Getting Married in Acadia
with She of the Woods
2024-2025
Since moving to Maine nearly a decade ago, I have documented around 70 couples getting married in Acadia National Park. Because most of you adventurous couples are aiming to keep things simple, and not hiring a wedding planner, I’ve put together this guide to help you prepare for your day. For those who’ve never been to Acadia, this could serve as your introduction to the park.
I love working with couples visiting Acadia for the first time, and I’m happy to not only photograph your day but help with planning the right timing and locations to make the most out of your elopement adventure!
Location, location…
Some of the most popular spots to visit for an elopement in Acadia.
Cadillac Mountain
Wildly popular, but there’s a reason for it. This is a great place to explore or even have your ceremony. Advanced vehicle reservations required for this spot.
Sand Beach
One of the most popular locations in the park, and the first place to stop along the one-way Park Loop Road. Because of its popularity, I tend to avoid it during the summer months from June-August, when it can be impossible to find parking. In May and in the fall, it’s definitely worth stopping here though. It’s also the only place to enjoy a sandy beach, if that’s your thing.
Otter Cliffs
One of my favorite rocky coastal spots in Acadia because it’s gorgeous but not as well-known as some of the other similar places.
Blue Hill Overlook
Best place to see the sun set (if there is one - evenings often get foggy up here). This overlook is actually just below the summit of Cadillac Mountain. It’s easily accessible and a great place for a ceremony with family members in attendance.
Jordan Pond
Another very popular spot, where it can be difficult (or unfortunately impossible) to find parking on summer afternoons, but definitely worth a visit outside of the summer rush. This is a great alternative on cloudy/foggy evenings for couples who were hoping to see the sun set from Blue Hill Overlook but need somewhere else to go instead. This is a great spot to explore some woods too, with lots of trails around the pond.
Hunter’s Beach
A special, quiet, almost secret spot just outside of the park. Includes a 1/4 mile hike through some woods, and opens into a small rocky beach. Perfect location if you want more privacy than most of Acadia offers.
Sieur de Monts
A sweet wooded area with a mix of trees and open spaces. Perfect spot to visit in the fall. Includes a long boardwalk trail.
Other Locations
Parking is allowed on the road along most of the coast, and there are a couple miles of rocky coastline to explore. Here are some photos from random spots along the coast.
Schoodic Peninsula
An hour from Bar Harbor, this is Acadia’s other, much quieter side. I’ve only photographed 2 weddings here, but I would love to document more in 2021. It’s the only rocky coastal part of Acadia that also has views of golden hour and sunset light, so it has lots of beautiful potential!
FAQ
How do we elope in Acadia?
If it's just the two of you, all you need is a marriage license, an officiant, and two witnesses. Non-Maine residents can obtain a marriage license from any town in Maine. I'm happy to serve as a witness for your ceremony and I’ve found that officiants are usually able to bring along a 2nd witness to sign your marriage license.
If you'll have 10 or more people attend your ceremony, you may need a permit from the park, which costs about $50.
Some couples plan to do the official stuff in a local town hall (or in their town hall back home), and then come to Acadia just for the photos and to exchange more lengthy and intimate vows between just the two of them. That’s what this couple did.
When is the best time to elope there?
June through October tend to be extremely busy times, just like in most national parks. It can be challenging to find parking and privacy at the best locations in those prime summer months. Therefore, I highly recommend scheduling elopements for May-early June or late October-November, when the park is still beautiful but much less busy. We can make anything work though.
If you do decide to elope there during the summer, it may help to plan it for a weekday and to visit some of the less popular spots like Schoodic Point or Hunter’s Beach. Or, if you’re feeling very adventurous, try for a sunrise session, and it’ll feel like you have the park all to yourself!
The best time of day (aside from sunrise, which is soooo early in summer) is usually a few hours before sunset, when the lighting is prettiest. If possible I like to book my coverage to end around sunset. If it's a darker, overcast day though, anytime will do! Look up the sunset times for Bar Harbor on this chart to find out when to book your session.
