A Guide to Your Acadia National Park Wedding
It’s official, we’re working together! I am thrilled you have chosen me to photograph your wedding and I want you to know that you have my full attention, knowledge and arsinel for your day.
Speaking of, so much goes into planning your Acadia National Park wedding and I am here to help you beyond just photographing it. Part of being a local here on Mount Desert Island is I have a year round view of the island. I know the quiet spots, vendors that aren’t found on google, hidden gems that aren’t on the map, and so much more. Please use this as your resource for everything wedding, Acadia, and more. And if you don’t find what you are looking for here, let me know so I can help you find the answer.
First things first, you are getting married in a National Park. A lot comes with that decision!
1: You are getting married in one of the most beautiful spots in the United States and it is such a privledge! Besides requiring a National Park pass and a Permit for weddings over 10 people, it is practically free to get married in Acadia National Park!
2: Acadia National Park is public land and that means sharing the space with others. Luckily I know MANY spots in the National Park that are quieter and more private, but know that we have no control over other people in the park and we cannot take away from others experience of Acadia. The good news is people are typically very respectful of weddings and give us lots of space, but please keep that in mind when planning your day and choosing your location.
Requirement for getting married in Acadia National Park and entering the park in general:
A park entrance pass is required for all vehicles entering Acadia National Park. That goes for entering the park loop at the Sand Beach entrance, or parking on a trail head on the Quietside of the island. Have your park pass ready for your visit and have it displayed in your dashboard for your entire trip. And remember, every guest vehicle will require a pass as well. You can buy on here* online, or in person when you get to Bar Harbor. You have the option of buying a 7 day vehicle pass for $30, an Acadia National Park Annual Pass for $55, or an Interagency Annual Pass (for all National Parks) for $80.
“Permits are required for weddings and commitment ceremonies in the park, with the exception of simple ceremonies of up to 10 people” -Acadia National Park Website
So, if you are planning to have a wedding in the park with over 10 people total (7 guests) then you will need to full out a Special Use Permit*. It is quick and easy and should be mailed into the park service with a $75 nonrefundable check. Once granted the permit, keep it in a space space. It will need to be in your possession at the time of the ceremony.
National Park Wedding Regulations:
Please read this and be ready to follow these rules. As a local business owner I feel it is my duty to follow these rules and I will not be able to work with couples that refuse to obey these regulations. To see an in depth list please head to :*****
Access to other park visitors must not be impeded. Essentially like I said before, even with a special use authorization this does not grant you exclusive use of any area. Please be ready to work with the public and share the space.
Special use permits may be denied for some locations during periods of heave use (Labor Day weekend, 4th of July, Indiginous Peoples Day weekend etc.)
Available parking is limited and not guaranteed. Carpooling or van shuttles are highly recommended and may be required depending on 1) time of year, 2) time of day, and 3) location of the wedding.
Receptions are not permitted. The use of special equipment, such as canopies, arches, chairs, or other decorations require park administration review and are generally not allowed. Please detail any specific equipment requests in the application and consider using the parklands as your backdrop. Please, pass this information on to your guests and parents, provided you are including them. With choosing a National Park wedding you are choosing a different and unique experience that many people are not familiar with. It is important that they do not bring along items that are not allowed.
Special conveyances, including but not limited to, horse-drawn carriages (except where allowed on the carriage roads and at Wildwood Stables), electric carts, and hot air balloons are prohibited.
Amplified music and public address systems are prohibited. Non-amplified musical instruments that make sound that is unreasonable considering the nature and purpose of the event and/or disturbs nonparticipating persons in the vicinity of the event are also prohibited.
Reasonable efforts to follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics principles to minimize impacts on park resources or experiences of other park visitors should be made.
Excavating, digging, or disturbing soils, plants, and trees is prohibited.
When traveling and choosing a site for your wedding, choose the most durable surfaces available: established trails, rock, gravel, dry grasses, lawn area, or snow. In pristine areas, disperse use to prevent the creation of trails, and avoid places where impacts are just beginning. If you will be using the trail system to reach your wedding location, do not shortcut switchbacks. Concentrate your use on existing trails and walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
To protect parklands and wildlife, the releasing of balloons, doves, or butterflies and the throwing of rice, birdseed, flower petals, or other natural or artificial material is not allowed. Birdseed provides an unnatural food source for park wildlife and may introduce exotic plant species. Because of the park's close proximity to the ocean, balloons are prohibited since they can be harmful to marine life. Releasing doves or butterflies is prohibited by law and will upset the natural balance of wildlife in the park.
Acadia National Park rangers strictly enforce all laws relating to excessive drinking. Please discuss alcohol use in advance.
Picnic areas may not be reserved and are only available on a first-come basis.
Any activity not allowed to the general public will not be allowed to a wedding party.
