Maine Marriage Laws and Resources

  • Pick a date! If you don’t have a concrete date, be thinking of a timeframe or season that you prefer.

    Next, decide on a location.

    Once those two items have been decided, now it’s time to plan the legalities…

    Starting with: your marriage license details…

  • You absolutely do! To get married in maine, you apply for a marriage license at any Maine town or city Clerk’s office. Both you and your fiancé must be present.

    Non-residents can apply anywhere, while residents should apply where one lives.

    You can often download and fill out the intentions of Marriage form ahead of time, but do not sign it until you are in the Clerk’s office and instructed to do so.

    Marriage license applications typically cost $40, and applicants must have personal identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID. If a party has previously been married, they must bring a certified copy of a divorce decree or death certificate.

    There is typical no waiting periods, and couples can be married anywhere in the state within the 90-day validity period.

    For more details, call your local Clerk’s office.

  • Your wedding or elopement ceremony must be performed by an authorized officiant such as a clergy, judge, or Maine-licensed officiant.

    Jacob, my Husband, is an Officiant in the state of Maine and New Hampshire and is skilled in both religious and agnostic experiences.

    Both he and I would love to help you write your vows and promises to one another.

  • Anyone can be a witness! However, you must have two.

    According to the state of Maine, witnesses must be able to read, write, and understand what they are signing; they don't have to be 18 years old, though many jurisdictions prefer adults.

    Witnesses must sign the completed marriage license, they must be physically present during the ceremony, and the person performing the ceremony cannot be considered or used as a witness.

  • After the ceremony, your officiant must complete their administrative obligations, including ensuring all signatures are written.

    Once completed, your officiant will file the completed license with the town clerk from which it was issued within seven working days.

    After approximately 10 working days, you'll be able to request certified copies of the marriage certificate from the clerk's office (around $15 for the first copy) for official purposes like insurance or name changes. 

  • Yes!

    State and National Parks often requiring a permit or special arrangement with the park manager, as rules vary by location (like Acadia National Park vs. Reid State Park), with some locations requiring advance booking and adherence to day-use fees and "Carry-In, Carry-Out" rules.

    While beautiful settings like coastlines, lakeshores (Lily Bay), or mountains are possible, you must coordinate with park staff to ensure your ceremony doesn't disrupt public use or violate rules, especially regarding tents, catering, and guest count. 

    Acadia National Park, a National Park, has stricter rules, requiring permits for most weddings and prohibiting receptions unless at concession facilities. Always check with the specific Maine State Park or National Park you choose for their exact requirements. 

  • Not always…

    You’ll always need a park pass, first and foremost.

    You’ll need a Special Use Permit for an elopement in ACADIA NATIONAL PARK if you have more than 10 people (including the couple, officiant, and guests), with a $75 non-refundable fee and a minimum 10-day advance application.

    Smaller ceremonies under 10 have fewer restrictions, but still need to follow park rules.

    The application requires specific location, date, and times. Permit can be denied during peak usage, so plan ahead, especially for popular spots, and always have your permit on-hand.

  • The National Park Service Website

  • Acadia has strict rules about disallowing any and all structures including expectations of minimal equipment, parking in designated places only, and not interfering with or disturbing other visitors.

  • When couples ask me about eloping in Acadia National Park, I tell them this first: Acadia is not a backdrop. She is a collaborator. The season you choose determines not only what you see, but how the day moves, how your body feels in the air, how quiet or full the park becomes, and how much space there is to breathe.

    A Few Practical Truths I Always Share

    • Tides matter more than people expect. I plan ceremonies around them, not around convenience.

    • Wind is constant on the coast. Veils, hair, and expectations must account for it.

    • Accessibility varies widely by season and location; thoughtful planning makes Acadia welcoming, not limiting.

    • Early or late is always better than midday, regardless of season. Acadia rewards patience and intention.

    Summer (late June through August)

    Bright mornings. Long light. Full lungs. In summer, sunrise arrives early. Very early. By late June, the sun crests the horizon just after 4:45 a.m., and Cadillac Mountain becomes one of the first places in the United States to see daylight. This is sacred light. Soft. Blue. Still. If you are willing to wake early, you are rewarded with near silence and a gentler version of Acadia before the crowds arrive.

    Sunset stretches late, often 8:15–8:30 p.m., with warm light lingering on granite and water. Evening ceremonies are generous and unhurried.

    Summer is the busiest season. The Park Loop Road fills quickly by mid-morning. Sunrise elopements or late-evening ceremonies are ideal if you want privacy. Shuttle systems and timed entry can be your ally here, especially for accessibility and reduced stress.

    Expect mild mornings, warmer afternoons, and coastal breezes that feel like relief. Fog is common and beautiful; it moves like a living thing. Tides matter more in summer — especially for shoreline ceremonies — as low tide reveals texture and scale, while high tide brings drama and sound.

    A Summer choice is for Couples who love early mornings, expansive light, ocean air, and don’t mind sharing the park with others — strategically.

