Wedding Photographers & Videographers at Camp Oneka, Tafton

Fairview Lake is the star of a wedding at Camp Oneka in Tafton, a girls' summer camp that opens its rustic grounds to weddings outside the camp season. The Boathouse, the Dining Hall and the Lodge all look toward the lake, and there is a dock on the waterfront, so your photographer and videographer can work with the water and the old camp buildings in one place. The camp shows off its sunsets on Fairview Lake, and a golden hour there makes lovely wedding photos.

Several buildings can be part of the day. The heated Boathouse overlooks the lake and has a fireplace, airy and spacious. The Dining Hall seats 160 to 180, with high ceilings, a fireplace and a deck over the water, a natural room for dinner and dancing. The Lodge is one of the original buildings, with rustic charm, a stage and seating for 160 to 180, which gives a wedding videographer a clear front of the room for toasts or a first dance. There are meeting areas both indoors and out, so ask which spot the camp suggests for your wedding ceremony.

For the food, the camp works with Settler's Hospitality and Blu Stone Catering, whose menus run from barbecue to fine dining and wedding receptions, with fresh pastries and cakes too. Guests can stay over in cabins, platform tents or private housing, which turns the wedding day into a weekend of swimming and paddling by day and campfires with s'mores at night. Groups from 25 to more than 200 can be hosted, and basic AV equipment, including speakers and microphones, is available. Dates run from mid May to mid June and from late August to mid October.

• Call the camp early, since wedding dates fit around the summer camp season.
• Walk the Boathouse, Dining Hall and waterfront with your photographer.
• Ask about photo and video guidelines and a rain plan.

A little about Camp Oneka

Founded in 1908, Camp Oneka is one of the oldest residential summer camps for girls in the country. It still runs a family-style camp for girls ages 7 to 16 every summer.