5 Breathtaking Places to Elope in Maine
In my opinion, Maine is the most beautiful and diverse state in New England! It has stunning beaches and ocean views along the coast and gorgeous mountains and waterfalls in the north. The state is huge, offering so many places to elope no matter what you are looking for!
I have spent years exploring and capturing elopements in every corner of Maine. Trust me when I say it is one of the best places to elope!
If you want to elope in Maine, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know, including the weather in each season, how to void crowds, and the best places to elope in Maine.
Tips for Eloping in Maine
Maine is one of the most incredible states in New England because of its diverse landscape. Not only is it home to the only national park in New England, but it offers beautiful ocean, lake, and mountain views pretty much everywhere. Maine has over 6,000 lakes, 500,000 acres of preserved land, and 3,000 miles of coastline. Yup, Maine is pretty spectacular! I promise you will not be disappointed if you elope in Maine!
How to Plan a Maine Elopement
Eloping in Maine is pretty simple. Here are steps you can follow:
Find an elopement photographer you connect with and can help you plan your day. You can set up a FREE call with me to see how I can be a part of your day!
I will provide a customized location list if you aren’t sure where you want to elope, personalized vendor recommendations, activity ideas, custom-made timelines, and any other details you need to make your elopement incredible!
Apply for a Maine marriage license up to 90 days before your elopement. If you live in Maine, you and your partner should apply at a City or Town Clerk where you live. If you do not live in Maine, you can go to any City or Town Clerk in Maine. Either way, you will need identification documents and payment for the fee to get your marriage license. Maine does not have a waiting period for your marriage license, so you can elope as soon as you receive it!
Apply for any permits you need for your location. Don’t worry! I can help you figure that out, too!
On your elopement day, I will capture every special moment!
Celebrate eloping in Maine and marrying your love!!!
Best Seasons to Elope
Spring is a beautiful time to elope as the flowers and trees are blooming, and the warm weather moves in, melting the snow. Winter can linger in Maine through June, especially in the northern sections, so it’s important to pack and plan accordingly. If you are planning to hike, I highly recommend reading recent trail reviews and packing layers and proper gear for the lingering snow.
Summer is a very popular to visit Maine, and for a good reason! The warm weather and long days provide endless activities to do on your elopement day. You can rent a boat, hike all day, swim in a local swimming hole, or watch the sunset from an incredible mountain. Summer is a popular time to visit Maine, so a lot of places will be crowded. I recommend planning your elopement during sunrise or sunset to avoid most of the crowds.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to elope in Maine as the fall foliage paints everything with vibrant colors. No matter where you decide to elope in Maine, you will have a beautiful backdrop of fall foliage! The fall foliage brings a lot of tourism to Maine, especially on weekends. I highly recommend choosing a weekday if you can or eloping during sunrise or sunset.
Winter is an amazing time to elope because snow creates a magical scene, especially if you love the snow and don’t mind cold weather. You can spend the day skiing, snowshoeing, or cuddling by the fire. Winters in Maine are very cold and snowy, so I always recommend packing many layers no matter what your elopement day will look like. You can add thick shawls or faux fur jackets to your wedding dress to keep you warm!
Best Places to Elope in Maine
Great Wass Island Preserve
Great Wass Island Preserve is a beautiful island on the northern coast of Maine that is made of forest, wetlands, and ocean views. An easy 5-mile loop trail brings you through the preserve providing incredible views. You can say your vows in a beautiful forest or on Cape Cove which has stunning views of the ocean.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is the only national park in the northeast and is a stunning location for an elopement. The park offers a variety of places to elope, including rocky beaches, mountain views, and dramatic cliffs.
If you want your elopement along the water, Otter Cliff and Sand Beach are perfect locations. If you want to elope on a mountain but don’t want to hike, you can drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Acadia National Park has a place to elope for everyone!
Learn more about how to elope in Acadia National Park.
Sunday River Bridge
Do you want to elope in a beautiful New England covered bridge? Sunday River Bridge is a historic covered bridge in Maine that offers a unique place to elope. It is located near Sunday River, so you spend the day skiing or hiking before saying your vows on the beautiful bridge. There are also photo opportunities on the shores of Sunday River beneath the bridge and at nearby parks.
Portland
Portland is a beautiful coastal city in southern Maine that is known for beautiful ocean views, historic lighthouses, and delicious seafood. It has beautiful parks, beaches, and lighthouses that offer stunning backdrops for an elopement.
One of the most beautiful lighthouses near Portland is Portland Head Light. It sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean and has many spots nearby that are perfect for an elopement. If you are looking to elope on a beach, Crescent Beach State Park is a great option. It offers boardwalks, tall grass, wooded areas, rock ledges, and ocean views.
Grafton Notch State Park
Grafton Notch State Park is a stunning location in Maine, offering mountain views and waterfalls. If you are looking to elope near a waterfall, Screw Auger Falls is a stunning waterfall that only requires a short walk from the parking lot. If you want to hike, Table Rock is perfect, with its 3-mile trail leading to an incredible view overlooking Grafton Notch State Park. If you are looking for a more difficult hike, you can hike 7.5 miles to Old Speck Mountain. It offers some of the most incredible views in the area.
There are many incredible places to elope in Maine, and this guide only touches on a few. I have a large list of beautiful locations, so if you are ready to plan a Maine elopement, let’s do it!
Ready to plan your Maine elopement?
Hi,
New Hampshire elopement & wedding photographer serving New England & beyond
My name is Alex, and I am an adventure enthusiast, travel addict, and your dream-making wedding photographer! I am a New Hampshire elopement photographer and wedding photographer but will travel well beyond New England to capture your elopement or wedding day.
I got my start in photography capturing stunning landscapes around the world but realized my true passion was capturing beautiful photos of a couple’s love. There is something about the magic of love that draws me to couples like a magnet.
Over the years, I have met so many amazing couples, and I am so excited to get to know YOU! I am here to provide you with beautiful photos of your elopement or wedding day, so you can look back and relive those memories forever!