What if the weather is bad?
I've photographed elopements in all sorts of weather! Sometimes it's freezing in June, other times it's 80 degrees. I've shot in intense Acadia fog and rain storms and wind and bright, sunny days. Your best bet is to be prepared for rain, wear (or bring) boots under that dress, and know that interesting weather just makes for a better adventure, a more memorable day, and fabulous photos.
This may be a good place to suggest that if you are wearing a dress, it helps to avoid long trains. They are just so difficult and time-consuming to maneuver well through rugged terrain, and they often end up muddy. Your choice of shoes matters a lot too! If you want to look comfortable and natural in your photos, it helps to have comfortable shoes that are appropriate for climbing on rocks, and for walking through beach sand and forests.
I always have clear umbrellas in my car in case of rain.
What's the best way to get around the park?
Popular spots like Cadillac Mountain and Sand Beach tend to fill up quickly. It’s often impossible to park at Jordan Pond in the afternoon. If you want to use those locations for your elopement, it might require a bit more careful planning. But it's totally doable for a couple who’s eloping alone, not needing to find additional parking for family members.
Advance reservations are required to access Cadillac Mountain + Blue Hill Overlook, which should guarantee you get a parking spot. So Cadillac may be a great idea for those who can plan far enough in advance to reserve all the parking spots they’ll need.
How to we book you for our photography?
Just fill out the form on the Hire Me page or shoot me an email at sheofthewoods@gmail.com when you're ready to book. If you're planning for a weekday, most likely there's no rush to secure your date. But if you want a weekend, please let me know asap!
Unlimited Elopement or Micro-Wedding Coverage
$5250 for all the time you want, within a 24-hour period.
3-Hour Elopement + Micro Wedding Coverage
My most popular elopement option is $3850 for up to 3 hours of photo coverage.
Couple’s Sessions
Engagement, proposals etc available on a case-by-case basis for $1,400.
Unlimited Coverage Example:
10:00 Meet for coffee & walk in downtown Bar Harbor
11:00 Back to Airbnb to get ready for ceremony
12:30 Ceremony at Sand Beach
1:00 Photos along the coast & a picnic lunch
3:00 Head back to Bar Harbor for a break, change of clothes, drinks, etc.
4:00 Boat ride!
6:00 Photos at Jordan Pond
7:00 Head to Cadillac Mountain for sunset
8:00 Back to Airbnb for cake, champagne
9:00 Head back out once more for starry night photos
3-Hours Coverage Example:
3:00 Meet at Airbnb for a few getting ready photos and a 1st look outside
4:00 Head into park for photos along the coast
5:00 Ceremony & sunset photos on Cadillac Mountain
6:00 Done
Kind words
Vanessa & Matt
"Vanessa and I had such a wonderful and pleasant time that afternoon with Ashley and it was like we've been friends forever. There were no expectations coming in and she offered the perfect mix of suggestions and freedom. Ashley is caring and patient, but will tell you when the light is right for the shot (which is what you want!). She was very accommodating and truly has a tremendous eye for photographs."
Kevin & Thuy-VY
"Ashley is a very talented photographer, and we highly recommend her. She did an engagement session for us in Acadia, and the end results were amazing! As someone who is not used to being the subject, she made us feel very comfortable and natural. If you're looking for a photographer, she is it! I can't say enough good things about her."
Favorite Florists
Floret is also wonderful!
Officiants
Adam Babbitt - Adam is the most professional and reliable officiant I have worked with in Acadia. I highly recommend him! He is usually able to bring an extra witness along too if you ask.
Lynn Hunt is really great too!
If you get in touch with any of these vendors, please let them know I sent you!
Don't hesitate to email me at sheofthewoods@gmail.com if you have any questions. If you do decide to book me for your day, you can rest assured that I'll help you plan how to have the most magical experience in Acadia and how to get the loveliest photos possible. <3