How to Elope In Acadia National Park: A Complete Guide

Thinking about eloping in the only National Park in all of New England? This blog on how to elope in Acadia will provide you with a complete guide to help you get started on planning your Acadia Elopement. Whether you’re planning to climb mountains or keep things at sea level, there’s something here for you to take away!

As an Acadia Elopement Photographer, I’ve helped dozens of couples plan meaningful, adventurous and fun elopements here in the park! Here is everything you need to know to get started –

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Permits & Legality On how to Elope In Acadia

First things first, we want to make sure we have all the legalities in order before we start looking at vendors and other fun things in the elopement planning process! Below is each step on what Maine requires from you to get married in Acadia.

1 – Marriage license

If you are not a resident of the State of Maine, you have the privilege of applying for a marriage license in any city or town here! The license is valid in Maine for up to 90 days from when it is filed. I recommend going to the Bar Harbor Town Office to file. It’s super close to Acadia and makes it so simple!

If you are from Maine and need to file for your marriage license, you have to do it in the city or town you live in.

2 – PERMITS

If you plan to elope in Acadia and need a permit, first check and see how many guests you’ll be bringing. Why you ask? Because if you plan to have 10 people or less (including photographer & officiant) then you don’t actually need a permit! Amazing right? If you’re planning a 2 person elopement or a very intimate one – you can get married anywhere in the park without having to buy a permit for that.

If you plan to have a little bit bigger of a ceremony, then a permit for the specific ceremony location is required. There is a non-refundable fee of $75 to file and you can file for the ceremony within the same calendar year but no later than 10 working days before you plan to get married. I recommend at least a few months or more before you plan to have your ceremony – it is a national park and they are usually super busy during summer months! Click here for the parks permit application.

When it comes to permits, there are limits on the size of the group at specific locations for ceremonies within the park. Unless you have 10 people or less (then you can marry anywhere in the park), below are the locations and their guest limits.

• Cadillac Mountain – 30 (no ceremonies during sunrise / sunset and you need a vehicle reservation to go up the mountain)
• Sand Beach – 30
• Ocean Drive – 30
• Otter cliffs – 30
• Otter Point – 30
• Fabbri Picnic Area – 30
• Little Hunters Beach – 20
• Seawall Picnic area – 30
• Thompson island – 50
• Schoodic Point – 25
• Frazier Point picnic area – 50
• Isleford Historic Museum – 50 (only on outside lawn after museum closes for the day. Only accessible by ferry or personal watercraft)

3 – PARK PASS

There are a few options when it comes to buying a park pass – we have the standard pass which is great if you plan to only visit once or twice. But truthfully If you’re planning to come in and out of the park multiple times, as well as visit any other park that year, the annual pass is 100% worth the money! It also helps if we need to exit the park for any reason and re- enter you won’t have to pay again. Lastly, if you fall under any of the categories in the “America the Beautiful” pass – you might get it for free! Here is more on the fee’s and categories.

4 – WITNESSESS

The great thing thing is, when you elope in Acadia and plan to bring guests, you’ll automatically have enough witnesses! If it’s a two person elopement, you will need two witnesses to sign your license. The photographer (heyyyy!) can be one of them. Many times clients will use a kind bystander to sign their license which can be so fun!

5 – OFFICIANTS

Each state is different when it comes to who can marry you, but in Maine these individuals are legally allowed to get you hitched!

• Licensed marriage officiant
• Ordained Ministers of the Gospel
• Judges or Justices (Residents of Maine only)
• Lawyers admitted to the Maine bar (residents of Maine only)
• A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary or ecclesiastical body

If you are looking to have someone you know (family or friend) marry you, they can – they just have to be ordained!

WHEN TO ELOPE IN ACADIA?

Eloping in Acadia is stunning year round, it offers a unique and forever changing background with each new season we get. Whether you’re drawn to the changing colors, the warmth of the summer sun, or the quietness of early spring, Acadia offers something different yet beautiful!

1 – SPRING

My personal favorite! Think blooming wildflowers, lush greens, and a little but of calm before the summer brings in the crowds. Spring is for fresh beginnings. It’s the time when the park starts to come alive again, bringing a sense of peacefulness and far less crowds to any area you’re thinking of having a ceremony!

2 – SUMMER

Summer in Maine is like nothing else. The sun is warm but not too warm on the coast, the days are long (in the best ways), the sunsets are filled with colors and the lobster rolls are fresher than fresh! But with summer comes crowds in the park. It’s a bit harder to find seclusion for ceremonies and make sure to book your accommodations far in advance!

