1. Location, Location, Location: Make It Easy for Your Guests
How do you plan a destination wedding in Maine? First, you pick a venue! When choosing a Maine wedding venue to plan a destination wedding in Maine, consider its proximity to major hotels and airports. Most of your guests will be flying or driving in, and they’ll appreciate a venue that doesn’t require a Lewis and Clark-style expedition to find. Did you know that not all areas of Maine have reliable cell phone service? There are many locations that are wonderfully rustic... but dangerous for out-of-towners to get to due to logistics! Remember, planning a destination wedding in Maine includes considering these key factors.
✅ Ideal distance: Pick a venue within 20 minutes of a major hotel and 45 minutes of an airport to make travel logistics smoother. These places will likely have cell phone service, too.
✅ Transportation options: Does Uber/Lyft operate in the area? Rural Maine isn’t exactly known for its abundance of rideshare services. If your venue is off the beaten path, consider booking shuttles for guests.
✅ More about planning a destination wedding in Maine: Engaging local vendors familiar with the area can enhance your planning experience as they understand the local scenery and logistics to plan a destination wedding in Maine effectively.
✅ Lodging Costs: If your guest list includes a mix of budgets, consider how lodging prices will impact them. Areas like Portland tend to be significantly more crowded and expensive—both for hotels and dining—compared to rural areas like Bangor or the Midcoast regions. Your guests will appreciate you choosing a venue in a stunning, but affordable location.
✅ Guest accommodations: If your venue offers on-site lodging, that’s a huge bonus. At Meadow Ridge Farm, we have two houses that sleep 24 guests, which means your nearest and dearest can stay close to the action. We are also located just 20 minutes away from the BGR international airport, and plenty of hotel and AirBnB options.
2. Book Early—Like, Really Early
Maine’s wedding season is short (typically May through October), wildly popular, and the best venues and vendors book 12–18 months in advance. If you have your heart set on a specific photographer, florist, or caterer, don’t wait to lock them in.
✅ Venue first: Your venue sets the tone for everything else—book it before hiring vendors.
✅ Vendor availability: Many of Maine’s best wedding vendors only take a limited number of bookings per season to maintain quality, so the earlier you book, the better.
✅ Weekday weddings: If weekends are booked solid, consider a Sunday or Friday wedding—you’ll have more availability and might even get better rates.
3. Weather: Be Prepared for All Four Seasons (Sometimes in One Day)
Maine’s weather is delightfully unpredictable. A sunny July afternoon can turn into a chilly evening real fast. And fall? Gorgeous, but be ready for anything from 75 and sunny to a surprise flurry of snowflakes.
✅ Plan for temperature swings: If you’re getting married in spring or fall, check if your venue has heating options (Meadow Ridge Farm does!). If you’re having a summer wedding, shade and airflow are key.
✅ Rain backup: Always, always, always have a Plan B for rain. Whether it’s a tent or an indoor space, don’t roll the dice on Mother Nature here in Maine.
✅ Bug situation: Maine is beautiful, but let’s talk mosquitos and black flies. If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider bug spray stations and citronella candles to keep the pests at bay.
4. Permits & Marriage Licenses: Don’t Get Caught Off Guard
Maine is one of the easiest states to get married in, but you still need to handle the paperwork.
✅ Marriage license: If you're not from here, you can get your Maine marriage license at any town or city hall in the state—it doesn’t have to be where you’re getting married. This is crucial to know, since many of the smaller towns (like Winterport) are only open a few days during the week.
✅ Waiting period: There’s no waiting period in Maine, so you can get your license and get married the same day.
✅ Officiant rules: Maine allows ordained ministers, justices of the peace, and notaries public to officiate weddings. Bonus: You can have a friend or family member officiate if they get ordained online.
✅ Stay informed: If you plan a destination wedding in Maine, ensure you are up-to-date with local regulations regarding permits and licenses to avoid any last-minute issues.
✅ Permits for outdoor ceremonies: If you’re eyeing a scenic overlook or a public beach for your ceremony, check with the town about permit requirements.
5. Food & Drink: Make It Maine-Inspired
✅ Customizing your menu to reflect Maine: When you plan a destination wedding in Maine, make sure to include local delicacies in your menu to give your guests an authentic Maine experience.
One of the best parts about getting married in Maine? The food. From lobster rolls to wild blueberry desserts, you can give your guests an authentic taste of Maine.
✅ Local catering: Many caterers specialize in farm-to-table menus featuring Maine’s best seafood, meats, and produce.
✅ Signature drinks: Consider a blueberry-infused cocktail or a local craft beer bar (Maine is home to some of the best breweries in the country!).
✅ Vendor policies: Some venues, like Meadow Ridge Farm, allow you to bring in your own caterer and bar service, which means more flexibility in choosing your food and drink options.
✅ Consider the local experience: When you plan a destination wedding in Maine, think about activities your guests can enjoy before or after your wedding day to enhance their experience.
6. Guest Experience: Make It a Wedding Weekend
Since your guests are traveling for your big day, why not make it a full Maine experience?
✅ Welcome bags: Fill them with Maine goodies like whoopie pies, maple syrup, or a cute lobster-themed souvenir.
✅ Things to do: Share a list of fun activities like Acadia National Park hikes, lighthouse tours, and local breweries so guests can explore during their stay.
A Maine wedding—especially when you plan a destination wedding in Maine—is pure magic—but it takes some extra planning to make it smooth and stress-free. If you're looking for a gorgeous venue that’s easily accessible, has on-site lodging, and gives you the freedom to make your wedding uniquely yours, Meadow Ridge Farm checks all the boxes.
✅ Brunch or bonfire: Keep the celebration going with a next-day brunch or a farewell bonfire. At Meadow Ridge Farm, our cozy farm setting is perfect for extending the festivities.
Ready to Plan Your Destination Wedding in Maine?
A Maine wedding is pure magic—but it takes some extra planning to make it smooth and stress-free. If you're looking for a gorgeous venue that’s easily accessible, has on-site lodging, and gives you the freedom to make your wedding uniquely yours, Meadow Ridge Farm checks all the boxes.
Get in touch today to schedule a tour and start planning your dream destination wedding in Maine!
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