Maine Elopement Guide – How to Elope in Maine

In the northeast corner of the country, you’ll find Maine – known for its incredible natural beauty, there are rocky coastlines, dense spruce forests, towering mountain peaks, and all the jaw dropping scenery you can imagine. It’s the perfect place to tie the knot for couples who want a true adventure on their wedding day, and if you want to elope in Maine, this step by step guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan an experience you’ll never forget!

Here’s what’s in this Maine elopement guide:

• Step 1: Deciding to Elope in Maine
• Step 2: Choosing a Date for Your Maine elopement
• Step 3: Finding a Maine Elopement Photographer
• Step 4: Maine Elopement Locations
• Step 5: Getting Legally Married When You Elope in Maine
• Step 6: Planning Your Maine Elopement
• Maine Elopement Packages – Ready to Elope in Maine?

Deciding to Elope in Maine

The first step when you elope in Maine is making the decision! For a lot of couples, this first step is the hardest – it’s difficult to let go of the pressure and expectations the big wedding industry has created, and it’s scary to throw the rules away and decide to get married in a way that reflects the two of you. 

But this is your wedding day, and if you know that the big ballroom and the traditional shindig isn’t for you, eloping is all about focusing on what matters most – you, your partner, and the incredible experience you’ll have on the day you get married!

Choosing a Date for Your Maine Elopement

Before you get into the details of planning your elopement, think about when the two of you want to tie the knot. You don’t have to mark a date on the calendar just yet, but thinking about what season you want to experience, what time of year you want to elope, and a general timeframe for your day can help you plan! 

There are a few things to think about when it comes to your elopement date – but weather is one of the biggest factors for most couples. Each season brings a totally different experience, so you’ll definitely want to be prepared for the weather.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Maine, with warm temperatures and sunshine – so if you want to hike in the mountains, this is the best time to elope in Maine to ensure snow free trails. 

Because summer is the busiest, you will likely see more people out and about, so if you want to avoid crowds, early fall is an incredible time to tie the knot. It’s less busy, you can see some amazing fall foliage, and temperatures are still warm, but more mild. 

In the mountains, snow usually starts accumulating in October, and temperatures drop quickly towards the end of fall. Winter is a great time to elope if you want to ski, snowshoe, or have a snowball fight, but you’ll definitely need to be prepared with layers and some hot cocoa! 

Spring is another great time to avoid crowds, but it’s much more unpredictable than fall.

Finding a Maine Elopement Photographer

Once you have an idea of when you want to elope, reach out to a Maine elopement photographer! Doing this early on will make planning a breeze – because as a photographer, my job is to make sure your elopement is everything you want.

I’ll give you location recommendations, help with permits, and work with you to plan a day that’s completely personalized for the two of you! 

And of course, as a photographer and videographer, I’ll be there on the day of, exploring with you and documenting every incredible moment.

Maine Elopement Locations – the Best Places to Elope in Maine

After couples book with me, the next step is to decide where to elope. The best thing about eloping is that instead of traditional venues, you get to choose from national parks, stunning overlooks, jaw dropping scenery, and endless landscapes! To get you inspired, here are a few of the best places to elope in Maine.

Acadia National Park

One of the best Maine elopement locations, and my personal favorite, is Acadia National Park. You get to choose from exchanging vows on the rocky coastline, exploring the forested trails, hiking to a panoramic vista, taking a kayak out on the blue water, and more!  

Baxter State Park

Baxter State Park is a huge wilderness area, with stunning mountain views, blue lakes, and dense forests. It’s the perfect remote, scenic location for an adventurous elopement day, whether you want to hike or find an easily accessible overlook, picnic by the lake or paddle out, and any adventure you can imagine!

Crescent Beach State Park

If you want to get married by the ocean, Crescent Beach State Park is one of the best places to elope in Maine! Located in the cute seaside town of Portland, the park offers boardwalks, fields of tall grass, woodsy trails, and views of the ocean.

Getting Legally Married When You Elope in Maine

To make sure you’re legally married, you’ll need to do some paperwork! 

A marriage license from the state of Maine is required, and you can get one at any town office. If you live in Maine, you’ll need to apply in the county where one of you lives – and if you’re traveling from out of state to get married, you’ll apply in the county where your elopement ceremony is taking place.

You’ll need to go to the office in person to submit your application, but you can find it online and fill it out ahead of time. There will be a fee, which will depend on the office you choose – in Portland, it’s $40!

There is no waiting period in Maine, so you’ll get your marriage license and can use it right away, but it expires after 90 days.

When you elope, an officiant and two witnesses are required to sign, and once you return the marriage license to the office, you’re married – officially!

Planning Your Maine Elopement

Your elopement should be an experience – so plan a day that you’ll want to relive forever! When you elope in Maine, there’s no shortage of incredible adventures you can have. 

Think about what would make this the best day of your life. Remember – there are no rules, no limits, and no expectations, so let your imagination run wild.

You can spend the morning paddleboarding, hike to your ceremony location, have a picnic by the ocean, take a 4×4 into the mountains, spend the day in a cute cabin with your best friends, or anything else you can dream up.

Maine Elopement Packages – Are You Ready to Elope in Maine?

If you’re ready to get married and plan a wedding day that’s not like the rest – I’m ready to help you elope in Maine! Every couple deserves to get married in a way that reflects who they are, so my Maine elopement packages include everything you need to plan the perfect day. Location recommendations, tips and advice, things to do, and more!

Contact me to learn more about Maine elopement packages, and let’s start planning your dream elopement!