3 – FALL

Fall is one of the most visually stunning times of the year! The leaves will change color from green, to bright yellow to burnt orange and red and it’s truly one of my favorite times of the year here in New England. But it is also one of the busiest times of the year for Acadia because everyone else finds it just as stunning! The crowds are at their highest here typically but if you have your ceremony in early morning (sunrise) or your photographer knows the park super well and knows of locations that are less crowded, it can be one of the most stunning times to get married!

4 – WINTER

And at the end of all the fast pace seasons comes winter. Peaceful, serene and still – snow can blanket the cliffs or the evergreens and make it look like a wonderland! Pro tip: the park doesn’t require a park pass from November – April so if you choose to elope in Acadia during this time, it will be free! (minus the permit if you need one).

VENDORS FOR YOUR ACADIA ELOPEMENT

If you’re planning to elope in Acadia, finding the right vendors can make your day that much better! Start by looking at local vendors in the area first. I recommend google first but I also recommend searching them on instagram or if you’re in any groups on facebook for Acadia elopements or weddings, ask in there as well. Another great spot to check is The Knot or Wandering Weddings. Use keywords like “Acadia elopement vendors” or “Maine Wedding Vendors”. Always read their reviews too!

My packages come with a full list of local vendors who have been amazing to work with (takes the stress away from you having to search! More here) I will always help you find the best vendors for you both. Below are the vendors I typically see when my couples elope in Acadia –

• Photographer
• Hair and makeup
• Florals
• Reception location
• Officiant
• And other local businesses for fun activities

Looking to elope in Acadia & need a photographer to help plan your day – stress free? Contact me here!

WHERE TO STAY IN BAR HARBOR

Planning to elope in Acadia but need a place for your guests to stay? Bar Harbor is the closest town to Acadia! It is about 10 minutes outside of the park and sits right on the coast, overlooking islands and sailboats. It’s exactly what your typical Maine coastal town would look like – quaint and full of that Seabreeze air! While Bar Harbor can be a bit pricey during the tourist seasons, there are towns near it that give the same vibe with less crowds. Below are a few different ways you can book your stay in and around Bar Harbor!

1 – Airbnb’s

I love a good airbnb, especially when it really brings the vibes out in the location you’re staying in! I have curated a list of airbnb’s that are relatively close to the park as well as Bar Harbor.

2 – GLAMPING / CAMPING

Personally, camping has always been my favorite. Growing up we camped a lot as a family and it’s brought me some of my best memories! Glamping (glamorous camping) is also another way to be in touch with the outdoors, but still have a bathroom and shower handy. Below are a few spots I enjoy around the area.

• Terramor Outdoor Resort | Glamping
• Website: https://terramoroutdoorresort.com/
• Hadley’s Point Campground | Camping
• Website: https://www.hadleyspoint.com/
• Tide Watch Cabins |
• Website: https://www.tidewatchcabins.com/
• Under Canvas | Glamping
• Website: https://www.undercanvas.com/

3 – HOTELS / MOTELS

Bar harbor has some of the cutest hotels and motels right on the coast! Within walking distance to town, they’re perfect for anyone looking to get the true Bar Harbor experience. Below are some I have stayed at and recommend!

• Bar Harbor Villager |
• Website: https://www.barharborvillager.com/
• Bar Harbor Inn & Spa |
• Website: https://barharborinn.com/
• The Bayview |
• Website: https://www.thebayviewbarharbor.com/

AND THAT’S HOW YOU ELOPE IN ACADIA!

At the end of the day, Acadia isn’t just another park – it’s the only national park in New England and it’s the true coastal town experience! There’s something about the way the ocean meets the cliffs, the scent of pine in the air, and the way the sunrise paints the mountaintops that makes this place unforgettable. It’s wild and romantic, peaceful and adventurous all at once – a rare blend that captures the true Maine experience when you elope in Acadia.

Bar Harbor, the charming gateway town to the park, only adds to the coastal experience. With its cozy coastal inns, fresh lobster shacks, and walkable downtown full of local shops, it’s the kind of place where you can slow down and enjoy some lobster ice cream at the end of an adventurous day (yes, we really do have that).

A day that’s rooted in nature, filled with intention, and soaked in the best of East Coast charm – if you plan to elope in Acadia – it might just be the place you keep coming back to!

To see more Acadia elopements and learn more about my elopement planning process – check it out here!