Getting married in a Maine state park is a fantastic way to celebrate your day in a beautiful quiet setting. Maine’s state parks offer stunning backdrops ranging from rugged coastlines to serene woodlands, making them perfect for an outdoor wedding. When my husband and I first started thinking about our small wedding, we knew we wanted it to be outside. We had spent a lot of time exploring the different state parks and nature preserves across the state, and landed on Reid State Park for our wedding venue. It was simply perfect. We celebrated with family on the beach, and can now return to our wedding venue all year long when we visit the park.

Here are my tips for getting married in a Maine state park, including information on fees, permits, reservations, and some of the best parks for your celebrations.*

1. Understanding Fees and Permits

To get married in a Maine state park, you'll need to obtain a permit. The permit requirements and fees can vary depending on the park and the size of your event. Generally, there are two main components:

Reservation Fee: This fee covers the cost of reserving the site for your wedding. It typically ranges from $50 to $200, depending on the park and the location within the park. You can see the latest fees here.
Special Use Permit Fee: In addition to the reservation fee, you may need a special use permit if you plan to have a larger gathering, set up tents, bring in caterers, or use additional equipment. The cost for this permit can range from $25 to $100. When you call the state park to make your reservation, you can let them know what you have planned and if any additional fees are needed.

Additionally, the reservation fees cover the expense of reserving the group shelter. These fees do not include parking for you and your guests. Take into consideration the cost of each guest joining. We choose to pay for all of our guests’ entrance fees for our wedding, but you can coordinate with the state park staff to determine a method that works best for you.

2. How to Reserve a Park for Your Wedding

Reserving a state park for your wedding involves several steps:

Choose Your Park: Decide which Maine state park best suits your wedding. For some couples this comes down to where their guests are traveling from and ease of travel from airports, train stations, etc. Some state parks have different group shelters, picnic areas, etc. Park staff can oftentimes even arrange a tour of the reservation site for you if you are interested!
Check Availability: Contact the park office directly to check the availability of your chosen location and date. When we planned our wedding at Reid State Park, reservations opened up on February 1st. We made a note to call the park on this day to ensure we could reserve the date we were hoping for. The phone numbers for each state park are listed here.
Pay Fees: Once you make your reservation by calling, you'll need to pay the applicable reservation and permit fees. Keep a copy of the payment receipt for your records. The park will let you know the best way to send payment. In our case, we had to complete a packet they mailed to us over the winter.
Confirm Details: As your date gets closer, confirm the details of your reservation with the park office, including any additional requirements. This just helped to ease any lingering stress associated with planning our wedding/

3. My Favorite Maine State Parks for Weddings

Here are some of my favorite Maine state parks where you can host an outdoor wedding:

Reid State Park

Located in Georgetown, Reid State Park features sandy beaches, rolling dunes, and scenic coastal views. I love the ruggedness of the Maine coast here - you’ve got some forest and lots of rocks - but there also is a sandy beach and pretty group site set away from most of the crowds. The group shelter has plenty of picnic tables, a large wooden covering, and even a large oven you can cook on.

Two Lights State Park

Situated in Cape Elizabeth, Two Lights State Park has a really breathtaking rocky coastline. The wedding site is on a grassy spot overlooking the water, and really close for photographs down on the rocks. Two Lights is great if you’re hoping to head into Portland/surrounding areas after the wedding for a dinner or reception.

planning an outdoor beach wedding in maine

Crescent Beach State Park

Crescent Beach State Park, (also) located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, offers a picturesque setting for weddings with its very sandy beach. This beach is one of the few sandy beaches in southern Maine easily accessible and reservable. The group shelter site has a great spot for a day wedding at the ocean. Similar to Two Lights, Crescent beach is also close to Portland too!

camden maine wedding photography outdoor intimate ceremony

Camden Hills State Park

Camden Hills State Park is a little further up the coast and spans over 5,700 acres. My favorite time of year to visit this state park is in the fall when it’s a bit cooler and the foliage is really peaking. The park's most notable feature, Mount Battie, provides panoramic views of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay, creating a picturesque setting for ceremonies. The park's group shelter includes a large stone fireplace, outdoor barbecue grills, and eight picnic tables that can seat approximately 50 people, making it suitable for intimate gatherings.

4. Additional Considerations

Weather: Maine’s weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for any conditions. Have a backup plan in case of rain or unexpected weather changes. Some state parks have coverings you can use. For our wedding we planned our reception in an old grange hall and felt like we got the best of both worlds with the outdoor ceremony and indoor lunch.
Permits for Vendors: If you plan to hire vendors such as caterers, or musicians, check with the park about any additional permits or requirements they may need.
Rules and Regulations: Each park has its own set of rules and regulations. Be sure to review these carefully and ensure that your plans comply with park guidelines.
Accessibility: Consider the accessibility of your chosen location for guests with mobility issues. Some parks may have more accessible options than others. For example, Reid State Park has accessible parking spots with shorter paths to the beach.
Privacy: Given that the parks are open to the public, it’s important to remember you likely won’t have complete privacy on your wedding day. Consider picking a time of year or day when there may be less people if this is something you are particularly worried about.

reid state park wedding photography on film

So, is a state park wedding right for me?

Getting married in a Maine state park offers a unique and beautiful setting for your wedding. Honestly, the views speak for the themselves and lend to really simply beautiful ceremonies. I personally love state park weddings for those that love the outdoors and want to share the beauty of Maine with their friends and family. Because you have access to trails, beaches, forests, etc. it can really make for a special experience for you and your guests.

Plus, if you get married at a Maine state park you can go back to our ceremony location again and again!

However, it’s important to be realistic about the limitations of a state park wedding, including size limits and privacy concerns. If you decide to move forward with a state park wedding, be sure to call the park and learn more about any and all park-specific logistics.

And if you’re interested in photographs of your state park wedding that feel unique to you feel free to check out my wedding packages here and reach out with all of your ideas!

*Disclaimer: This blog post features advice for planning a wedding at a Maine State Park. Please see Maine.gov for the latest information, fees, and availability.

How to Get Married in a Maine State Park