    Fall (September through mid-October)

    Clarity. Color. Reverence. By September, sunrise slows to around 6:15–6:45 a.m., which is kinder to the soul. Fall mornings feel deliberate. The light is cooler, the shadows longer, the air sharper.

    Sunsets arrive earlier, roughly 6:30–7:15 p.m., and the light turns coppery and soft. Fall sunsets are quiet in a way summer never is.

    Early fall remains busy, but by mid-October, crowds thin dramatically. Weekdays become especially calm. Accessibility improves as parking pressure eases, though some services begin to scale back later in the season.

    This is Acadia at her most articulate. Clear skies, crisp air, and foliage that moves from gold to fire to rust. Winds can pick up. Layers matter. Tides feel more pronounced visually as the light cuts lower across the water.

    Fall ceremonies are for Couples who want intimacy, texture, and color; and who appreciate restraint over spectacle.

    Winter (late November through March)

    Silence. Honesty. Devotion. Winter light is brief but profound. Sunrise often comes after 7:00 a.m., and sunset can fall as early as 4:00 p.m. The light is low, silvered, and emotionally rich.

    Many roads close. Accessibility becomes limited, and planning must be precise. But what you gain is something rare: solitude. True solitude.

    Snow, ice, wind, and cold are real considerations. The ocean is darker, heavier. Tides feel immense in winter. This is not decorative Acadia; this is elemental Acadia.

    Winter ceremonies are for Couples who are deeply intentional. Who want an elopement that feels earned. Who understand that beauty and hardship are often the same thing.

    Spring (April through early June)

    Awakening. Movement. Uncertainty. Sunrise moves quickly earlier through spring, from 6:30 a.m. toward 5:00 a.m., while sunsets stretch back into evening. Light changes fast this season.

    Early spring is quiet. Late spring ramps quickly. Some areas reopen gradually, and accessibility improves week by week.

    Spring is moody. Fog, rain, mud season, sudden warmth, sudden cold. Tides are dramatic. The land is waking, not polished.

    Spring ceremonies are for Couples who love transition. Who are unbothered by unpredictability. Who find beauty in things not yet finished.

  • In Acadia National Park, weather is not a malfunction. It is part of the agreement you make with the place.

    Rain does not ruin Acadia. Wind does not undo it. Fog does not cancel meaning. These conditions are not emergencies here; they are character.

    Bad weather changes how the day unfolds, not whether it is worth having.

    Rain deepens color. Granite darkens. Greens become saturated. The ocean grows louder and more present. Fog softens everything it touches and creates privacy where crowds would otherwise exist. Wind reminds you that you are standing on the edge of something vast and alive.

    I plan elopements with weather in mind from the beginning, not as a backup afterthought. That means flexible timing, multiple location options that respond differently to conditions, and an understanding of how wind, rain, and tide work together. We move with the day rather than forcing it to perform.

    If the weather is truly unsafe — high winds, ice, or conditions that compromise footing or access — we adjust. Sometimes that means shifting the time. Sometimes it means choosing a more protected location. Sometimes it means simplifying and letting the moment be quieter than expected.

    What it never means is panic.

    Some of the most honest ceremonies I have witnessed happened under low clouds, misted rain, or a sky that refused to be decorative. Couples remember how it felt to stand close. How the air smelled. How the world narrowed to just the two of them.

    Perfect weather is predictable.
    Memorable weather is earned.

  • Here are 20 of my favorite locations to elope in Maine:

    Acadia National Park
    Granite, ocean, sky. Sunrise, fog, wind, and reverence. Maine’s most iconic elopement landscape.

    Otter Cliff
    Sheer Atlantic drama. Thunderous water. Best for couples who want intensity and edge.

    Schoodic Peninsula
    Quieter, wilder Acadia. Less traffic. Immense ocean presence. A favorite for privacy.

    Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
    Historic, sculptural granite and open sea. A place that feels timeless and weighty.

    Cape Elizabeth
    Classic cliffs and sweeping light near Portland. Accessible yet still powerful.

    Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel
    Stone, trees, and sacred stillness. One of Maine’s most intimate ceremony settings.

    Bradbury Mountain State Park
    Soft elevation, open sky, and wooded calm. Especially beautiful in fall.

    Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
    Refined, lush, and deeply romantic. Gardens without feeling staged.

    Harpswell woods
    Salt air meets pine forest. Quiet trails. Perfect for understated ceremonies.

    Rangeley Lakes Region
    Remote, spacious, and reflective. Feels like Maine before it was known.

    Cadillac Mountain
    First light. Vastness. Ceremony as ritual. Best at sunrise or late day.

    Mount Battie
    Overlooks harbor and town. Balanced between grandeur and accessibility.

    Mount Kineo
    Sheer cliffs rising from water. Wild and unforgettable.

    Bigelow Preserve
    Alpine Maine. Wind, distance, and devotion. For deeply intentional couples.

    Tumbledown Mountain
    Dramatic summit with alpine pond. Rugged and rewarding.

    Reid State Park
    Expansive sand, dunes, and rock. Open and cinematic.

    Monhegan Island
    Remote, artistic, and elemental. Requires commitment. Gives back tenfold.

