Camp Colton, nestled in the heart of the lush Pacific Northwest forest, offers couples a truly unique wedding experience. This 85-acre property blends rustic charm with natural beauty, providing a stunning backdrop for both intimate gatherings and grand celebrations. With its historic sanctuary, creekside bar, and transparent dining tent, Camp Colton creates a magical atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on you and your guests. With 4 Poppy weddings hosted here and counting, we understand how to bring your floral dreams to life within this remarkable venue.

About Camp Colton

Camp Colton is a hidden gem located in the small town of Colton, Oregon, surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Pacific Northwest forest. This 85-acre property offers a secluded and enchanting setting for weddings, with a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to suit any couple’s vision. The venue seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern amenities, creating a comfortable and stylish atmosphere for your special day.

The property is defined by its natural beauty, with two converging creeks flowing through the grounds, a serene trout pond, and towering evergreen trees. The historic 1920s sanctuary provides a charming indoor ceremony option, while the gathering hall offers a spacious and elegant reception space. On-site accommodations, including cabins, yurts, and camping sites, allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the Camp Colton experience. The venue operates with a focus on seamless logistics, providing parking attendants and requiring vendors to carry commercial general liability insurance. Camp Colton sits on the ancestral, traditional grounds of the Molalla and Kalapuya peoples.

Event Spaces & Floral Opportunities

1920s Sanctuary

  • Capacity: Varies
  • Setting: Historic indoor space, non-denominational
  • Floral Notes: The 1920s Sanctuary offers a charming and intimate setting for indoor ceremonies. Its non-denominational nature and lack of religious symbols provide a blank canvas for couples to personalize the space. Consider a lush altar arrangement featuring white hydrangeas, blush roses, and eucalyptus greenery to create a romantic focal point. Aisle arrangements with delicate blooms like lisianthus and sweet pea can add a touch of elegance. Since the space is protected from the elements, you can use more delicate and intricate floral designs without worrying about weather conditions.

Gathering Hall

  • Capacity: 200 guests (seated)
  • Setting: Indoor reception space with creekside bar, patio, and stage
  • Floral Notes: The Gathering Hall is a versatile space for receptions, offering both indoor and outdoor areas. The creekside bar provides a unique opportunity for floral accents – a garland of greenery and wildflowers cascading along the bar surface would create a natural and inviting atmosphere. For the reception tables, consider tall centerpieces with a mix of wildflowers, ferns, and berries to bring the forest indoors. The stage area can be enhanced with a floral backdrop or arch, creating a focal point for speeches and performances. The commercial kitchen, for prep and warming only, means your floral team won’t be competing with food service for space.

The Meadow

  • Capacity: Varies
  • Setting: Outdoor space for rehearsal dinners and gatherings
  • Floral Notes: The Meadow is an ideal location for rehearsal dinners and outdoor gatherings. Keep the floral arrangements simple and natural to complement the surrounding environment. Wildflower bouquets in mason jars or rustic wooden containers would be a charming addition to picnic tables. Consider stringing fairy lights through the trees and adding lanterns with candles for a magical ambiance.

Shady Grove

  • Capacity: Varies
  • Setting: Outdoor ceremony space encircled by evergreens
  • Floral Notes: The Shady Grove provides a naturally stunning backdrop for outdoor ceremonies. With its towering evergreens, minimal floral decor is needed to enhance the space. A simple ceremony arch made of branches and adorned with greenery and a few statement blooms like dahlias or sunflowers would create a focal point without overwhelming the natural beauty. Aisle markers with small bunches of wildflowers or ferns can add a touch of elegance.

Forest Ceremony Sites

  • Capacity: Varies
  • Setting: Multiple outdoor ceremony and reception sites in the forest
  • Floral Notes: The forest ceremony sites offer a truly immersive and magical experience. Embrace the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest by incorporating elements like moss, ferns, and branches into your floral designs. A woodland-inspired arch with cascading greenery and pops of color from wildflowers would be a stunning focal point. Consider using natural materials like wood slices or moss-covered containers for centerpieces. Couples can even collect natural elements (ferns, boughs, cones, moss) from a designated 3-acre section during their Wedding Weekend to add a personal touch.

Gazebo

  • Capacity: Varies
  • Setting: East side of Camp, with a fire pit for after-parties
  • Floral Notes: The Gazebo provides a cozy and intimate setting for after-party gatherings. String lights and lanterns can create a warm and inviting ambiance. Add a touch of floral decor with simple garlands or arrangements around the fire pit. Consider using lanterns with candles and surrounding them with greenery and pinecones for a rustic and festive touch.

Accommodations

  • Capacity: 34-46 in cabins/yurts, 1-25 in camping, up to 14 in RV hookups
  • Setting: On-site lodging in cabins, yurts, rooms, and camping sites
  • Floral Notes: Add a thoughtful touch to your guests’ accommodations with small floral arrangements or single stems in vases. A few sprigs of lavender or rosemary in each cabin or yurt can create a welcoming and fragrant atmosphere. Consider pet-friendly floral options for the Puff Ball Yurt, River Falls Lodge, and Cottage, ensuring the safety of your furry friends.

