The Best Places to Elope in Maine
Maine offers one of the most diverse landscapes in New England. From mountains to cliffs to beaches, there is a place for a Maine elopement for everyone! This guide is going to review everything you need to know to elope in Maine, including the weather in each season, how to void crowds, and the best places to elope in Maine.
Why You Should Elope 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 to plan a Maine elopement!
Find a location that is everything you envisioned! Or have an idea of where you want to elope.
Find an elopement photographer you connect with and can help you plan your day. You can set up a FREE consultation with us by filling out our inquiry form!
We will provide a customized location list, personalized vendor recommendations, activity ideas, custom-made timelines, and any other details you need to make your Maine elopement incredible!
Apply for a Maine marriage license up to 90 days before your Maine 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! We can help you figure that out, too!
We will adventure around your Maine elopement locations, take photos, and enjoy every moment of your day!
Celebrate eloping in Maine and marrying your love!!!
Best Seasons to Elope in Maine
spring
Spring is a beautiful time to elope in Maine! The flowers and trees are blooming while the warm weather moves in and melts the remaining snow. The smells, views, and weather are incredible, so you can’t go wrong with planning a Maine elopement in the spring!
Tips for planning a spring Maine elopement: 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 in the mountains in the spring, we highly recommend reading recent trail reviews and packing layers and proper gear for the lingering snow.
summer
Summer is a very popular time to elope in 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 an incredible time for a Maine elopement!
Tips for planning a summer Maine elopement: Summer is a popular time to visit Maine, so a lot of places will be crowded. We recommend planning your summer Maine elopement during sunrise or sunset to avoid most of the crowds.
fall
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to elope in Maine. The fall foliage paints everything with vibrant colors, and it is stunning! No matter where you decide to elope in Maine, you will have a beautiful backdrop of fall foliage!
Tips for planning a fall Maine elopement: The fall foliage brings a lot of tourism to Maine, especially on weekends. We highly recommend choosing a weekday if you can or eloping during sunrise or sunset if you want a fall Maine elopement.
winter
Winter is an underrated season in Maine. The snow creates a magical scene, making winter a great time to elope in Maine if you love the snow and don’t mind cold weather. You can spend the day skiing, snowshoeing, or cuddling by the fire.
Tips for planning a winter Maine elopement: Winters in Maine are very cold and snowy, so we 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 and still look beautiful in photos for your winter Maine elopement!
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 and one of the best places for a Maine elopement. You can elope in a beautiful forest or on Cape Cove which has stunning views of the ocean. This is one of the best places to elope in Maine if you are looking for somewhere off the beaten path with a unique landscape!
acadia national park
Acadia National Park is the only national park in the northeast and is a stunning location for a Maine elopement. The park offers a variety of places to elope, including rocky beaches, mountain views, and dramatic cliffs. There are many incredible hikes in Acadia National Park that make for incredible places for a Maine elopement. If you want your elopement along the water Otter Cliff and Sand Beach are perfect locations. If you want to be on a mountain for your Maine elopement but don’t want to hike, you can drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. There are so many incredible locations in Acadia National Park, making it one of the best places to elope in Maine! 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 eloping on the beautiful bridge. There are also photo opportunities for your Maine elopement on the shores of Sunday River beneath the bridge. Sunday River Bridge is one of the best places for a Maine elopement because it is beautiful and unique!
portland
Portland is a cute city on the coast of southern Maine that is known for beautiful ocean views, historic lighthouses, and delicious seafood. There are beautiful parks, beaches, and lighthouses that offer stunning backdrops for a Maine 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 perfect. It offers boardwalks, tall grass, wooded areas, rock ledges, and ocean views. Portland has a variety of places to elope, making it one of the best places to elope in Maine!
grafton notch state park
Grafton Notch State Park is a stunning location in Maine that offers mountain views and waterfalls and is one of the most underrated places for a Maine elopement. 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 to get to your Maine elopement spot, Table Rock is perfect. An easy 3-mile trail leads 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 has a fire tower on the summit, offering some of the most incredible views in the area. Grafton Notch State Park has something for everyone, making it one of the best places to elope in Maine!
There are many incredible places to elope in Maine, and this guide only touches on a few. We have a large list of beautiful Maine elopement 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!
