Choosing Acadia National park for your spring elopement photos gives you lots of diverse location options. We ended this elopement with a Cadillac Mountain sunset, but hit several other locations through the day. You can explore Acadia with friends and family, charter a boat, hike around just the two of you - or all the above!

Amy and Nick’s all day adventure elopement in Acadia National Park, Maine was a great mix of all these options. Scroll this gallery if you’d like to plan a similar elopement day.

Amy and Nick eloped in Acadia on June 18th, 2022. Since this is one of the longest days of the year, they had lots of time to fit in a range of activities. They started the morning with a first look before meeting family, then they all chartered a boat together to hang out and explore. After the boat ride, the family said their goodbyes, leaving the three of us to hike to Cadillac mountain for a vibrant sunset.

These two really stood out to me in one adorable way: they’re high school sweethearts. They showed up so giddy and excited for their day, and Amy didn’t stop smiling the entire time! They were seriously both so enjoyable to be around. Their smiles were contagious, and they had their pups dressed in tuxes!

Acadia Elopement Photos: getting ready and first look

They rented a room at a local hotel in Bar Harbor. Amy got ready upstairs with her mom and mother in law, while Nick got ready downstairs. For a true first look, Nick drove separately to our first location, Sand Beach, while I helped Amy hide in my car. I situated Nick over by the shoreline, and told him to close his eyes tight…

Amy approached from the other direction, pausing just before him with one more massive smile on her face. She was SO excited to show him her dress. After a deep breath, Nick turned around, and they each had their first full look of each other.

They used the moment to say some private vows and enjoy the salty ocean air. As we were leaving, a girl ran up to us to gift them a polaroid she took of them reading their vows!

Acadia Elopement Photos: family charter boat

We then drove further into the park to have their ceremony. At a cliffside spot hovering over the water, Amy and Nick signed their marriage paperwork surrounded by family.

For their main activity with family, we headed over to the opposite side of Mt. Desert Island with a chartered sailboat. I highly recommend hiring a boat for this area, since it’s something the entire family can do together. You get to eat, relax and see the views with no physical exertion necessary. It’s a really accessible activity option for Acadia National Park elopement photos that can include kids, grandparents and pets.

Amy and Nick chartered the boat for two hours from Sail Acadia, and they all had a great time together eating, drinking and enjoying the views and open air. They even saw some seals during their tour!

A bride and her family members stand together during an Acadia National Park elopement. They are all facing the camera and wearing formal attire.

Acadia National Park Elopement Photos: sunset at Cadillac Mountain

After the boat ride and some ice cream along the shore at the Quiet Side Cafe, the family parted ways. The three of us headed up to Cadillac mountain to explore Acadia for sunset. Cadillac mountain is one of my favorite places in Acadia National Park elopement photos for a couple reasons: it’s the tallest peak in Acadia AND the first place in the US that the sun rises!