You’ve landed!! This is your complete guide that will walk you through how to get married in Acadia National Park updated for 2025 elopements + weddings!
From best time of year, to where to get married within the Acadia, to Acadia’s wedding permit, to elopement day activities and more, this guide will make sure you have all the big answers to how you can get married in Acadia National Park and make it the best day EVER! So, here we go! Here is your…
Guide to Getting Married in Acadia National Park!
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Acadia
First on the to-do list for getting married in Acadia National Park is picking the time of year! Acadia is beautiful no matter the season, however after photographing elopements in the park for 8 years, there are some time’s that I would recommend over others! Here’s a breakdown of when to get married in Acadia National Park:
Spring (April – June)
Pros: Quiet trails, blooming wildflowers, and cooler temperatures.
Cons: Muddy conditions and fewer facilities open early in the season.
Recommendation: Perfect for couples seeking seclusion, though be prepared for unpredictable weather earlier in the season. Early June can bring wonderful weather, minimal crowds, and the most beautiful lupines blooming all over the island which is extra magical!
Summer (July + August)
Pros: Warmer temperatures, and long daylight hours.
Cons: Crowds at popular spots and limited parking.
Recommendation: June offers fewer crowds than July and August, making it an ideal time for a summer elopement. July and August are incredibly busy in the park and I generally recommend avoiding that time if possible!
Fall (September – November)
Pros: Vibrant foliage, crisp air and classic fall weather, and fewer tourists after Labor Day.
Cons: Crowds for peak foliage later in the month
Recommendation: October is a magical time to marry, thanks to peak foliage and stunning scenery. But hit it earlier in the month to avoid the crowds of peak foliage that come in mid October!
Winter (December – March)
Pros: Quiet, potentially snow-covered landscapes and cozy vibes.
Cons: Limited access to some areas and cold temperatures. Bar Harbor is essentially closed from late October to Memorial Day weekend, so while this off season can be great in some ways, it can also mean you have some limitations with what’s open in town.
Recommendation: Best for adventurous couples seeking a unique, intimate experience.
Overall, my two favorite times of year for elopements in Acadia are the first two weeks of June and the first two weeks of October. Early June is best if you’re after lush green, warm but not grossly hot weather, and limited crowds. Because summer is just starting and many schools haven’t let out yet, the park generally tends to be nice and quiet giving us privacy at some of the more popular locations, and a lot less stress over traffic and limited parking throughout the park. October is wonderful because you have classic, crisp fall weather, but hitting it earlier in the month ensures you have some foliage without the crazy crowds that can come for peak foliage or in summer.
I have an in-depth blog post here that Deep dives into the best time of year to elope in Acadia National Park!
Where To Get Married in Acadia National Park
Next up is deciding where you want to get married within Acadia National Park! If you have over ten people, you’ll need a permit through the park to get married and will be limited to a list of certain locations + guest count, however if you have ten or under people, you can have your ceremony anywhere you’d like in the park! Here are a few of the ceremony locations that are approved through the park and can be great for getting married in Acadia!
Getting Married at Otter Point
Why It’s Great: Spectacular ocean views, dramatic classic Maine cliffs, ample parking and accessible for most guests!
Best Time: Early morning for privacy or sunset for best light!
Unique Feature: Perfect for couples who love the sound of crashing waves.
Here is a blog post showing an Otter Point wedding in Acadia!
Getting Married at Little Hunters Beach
Why It’s Great: A hidden gem with a pebble beach and intimate feel. It does require some stairs to reach but is generally more secluded than not
Best Time: Midday or late afternoon when lighting is soft.
Unique Feature: The distinctive, wave-smoothed stones make for unique photos and calming sounds as the waves crash against them.
Getting Married at Sand Beach
Why It’s Great: A mix of mountain and ocean views with bright blue water and white sand beaches.
Best Time: Sunrise to avoid crowds as the rest of the day can be quite busy!
Unique Feature: A versatile location with soft sand and a short trail nearby.
Getting Married at Seawall
Why It’s Great: Quiet and rustic, with rocky shorelines and wooded backdrops. This is on the quieter side of MDI and provides a great option if you want a bit more privacy and space for your group.
