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Brea McDonald Photography

  1. It can get chilly at night in summer—especially on the coast. Remind guests to pack a sweater. 

  2. Planning an island wedding? Remember these two words: Ferry schedule. You don't want your guests to miss the boat.

  3. One great way to have an authentic and greener wedding is to purchase supplies locally. Incorporate Maine food, drink, and favors.

  4. The weather can change quickly in Maine. If you plan on having an outdoor wedding, have an inside venue planned as a backup.

  5. Scope out transportation options early. When you plan on where to have your Maine wedding remember there aren't a ton of airports, bus stations, or public transportation venues for your guests.

  6. Serve local favorites like Maine microbrews, blueberries, and fiddleheads. Many people can't get these things where they live.

  7. Leave time for people from "away" to get lost.

  8. If people are driving, provide suggested rest stops. I-95 can go on for miles without one, so be prepared.

  9. Given how short Maine summers are, be sure to book your vendors well in advance.

  10. Bring an umbrella. If it's not going to rain, you can use it as shade.

  11. Wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses—many weddings are outside and you don't want photos of you to show you sunburned and squinting.

  12. Bring a pair of shoes to wear during the scenic photo shoot on the rocky coast of Maine. The last thing you need on your wedding day is a sprained ankle.

  13. If you are going to take beach photos, make sure your bustle keeps your dress from dragging in the sand.

  14. Lobster is a Maine tradition but it's messy! If you are going to serve it, do so lazy lobster style.

  15. If you are planning a wedding in Maine from thousands of miles away, it helps to have a local person steer you in the right direction. If you don't have friends or family in the area, look to hire a Maine wedding consultant.

  16. If you're flying in from out of state, keep your wedding attire in sight. Pack it in your carry-on and have it pressed when you get here.

  17. If you are planning a romantic ceremony outside on the coast, be aware that it can get quite windy. Make sure your hairstyle pulls your hair away from your face to keep from holding it back with your hand throughout the vows.

  18. Planning a beach wedding? Nix the idea of a long train on your wedding dress. Delicate fabric doesn't mix well with sand and seaweed.

  19. Put signs up along the road in rural areas so your guests don't get lost.

  20. Both the bride and groom must visit the town office in person to apply for a marriage license. You do not need to apply in the town where the wedding will be held. Different rules apply depending on where you are from, so check out maine.gov for information.

  21. Getting married in the off-season (aka: winter) may save you money on the reception site and the vendors you choose.

  22. A Maine marriage license is valid for 90 days.

  23. Give your guests Maine favors. It's an easy way to be unique.

  24. If you're getting married in the fall, book hotel rooms early. Autumn is "leaf peeper" season in New England and accommodations book up fast with out-of-state tourists.

  25. Because there are only so many Saturdays in the summer, consider having a wedding on another day of the week like a Friday or Sunday—especially if the venue you want to use is already booked.

  26. Be aware of traffic. Coastal Maine is a popular place in the summer and Route 1 can come to a standstill, which can make times between the church and reception take longer than planned.

  27. Having a beach wedding? Why not say "no" to stilettos and choose flip-flops?

  28. Since going barefoot on the beach is a norm, offer your guests premoistened towelettes so that they can wash their feet before putting their shoes back on.

  29. Double-check rental delivery—especially if you are having a rural wedding. If the delivery charge is outrageous, you can plan on doing the pickup and return yourself.

  30. Does your Maine wedding photographer have an assistant? A second shooter is a valuable asset on the wedding day.

  31. If you are planning a Maine wedding from afar, try to make at least one trip to your destination site and meet with all of your vendors.

  32. An outdoor wedding? Rent a sound system. You want your guests to be able to hear your heartfelt vows.

  33. If your ceremony is in a church sans a cooling system or outside in a hot area, have paper fans for your guests to cool themselves.

  34. Two words. Mud season. If you're getting married outside in the spring, beware.

  35. Visit the ceremony site during the time of day and the time of year and make notes of external or environmental noise. There's nothing like a foghorn to ruin the moment.

  36. If you are getting married at a public place such as a park or a beach, check to see if you need permits, especially for alcohol.

  37. Planning a backyard wedding? Call the local town hall to see if there is any construction planned for the area around the time of your wedding. Summer in Maine is road construction season, you know.

  38. It's also a good idea when planning a backyard wedding to let the neighbors know what time it'll take place so they'll be sure to cease mowing their lawns during the ceremony.

  39. There are a lot of beautiful, natural places in Maine to get married that don't have access to a restroom. Plan accordingly to have some porta potties delivered.

  40. Blackfly season runs from mid-May to early July; mosquitos can be an issue, too. Try not to schedule your ceremony during the buggiest times of day—like dusk—if you are having an outdoor wedding.

  41. If you're still worried about bugs, put a bottle of insect repellant on each table at the reception and make use of citronella candles when decorating.

  42. It's been shown that the rice thrown at weddings is harmful to the birds that eat them. Here are some alternatives: blow bubbles, throw birdseed, or light sparklers.

  43. Rural areas lack a large amount of accommodations for your guests. Be prepared to book rooms and guesthouses well in advance.

  44. If you are planning a destination wedding in Maine, a great place to start is by contacting the local chamber of commerce in the area you'd like to be wed.

  45. Check out our Floral Guide to find what flowers are in season in Maine for your wedding. Ordering flowers that are in season will save you money and still look beautiful.

  46. Summer evenings can be cool in Maine. Plan on renting patio heaters if people are going to be outside in the dark... especially on the coast where it can be windy.

  47. Want to give your guests a little piece of Maine to take home with them? How about a sapling? The Maine state tree is the eastern white pine. Have your guests plant the tree and help the environment.

  48. Gas isn't cheap. If people are coming in from out of town for your wedding, consider hiring a party bus, van, or even a trolley to take guests from their hotels to the wedding ceremony, to the reception (if it's in a different location), and back to their hotels. It will save on parking spaces and offer your guests a safe alternative to driving.

  49. Have a photo booth at your wedding. It's fun and people love it. Ask your photographer if they can set something up for you.

  50. Maine is just as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer. Consider a winter wedding on the ski slopes of one of Maine's premier ski resorts.