Eloping in Acadia

From the beautiful beaches and the quaint town of Bar Harbor nearby, Acadia National Park is the perfect place for an adventure elopement in Maine. With its rugged mountain ranges, beautiful rocky beaches, and forest and hiking trails galore – you really can’t go wrong! If you’ve decided HECK YES to eloping in here, BUT don’t know exactly where to elope in Acadia – this guide is for you! If you’re looking for more details on the logistics, be sure and check out my Guide on How to Elope in Acadia! Okay let’s dive in!

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How to Choose your Acadia National Park Elopement location

Choosing a location for your elopement in Acadia National Park depends on a few things. Maybe you’ve never been to the park, or have been and can’t decide which is your fave spot in the park! Either way, Here are some factors to consider when choosing your elopement location:

Scenery: Acadia National Park has many breathtaking natural landscapes, such as mountains, lakes/ponds, beaches, and forests. Think about what kind of scenery you want as the backdrop for your special day. Keep in mind that the park is pretty spread out, so there may be a bit of driving time between locations (which is why I highly recommend all-day or 2-day elopements!)

Accessibility: Consider how easy or difficult it is to get to the location you are interested in. Some locations may require hiking or driving on rough terrain, while others may be easily accessible by car. There may also be permitting requirements for a specific area that need to be applied for in advance!

Crowds: Some locations in the park can be crowded during peak season, while others are more secluded. If privacy is important to you, consider choosing a less popular location. Hiring an expert who is familiar with the park is helpful because they can help guide you on when/where is the best time to go for privacy!

Seasons Every season looks a bit differently around Acadia! But none are less amazing for eloping in. Having an Acadia Winter Elopement can be absolutely magical, same goes for a Summer Elopement adventure! Check out my post on Which Season is Best to elope in for more tips!

Weather: Acadia experiences all four seasons, each with its own unique beauty. Consider the weather and time of year you plan to elope to ensure you have the best experience. We can have a blast in any weather – but if you have specific preferences for the temps and trail conditions, it’s something to consider!

Best places to elope in Acadia National Park

Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to elopement locations. When trying to decide where to elope, ultimately, the location should speak to you and your partner and make your special day unforgettable. Luckily, that’s not hard to find in Acadia! Here’s a short list of the best place to elope in Acadia National Park:

1. Otter Point
2. Cadillac Mountain
3. Schoodic Peninsula
4. Sand Beach
5. Picnic areas

Otter Point

This secluded cove is perfect for couples who want a private and intimate elopement ceremony. The best time to elope here is during low tide when you can walk out onto the rocks and enjoy stunning views of the ocean and surrounding islands.

Cadillac Mountain

The highest peak on the East Coast is a popular spot for elopements, for good reason! With it’s stunning views, sunsets and sunrises here are breathtaking! The summit can be reached by car or by hiking one of the many trails. Keep in mind that the summit can be windy and chilly!

Schoodic Peninsula

Located about an hour drive from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center on Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula is the only part of Acadia National Park found on the mainland. There’s a 6-mile one-way loop road around the Peninsula that offers views of lighthouses, seabirds, and forested islands. Perfect for a secluded elopement on the coast.

Sand Beach

This beautiful little beach is nestled between mountains and rocky shores on the east side of Mount Desert Island.  This is a pretty easily accessible area, with amazing trails to explore nearby! The water is pretty dang chilly so it might not be the spot for a swim unless you’re into a polar bear plunge then DO IT!

Picnic areas

There are tons of picnic areas around the park where you can easily host your elopement or small wedding. All picnic areas at Acadia National Park are open to visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis. Groups of 30 or more need a permit, but this is to authorize a large gathering only, not to reserve tables!

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Top Acadia National Park Small Wedding Venues

While there are ample opportunities within the park to elope, located right outside of the park lies the quaint community of Bar Harbor. Surrounded by mountain vistas, forests, and the rocky coastline; this town can be the perfect place to host your New England elopement or micro-wedding! I’ve compiled a list of the best wedding venues in Bar Harbor, along with a couple unique ideas for the adventure-seekers!

1. Terramor Resort
2. Bar Harbor Inn
3. Atlantic Oceanside
4. The Harborside Hotel
5. Under Canvas Acadia

Terramor

Offering a unique and intimate experience in nature, Terramor Resort is an Acadia elopement location perfect for adventurous couples! This venue offers romantic outdoor accommodations (these are no ordinary tents you guys!!) Imagine spending the day hiking in the mountains with your best friend, and then glamping under the stars! They even offer onsite experiences that truly bring you closer together. With room for up to 225 guests, you also have an option to buyout the whole resort for an exclusive wedding experience! Check out this Summer elopement at Terramor Resort in Acadia!

Bar Harbor Inn

This charming waterfront venue in Bar Harbor makes the perfect wedding or elopement location! Here you have the option to use both the lawn and the historic inn itself for your celebration. With a capacity of 150 guests, and just minutes from the Acadia park entrance, this venue is a great option!

Kels Converse Couples Reception Inspiration: Meg and Rittick used their upstairs balcony terrace for their mini reception of 25 guests. It was absolutely perfect. They were able to have their ceremony at Sand Beach in the National Park, then the guests joined them back at Bar Harbor Inn. The Inn provided a helpful Coordinator that made everything run smoothly, which I always find extremely helpful.

The Harborside Hotel

Another awesome waterfront wedding venue with the flexibility of up to 350 guests! Featuring plenty of amenities and add-on options, this Bar Harbor wedding venue is a great option for any couple! And Acadia is just 1 mile away you guys!! This could be a great location for a full wedding celebration or just as a reception to an adventurous elopement in the park! So many options to choose from when you go untraditional!

Kels Converse Couples Reception Inspiration: Bianca and Eric eloped inside Acadia National Park with about 15 of their guests. Afterwards, they came back to the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and had a beautiful dinner set up, followed by dancing, cake cutting and speeches. They rented a tent for outside the hotel, and the Coordinator there helped set everything up. It was an absolute perfect day, and I believe it’s because they got to show up and just enjoy!

Atlantic Oceanside

Located in downtown Bar Harbor, right on the ocean, this charming hotel offers a couple of different packages for hosting a wedding. If you’re looking for an exclusive private club with an on-site planner, then this may be the venue for you! With room for up to 300 guests and gorgeous oceanfront views, it’s no wonder this Bar Harbor wedding venue gets high ratings on Wedding Wire! Stay the night or the whole week at the hotel and enjoy the picturesque scenery as you celebrate tying the knot!

Under Canvas – Acadia

Another epic glamping style option for the adventurous souls! Offering an upscale camping experience right by the water and surrounded by the dense Acadia woods! With daily activities, fire-pits, and experienced adventure coordinators around; you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a rad experience!

Airbnbs

There’s also the option to rent a place to yourself and truly have an intimate elopement experience! This gives you the flexibility to cook your own food, and have space and privacy to stretch out before and after your adventures! Keep in mind that rules can vary in regards to guests and events from each host. The great thing about planning an elopement or micro-wedding, is that you have SO much freedom and flexibility. You get to fully customize the adventure of you dreams! And what better place to do that than in Acadia National Park!

No matter which location you choose, Acadia National Park offers a stunning backdrop for your special day. If you’d like more info, I have soo many more tips and guides on how to elope in Acadia National Park so be sure and browse my Maine resource page! If you’re not set on your location then check out this post on the Best Places to Elope in New England!

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Real Acadia National Park Wedding Inspiration

Check out these real Acadia National Park Weddings and Elopements!

Contact me if you’d like to book an Acadia National Park elopement photographer! And be sure to follow me on Instagram for more tips and guides on eloping in New England!