WRITTEN BY KATIE SMITH
Many factors go into picking the perfect wedding venue. Do you want to be close to your home base or certain family members? Or perhaps you’d like to travel a bit farther? Do you envision a seaside wedding, or are mountains the perfect backdrop? Indoors? Outdoors? Fancy? Rustic? A place where the planning and food is handled for you, or do you want to plan each element yourself? How many guests do you need to accommodate? And then there’s the ever-important budget factor.
As you and your soon-to-be spouse map out your plans, here are a few beautiful Maine venues to consider.
Penobscot Bay Estate
This 7-acre property located in Winterport has it all — romance, history, views of the water, and a few different wedding packages to choose from. Owners Emerald and Kurt Forcier were married on the property in 2017, and now the couple runs Penobscot Bay Estate with the goal of providing a dream wedding site for others. Plan a ceremony along the water followed by a reception on a hill overlooking the bay under a sailcloth tent with tables to accommodate 160 guests. Penobscot Bay Estate also includes four onsite guest cabins, a honeymoon cottage, and access to the 4,000-square-foot private residence for both bridal parties the day of the wedding. The venue books about a year in advance.
penobscotbayestate.com
Lucerne Inn
Located in Holden, just outside Bangor, the Lucerne Inn overlooks Phillips Lake and Bald Mountain, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy both water and mountains for a wedding. Weddings are held at the Outlook, a relaxing and romantic setting separate from the main inn. The wedding venue offers a stunning fireplace, beautiful chandeliers, and a dance floor. You can comfortably fit 120 people for a sit-down dinner, and the dance floor holds 175 guests — plenty of room to dance the day or night away. There is also an outdoor tented patio area off the main inn for those who’d like to exchange vows and have their reception outside. The pre-lit tent can hold up to 180 guests, and wedding planners are on sight. Guests can stay at the inn, which offers a continental breakfast, an outdoor pool, as well as a restaurant. The Lucerne Inn usually books out a year in advance but can occasionally fit couples in based on availability, so reach out regardless of your timeframe. lucerneinn.com
Spruce Point Inn
Located in the center of Boothbay Harbor, the Spruce Point Inn is an exclusive resort. On its 55-acre property, there are multiple event halls and an oceanfront deck perfect for exchanging vows. Pemaquid Hall offers tall ceilings, indoor and outdoor accommodations, and holds up to 250 guests for your special day. Spruce Point also has certified professionals ready to help you plan your wedding and make it the magical day you’ve always dreamed of.
sprucepointinn.com
The Barn at Hatch Point
Located in Bowdoinham along the Kennebec River with views of Swan Island, The Barn at Hatch Point is a modern beauty that can hold up to 250 guests. If you’re looking for elegance with an industry vibe for your special day, this is the perfect spot. The Barn offers many different places to exchange your vows, including patio sites with stunning views of the river and forest. Inside you’ll find a large space that will allow you to pick your preferred layout, with plenty of room for dancing, a quaint fireplace, two bars, an expansive caterer’s kitchen, and a cozy loft area. There’s a main cabin where the bride can get ready with family and friends and different wedding packages to choose from. Hatch Point books 12 to 24 months in advance.
thebarnathatchpoint.com
Crawford Farm Weddings and Events
Located in Warren, the stunning 19th-century barn and farmhouse at Crawford Weddings is a half-hour from the ocean and offers accommodations for formal weddings as well as smaller events. The spacious barn and large outdoor area is a dream for the perfect photographs and offers outdoor games, lots of parking, and a firepit. The space holds up to 150 guests, and the on-site salon caters to the bride and her wedding party. There are several packages to choose from. Crawford Farm books about six months in advance, but call as soon as possible to secure your desired date.
crawfordfarmweddings.com
Meadow Ridge Farm
Located in Winterport, this is the perfect spot to exchange vows if you love flowers and barn weddings. The venue is also growing, with plans to offer a more modern space as soon as next year. The working lavender farm includes a barn that’s perfect for a rustic Maine wedding for up to 150 guests, with farm tables, yard games, and two bar areas (one indoor and one outdoor) to accommodate your guests. There’s also a beautiful pond and arbor made from antique barn beams to serve as your ceremony backdrop. Coming next year and already booking dates is the Wintergreen Loft, the new addition to the farm with a more modern, industrial feel. With space for up to 75 guests, it’s a blank canvas for your event. Historically, couples book Meadow Ridge Farm 12 to 18 months in advance.
mrfmaine.com
Morgan Hill Event Center
Located in Hermon, Morgan Hill Event Center has several different options for your perfect wedding setting. From outside under a white arbor to inside by the crackling fire, your dream wedding will come to life. With rooms that can fit up to 300 guests, they can also accommodate smaller events. Morgan Hill offers an in-house caterer as well as lots of onsite experienced help. Book about a year in advance to get your desired date.
morganhilleventcenter.com
