.png)
Consider this your official Camp Gordon field briefing.
Here you’ll find the practical details for the weekend: what to wear, what to bring, where to go, how not to get lost, and other essential notes for surviving the weekend with dignity mostly intact.
.png)
Camp Formal-ish
For the ceremony and reception, please dress somewhere between cocktail attire and formal wear — dressed up, celebratory, and ready for a wedding in the wild.
The Camp Gordon theme is encouraged but not mandatory. If you’d like to lean in, think vintage scouts meets wedding elegance: warm earthy colours, soft pastels, muted brights, vintage-inspired pieces, playful prints, stripes, florals, interesting collars, suits, dresses, jumpsuits, and anything that feels like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film.
Comfortable shoes are strongly encouraged. There will be grass, gravel, uneven ground, and other character-building terrain. Stilettos may have a difficult weekend.
.png)
Camp Gordon will be held at Umshanti, near Buffelsjagrivier, just outside Swellendam.
Please use the map linked above and save the location before you leave. Signal may become a little unreliable closer to camp, and we would prefer not to launch a search party before the wedding has officially begun.
Directions from Cape Town / Somerset West
From Swellendam, take the N2 towards Riversdale for approximately 9km. Turn left immediately after the correctional facility — an unusually helpful landmark, and hopefully not a sign of things to come. Continue along the gravel road for approximately 1.5km, then turn left again and keep an eye out for the signs. Drive for another 350m, and you should arrive at Umshanti — otherwise known, for one weekend only, as Camp Gordon.
Dress Code
Camp Formal-ish
For the ceremony and reception, please dress somewhere between cocktail attire and formal wear — dressed up, celebratory, and ready for a wedding in the wild.
The Camp Gordon theme is encouraged but not mandatory. If you’d like to lean in, think vintage scouts meets wedding elegance: warm earthy colours, soft pastels, muted brights, vintage-inspired pieces, playful prints, stripes, florals, interesting collars, suits, dresses, jumpsuits, and anything that feels like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film.
Comfortable shoes are strongly encouraged. There will be grass, gravel, uneven ground, and other character-building terrain. Stilettos may have a difficult weekend.
Packing notes for the well-prepared camper
Please bring anything you may need for a relaxed weekend away: comfortable shoes, a warm layer for the evening, swimwear if you plan to make use of the dam, sunscreen, toiletries, and your own towel.
If you are staying in one of the cottages, bedding will be provided, but towels will not. If you are camping, please bring your usual camping setup, plus whatever personal comforts you require to remain civilised.
You may also want to bring a reusable water bottle, something warm for late-night fireside loitering, and a healthy sense of adventure.
For the Friday night bring-and-braai, please remember to bring your own meat or braai item, as well as any drinks you would like for the evening. We’ll provide the fires and some camp spirit. Mostly organised. Mostly.
.png)
.png)
For the animals, naturally
There will be a cash bar available at the wedding reception. Despite the phrase “cash bar”, please note that the bar will be card-only, so no actual cash will be needed.
All proceeds from the bar will go to The Animal Team, in aid of sterilisation efforts for dogs and cats in under-resourced communities.
So yes, technically every drink supports a good cause. Please behave with this information responsibly.
Or don't...
.png)
Evidence for the archives
We’ve created a shared Google Photos album for everyone to upload photos from the weekend.
Please feel free to add your photos and videos as the weekend goes on, or after the weekend once you have recovered sufficiently. You can access the album by scanning the QR code below.
We’d love to collect all the small, funny, lovely, and mildly chaotic Camp Gordon moments in one place.
Scan here:
Please upload generously. The archives must be complete.
A note for families
.png)
While Camp Gordon is primarily planned as an adult wedding weekend, we understand that some guests may need to bring their children along. If this applies to you, please let us know when you RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
Parents and guardians should please keep in mind that there is a large unfenced dam on the property, open outdoor areas, and two very enthusiastic dogs — Phoebe and Hawk — who may be roaming around and conducting informal guest inspections.
Children will need to be supervised throughout the weekend, especially near the water and during the evening celebrations. Due to space limitations, children will be seated at a dedicated children’s table rather than with the adults.
We also kindly ask that children are kept settled and quiet during the ceremony. If a small camper needs a break, you are very welcome to step out and rejoin when ready.
As the evening goes on, things may become a little more grown-up and festive, so please feel free to plan around whatever will make the evening easiest and most enjoyable for your family.
.png)
Your presence is the present
We truly don’t expect gifts. Having you join us for the weekend and celebrate with us is what matters most.
If you would still like to give something, you are very welcome to contribute to our honeymoon fund via EFT.
Honeymoon Fund Details:
Account name: CL Barnard
Bank: Capitec
Account number: 1584511395
Branch code: 470010
Reference: Your Name + Gift
Mostly, we’re just very excited to have our favourite people together in one place — ideally well-fed, slightly sun-kissed, and not lost.
.png)
Resident inspectors only
Phoebe and Hawk will be at Camp Gordon for the weekend and may be found roaming around, greeting guests, and generally assuming they are part of the organising committee.
As much as we would love to be surrounded by dogs on our wedding day (truly), we kindly ask that guests do not bring their own dogs. This is to avoid any canine disagreements, territorial politics, or unexpected weekend drama.
Thank you for understanding and helping us keep the camp peaceful for humans and hounds alike.
Ask the Camp Office
If our Field Notes didn’t answer your burning questions about camping etiquette, wedding attire, cabin locations, or other matters of mild logistical importance, please drop us a note below.
Use clear handwriting — metaphorically — and we’ll get back to you as promptly as camp administration allows.