Ready to tie the knot? There isn’t a more beautiful place to make your marriage official than in Maine! We’ve seen a huge uptick in destination weddings here in the Pine Tree State, and we couldn’t be happier to share our stunning landscape with guests from away. Many couples who choose to get married here have some sort of connection to Maine--perhaps they vacationed here with their family growing up--and reconnecting with those memories while making new ones with friends and family is a surefire way to host an unforgettable event. Here, we break down four of the most important decisions you’ll make when considering a wedding in Maine, plus some helpful tips on securing your marriage license before the big day.

Choosing the Perfect Location

Midcoast Maine is a delightfully beautiful (and easily accessible) destination for your wedding. Only one hour from the Portland airport and a two hour drive to Camden or Acadia, hosting your big day in this region gives your guests unbelievable access to some of Maine’s best sights--plus, they can travel and further explore the state after your wedding day. 

Be sure to pick a location that can offer both indoor and outdoor event spaces or a contingency plan in case of poor weather. The Squire Tarbox Inn has twelve acres of historic property to work with, in addition to the our lovingly restored 1820s barn that presents a blank canvas for your perfect event. We offer space for elopements, intimate weddings, or larger celebrations of up to 125 guests. Gather your loved ones for cocktail hour on the barn’s new back deck with built-in lighting, or dance the night away to live music with your partner close by.

Don’t limit your wedding to just one day--planning a weekend wedding is a great way to slow the wedding day down, ensuring you and your guests have time to savor each and every moment. Hosting your wedding at a multipurpose venue like The Squire Tarbox Inn means you can have up to 24 guests stay on the property with you all weekend. Check in a few days early for some alone time with your future spouse, then host a welcome/rehearsal dinner on Friday, wedding on Saturday, and farewell brunch on Sunday. The best part? You’ll always have somewhere to stay on your anniversary!

Picking Your Wedding Date

It’s no surprise that summer and fall are the most popular times for a wedding in Maine. Summer on the coast brings warm days with bright blue skies, tons of sunshine, and beautiful sunsets, and fall means vibrant autumn foliage (perfect for leaf peeping) and cozy nights by the fire. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with spring or winter, either--we encourage you to pick a date that feels right to you! Before locking in your wedding date, be sure to check the local calendar to see if any public events are happening around town. If so, you may want to pick an earlier or later date to avoid conflicts with accommodations, venues, or vendors.

Finding the Right Vendors

Maine is home to some of the best vendor vendors in the country! We suggest hiring a wedding planner first to help guide you through the planning process, especially if your big day is a destination wedding in an area you’re not as familiar with. When you book your celebration at The Squire Tarbox Inn, we supply you with a list of our favorite vendors in the area, and our onsite venue manager is more than happy to discuss additional ways to create your unique experience at The Tarbox.

Determining Your Wedding Size

Are you looking to host an all-out celebration, or would you prefer a more intimate gathering? At The Squire Tarbox Inn, we have plenty of options for your perfect day--no matter how big or small. 

• Elopement: The term “elopement” has changed significantly over the past several years, and it no longer means running away in private to tie the knot. Today, an elopement typically includes you and your partner, an officiant, and a photographer. The Tarbox elopement package allows you to bring along up to 10 guests to share the memories of your big day.
• Intimate Wedding: An intimate wedding, sometimes referred to as a microwedding, is always a magical event. If you can’t narrow your list of guests down to 10 people, our intimate wedding package allows for up to 50 guests.
• Full Size Wedding: Looking for something more traditional? The Squire Tarbox Inn is perfect for larger weddings of up to 125 people.

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Securing Your Marriage License

Working with a local officiant is the easiest way to take care of your marriage license, as they can help manage the official documentation at the conclusion of your ceremony. In Maine, each city or town is responsible for handling marriage licenses, but there are a few rules to determine where you should go to submit your marriage application.

• If both you and your partner are Maine residents who live in different towns, you only need to apply once and can do so in either location.
• If you and your partner are Maine residents who live in the same city, you’ll apply in the city in which you live.
• If only you OR your partner is a Maine resident, you’ll apply in the resident’s town.
• If neither you nor your partner is a resident of Maine, you can apply in any town in the state.

In order to submit your marriage application, you’ll need a photo ID and $40 to cover the application fee. Once the marriage license is obtained, it’s valid for 90 days. 

So Much to See and Do in Maine

Maine is the perfect destination for foodies, nature-lovers, historians, sports fiends, and everyone in between. Your guests will have an incredible time exploring the state, commemorating your love, and making memories that will last a lifetime. From local breweries to our favorite restaurants and shops, Maine has so much to offer everyone, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you and your guests!