Quick Planning Tips for Your Acadia National Park Wedding
- Getting Married in Maine: All you’ll need is an Officiant and two witnesses – if we aren’t officiating, we count as witnesses!
- Permits: You’ll need a special use permit to get married in the park if you plan on having over 10 people (vendors included). We have a list of spots we recommend but we also recommend to check the Acadia National Park website for an updated list and details and to secure your spot.
- Leave No Trace: Acadia is a protected natural area, so be mindful of your impact. Avoid confetti or anything that could harm wildlife, and pack out everything you bring in.
- Weather: Maine weather can be unpredictable! We will work with you on a backup plan, if your wedding date is flexible, or be ready to embrace whatever nature throws your way—rain or shine, it’ll be unforgettable!
- Timing: Sunrise and sunset are popular (and breathtaking) times for ceremonies, but mid-morning and afternoon can offer beautiful light too, especially in the shady forested areas.
- Hire Two Adventurous Souls: No seriously! Hire us to be your Acadia National Park wedding photographers. We know the park better than the back of our hand and can help with everything from selecting vendors (we have a preferred vendor list), planning where to have your celebratory dinner, crafting your timeline for the day and helping to make sure you make it to all the spots in the park you invision. AND we can even officiate your ceremony and make it legal if you want to have a self-guided ceremony or something in a remote hiking location.
The Best Spots for Your Acadia National Park Wedding:
A Guide for Nature-Loving Couples
There’s no place quite like Acadia National Park for a wedding that embraces the natural beauty of Maine’s rugged coastline and forests. With sweeping ocean views, dramatic granite cliffs, and woodlands, Acadia offers an array of breathtaking backdrops that make it one of the most romantic places to say “I do.” Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement or a small gathering of family and friends, here are the best spots for a Acadia National Park wedding.
Otter Cliff
You can see this spot from miles away! Otter Cliff is a famous spot where rock climbing schools will take students out to learn all about climbing so you know it has some big, dramatic cliffs. While this space does allow 20 guests with a permit, I don’t recommend it for more than 5-6 people. It’s pretty tight, especially with the drop-offs! But it’s absolutely stunning for your Acadia National Park wedding! You’ll be able to say your vows high up on these cliffs with one of the buoys ringing in the distance providing a soundtrack for your day.
Otter Point
Not to be confused with Otter Cliffs, which are just before Otter Point on the Park Loop Road. This is probably one of my non-secret spots for an Acadia National Park wedding. Otter Point has a large parking lot and easy access points to a dramatic rocky coastline and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Otter Point is a stunning choice for a ceremony. This location also offers the most amount of guests – 30 people. The waves crashing against the rocks create a natural soundtrack as you exchange vows, and the endless horizon makes for unforgettable photos. It’s a particularly magical spot at sunrise, when the first light of day casts a golden glow over the water. We’ve also seen porposies swimming along here on a rare occassion!
Cadillac Mountain Summit
For a wedding with a view that stretches as far as the eye can see, the summit of Cadillac Mountain is unparalleled. Known as the first place in the U.S. to see the sunrise, it’s an epic spot for a dawn portraits, though sunset is equally spectacular (and probably a little warmer during those shoulder seasons!) Imagine saying “I do” with 360-degree views of the park, the surrounding islands, and the Atlantic Ocean beneath a colorful sky. While this spot is perfect, the park won’t issue a permit sunrise or sunset ceremonies – but it does allow up to 30 people! If you require a permit, we can always head up early or hang around after your ceremony for those epic portraits! **May-October also require a reservation to drive up to the summit.
Jordan Pond
Jordan Pond is not on the list of permit locations, so if you’re planning under 10 guests, this spot is a possibility! If serene and picturesque is your vibe, Jordan Pond offers a tranquil setting with the iconic Bubbles mountains reflecting in its crystal-clear waters. The grassy shoreline & pathways along the pond are perfect for a small gathering, and the nearby Jordan Pond House can host a celebratory meal featuring their famous popovers and tea – we also recommend trying their lobster stew!
**The water here is protected and you can’t get in it! So we will guide you to the best spots along the water’s edge and on the rocks, without touching the water!
Sand Beach
Sand Beach allows permits for up to 30 guests and is perfect for a classic coastal Maine experience. Sand Beach provides beautiful, almost tropical water and a sandy shore framed by rocky headlands and pine forests. It’s a great spot for a barefoot ceremony with the sound of waves and the scent of salt air. Just be mindful of the tides and the popularity of this location during peak season, along with a long staircase to from the parking lot above down to the beach. If you have anyone in your group that has trouble with stairs, this might be a spot we save for some portraits of just the two of you!
Bubble Rock
For adventurous couples, a ceremony at Bubble Rock is perfect for under 10 guests and both unique and memorable. This glacial erratic perched on the edge of a cliff offers a mix of whimsy and wonder, with sweeping views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains. The hike up is moderate, so it’s perfect for a couple who loves nature and doesn’t mind a bit of a workout to get to their ceremony spot!
Secret Spots Only We Know About
If you’re looking for a truly unique and intimate location, trust us, your Acadia National Park Wedding Photographers — we know the most breathtaking, hidden gems in Acadia. From secluded rocky overlooks tucked away from the main trails to quiet wooded clearings bathed in golden light, these secret spots offer a private and stunning backdrop for your vows. We can guide you to locations where the crowds are nonexistent, even in the height of the busy season, ensuring your wedding feels like an intimate moment just for you. Along with our love for these stunning landscapes during the day, we also have a hidden talent for getting the most amazing night sky images! If it looks like the Northern Lights are in the forecast, we are going to wait and see if they show up. If it’s a clear night, we are going to head out and do some images under the stars!!
Brittany and Dean are creative Acadia National Park Wedding Photographers who loving having fun with our couples. We work together and separately to capture every emotion and angle on your wedding day. Two Adventurous Souls storytelling style will capture your surprise proposal both in candid and naturally posed images. Whether you’re looking for Bar Harbor Wedding Photographers, Costa Rica Wedding or anywhere in New England we will be there for you! For more info please contact us about your wedding videography! Acadia National Park Wedding Photographers
