THE ULTIMATE maine
GUIDE
elopement
WHAT IS AN ELOPEMENT?
Whatever preconceived notion you had of what an elopement is, I am here to tell you it is so far from that today. Elopements are intimate weddings that focus on you as a couple + your commitment to one another. Instead of entertaining your guests, the big production of traditional weddings, strict timelines, etc.
The beauty of eloping is you can make it just the two of you or invite your closest family and friends to join.
Some couples choose a combination of eloping with a celebration with everyone at a later date.
the best part about eloping?
There are no rules with eloping! You get to decide every little part of your day. Maybe that’s hiking, going in the kayak, drinking your favorite microbrew, flying in a hot air balloon, or sharing your first dance at your local art museum.
If the thought of planning a big wedding fills you with dread, you can’t stand the thought of reading your private vows in front of a hundred people, and you don’t want to go into debt over a party, a Maine Elopement might be just the thing for you.
continue reading to find out how!
elope in maine
PLACES TO
CLIFF HOUSE OF MAINE
OGUNQUIT, MAINE
TOPS'L FARM
WATERBORO MAINE
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
sunday river
SAMOSET RESORT
ROCKPORT, MAINE
16 BAY VIEW
CAMDEN, MAINE
BETHEL, MAINE
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO ELOPE, I CAN CERTAINLY HELP WITH THIS.
MAINE IS FULL OF BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS - FAR MORE THAN THIS MINI LIST.
IT IS ONE OF THE MANY PERKS OF WORKING WITH ME!
MAINE ELOPEMENT CHECKLIST
With elopements, find a photographer that specializes in elopements. Especially if you are unsure of details. Your photographer will be more heavily involved with planning your elopement, than a traditional wedding. Google or Pinterest “Maine Elopement Photographers.” Look through a lot of websites; enough to really get a feel for what kind of photos you do or don’t like.
Next, reach out to your favorites to schedule a call. I know this can be nerve raking, but finding a photographer you really connect with and can be yourself is super important. Trust your gut feeling. Don’t be afraid to contact a lot of photographers. You may realize the person with the most Instagram followers/likes (that you found first), may not be the one you connect best with.
FIND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
ONE
Congratulations! You just booked your Maine elopement photographer!! You should be working together on finding the best damn location for you both. I have a detailed questionnaire that I send my couples to learn more about what they’re looking for, then put together detailed location suggestions based on that.
PICK YOUR LOCATION
TWO
Your photographer should be able to give you recommendations for the specific area of your elopement. Most couples will need at a minimum a officiant, hair/makeup artist, florist, and either catering, a private chef, or a restaurant.
BUILD YOUR VENDOR TEAM
THREE
Don’t wait too long to book your travel – especially if a unique cabin or airbnb is part of your dream! Accommodations often fill up 9-12 months in advance for popular times of year. Good rule of thumb: The sooner you book, the better. Don’t forget about renting a car. Spend a little extra and get 4WD – if you’re traveling into the mountains, you won’t regret it.
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL (IF NECESSARY)
FOUR
Even if it’s just the two of you, your ceremony is the most important part of your elopement day. Spend some time brainstorming ideas for how you want to make it special. Agree on how long your vows should be. Incorporate your favorite music, or a reading, or an inside joke that’ll make your partner crack up. Write out your vows in a nice notebook, or on thick cards, rather than holding a flimsy sheet of paper. (Or worse, reading them off your phones). What foods and beverages would make the day special for you? I’ve seen a couple eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches they made that morning, and I’ve seen couples hire a private chef to cook a one-of-a-kind meal at their airbnb. Your tastebuds and imagination are the only limits here.
PLAN YOUR CEREMONY, DETAILS + ACTIVITIES
FIVE
You don’t need to be a Maine resident to get married here. You can get it at any Maine county clerk’s office, even if it’s not the same county as the one where you’re eloping. Most offices are open 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, and you can show up for a 20-30 minute walk-in appointment. You must complete the application in person.
When you arrive in Maine, you need to get your marriage license before your elopement day. Once it’s been issued, you have 90 days to use it before it expires. You cannot backdate the license if you forget to apply in advance, so this part is important!
In order to get your marriage license, you need to bring:
ID (driver’s license or passport)
Social security numbers
$40 fee (payable in cash, check, or credit card)
After your elopement, you can drop it off in person where you got it, or mail it in to have it officially recorded.
GET YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE
SIX
This is what we’re here for! 🎉 You’re done planning, it’s time to elope!
IT'S YOUR ELOPEMENT DAY!
SEVEN
WHAT IS THE GENERAL COST OF ELOPING
IN MAINE: ?
ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PRICING
EFFORTLESS ELOPEMENT PRICING
$40 – Marriage license
$250 – Location permit
$1500 – 3 nights at a luxury cabin or resort
$6500 – Photographer
$300 – Private chef
$500 – Bouquet and boutonniere + decor for ceremony & dinner
$250 – Hair and makeup
$4000 – Wedding dress + accessories
$1000 – Suit + accessories
Total elopement price: ~ $14,340
$40 – Marriage license
$250 – Location permit
$400 – 3 nights at a simple airbnb or cabin
$2500 – Photographer
$200 – Restaurant dinner
$200 – Bouquet and boutonniere
$150 – Hair and makeup
$800 – Second-hand wedding dress
$200 – Suit rental
Total elopement price: ~ $4,540
These numbers are only meant as examples. THEY are in no way meant as an actual quote for MAINE elopementS.
To put these numbers into perspective, the average cost of a wedding in MAINE is around $32,000.
What to wear at your elopement
choosing shoes:
wedding dresses made for an adventure:
suits made for an adventure:
staying warm for colder weather or the winter:
The most important part of your elopement outfits is footwear, yo. If your feet are warm, dry, and comfortable, it’s amazing how long you can enjoy the outdoors. - even when it is snowing outside or cold. Girlfriend, ditch the high heels if outside. Save the high heels for indoors. Flats are always an option too! Let’s not forget about men’s shoes. Dress shoes are notoriously slippery, especially in snow and on grass. Pick a pair of shoes with some tread.
Heavy structured dresses with corsets are incredibly uncomfortable. When you’re trying on dresses, move around a lot. Try sitting down, or even sitting on the floor. Bend over, raise your arms over your head, and give it a twirl. If you’re uncomfortable at the bridal salon, I guarantee you’ll be regretting your choice at your elopement, no matter how good your dress looks in photos.
When trying on suits, make sure that you can comfortably sit down, lift your knees, and have full range of motion for a day of adventures. If you’re eloping in winter, go for a warmer fabric like wool or tweed – it’ll make a world of difference compared to a summer suit. You might even want to leave enough room for long underwear if we’re outside in winter. You should also make sure that the bottom of the pant legs fit well with the shoes you’re wearing. A tailor might look at you funny if you try on the suit with hiking boots – but it’s better than having to roll up your pants on your wedding day.
If I haven’t already made it clear, Maine weather is super unpredictable. Even when it’s 80 degrees, it can feel like 100 with the humidity. If you are getting married outside the months of June-August, always plan on bringing a jacket or other layers to keep you warm. Denim jackets, leather jackets, shawls, chunky sweaters, and overcoats all look great with a wedding dress! You can also buy nude fleece-lined leggings to wear under your dress. Or if you’re wearing a suit, consider a merino wool under layer for winter elopements. Warm socks are key, and wool is the best.
BUT HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED FOR AN ELOPEMENT?
Most of my couples book 8 hours for their elopements, but how much time you need depends on so many different things. I don’t want you to rush through your elopement, because you deserve so much more than just a couple overly posed photos.
How do you want to remember the day?
WHAT DO YOU TWO LOVE DOING TOGETHER?
How can you create an elopement that feels like you?
These are just a few examples of how you can spend your elopement day, but the best part is, you get to make it your own! Want more details?
Let's schedule a call!
timeline examples
12 HOURS
9:30am – Getting ready at a cabin
10:30am – First look
11:00am – Drive up a mountain pass
12:30pm – Find the perfect ceremony spot
1:00pm – Champagne and picnic lunch
1:45pm – Adventure around for epic photos
3:30pm – Start heading back to your cabin
5:30pm – Ceremony with your friends & family
6:00pm – Group photos
6:30pm – Dinner prepared by a private chef
7:30pm – Sneak outside for sunset portraits
8:30pm – Whiskey and toasts by the campfire
9:30pm – Alicia leaves
8 HOURS
9:00am – Getting ready together
10:00am – Drive to trailhead
10:30am – Ski lift to the top of mountains
12:00pm – Change and freshen up
12:30pm – Ceremony
1:00pm – Picnic lunch
1:30pm – Portraits
2:00pm – Get some runs in
3:00pm – Start skiing out
4:00pm – Sunset photos
5:00pm – Arrive back to our cars, Alicia leaves
4 HOURS
3:00pm – First look and some portraits
3:30pm – Ceremony with your closest family
4:00pm – Group portraits
4:20pm – Toasts and celebrations
5:00pm – Family leaves, we go on a short hike
5:30pm – Couples portraits
6:30pm – Hike back
7:00pm – Alicia leaves