Best Time: Evening for golden hour photos.
Unique Feature: A more secluded option compared to busier parts of the park.
Getting Married on Cadillac Mountain
Why It’s Great: Iconic views and the first sunrise in the U.S. This is the heart of Acadia and a favorite for all.
Best Time: If you have 10+ people, you’re only able to get married here outside of sunrise + sunset times. However for a smaller group, sunset + sunrise are great here!
Unique Feature: Ideal for adventurous couples who want epic vistas.
If you have under 10 people and don’t need a permit, you can have your ceremony wherever you’d like in the park. After 8 years of photographing weddings + elopements in Acadia National Park, I have an endless list of private, quiet, much less known locations that I love to share with my couples. Depending on the scenery and vibe you want for your ceremony, we can surely make it happen!
I have an in-depth blog post here that covers some easy to get to locations for your Acadia National Park elopement!
Acadia National Park Wedding Permit Information
As mentioned above, if you have more than 10 people present for your ceremony (including guests, couple, vendors etc). you’ll need to apply for a permit to get married in Acadia National Park. You can see more information on the National Park website here, but this is the rundown!
You’ll need to apply with the location you want to hold your ceremony at, as well as the time frame, so it’s best to do this once you’ve started working with your photographer and have an idea of the timeline for your day. Once you know your location and time frame, you can apply for the special use permit and pay the $75 application fee. You’ll want to apply for your permit at least 2 weeks in advance, but preferably a few months out so that you’re not pressed for time! Here are the permitted ceremony locations with the number of guests allowed at each:
Cadillac Mountain - 30 (No ceremonies during sunrise or sunset.)
A Vehicle Reservation is required to drive the Cadillac Summit Road May 25 through Oct 22, 2022.
Sand Beach - 30
Ocean Drive - 30
Otter Cliff - 20
Otter Point - 30
Fabbri Picnic Area - 30
Little Hunters Beach - 20
Seawall Picnic Area - 30
Thompson Island - 50
Schoodic Point - 25
Frazer Point Picnic Area - 50
Marriage License To Get Married in Acadia National Park
To legally get married in Acadia National Park or anywhere in Maine for that matter, you’ll have to get a marriage license! If you’re a resident of Maine, you’ll need to apply at the town or city hall of the location that you live in, however if you’re from out of state, you’re able to apply anywhere in the state. There is a town hall right in the center of Bar Harbor (see their website here) that makes this really easy and convenient for Acadia National Park elopements + weddings!
To legally marry in Maine, here’s what you need to do:
Required Documents: Valid photo IDs, certified birth certificates, and divorce decrees (if applicable).
Fees: $40 for the license.
Waiting Period: None.
Expiration: Valid for 90 days.
Next, you’ll need to hire an officiant to perform you ceremony and legally marry you with your license. However, I am also ordained and willing to marry you for no extra fee if you’d like to do that as well!
Acadia National Park Wedding Vendor Recommendations
Once you have you head wrapped around when, where and how you’re getting married in Acadia, you can start to book any other vendors that you’re interested in hiring! Here are a few that I’d recommend looking into:
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Hi, that’s me! Even if it’s not me, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a photographer that you truly vibe with. This person will be the person you spend the MOST time with on your elopement day (minus your significant other!) which can really make or break your experience, but also will largely be reflected in your photos. It’s also crucial to have a photographer that has experience shooting in the park + unpredictability of the outdoors, knows how to pivot to an equally as great plan at the drop of the hat, and knows how to lead you through experiencing the park in a safe and fun way!
Officiants:
Florists:
Hair / Make Up:
I have an extensive list of vendor recommendations that I share with all my couples so that you don’t have to spend days scouring the internet to find trusted vendors!
Where To Stay in Acadia National Park
There are so many fun places to stay within Acadia National Park, and where you choose to stay for your elopement in the park can really add to your wedding experience! Whether it’s where you get ready, where you spend the cozy evening at the end of the day, or even if it needs to serve as a rainy day back up location, it’s great to have a place that you visually love and are excited to spend time in as a part of your trip. When heading to Acadia, there are a variety of types of places to stay. Here they are broken down and a few recommendations for each!
