Acadia is one of the most beautiful places in the world! It is an adventurous and incredible place for a wedding but you should plan accordingly. Here are some tips for getting married in Acadia National Park.
Time of Day
Acadia sees about 2 million people a year with the majority visiting from June-October. This means that on a given Saturday in July there are hundreds of people you did not invite to your wedding….unless you choose a time when people are less likely to be out. Recommended would be sunrise or shortly thereafter or sunset. If you decide that doesn’t work for your guests it is still wise to do your photos at that time so there are no unwanted people in your gorgeous wedding images.
Location
Ideally you would be able to scope the locations out before you get married in Acadia. There are lots of different viewpoints and options. You could want to do trailside, trailhead, mountaintop, beach, cliffs….etc. As a photographer I have several places in Acadia that really light me up with joy and I would suggest you talk with your photographer about the best places for the ceremony you dream of.
Permits
Not only do you want to be sure you are going to be legally married in Maine with the certificate and officiant to prove it, but you will also want to make sure you have a permit to get married inside of the Park. There are some exceptions for smaller ceremonies but I would be sure to have the proper paperwork in order and you can find more information about that here: https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/weddings.htm
Transportation
It can be hard to find a parking spot inside of the park and visitors pay per vehicle to enter so you will want to be sure to notify your guests of that fee and or arrange for transportation.
Weather & Terrain
Pack your dress if you want to go hiking, or bring a bag with your shoes 🙂 It will be important to dress for the unpredictable weather no matter what the season is. Don’t forget to inform any guests you will have
Consider Bathroom Availability
If you two are eloping and you love to mountain climb this is less of an issue. If however you have guests attending it might be best to scope out where the bathrooms are and choose a site accordingly.
Decide What Kind of Wedding
Are you going to elope and have the reception elsewhere? Are you planning on just having a small group of friends and family? Will you have a meal in the park? Will you bring food? What is the format for your day?
Be Specific
With over 47,000 acres there are lots of places that look similar and could be mistaken for another location. Be sure you know exactly where you are meeting your wedding team and your wedding guests know where they are going.
Equipment
Receptions are not permitted. The use of special equipment, such as canopies, arches, chairs, or other decorations require park administrative review and are generally not allowed. Please detail any special equipment requests in the application and consider using the parklands as your backdrop.
Leave No Trace Behind
This is really important and may sound self explanatory for you if you often find yourselves in nature. You can not speak for your guests and you are responsible for their waste as well!