How to Elope in Maine
Maine’s picturesque landscapes, charming coastlines, and serene wilderness make it an ideal destination for couples seeking an intimate and romantic elopement. If you’re dreaming of a wedding day surrounded by nature’s beauty, consider eloping in Maine. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps to create a magical elopement experience in Maine.
So, you are considering ditching the traditional wedding for an elopement day that is all about you and the love of your life! Letting go of the pressure of a traditional wedding day can be the hardest step in deciding to elope. However, this is your wedding day, and if you know a traditional wedding day is not your jam, eloping is focused entirely on you, your partner, and this amazing day you have planned totally tailored to your wants creating such a beautiful wedding day!
Here’s what’s in this Maine Elopement Guide:
Choosing your Maine elopement location
Maine elopement location Ideas
Determining the size of your Maine Elopement
Choosing vendors + accomodations
Legal aspects of eloping in Maine
Your Elopement Day
Are You Ready to Elope in Maine? - Maine Elopement Packages
Choose You Perfect Maine Elopement Location
So, you’ve officially decided to elope in Maine!! Choosing a location that speaks to you and your partner is the most important, and there are so many options. If you take a moment and envision yourself on your wedding day, what do you see around you? Rocky coastlines? Mountains? Beaches? Forest? The ocean on a sailboat? The city? Your elopement location can be a place that is special to you and you know well or it can be a new place for a new memory!
Make sure to consider what season you would prefer. Maine experiences distinct seasons, each offering its own unique charm. Whether you envision a winter wonderland, a blossoming spring, a warm summer celebration, or a foliage-filled fall elopement, choosing the right season will enhance your experience and create unforgettable memories.
Maine Elopement Location Ideas
Acadia National Park
Newry
Any of the lighthouses
Old Port (City of Portland)
Many Maine beaches
Bar Harbor
Always remember that a lot of places in Maine will require permits to hold a wedding or elopement ceremony. If you pick a state park or national park, check the park’s website to see if you need a permit to reserve/use a ceremony spot. Many of these places may also require a permit for photography (as your photographer, I take care of the permit for you).
Determining the size of your elopement
Truly a decision solely for you and your partner to make. This can be a tough decision, and often requires a bit more thought about what you really want your day to look like.
Elopements vary from just the two of you, to you and 20 of your closest family and friends.
An elopement that is just the two of you is perfect for those who truly want an extraordinary adventure, the ability to do whatever they want on their wedding day, and also for those who don’t love being in the spotlight.
The other option, of course, is to invite your parents, siblings, and best friends (or whoever the heck you want to be there) for an intimate elopement with your favorite people. You can choose to have them with you all day for your ceremony and celebration or you can just have them meet up with you after the ceremony for the celebration. The amazing thing about elopements is you can customize it however you want!
Always remember, it is a lot easier to get to some of Maine’s stellar locations with fewer people. So, if you choose for it to just be the two of you, this allows for more amazing locations.
Choosing vendors + accommodations for your Maine Elopement
Now that you have decided on where you want your elopement location to be and how many people in attendance, it is about time to pick a date and book the vendors and accommodations.
Picking a date can be a challenge sometimes. If you want a specific date, that obviously makes it a lot easier. If you are not as set on a date, then it may be good to reach out to a photographer you know you want to hire or a couple and see what they have for availability. Many photographers book out somewhat far, so checking in with them (while you have flexibility) may help determine a date that works for you and the photographer.
Also, if you are eloping just the two of you, it is always a great option to do a weekday elopement as many amazing locations are less crowded on weekdays. This also usually helps when picking other vendors as weekdays are usually less busy for vendors.
Picking Vendors
Just because you are eloping, does not mean you can’t hire other vendors for your wedding day. Many couples hire these vendors for their day: hair + makeup artists, florists, officiants, private chefs + caterers, and videographers. If you are thinking about hiring a vendor or more, here is my suggestion:
Always check with your elopement photographer as a resource. They will be more than happy to do some research and help connect you with some great vendors that are local to your elopement area.
Make sure you hire vendors that align with your vision for your elopement 100%!! Be clear with your vision from the start and make sure they understand this is an elopement that will be stress-free and may be a bit go with the flow. If you are hiking or taking a boat ride, you will want to make sure they are on board with that.
Accommodations
Always pick accommodations somewhat close to where you will be having your ceremony and adventuring (and you after party/celebration). You will want somewhere close that you can get ready at and then lay your head down after a long day of adventuring with your new spouse.