    Great Wass Island Preserve
    Raw coastal wilderness. Minimal crowds. Stark beauty.

    Goose Rocks Beach
    Soft, romantic shoreline. Especially beautiful at sunrise or off-season.

    Jewell Island
    Boat-access only. Wind, grass, stone, and isolation. A true escape.

  • Southern Coast & Greater Portland Area

    These venues are ideal if you want accessible travel, sophisticated hospitality, and varied venue spaces (indoor + outdoor + waterfront).

    1. The Colony Hotel & Cottages — Kennebunkport | A classic coastal resort with refined rooms, lawn ceremony sites, and excellent guest hospitality. Combines seaside elegance with relaxed luxury — excellent for multi-day celebrations and rehearsal dinners.

    2. Nonantum Resort — Kennebunkport | Waterfront resort on the Kennebunk River with traditional New England charm. Offers event spaces with river views, guest rooms, and walkable town energy.

    3. Spruce Point Inn — Boothbay Harbor | Historic coastal resort with sweeping ocean views, manicured lawns, and sheltered spaces for ceremonies and receptions. Excellent chef-driven food and an iconic Maine seaside atmosphere.

    4. Harraseeket Inn — Freeport | Boutique resort with a warm, New England hospitality style. Offers indoor salons and outdoor lawn spaces. Great for couples who want a blend of coastal chic and lodge-style amenities.

    5. Samoset Resort — Rockport | A standout with resort amenities, waterfront views, golf options, and on-site lodging. Ceremony sites range from cliffside terraces to elegant ballrooms. Strong logistical support for weddings.

    Midcoast Maine

    This region blends coastal beauty with classic Maine sophistication and has several venues that feel like complete destination experiences.

    6. Boothbay Harbor Inn — Boothbay Harbor | A waterfront resort with private event spaces and harbor views. Excellent for couples who want an elevated, resort feel without being too formal.

    7. Camden Harbour Inn — Camden | Elegant boutique inn with stunning harbor and mountain views. Intimate indoor spaces and gorgeous outdoor terrace options. Close to downtown Camden's shops and restaurants.

    8. The Barn at Flanagan Farm — Cumberland | While not a traditional “resort,” this venue offers a curated experience with beautiful farm views, period architecture, and onsite accommodations nearby; pairs well with local inns for a resort feel.

    Acadia & Coastal DownEast

    Perfect for weddings that emphasize epic coastal views, island energy, and a strong sense of place.

    9. Bar Harbor Inn & Spa — Bar Harbor | A classic Maine oceanfront resort with sweeping views of Frenchman Bay. Multiple event spaces (marquee tent, lawn terraces, ballrooms) and excellent guest services.

    10. Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina — Bar Harbor | More contemporary resort energy with waterfront terraces that feel bigger and more flexible for weddings. Great for cocktail hours with harbor views.

    11. Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center — Bar Harbor | A full-service seaside resort with oceanfront ceremony sites and multiple reception space configurations — a strong option if ceremony and reception are both at the resort.

    12. The Claremont Hotel — Southwest Harbor | Historic inn with understated elegance and access to Swan’s Island views, perfect for couples seeking refined coastal atmosphere without peak party mania.

    Casco Bay & Islands

    These venues feel transportive — part harbor resort, part escape.

    13. Inn by the Sea — Cape Elizabeth | A premier oceanfront resort with luxury rooms, spa services, private beach access, and environmental ethos. Superb for weddings that feel elevated but not overdone.

    14. Chebeague Island Inn — Chebeague Island | An island resort that’s actually part of the experience — accessible by ferry, intimate, and deeply memorable for destination guests.

    Western & Lakes Region

    These are less coastal but offer big scenic experiences, resort infrastructure, and relaxed outdoor vibe.

    15. The Bethel Inn Resort — Bethel

    Historic mountain resort with beautiful lawns, golf course backdrops, and lodge sophistication. A great choice in summer and fall.

    16. Sunday River Ski Resort — Newry | Perfect for couples dreaming of mountain weddings with lodge hospitality, rustic elegance, and a destination feel. Great for fall and winter events.

    17. Sugarloaf Mountain Resort — Carrabassett Valley | A standout for couples who love mountains and outdoor recreation — hikes, lifts, overlooks, and all the amenities of a well-developed resort environment.

    18. Rangeley Lakes Region Resorts | Scattered array of lodges and lakeside inns that operate like resorts — perfect for couples who want a big-sky, water, and forest wedding back-drop with cabin comfort.

    Unique & Elevated Inn-Based Resorts

    These venues lean boutique more than sprawling, but they offer deep hospitality and celebration spaces that feel like destination experiences.

    19. The White Barn Inn & Spa — Kennebunk | One of Maine’s most celebrated luxury inns, known for impeccable food, service, and curated experience. Elegant indoor salons and sweeping outdoor lawns.

    20. Cliff House Maine — Cape Neddick | A dramatic cliffside resort that pairs refined style with ocean energy — perfect for weddings with impact and an elevated Maine aesthetic.