WRITTEN BY KATIE SMITH

There are many factors that go into choosing the perfect wedding venue. Do you want to be close to home or certain family members? Or maybe you want to travel a little further? Are you imagining a seaside wedding, or are mountains the perfect backdrop? Indoors? Outdoors? Chic? Rustic? A venue that does the planning and food for you, or do you want to plan every element yourself? How many guests do you need to accommodate? And then there’s the ever-important budget factor.

As you and your future spouse make your plans, consider the following beautiful Maine venues.

Penobscot Bay Estate
This 7-acre Winterport estate has it all—romance, history, water views, and a few different wedding packages to choose from. Owners Emerald and Kurt Forcier were married on the estate in 2017 and now operate Penobscot Bay Estate with the goal of providing others with a dream wedding venue. Plan a waterfront ceremony followed by a hilltop reception overlooking the bay under a canvas tent with tables for 160 guests. Penobscot Bay Estate also includes four on-site guest cabins, a honeymoon cottage, and access to the 4,000-square-foot private residence for both wedding parties on the day of the wedding. The venue books up about a year in advance.
www.penobscotbayestate.com

Lucerne Inn
Located in Holden, just outside of Bangor, the Lucerne Inn overlooks Phillips Lake and Bald Mountain, making it the perfect place to enjoy both water and mountains at a wedding. Weddings are held at the Outlook, a relaxed and romantic setting separate from the main inn. The wedding venue features a stunning fireplace, beautiful chandeliers, and a dance floor. They can comfortably accommodate 120 people for a dinner, and the dance floor can accommodate 175 guests—plenty of room to dance the day or night away. There is also a covered outdoor patio area off the main inn for those who want to exchange vows and have their reception outdoors. The lighted tent can accommodate up to 180 guests, and wedding planners are on-site. Guests can stay at the inn, which offers a continental breakfast, outdoor pool, as well as a restaurant. The Lucerne Inn is typically booked a year in advance, but can occasionally accommodate couples based on availability, so reach out regardless of your time frame. lucerneinn.com

Rodeway Inn
Spruce Point Inn is an exclusive resort located in the center of Boothbay Harbor. The 55-acre property features multiple event halls and an oceanfront patio perfect for exchanging vows. Pemaquid Hall offers high ceilings, indoor and outdoor accommodations and can accommodate up to 250 guests for your special day. Spruce Point also has certified professionals to help you plan your wedding and make it the magical day you’ve always dreamed of.
sprucepointinn.com

The Barn at Hatch Point
Located in Bowdoinham on the Kennebec River overlooking Swan Island, The Barn at Hatch Point is a modern beauty that can accommodate up to 250 guests. If you’re looking for elegance with an industrial vibe for your special day, this is the perfect venue. The Barn offers many different locations to exchange your vows, including patio seating with stunning river and forest views. Inside, you’ll find a great room where you can choose your preferred layout, with plenty of room for dancing, a quaint fireplace, two bars, an expansive catering kitchen, and a cozy loft area. There’s a main cabin for the bride to get ready with family and friends, and several wedding packages to choose from. Hatch Point books 12 to 24 months in advance.
www.thebarnathatchpoint.com

Weddings and Events at Crawford Farm
Located in Warren, half an hour from the sea, Crawford Weddings’ stunning 19th century barn and farmhouse can accommodate formal weddings as well as smaller events. The spacious barn and large outdoor area are a dream for perfect photos and offer outdoor games, plenty of parking and a fire pit. The space can accommodate up to 150 guests and the on-site salon will look after the bride and her wedding party. There are several packages to choose from. Crawford Farm books around six months in advance, but call as soon as possible to secure your preferred date.
crawfordfarmweddings.com

Meadow Ridge Farm
Located in Winterport, this is the perfect place to tie the knot if you love flowers and barn weddings. The venue is also growing, with plans to offer a more modern space as early as next year. The working lavender farm includes a barn perfect for a rustic Maine wedding for up to 150 guests, with farm tables, yard games, and two bar areas (one indoors and one outdoors) to accommodate your guests. There’s also a beautiful pond and an arbor made from antique barn beams that will serve as a backdrop for your ceremony. Coming next year is the Wintergreen Loft, the farm’s newest addition with a more modern, industrial feel, and dates are already booked. With space for up to 75 guests, it’s a blank canvas for your event. Typically, couples book Meadow Ridge Farm 12 to 18 months in advance.
www.mrfmaine.com

Morgan Hill Event Center
The Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon offers various options for the perfect setting for your wedding. Whether outside under a white arbor or inside by a crackling fire – your dream wedding will become a reality. With rooms for up to 300 guests, smaller events can also be hosted. Morgan Hill offers its own caterer and plenty of experienced staff on site. Book about a year in advance to get your desired date.
morganhilleventcenter.com