Wooden Bridge

  • Capacity: N/A
  • Setting: Rustic wooden bridge over a creek
  • Floral Notes: The wooden bridge offers a charming photo opportunity and can be enhanced with floral decor. Drape a garland of greenery and wildflowers along the bridge railing or place floral arrangements at each end. The bridge can also serve as a unique ceremony backdrop, with the couple exchanging vows in front of the floral-adorned structure.

Trout Pond with Dock

  • Capacity: N/A
  • Setting: Creek-fed pond with dock and canoe
  • Floral Notes: The trout pond and dock provide a romantic setting for photos and activities. Decorate the dock with floral arrangements or garlands for a whimsical touch. Consider using floating floral arrangements in the pond for a unique and eye-catching display. The canoe can also be adorned with flowers and greenery for a memorable photo opportunity.

Creekside Bar

  • Capacity: Varies
  • Setting: Bar area located alongside the creek
  • Floral Notes: The creekside bar offers a natural and inviting setting for guests to enjoy drinks. Enhance the bar area with small floral arrangements or garlands that complement the surrounding greenery. Consider using wildflowers, ferns, and berries to create a natural and rustic atmosphere.

Transparent Dining Tent

  • Capacity: Varies
  • Setting: Clear-top tent with string lights and foliage decorations
  • Floral Notes: The transparent dining tent allows guests to enjoy the surrounding forest views while being protected from the elements. The clear top provides ample natural light, making it ideal for showcasing floral arrangements. Hang floral installations from the tent’s ceiling or create lush centerpieces with a mix of wildflowers, greenery, and candles. The string lights add a touch of magic and romance to the space.

Wedding Flower Ideas for Camp Colton

Woodland Whimsy

Embrace the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest with a woodland-inspired floral design. Use a mix of wildflowers, ferns, moss, and branches to create organic and textured arrangements. Incorporate elements like berries, pinecones, and feathers for added interest. The color palette should be earthy and muted, with shades of green, brown, and cream, accented by pops of color from wildflowers like poppies, lupine, and bleeding hearts.

Rustic Romance

Combine rustic charm with romantic elegance for a timeless and classic floral design. Use a mix of roses, hydrangeas, and eucalyptus greenery in soft and muted tones like blush, ivory, and sage green. Incorporate elements like burlap, lace, and wood slices for added texture. Arrange flowers in mason jars, wooden boxes, or vintage vases for a touch of rustic charm.

Forest Fairy Tale

Create a magical and enchanting atmosphere with a forest fairy tale-inspired floral design. Use a mix of delicate blooms like lisianthus, sweet pea, and ranunculus in pastel shades like lavender, pink, and white. Incorporate elements like fairy lights, crystals, and ribbons for added sparkle. Arrange flowers in whimsical containers like teacups, birdcages, or moss-covered baskets.

Pacific Northwest Wildflower

Celebrate the vibrant beauty of the Pacific Northwest with a wildflower-focused floral design. Use a mix of locally sourced wildflowers like daisies, sunflowers, and black-eyed Susans in bright and cheerful colors. Incorporate elements like ferns, grasses, and seed pods for added texture. Arrange flowers in simple glass vases or rustic wooden containers to showcase their natural beauty.

Seasonal Considerations

Camp Colton’s location in the Pacific Northwest means that weather can be unpredictable, so it’s essential to consider the season when planning your wedding flowers.

Spring (March-May): Spring brings mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers. Opt for spring blooms like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Be prepared for rain and consider having a backup plan for outdoor ceremonies.

Summer (June-August): Summer offers warm and sunny weather, perfect for outdoor celebrations. Choose summer blooms like sunflowers, dahlias, and zinnias. Take advantage of the long daylight hours and plan for a sunset ceremony or reception.

Fall (September-November): Fall brings cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage. Incorporate fall colors like red, orange, and yellow into your floral designs. Use seasonal elements like pumpkins, gourds, and leaves for added texture.

Winter (December-February): Winter can be cold and rainy, but it also offers a unique and cozy atmosphere. Opt for winter blooms like evergreens, berries, and amaryllis. Consider using candles and lanterns to create a warm and inviting ambiance.

What Poppy Couples Spend on Flowers Here

Based on Poppy’s experience in the Portland market and at Camp Colton, couples typically invest between $1,500 and $3,000+ on their wedding flowers. Our average order value at Camp Colton is $1,922. This range accounts for personal style, the scale of the wedding, and the number of floral elements desired. Couples focused on ceremony backdrops and lush centerpieces tend to invest on the higher end, while couples prioritizing a few key arrangements can achieve beautiful results at a lower price point. Because Camp Colton is naturally beautiful, couples can often save on costs by letting the scenery speak for itself and choosing simpler designs.