Pets must be leashed at all times in all locations.
All fees are nonrefundable.
SHOES
It’s a big topic when planning your day. You want to be comfortable, safe, and stable when exploring inside Acadia National Park. Lots of the locations we will visit will be rocks, cliffs, rooty trails and soft sand. Consider hiking boots, trail sneakers, or even a strapy sandal for your wedding day.
That’s not to say that you can’t wear heels! If you are a heel person then please, bring them along! Just have a pair of alternative shoes for the in-between travel. And don’t be fooled, men’s dress shoes tend to be very slippery! Look for a pair that has some grip or an alternative all together! Here is a list of my favorites:
Topo Hikers/Trail Runners
Chacos
Tevas
And don’t forget about your guests! I can’t tell you how many weddings I have photographed where a mom or aunt has shown up in heels and it has been a big ordeal to get them to the ceremony location. Share the details with your guests and encourage them to wear proper footwear as well.
LAYERS
It can get chilly on the ocean and fast. It may be a 70 degree day but with a wind chill or the sun ducking behind a cloud it can change rapidly. Consider bringing an extra layer for your day. It could be a shall or scarf as part of your wedding gear or something as simple as a jacket. Better to be prepared then cold your entire day.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics created to help promote conservation of the outdoors. Think of it this way, you chose a National Park as your wedding location for a reason. It’s beautiful, it has unique qualities, the connection you feel here with nature is unlike anywhere else, the list goes on. “From sea to shining sea, our national parks protect and preserve what’s best about our nation. With stunning natural beauty, amazing wildlife, inspiring history and lots of opportunities for fun and recreation, there’s no wonder why they’re often called “America’s best idea.” Generations of visitors have explored the parks and come away with a deep appreciation for these special places.” It takes a lot of effort to keep our National Parks clean and preserved, and Leave No Trace is a set of ethics that we can follow to promote conservation of these special lands.
1) Plan Ahead and Prepare- shoes, clothing, food & water
2) Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces- please, stay on trail
3) Dispose of Waste Properly- trash cans
4) Leave What You Find- I know that rock is really cool, but please leave it. If every person takes a rock from their visit (3+ million yearly) there won’t be any left and we will be taking away from the land
5) Minimize Campfire Impacts- Acadia has loads of approved fire pits around the park, ask me for recommendations if you’d like to enjoy a fire while you’re here!
6) Respect Wildlife- this is their home and we need to let them live in it peacefully. Please, do not feed wild animals, disturb them, or harm them in any way
7) Be Considerate of Other Visitos- we already went over this :)
Less Is More
We’ve already touched on this, but less is more in Acadia National Park. If you are planning to have your ceremony in Acadia avoid bringing tables, speakers, chairs, and extra’s with you. Not only are these things not allowed, it truly takes away from your ability to experience raw nature. Use the beautiful backdrop of Acadia as your venue and leave the rest at home or include it in your dinner or reception! Consider using rocks as chairs, and a live guitarist if you’d like music. And if including these items in your ceremony is a non-negotiable then let’s discuss ceremony locations outside of the park that are equally as beautiful.
Guest Ability and Mobility
Something that is so important when including others in your Acadia ceremony is guest ability and mobility. Rocks, roots, uneven surfaces, we have it all here in Acadia. If you are holding your ceremony in Acadia this is a note to think about all of your guests mobility when planning locations. Talk to me about who you are including and what their limitations might be and we will find the perfect location where everyone is safe and able to attend.
Vendors
Support Local! One of my favorite things about being a local photographer is that I get to work with other amazingly talented local vendors! Florists, hair and makeup artists, chefs, there are so many talented and qualified vendors here on Mount Desert Island. When you are hiring people for your wedding I challenge you to shop locally and give back to this small but mighty community.
Makeup:
Bar Harbor Beauty, Caitlin Wooters
The Glow Method, Aquene Diedricksen
Hair:
Echo Salon, Alyssa & Val
Florist:
Flower Magic MDI, Nancy Diedricksen
Floret, Beth Renault
Officiant:
Kareem Dieng, Opt For Epic
Videographer:
Tailwind Media, Peter Logue
Caterers/Chefs:
Clark Point Catering
Bar Harbor Catering Co.
MDI Lobster & BBQ
Bub’s Burrito’s
Restaurants:
Havana
Islesford Dock
Sweet Pea’s Cafe
Able’s Lobster
McKay’s Public House
Salt & Steel
The Veranda Bar
Venues:
Bar Harbor Inn
Camp Beech Cliff
Terramore Outdoor Resort
The Causeway Club
The Claremont
Bar Harbor Historical Society
Bar Harbor Club
Rental Companies:
Wallace Events
Sperry Tents Seacoast
Wedding Planners:
R.L Sisson Events