Pick a place that has plenty of natural light for getting ready and can accommodate guests if you want to have family and friends over at any point during your wedding day.
Some suggestions:
Is the location within 30 minutes of your ceremony spot?
Are there plenty of windows/natural light for getting ready?
Does it have a full kitchen and does it come with basics (good to know if you are having a private chef come to cook for you)?
How many people comfortably can be hosted here if you decide to have the celebration here?
Is our pet allowed? (If you are bringing along your fur baby)
How many parking spots?
Is there a fire pit we can use? (If you want to have a bonfire or s’mores)
A lot of couples find a good fit with AirBnB or VRBO versus a traditional hotel or condo. AirBnB and VRBO have so much variety in size and so many other aspects which is helpful for this type of event.
If you find a place that you are interested in, make sure you contact the owner/manager to ask any and all questions you may have before booking.
Legal Aspect - Obtain Your Marriage License for your Maine Elopement
Before your exchange vows, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license. Which city hall depends on where each of you are from. Check out the specifics below:
If both of you are residents of the state of Maine, you should both apply at the town office where at one of your resides. If you are residents of different Maine towns, you both may apply in one town or the other - you DO NOT need to apply separately in each town.
If one of you is from out of state, then both of you should apply in the Maine town where one holds residency.
If neither of you is a resident of Maine, then you may apply in any Maine town office. It need not be the same town where you plan to be married.
Your marriage license will be valid for 90 days and can only be used within the state of Maine. There is no waiting period from the time your marriage license is issued until your wedding can take place. The person performing the ceremony (an officiant) is responsible for filing the marriage certificate with the town office that issued the marriage license.
Marriage law requirements for state of Maine:
Applicants must be over 18 years old to apply for a marriage application in Maine.
Persons wishing to be married in the state of Maine must apply for a marriage license from the Municipal Clerk’s Office.
No blood tests are required.
Phot ID (Driver’s License, Passport or State ID with picture) is required.
There is no waiting period in Maine to get married.
The marriage license fee is $40 to get married in Maine.
If this is not the first marriage for one of you, bring a certified copy (raised seal) of the divorce from or death certificate of the last spouse.
It is best to cal ahead to the office you plan to go to, to find out what days and house the clerk will be in the office.
Officiants
These individuals are authorized to perform marriage in Maine:
Ordained ministers of the gospel
A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary or ecclesiastical body.
Lawyers admitted to the Maine Bar (residents of Maine only).
Judges or justices (residents of Maine only)
Maine Notaries
Maine does not have Justices of the Peace. Out-of-state Notaries and Justices of the Peace cannot officiate weddings in Maine.
Witnesses
Marriage Witnesses Guidelines in Maine:
Your ceremony must be witnessed by at least two people other than the officiant, and signed by the couple, the officiant, and witnesses. You can do this ahead of time if you are planning an elopement with just the two of you. You can have the two people you would like to sign, do this prior to on a different day. Filling out this paperwork, does not make your wedding day any less special. It just gets the paperwork part out of the way.
The officiant must return the marriage certificate to the clerk within seven days of the ceremony.
Information regarding Maine marriage licenses is from https://www.maine.gov/portal/residents/marriage.html
Your Elopement Day
The day is here! You did it!
You and your soon-to-be spouse have put so much thought into this day, and not it is here! You crafted a wedding day that is focused on the two of you and it is truly you. So proud of you for being courageous and choosing to skip the traditional wedding route! You are incredible!
You took all the time to pick your ceremony location, and all the amazing vendors who will help create the day exactly as you would like it to be. These vendors will support you through the whole process and on the wedding day. You know how many guests you want without a doubt, and you have a plan for telling all of the people you care about.
You have all of the legal stuff taken care of like getting a marriage license, permits if required, etc, and you can be stress-free knowing everything is taken care of legally.
Now, you get to spend the day outdoors in nature, enjoying the weather for the season you have picked, and just truly enjoying the day you have created! However you plan to complete your wedding day will be uniquely you whether that is a champagne pop on a mountaintop, a bonfire with s’mores, a swim in the ocean, or anything in between.
You two freakin did it! Cheers to the happiest day and for choosing it to be authentically YOU! :)
Are You Ready to Elope in Maine? - Maine Elopement Packages
So, you are ready to get married and plan a wedding day that is authentically you and not like the rest! I am SO ready to help you elope in Maine! If you are looking for a completely personalized, hand crafted elopement and you want to know what that can look like for you, click here to get more info.
Happy Planning! :)
