Kevin & Brian
When you’re gay, sometimes you have to make hard choices and an unfathomable amount of sacrifices in order to protect your peace and be with the one you know you can’t live without.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll have a friend or two who will stand by you. For Kevin and Brian, they had an army.
Their three-day summer camp wedding weekend at Camp Mendocino wasn’t just a celebration; it was a testament to what happens when chosen family shows up completely. From zip-lining adventures to talent shows, from dance floors filled with all kinds of love to quiet moments by the California coast, their celebration was proof of what joy looks like when you create space for your whole community to belong.
The Couple and Their Vision for Giving Back During Their Camping Wedding Weekend
Kevin and Brian reached out to us long before they had a venue or even knew exactly what their celebration would look like. In their inquiry, they shared the kindest words about how they felt connected to my (Henry’s) work and about how working with an LGBTQIA+ photographer who shared some aspects of their lived experience was so important for them.
Nature is also a big part of their relationship, so choosing to plan a summer camp wedding was more than an aesthetic for them; it represented who they are as a couple and the kinds of shared adventures they enjoy together.
What made their choice to hold their camping wedding at Camp Mendocino so meaningful was the story behind it. Camp Mendocino is a Boys and Girls Club that hosts summer camp for kids. They also rent out the campground for events and weddings and the proceeds go directly to sponsoring children for summer camp experiences. Rather than their wedding being just for them, Kevin and Brian wanted their celebration to give back to the community, which was a big reflection of how they approach life together.
Three Days of Summer Camp Wedding Magic: Kevin & Brian’s Wedding Weekend Timeline
Day 1: Welcome and Camp Adventures
From the moment guests arrived, they were immersed in the full summer camp wedding experience. For their accommodations, guests had the option to either sleep in tents or stay in small, rustic cabins. Everyone even ate together in one central location, just like a real summer camp experience.
The first day was packed with classic camp activities: zip-lining through the trees, rock climbing challenges, scavenger hunts, and team competitions that had everyone running around like kids again.
The evening also featured a talent show where guests could showcase hidden skills or simply make everyone laugh while spending quality time together..
Day 2: The Wedding Day
The camp wedding theme continued into Kevin and Brian’s wedding day on day two. The celebration began with extended getting-ready coverage that felt more like an engagement session than your typical getting-ready photos. Their first look wasn’t traditional either. Rather than do a first look with each other, they chose to do one together with their fur baby, who had also come along for the adventure.
The forest wedding ceremony took place in the evening, followed by a cocktail hour and dinner with heartfelt speeches from their loved ones (and lots of laughter). After they cut the cake, the dance floor opened up and had everyone moving and dancing late into the night.
One of the things that really stood out to me about this summer camp wedding was seeing how Kevin and Brian were surrounded by all kinds of love. From gays with kids to lesbians, older couples and younger ones, everybody had a place and everyone belonged.
Day 3: Private Adventure Photos on the Coast
On the final day of their camping wedding, we did something completely different. Since Camp Mendocino was by the California coast, I found a beach location for the couple to go to for private adventure photos. It was a complete change of scenery from the first two days, and this quieter day allowed the grooms to spend intentional time together soaking in their new marriage and taking in the views of the dramatic California coastline.
Henry doesn’t just take photos—he creates experiences.
Finding the right photographer was one of the most important decisions of our wedding. We knew we wanted someone who could capture not just the events of the day, but the heart of our love story—someone who could balance intimacy with adventure, authenticity with artistry. From the very beginning, Henry Tieu was that person and so much more.
As a gay Asian couple, it meant everything to us to have a photographer who shared parts of our identity, someone who could see us in the fullness of who we are. Henry created such a safe, affirming, and joyful space that allowed us to feel completely comfortable—never awkward, never forced. He gave us the room to be ourselves, and somehow elevated those moments into pure magic.
Henry doesn’t just take photos—he creates experiences. He knew when to step back and let authentic moments blossom, and he knew when to lean in and guide us in ways that felt natural and right. At one point, he was literally fixing my hair and spraying it down between shots so I could feel my absolute best. That level of care and attention went far beyond photography—it was about making us feel loved, celebrated, and seen.
And then there’s Henry the adventurer. We wanted someone who could capture the drama and beauty of nature, and Henry delivered beyond anything we imagined. He chased the light with us, embraced the wilderness, and wasn’t afraid to get dirty or climb high for the perfect perspective. At our camp wedding, he strapped into the zipline and even scaled the climbing wall with us—camera in hand—just to make sure every shot reflected the energy, spirit, and joy of the day.
The results are breathtaking. Every photo is a story, every frame a piece of our heart. Henry didn’t just capture our wedding—he captured us.
We cannot recommend Henry Tieu enough. He is everything we hoped for and infinitely more. If you want your love story told with authenticity, adventure, and artistry, Henry is the one! Besides my husband, he is the greatest decision I’ve ever made for myself! 😂
Meet the Couple of this California Camping Wedding
Meet The Best Summer Camp Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: Henry Tieu Photography
Videographer: Wild House Weddings
Venue & Catering: Camp Mondocino
Planner: Mendocino Weddings
Florals: Golden Coast Florals
Suits: Friar Tux
Ready to Plan Your Summer Camp Wedding Weekend?
If Kevin and Brian’s celebration has inspired you to think about planning your own wedding weekend, know that you can create an experience that feels completely unique to you.
Check out this post for tips and resources on how to plan a multi day wedding, and if you’re ready to book a photographer who will document your love story in all its forms, we would love to hear your vision and help you plan something incredible!
More LGBTQIA+ Wedding Inspiration
Meet Your Intimate Wedding & Elopement Photographers
We’re Henry, Sergio, and Nick, the faces behind these honest, meaningful, and artful photographs of couples eloping in the most beautiful places. Since 2018, we’ve photographed more than 200+ intimate weddings and elopements all over the world and on 6 different continents. Our work has been published on Junebug Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, Brides, Dancing With Her, etc…We’ve won international awards for best wedding photos but what’s most important to us is actually winning our clients’ hearts with our art.
With 15 years of combined photography experience, we’ve learned that the only way to a beautiful wedding experience & photos is through intentionality.
We’re here for you and with you from “let’s do this” to “I do”, one step at a time, each step of the way. We’re in this together
