This month, we’re diving into different ways you can plan an interactive wedding with memorable experiences for your guests at Camp Aramoni. When you look back on your wedding experience, we want you to remember all of the little things that made it so special. Read along to learn more about how Camp Aramoni can make your wedding experience truly unforgettable!
Safe, Stress-Free Transportation for You and Your Guests
Whether you’re staying on-site at our boutique campground or have secured a hotel block nearby, we can provide transportation to and from the venue for your ceremony and reception. Our shuttle service is a great way to keep everyone together throughout the celebration, and it also gives you peace of mind knowing your guests will get back safely at the end of the night. Our shuttle holds up to 14 guests at a time and can accommodate multiple trips if needed. Ubers are essentially non-existent in the Illinois Valley, and having a guaranteed shuttle service makes things easy, fun, and convenient for everyone. If you’re not hosting your wedding at Camp Aramoni but are still interested in booking our shuttle services for your wedding day, fill out our Shuttle Inquiry Form to learn more.
Interactive Wedding “Millefoglie” Cake Building Experience
At Camp Aramoni, we work with current trends to make your wedding feel personal, unique, and interactive for your guests. We offer several one-of-a kind packages you will not find anywhere else, and one of my personal favorites is our Millefoglie Cake Building Experience. Think of it as a modern twist on the traditional cake cutting. This idea was first introduced to us by a wedding couple who discovered it on TikTok. The Millefoglie Cake Building Experience is a wedding dessert trend where a classic Italian millefoglie cake is assembled live in front of your guests, turning dessert into part of the entertainment.
The couple, with assistance from Chef Carson, begins by building the base layers of crisp puff pastry and whipped cream in front of their wedding guests. Once the cake is stacked, guests are invited to join in and add toppings. The dessert features layers of puff pastry, whipped cream, and a filling of your choice, finished with a variety of toppings you select ahead of time. Toppings can include fresh fruit, edible flowers, chocolate shavings, and more. You can truly make it your own. To share a little more about what this experience feels like, read what Alec Ferrari, a 2025 Camp Aramoni groom, had to say.
“From the start, Camp Aramoni was super awesome about making our cake dream happen! It was definitely a unique request for them to not only make the cake, but also make a whole event out of it! We had gone to other bakeries, and all of them pretty much said no. However, the Chef at Camp Aramoni was all about it! Even the tasting experience was amazing; we felt like royalty! Once we told them our idea and came for the cake tasting, they had laid out tons of ingredients and let us build it there and pick/taste the different flavors we wanted! We picked our different components we wanted to use the day of, including fresh mint and edible flowers from their gardens. When our day came, we sat down for the reception, and they brought the cake parts in. We spread on the filling layers and added the pastry, and had everyone in attendance come up and add the toppings. Once everyone crowded around, they had lots of fun! It was also a great chance for us to chat with some people directly after the ceremony. Being able to include everyone in the cake-making process made our cake so much more special and meaningful! Weeks after the wedding, everyone was still raving about the cake and it was definitely a highlight of the event!”
Late night snacks are a fun way to surprise your guests and keep the celebration going after dinner. Our team at Camp Aramoni can set up unique late night snack stations ranging from classic campfire s’mores at the wood-burning fire tables to crowd favorites like walking tacos, pizza, a popcorn machine, and more. These cozy, interactive lite bites are a perfect way to lean into the campground atmosphere and give guests a memorable taste of the Camp Aramoni experience. It’s a relaxed and casual service that really adds an extra layer of fun to the night.
One of the many things that draws couples to Camp Aramoni is the setting itself. The property spans 105 acres of beautiful prairie, wildflower fields, and wooded areas that connect to the Vermilion River and nearby Starved Rock State Park. When you book your wedding with us, you will have access to the entire property for engagement and wedding photos. Our team will even drive you and your photographer(s) around the grounds on an ATV so you can easily reach some of the most scenic spots for photos. Some of the most iconic shots happen down by the river and near the old kilns from the former brickyard. When you book your wedding with us, you will also get access to the grounds for a complimentary two-hour engagement photoshoot!
