly has it all when it comes to personalized, unique, and unforgettable wedding experiences. Staying on-site in either the campground or The Hideaway allows you to make the most of what is typically a one-day celebration and truly savor your time with loved ones. Whether it’s morning coffee on the deck, quiet downtime in the tents, or late-night conversations by the vintage Airstream bar, the natural flow of the property encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the weekend without feeling rushed. These in-between moments often become some of the most cherished memories for couples who celebrate here.
A Farewell Breakfast
Another perk of staying on site for your wedding weekend is the chance to keep the celebration going even after the reception ends. After spending so much time and care planning your big day, why not enjoy it a little longer? The morning after your wedding, we can help you host a farewell breakfast for the guests who traveled to celebrate alongside you. It’s a relaxed, meaningful time to reflect on the weekend, connect with loved ones, and share heartfelt goodbyes before returning to everyday life. When you think beyond the wedding day and embrace the full weekend, your celebration becomes less about a timeline and more about the experience… one that feels personal, intentional, and undeniably yours.
Thoughtful Party Favors with Meaning
Another great way to make the celebration feel more personal to you is by offering party favors to your guests! This could be anything from a little knick-knack at each seat to a personalized hand written note. Whatever it is, Camp Aramoni will work with you to weave those personal touches into your weekend. Whether you want favors at each place setting, tucked into welcome bags at check-in, or displayed on a communal table for guests to grab as they mingle, our team can help you determine what works best for your flow and vision, and we’ll even take care of setting everything up on the day of your event. Party favors often double as meaningful keepsakes, giving your guests something to take home that feels intentional rather than obligatory. From locally sourced items that nod to the surrounding area, to handwritten notes that reflect your relationship, to Camp Aramoni themed items, the possibilities are endless and these small details will leave a lasting impression on your guests. One of my favorite favors we’ve ever done was a set of personal mini honey jars at each place setting, filled with honey harvested from Camp Aramoni’s own apiary. It’s the little things that people are going to take with them once the celebration is over – literally in this case!
Intentional and Intimate Seating Arrangements
Designing a seating chart can be one of the most challenging and time-consuming parts of planning a reception. It’s important to have a clear understanding of the space as the room, as well as the table arrangements, will shape both the flow and the overall vibe of the event. Depending on the layout, you can consider an intimate sit-down event or a more relaxed and casual “mix and mingle” atmosphere. Regardless of the layout you’re going with, Camp Aramoni will help you determine what will flow the best for you and your guests. Camp Aramoni will also create a detailed floorplan for you including all tables and chairs which often helps couples prepare for the amount of decor they will need. Here are some examples of layouts that work well in our space for up to 80 guests!
Example One
This layout works best for a more informal reception, encouraging mingling and movement. It’s also used for all indoor ceremonies to create a center aisle.
Example Two
This layout works best for a more intimate setting while still allowing larger groups to sit together. While still plenty spacious, this set up is less conducive for mixing and mingling, as the tables are closer to each other. This layout is very popular and creates a super cozy and inviting environment.
Seating Charts
As an experienced wedding coordinator, I always recommend having a seating chart. When guests enter the reception space, they’ll be looking for a seat, and a seating chart guides them while minimizing confusion. If you’re serving a plated meal, it’s important to assign guests to specific seats using name cards and meal indicators. This not only ensures a seamless experience for your guests but also makes meal service much smoother for the venue staff. If the thought of creating a seating chart feels overwhelming to you, try to have some fun with it! I’ve seen some super unique and personalized “seating charts” that are fun for the guests AND enjoyable for the couple to create. Below are some of my favorite seating charts from this past wedding season!
Designing A Menu That Reflects Your Vision
As I’ve mentioned before, our catering program is something we take great pride in at Camp Aramoni. Chef Carson Barger and her team are there to ensure you have a menu that feels true to you, while taking into account your budget, dietary restrictions, and flavor preferences. You can even schedule a tasting with Chef Carson where you can sample two entrees and two sides from our catering menu. This is a great opportunity to really communicate with Chef about what you are looking for and how we can work together to curate a menu you’re proud of. From the appetizers to the late night snack, we want to create a menu that you and your guests talk about for years to come!
Personalized Wedding Drinks
Another great way to plan a personalized wedding is through your bar selections. We offer several different bar packages that you can choose from based on your needs and budget, as well as fun and unique options that cater to your theme and personal taste. Some options include:
– A pre-ceremony welcome cocktail
– A pre-poured champagne toast
– A classic “His & Hers” specialty beverage
– An after-dinner specialty coffee bar
Local Is Best
Something we take great pride in is the locally sourced items we stock behind the bar. Some of our most popular locally sourced bar items come from August Hill Winery and Star Union Spirits. We love partnering with local businesses as much as possible and do our best to integrate locally sourced and foraged ingredients from our property into both our bar and catering menus. Personal touches like specialty cocktails are a nod to your taste and personality and a fun way to get your guests talking! I’ve seen people name their signature cocktail after their dog, their college, and cute combinations of the couple’s names, just to name a few.
Tablescapes That Tell Your Story Effortlessly
Something I personally love as an event coordinator is seeing the different styles, aesthetics, color palettes, and unique details each couple brings to the table (pun intended!) It’s such a joy to help bring their vision to life, and it’s always amazing to look back at the various table setups that felt truly personalized to each couple’s vibe. There are so many ways Camp Aramoni can help you bring your tablescape vision to life.
Personalized Wedding Decor Rentals
Let us help you bring your tablescape to life with our on-site decor rentals. We offer a wide variety of options that complement the natural beauty of the space and seamlessly fit whatever vibe you’re going for. From unique table numbers and charger plates to candles, lighting, and all those little finishing touches, we can completely transform the space to match your style.
Your Day Of Wedding Coordinator Is Included!
Another great perk of choosing Camp Aramoni is our Day Of Coordination service that is automatically included in all venue rental fees. I truly cannot stress this enough: having a coordinator you trust on your wedding day is everything, and I would love to be that person for you! I’ll work closely with you to bring your vision to life, and our events team will handle the setup and teardown of your decor so you don’t have to lift a finger. If you love a good DIY project, you’re more than welcome to get creative with your own table numbers or other personal touches for guests to enjoy and our team will handle the setup and teardown of those items as well. Let’s bring that Pinterest board to life!
Personal Touches That Just Feel Right
What could possibly be more personal than having your dog walk down the aisle with you!? At Camp Aramoni, we can make that happen! We understand that your dog really is family, and we want you to be able to include them in your special day. With an aid, your dog can come for photos and even walk down the aisle with you! We partner with Fetching Frieda’s Pet Resort who is located about 15 minutes away in Streator, IL. They will transport your furry friend to and from the venue and make sure they’re well cared for while you’re busy with the hustle and bustle of wedding day! Then, once the ceremony and photos are done, they will bring them back to the resort for overnight boarding.
Best of 2025
All in all, there are so many unique, creative, and personalized moments that are affordable, easy to accomplish, and fully supported by the Camp Aramoni team. I want to wrap up this blog by sharing some of my favorite personalized wedding moments from 2025, because after all… a picture is worth a thousand words!
How To Book A Personalized Wedding With Camp Aramoni
If you’re interested in learning more about hosting your wedding at Camp Aramoni, I’d love to connect! You can reach me at events@camparamoni.com, by calling (815) 224-7333, or by filling out our event inquiry form. I look forward to hearing from you and working together to create a personalized wedding experience without overcomplicating it! Thanks for reading and tune in next month for more wedding content!
Warmly,
Sam Masini
Venue Manager
