Maine Wedding Tips
50 Things To Remember
You’re Getting Married in Maine, so What’s Next?
We have you covered with 50 things you need to know to get hitched in Maine without a hitch.
Travel & Transportation
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Scope out transportation options early. When you plan your Maine wedding, remember there aren’t multiple airports, bus stations, or public transportation venues for your guests to choose from.
02
Leave time for people “from away” to get lost.
03
If people are driving, provide suggested rest stops. I-95 can go on for miles without one, so be prepared.
04
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, consider hiring a Maine wedding planner.
05
If you’re flying in from out of state, keep your wedding attire on hand. Pack it in your carry-on bag and have it pressed when you arrive.
06
Put signs up along the road in rural areas so your guests won’t get lost.
07
Be aware of traffic. Coastal Maine is a popular place in the summer, and Route 1 can come to a standstill, making travel time between the church and the reception longer than planned.
08
Consider providing transportation. 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.
Rentals & Reservations
09
If you are renting tenting, tables, chairs, etc., double-check the details of your rental delivery, especially if you are having a rural wedding. It may be easier for your rental company to deliver your order earlier in the week, giving you more time to set things up.
10
There are many beautiful, natural places in Maine to get married without access to a restroom. Plan accordingly to have restroom trailers available for your guests.
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Rural areas can lack a large number of available accommodations. Be prepared to book rooms and guest houses well in advance.
12
Planning an island wedding? Remember these two words: ferry schedule. You don’t want your guests to miss the boat.
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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.
Source it Locally
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Give your guests Maine-made favors. It’s an easy way to be unique and send your guests home with a reminder of the time they spent with you.
15
Want to send your guests home with a little of piece of Maine? How about a sapling? The Maine state tree is the Eastern White Pine. Have your guests plant the tree and help the environment.
16
One great way to have an authentic and greener wedding is to purchase supplies locally. Incorporate Maine food, drink, and favors.
17
Serve local favorites like Maine microbrews, blueberries, whoopie pies, and fiddleheads. Many people can’t get these things where they live.
18
Lobster is a Maine tradition, but it’s messy! If you plan to serve lobster, consider serving it “lazy lobster” style – pre-cracked and ready to eat. It will keep your tables and guests tidy.
Planning from Afar
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Maine summers are short! Be sure to book your vendors well in advance. 12-18 months in advance is not too early.
21
If you plan a Maine wedding from afar, try to make at least one trip to your destination site and meet with all of the companies you have booked.
22
Visit the ceremony site during the same time of day and year that you have scheduled your ceremony and make notes of external or environmental noise. There’s nothing like a foghorn to ruin the moment.
23
If you are planning a destination wedding in Maine, a great place to start is to contact a local wedding planner in the area you’d like to be wed. They’ll know all of the helpful details to get you going!
24
Maine is just as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer. Consider a winter wedding in the woods or on the ski slopes of one of Maine’s premiere ski resorts.
Wedding Photography
25
Does your Maine wedding photographer have an assistant? A second shooter is a valuable asset on the wedding day.
26
Have a photo booth at your wedding. It’s still fun, and people love it. There are many great photo booth rental companies that offer a variety of options.
In the Backyard
27
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 also road construction season.
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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.
On the Beach
29
Bring a pair of shoes to wear during the scenic photoshoot on the rocky coast of Maine. The last thing you need on your wedding day is a sprained ankle.
30
Since going barefoot on the beach is a norm, offer your guests pre-moistened towelettes so that they can wash their feet before putting their shoes back on.
31
If you are going to take beach photos, make sure your bustle keeps your dress from dragging in the sand.
32
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.
33
Beach weddings have a casual feel, so why not say “no” to stilettos and wingtips and choose flip-flops?
Weather in Maine
34
The weather can change quickly in Maine. If you plan on having an outdoor wedding, have an inside space ready as a backup.
35
Wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses. Many weddings are outside, and you don’t want photos of you to show you sunburned and squinting.
36
Planning an outdoor wedding? Rent a sound system. You want your guests to be able to hear your heartfelt vows.
37
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.
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If you’re worried about bugs, put a bottle of insect repellent on each table at the reception and make use of citronella candles when decorating.
39
If your ceremony is in a church without a cooling system or outside in a hot area, have paper fans for your guests to cool themselves.
40
Two words. Mud season. If you’re getting married outside in the spring, beware.
41
Black Fly 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.
42
Summer evenings can be chilly 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.
43
On the coast it can get especially chilly at night in summer. Remind guests to pack a sweater.
44
Bring an umbrella. If it’s not going to rain, you can use it as shade.
Licenses & Permits
45
Both people getting married must visit the town office in person to apply for a marriage license. If either of you were married before, bring a copy of your divorce decree. You do not need to apply in the town where the wedding is planned. Different rules apply depending on where you are from, so check out our guide for information.
47
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.
Sage Advice
48
Getting married in the off-season (aka winter) may save you money on the reception site and the vendors you choose.
49
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.
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