Camping / Glamping in Acadia National Park
If this is your vibe, it can be really fun to include for your elopement day! There are several campgrounds around Mount Desert Island, but there also a few Glamping campgrounds that might give you the camping vibe but also a few extra creature comforts for your erdding trip!
Here is an elopement that started and ended at Terramor Resort!
Bed + Breakfasts in Bar Harbor, Maine
There’s something about all of the cozy bed + breakfasts that are rampant amoungst Mt. Desert Island that are really endearing! Stay in an old home or manor, have a fresh delicious breakfast cooked to order every morning, and maybe even have a fireplace in your room! Here are a few that I’d personally recommend:
Hotels in Bar Harbor, Maine
A classic hotel can be great for getting married in Acadia National Park. There are several fantastic ones in Bar Harbor, and some others throughout Mt. Desert Is;and if you’re after something a bit off the beaten path. Here are a few of my favorites!
Here is a blog post of an Acadia elopement day that artarted at the Claremont Inn!
Airbnbs + VRBO’s in Bar Harbor, Maine
There are more and more Airbnb’s and VRBO’s popping up everyday on Mt. Desert Island that could be a great landing place for getting married in Acadia National Park! Here are a few favorites!
You guessed it! I have an extensive list of recommendations for airbnbs, bnb’s and hotels that I share with my eloping couples to make sure you’re able to stay somewhere that you’re really excited about for your Acadia National Park elopement!
Acadia Elopement Day Activities
Now it’s time to start planning the fun way’s you’ll spend your time getting married in Acadia National Park! I always recommend looking at your elopement day as the best vacation day you could ever imagine, and then having your ceremony at some point during the day. This opens up the creative freedom to celebrate in a way that is going to be really aligned with what YOU want your day to look like! Here are some fun activities to consider for your Acadia elopement:
Picnic
What better way to enjoy the park and enjoy your day than to eat some yummy food with a view! Enjoy a gourmet picnic at Fabbri Picnic area or Seawall through Luxury Picnics Acadia, or plan your own low-key snack time! There are dozens of incredible places to pick up some yummies through the island. Plus, you never want to be hangry on your elopement day!
Boating
Boating is such a fun way to experience Mt. Desert Island and Acadia National Park in a different way! There are multiple boat companies that I generally recommend working with depending on the vibe you’re going for! Whether it’s a quiet sail around the islands, a party boat for your favorite people, or a special mission to find wildlife and learn about the regions history - there’s a boating adventure that is great for everyone!
Here’s an elopement that featured a luxury picnic and boating adventure, all in the same day!
Lobster Feast
Can you tell I like food? I have a feeling you do too ;). Lobster is a classic part of experiencing Acadia National Park and can be a really fun activity to include on your elopement day! There are lobster pounds alllllll over the park, but some favorites of mine are Beals Lobster Pier and Thurstons!
Rock Climbing
If you’re feeling extra adventurous for your Acadia elopement, maybe consider some rock climbing! Adventure lovers can climb Otter Cliffs with a guide, or if you’re seasoned pros, we can head off on your own adventure! Rock climbing is super popular in Acadia and a great way to do something fun in the park!
Hiking
Last, but CERTAINLY not least - hiking! Getting married in Acadia National Park is the perfect opportunity to hike and explore some of the best hidden secrets of Acadia, and revel in some of the beautiful views that make this park so incredible. Whether you’re after a quick few minute stroll to something more private, or want a challenging mountain climber, there are options for everyones style!
Here is a hiking elopement in Acadia!
Oh my gosh, you’re so right! Yes, I do have an extensive list of ideas and recommendations for how to make your Acadia elopement the best day possible, which is something I work on with my couples through the planning process! 🤪
Best Wedding Reception Venue’s near Acadia National Park
If it’s just the two of you, the end of your elopement day might look like heading back to your cozy airbnb and having a fire, hopping in the hot tub, or enjoying dinner by a private chef! However, if you have a larger party and are wanting to have a gathering with all of your guests at some point in the day, there are some venues that work great for doing just that! Here are a few that can be really fun for your wedding reception after getting married in Acadia National Park!