There are many ways to add interactive wedding elements to your wedding day for your guests to enjoy. Because we are known for our beautiful outdoor spaces, we encourage couples to take advantage of them by incorporating lawn games or gathering around our wood burning fire tables during the reception. Couples can also bring in unique experiences like the “After The Tone” audio guest book, where guests leave recorded messages instead of signing a traditional guest book, giving the couple something they can listen back to for years to come. Photobooths are another popular option, giving guests a fun activity during the reception and providing photos that are always entertaining to look back on later.
Think beyond a standard bar setup and imagine a DIY cocktail or mocktail station where guests can garnish their own cocktails with fresh herbs, fruit, and specialty syrups. For non-alcoholic options, consider a custom lemonade or iced tea bar with fun mix-ins like fruit or mint. For an alcoholic option, try our Sangria bar. These stations not only keep guests engaged, but they also encourage mingling and add a personal touch to your celebration. Our team at Camp Aramoni can help coordinate these stations and provide all the necessary glassware, mixers, and garnishes so your guests feel like they’re part of the experience.
Your wedding reception is where the celebration truly comes to life, and choosing the right wedding dance floor location can set the tone for an unforgettable evening. At Camp Aramoni, couples have the flexibility to host their reception dancing in several beautiful settings, including our outdoor deck, the open air pavilion, or inside our reception space. These options allow plenty of room for interactive wedding reception traditions like the first dance, mother and son dance, father and daughter dance, anniversary dance, etc. For couples planning an outdoor wedding reception, our deck and pavilion spaces create the perfect atmosphere for dancing under the stars, often paired with an outdoor bar setup near the dance floor. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, our indoor venue comfortably accommodates up to 80 guests while still allowing room for a dance floor so the party never has to stop. Many couples also incorporate interactive reception games like the Shoe Game, giving guests a chance to participate, connect, and kick off a night of dancing together.
For couples hosting a full wedding weekend, there are plenty of opportunities to make the entire experience interactive. Camp Aramoni’s expansive grounds are perfect for group activities like guided nature hikes, luxury picnics, or lawn games. Group breakfasts and dinners, s’mores by the fire, and gathering at the vintage Airstream bar are also great ways to get your guests involved and create memories that last beyond the ceremony and reception. These experiences are especially appreciated by out-of-town guests, giving them a chance to explore the property, connect with nature, and enjoy the comforts of “glamping” with all the luxuries of home, including temperature-controlled rooms, full bathrooms with showers, comfortable beds with luxury linens, and mini-fridges. Spend the entire weekend together in one place without the hassle of traveling to multiple locations, making the celebration truly immersive and memorable for everyone!
More Ideas and Suggestions
There are so many unique and interactive ways you can make your guests feel included during the wedding. Check out this list of general ideas and suggestions for fun and interactive wedding moments:
Disposable Cameras
Place a disposable camera at each table with a small prompt encouraging guests to fill it up before the end of the night. This gives you a chance to see your wedding from your guests’ perspective and creates lasting memories. Alternatively, use a framed QR code at each table that links to a shared photo album where guests can upload pictures throughout the night. Many apps make this simple and allow you to collect all your guests’ candid photos in one place!
The Perfect Send-Off
End the night with a fun send-off! Items I recommend for this include bubbles, organic dried flowers, and ribbon wands. Always check with your venue first to ensure you’re adhering to their guidelines. (Because we are located in a dry, wooded area, sparkler send-offs aren’t allowed, but we welcome any other creative ideas that don’t involve anything flammable!)
Table Activities
Plan to have some interactive activities set on the dining tables for your guests to enjoy together. A past couple even provided Lego sets for each table to assemble! Other ideas include:
– Advice Cards for the couple
– Crossword puzzle with questions about the couple
Book Your Interactive and Memorable Wedding at Camp Aramoni
If you’re looking for a venue that embraces unique and interactive wedding moments for you and your guests, consider scheduling a tour at Camp Aramoni! With our customizable packages and day-of coordination services, the possibilities are endless. We’ll work with you and your vendor team to bring your vision to life from start to finish. To learn more about hosting your wedding at Camp Aramoni, email us at events@camparamoni.com, call (815) 224-7333, or fill out our Online Events Inquiry Form.
Thanks for reading! Tune in next month for tips and tricks on planning an outdoor wedding!
