A vintage truck at a Broadturn Farm wedding, Maine

Maine is a stunning place to get married. We seem to have it all... sandy beaches, rocky coast, mountains and lakes, four beautiful seasons and a perfect big little city. There are hundreds of places to get married and as a Maine based wedding photographer I've had the luck to travel around this beautiful state and photograph at many of them. I've compiled at little list that tries to take in the best parts of what the state has to offer. There are many venues not on this list that I absolutely love to shoot at, but I feel the ones I have included adhere to my philosophy on weddings, that they should be unique, adventurous, and about YOU.

1. Josias River Farm

Located in Cape Neddick in the very southern part of Maine, Josias River Farm is the quintessential Barn wedding/Farm venue. Surrounded by pastoral woods and farmland, the venue is only a few minutes off of the interstate. The barn has been lovingly restored using traditional building techniques and the grounds offer an orchard, woods, a farmhouse to get ready in and a field to get married in!

twilight at a wedding at Josias River Farm

table detail at a Josias River Farm wedding

A couple's first dance in the barn at Josias River Farm

2. Cliff House

Just a few miles up the coast from Cape Neddick is Ogunquit where you can find the aptly named Cliff House resort, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Atlantic. If you are looking for an all inclusive venue where your guests can stay and be entertained for your whole wedding weekend, this is the place. Cliff House was recently renovated and gives off a chic, modern and nautical vibe.

a bride and groom near the water at Cliff House, Maine

the grand ball room at Cliff House, Maine

first dance in the ballroom at cliff house

3. French's Point

If you want a no compromises wedding, French's Point is your place. Set at the end of the road overlooking a gorgeous stretch of Penobscot Bay, the venue is exceptionally private and offers up acres of beautiful coastal scenery that can be yours for a weekend. Bonus, the expansive lawn doubles as a helicopter pad. (see photos)

the wedding site at French's Point, Maine

a bride just before her wedding at french's point maine

4. Point Lookout

Located in Northport on Maine's midcoast, Point Lookout is a stunning mountain top venue with views of Penobscot Bay. Guests can stay in cabins on the property. If you're planning a larger wedding, Point Lookout might be the place for you. Their 10,000 square foot open air ballroom can accommodate 400 people! Even if the mountaintop is shrouded on fog, your wedding will still look epic!

5. Grace

Looking for more of an urban feel? Grace is located in the heart of downtown Portland in a beautiful old renovated church. While you'll need to find somewhere else to get ready (the Press Hotel works nicely), Grace has a simple and elegant room for ceremonies and of course the old church for the reception. I've always said if you want the worst dried out chicken ever, go to a wedding. This is not the case at Grace. They have some of the best wedding food I've ever had.

wedding ceremony at grace, portland maine

wedding reception detail, grace, portland maine

a couple's first dance, grace, portland, maine

dancing during a wedding at grace, portland, maine

6. Kingsley Pines

It wouldn't be Maine without a summer camp wedding! While there are numerous summer camp venues to choose from, one of my favorites is Kingsley Pines in Raymond. There are rustic cabins to stay in, a beach to lounge on, Panther Pond to swim in, and several old buildings for your reception.

bride and groom walk the dock, kingsley pines

7. Broadturn Farm

Located in Scarborough, just outside of Portland, Broadturn Farm is different from the other farms on this list in that it is still a working organic farm. From their website "Celebrate your love and connect it to your values here at Broadturn Farm. Getting married on an organic farm expresses individuality and a commitment to the beauty of local, organic food and flowers. A wedding is an opportunity to share this vision of sustainability with your loved ones. Each event is unique, and crafted to honor the season and the bounty available. Your wedding will reflect your value of local businesses, healthy ecosystems, and delicious food, with a minimum of mainstream commercialism."

bridal party in the barn, Broadturn Farm

Bride and groom in field, Broadturn Farm

Bride and Groom in field, Broadturn Farm, Maine

8. The New England Outdoor Center

I love mountains. All my friends know that when I'm not photographing a wedding I'm in the mountains photographing outdoor lifestyle for the freelance side of my business. So when it comes to remote adventure and mountain weddings, I'm very picky. The NEOC is one of my top picks. It's proximity to the north Maine woods and Baxter State Park is a plus. And that view, on a clear day Katahdin stands in all its glory across the lake. Just don't forget to book the bush plane so you arrive in style.

Couple kisses on the dock at North East Outdoor Center

Bride on dock at New England Outdoor Center, Millinocket, Maine

Bride arrives to her wedding by float plane, NEOC

9. Clark's Cove Farm

For smaller and more intimate weddings along Maine's midcoast, I would recommend Clark's Cove Farm and Inn, a working apple orchard near Damariscotta and only minutes from Pemaquid Lighthouse. Quiet, simple and beautiful. It doesn't get more Maine than this!