Small OceanFront Wedding Venues in Maine | Maine Elopements on the Water | Maine Elopement Photographer

This post has:

1. Information on how to get married at the York Harbor Inn (York, Maine)
2. why choosing a small wedding venue like this one is a great, inclusive idea for your elopement
3. Things to do in York, Maine
4. Details on this FUN-filled couple’s day
5. A gallery of their April elopement at York Harbor Inn, Maine 🙂

How to Get Married at the York Harbor Inn; York, Maine

Good news: if you’re thinking of getting married at this venue, you have OPTIONS. This venue provides:

1. Oceanside ceremonies right at the Hartley Mason Reserve (a park overlooking the cliffs and oceans of York, Maie)
2. Private reception/dining rooms (for small parties of 10 guests all the way up to 75 guests)
3. Catering 
4. Quaint, historical lodging
5. All in the sweet center of York, Maine 

If you’re thinking of hosting your marriage celebration at York Harbor Inn, simply reach out to them here 🙂   {this is not an affiliate link or blog post…I simply love this venue and want to provide couples with firsthand experience as an elopement and intimate wedding  photographer!}

Reasons to Consider a Small Wedding Venue

A small wedding venue like this is ideal for people who close their eyes and envision their day being low travel, high convenience, high coziness, with a small group of people. If that’s you you get to have all these priorities in one spot: 

• Lodging for yourself and guests
• Meals
• Views
• Local town attractions 
• Ceremony
• Reception

For those who want to wake up where their wedding celebration is and just “get started,” these rooms are so quaint, classic New England. Plus, there is plenty of room for those most important for you. Your marriage celebration at this spot could look like a cozy weekend where the (intimate) party just keeps going. 

Things to Do in York, Maine

Being a nature-centered Elopement Photographer in New England, most of my suggestions will have a nature-lens to it 🙂 Plus, a few food suggestions. My top suggestions for things to do in (or near) York, Maine are:

1. Do the Cliff Walk

If you walk the scenic Cliff Walk, you pass the Hartley Mason Reserve (the oceanside venue that York Harbor hosts their ceremonies at) on the way to this scenic, easy walk. Family friendly with high accessibility, I highly recommend this as an easy, breezy activity.

2. Visit Local Distilleries, Breweries, and Restaurants

Local breweries, eateries, and York’s delicious restaurants are perfect for a pre-celebration with loved ones, or a solo experience on your actual elopement/intimate wedding day. Some options are:

1. Some Brewing Company
2. York Beach Beer Company
3. Wiggly Bridge Distillery
4. Odd by Nature Brewing 
5. Robert’s Maine Grille for recommended alcohol-free menu options (in Kittery Maine, an adorable town I also recommend visiting during your adventure) 
6. M.C. Perkins Cove (my all-time favorite restaurant in this area, which happens to be in the heart of scenic Ogunquit, Maine. Also: DELISH alcohol-free beverages)

3. Visit Local Nature Attractions

There is so much natural, historical beauty to see in York, Maine. While these attractions are not meant to be a list for “private” getaways, these scenic spots are worth the convenience and the breathing in of fresh salt air 🙂

1. Nubble Lighthouse– rich in history and breathtaking, oceanside, cliff, views, Nubble Lighthouse is one of my favorite quick pit stops to visit when traveling through York. Although you can expect to see other people here, especially during peak times of day and weekends, this is a must when planning your York adventure
2. Beaches– whether you visit Long Sands Beach, Short Sands Beach or Harbor Beach, this site breaks down the information for you on location, entrance fees, and local attractions
3. Mount Agamenticus– a HUGE conservation region, this super short and scenic walk is a perfect visit for a feel of hiking without actually doing a long trek. Visit their website to plan your visit, learn more about activities, offerings, and all this land has to offer
4. Fisherman’s Walk Trail to Wiggly Bridge– about 1.7 miles total; enjoy water and harbor views from booths sides on this easy, paved, walking trail 
5. Highland Farm Preserve Loop– about 1.4 miles total; explore through the forest and enjoy the view from the top where you’ll be at/slightly above tree line

About L and J ; A York Harbor Inn, Maine Elopement

Our Time Together

I sincerely love, value, and appreciate every single couple I’ve been honored to cross paths with and bond over such an intimate experience such as photographing elopements. However, just like with life itself, every now and then your path meets with souls who leave a unique mark on their heart. After meeting these two both as a couple and as individuals, witnessing their light, silly love, and positive perspective on life, I really am forever changed as a photographer and person. I feel so lucky to meet people who remind you to laugh your ass off because the present moment is really all you have. These two laughed their asses off, soaked in every second of their time together, and their love is like a warm hug to all who are with them, including me.

I thought I’d share their inquiry email because like so many in their beginning stages of planning their elopement, these early moments of conversation can lay the foundation to people finding a photographer who really vibes with them and will enhance their love through imagery. When asked why they chose the nontraditional route and what they value most when thinking of their day, they said:

 “…We both value nature, close relationships, family, friends, and the outdoors the most in our lives!…We just booked a micro wedding with the York Harbor Inn. York, ME is one of our absolute favorite locations so we are so excited! We are just hoping to be able to find a photographer who can best photograph our fun loving relationship.”

I had no idea how reflective the words “fun loving relationship” would be until I met them in person. And truly, these are the forest words I think of when I picture L and J.

Their day started off as a party with their closest friends and family: L in the bridal suite with music playing, champagne flowing, and just the most WARM and loving vibes. J with a round of golf along the water with his boys. Everyone stayed right at the York Harbor Inn for the weekend which made their pre and post-marriage celebrations a whole weekend event. 

Their day unfolded seamlessly, with lovely planning assistance from the York Harbor Inn Staff. They set up a quaint ceremony site right at Hartley Mason Reserve, and the skies were wide open for us. Here was their flow: 

1. Getting ready at York Harbor Inn
2. First Look along the water across the street at Hartley Mason Reserve (tearful, giggly, and full of bear hugs and a gentle April breeze) 
3. Intimate ceremony along the water
4. Portraits, more giggles, gentle cliff walks alone
5. Party time and catered dinner at York Harbor Inn

L and J: I LOVE YOUR LOVE. Here it is for those inspired by the idea of a quaint Inn Elopement on the waters of Maine 🙂 

York Harbor Inn, Maine Elopement (Slideshow)

York Harbor Inn, Maine Elopement Gallery

York Harbor Inn, Maine Elopement Vendors

Venue: York Harbor Inn, York Maine (Plus Planning + Catering)

Photographer: Babel Photos [aka me, Kayla 🙂 ]

Bridal Shop: Modern Bride in Bedford, NH ; Design: Maggie Sottero Gowns

Makeup: Sea Glam

Florist: Rimmon Heights

Hair: Jenna Gianni Hair

LOVE YOU, TWO 🙂