One of the best National parks in the United States, Acadia National Park is one of the largest in the Northeast — and a top location for Bar Harbor weddings. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and surrounded by tremendous rock cliffs, Acadia is hidden up in central-coastal Maine. I wouldn’t consider anything truly Northern Maine unless you were a shorter drive to the Canadian border. The National Park Service protects the natural beauty of coastal Maine, preserving the natural landscape for generations to come.
Bar Harbor Weddings: Acadia National Park Weddings
There are a few hotels and wedding venues in Bar Harbor just outside Acadia National Park on the Schoodic Peninsula. Traveling up to Bar Harbor, your wedding day will feel a little more magical. Check out the Bar Harbor Inn for an iconic Maine wedding. We’re also big fans of Jordan Pond House, one of the few restaurants close to or in Acadia.
Filled with rich cultural heritage, explore the fishing communities around Acadia, and the natural oasis around Bar Harbor. There are a few places for rehearsal dinners or to have a clam bake on the beach. As wedding photographers, I highly recommend having a portrait session day on a separate day from your Bar Harbor wedding.
Elope in Acadia National Park
An Acadia National Park elopement is something super special. Pick from quintessential Maine cabins to spend a week or a month in, eloping on a weekday (beat the tourists!). You can elope at sunset or sunrise, spending the rest of the day hiking, and exploring 45 miles of carriage roads.
An elopement means getting to get married on your terms. Pick the time of day, what you’re going to wear, all the details without the expectations of others. Simple ceremonies are allowed in Acadia, while larger weddings and commitment ceremonies are not allowed through the National Park Service.
Make sure to check in with the National Park Service regarding permitting. For our Acadia elopements, we not only include permit assistance but also location scouting. We can also assist with scouting and referring wedding vendors in Acadia. Sand Beach and Thunder Hole are two of the most popular locations, there are many more.
It can be tricky to find wedding vendors as far north as Bar Harbor. We know a few that love traveling there or are close by. Wedding days definitely become better and richer when stretched out over a weekend or even a week. Bar Harbor is the perfect location to stretch out your wedding day to enjoy a richer wedding experience.
Get to know more about our favorite Maine wedding vendors by clicking here.