A lovely hotel + reception space on the quiter side of Mt. Desert Island!
The Bar Harbor Inn has a small room upstairs that they rent for small group receptions which can work great for intimate weddings!
Wood fired pizza with homegrown ingredients!? YUM!
A fun outdoor biergarten type of space!
A beautiful small barn that can hold your event!
FAQ for Getting Married in Acadia National Park
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Yes! A National Parks Pass will be needed for each car present for your elopement or wedding in Acadia National Park! You can purchase them online here, at the entrance gate to the park, or at the Acadia visitor center. I recommend getting them before your elopement so that you don’t have to worry about picking one up the day of!
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The Park Loop Road is a 20ish mile road that is one way and hit’s a lot of the popular spots in Acadia! It makes visiting a lot of cool places in one go more possible, but it also is important to plan your stops in the order that they naturally occur so that you’re not forced to backtrack around the entire park if you miss something on the one way road! This is something that I largely take into account when planning out locations and the timeline for your day so that we’re able to maximize our time and places explored!
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Park Pass: This is the pass that get’s you into the national park as a visitor and is needed by every single car (coverers everyone in the car) that enters any part of the park.
Special Use Permit: This will be needed if your ceremony will have 11 or more people present at it. You’ll apply through the national park website once you’ve worked out a location and timing with your photographer!
Vehichle Reservation: This is needed to access the summit of Cadillac Mountain during peak months (usually late May to late October). This can be purchased on Recreation.gov and are available on a 90-day rolling basis.
You will definitely need a park pass. You will need a special use permit if your ceremony will have 11 or more people present. And lastly, you will only need a vehicle reservation if you plan on driving to the summit of Cadillac Mountain between late May and late October.
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Unpredictable weather is a big part of eloping in outdoors and getting married in Acadia. Every situation is different, so there isn’t a quick answer, but in short, we will pivot however we need to pivot to make the best day happen! Sometimes this looks like switching up the timeline, switching up our locations, or even switching up our activities. The best advice I can give you is to keep a flexible mindset about your elopement day and to not fixate on anything other than embracing the day for what it will be! If you’re able to do that, I promise you’ll have an incredible wedding day in Acadia National Park!
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I’ve planned Acadia elopements 2 weeks to 2 years out. Most commonly, couples book about 6 months to a year out, but generally, the sooner the better is best practice! The sooner we get in touch, the more access you’ll have to dates, and the more time we can have to take your planning process slowly and not have to panic plan quickly!
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This is a question a lot of couples face, so know that you’re not alone if this is something on your mind! My biggest piece of advice is to think about how you want to feel on your elopement day, and will the people that you’re considering inviting align with those feelings, or make that harder to feel? Will the people you include make you feel excited, supported, loved, and stress free or will they bring drama, unwanted opinions or stress you out? Let me give you permission and tell you that this day is about YOU. It’s okay to be selfish on the day you get married.
Also consider how much time you have! Each person you invite will be one more person that you’ll be diving your time between on the day of. Just you and your partner? All of your time and attention can be on each other. You two and 20 people? That time is now divided 20 ways.
There truly isn’t a right, wrong, good or bad way to go about elopements and intimate weddings, which is the exciting news! The most important thing is that you consider what you and your partner want to get out of your elopement day, and that you make decisions that align with those values!
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I have an extensive packing list that I share with all of my couples that will make sure you bring all things necessary to make your day the best it can be depending on the season, our activities and the type of day you’re having!
One of the most helpful tips I can offer you is to make hiring your Acadia elopement or wedding photographer as the FIRST step of planning how you’ll get married in Acadia. I provide my couples with all the knowledge on the best times of year and day to elope, personalized location guides, vendor recommendations, permit help, my 80+ page elopement guide, accommodation + activity recommendations, timeline creation and so much more. If we can collaborate on making your dream Acadia elopement happen from the start, it will be much easier, way more straight forward, and save you a lot of stress + time in figuring it all out for yourself when you simply don’t have to!
Ready to start the conversation about how YOU can get married in Acadia National Park? Let’s do it! Reach out below and let’s get the party started!
