How to Find a Great Winter Wedding Spot in Southern Maine

Winter is Maine is breathtaking – and not just because it’s cold. The beauty of quiet season is that winter is just that – Quiet. The crowds are gone and you have your pick of venues with romantic snow covered barns and warm cozy fireplaces.  So you have fallen in love with winter in Maine – now let’s find the place of your cozy dreams to get married!

Meadowmere Weddings in Ogunquit Maine

Cold. Snow. Sometimes that makes it a tough sell to head to the Maine Beaches.  But hey, it is your wedding  day and your wedding dream to come true. Just tell friends and family that there’s a hot tub outside and an amazing indoor Roman Spa to enjoy. Our Ogunquit hotel is open year round and eating a Maine lobster happens every day. Snowshoe along the rocky Maine coast of Marginal Way with miles of soothing ocean sounds. Cross country ski local trails and sled with real Mainers. You can even arrange for a horse drawn sleigh ride. All wonderful winter things to do in Maine that make the hot cocoa taste even better.

These are some tips on how to find a winter wedding spot in Maine.

Tip 1: Ocean view or Wooded Wonderland for your Wedding Venue?

There are options – crashing ocean with snow covered coast or romantic wooded scene with winter birds and birches.

If the sea is calling for your winter wedding, consider such options as the Stage Neck Inn or Beachmere Inn for your ceremony. Both have the ability to see the ocean from the comfort of inside, allowing for the waves to be the back drop to you ‘I do’s’. Just remember this option still comes with the cost of ocean views and limits your guest list to the capacity of the ceremony room – which often means either a small event or second venue for the wedding reception. However, this type of venue gives you the opportunity for spectacular pictures should the weather allow.

If the romantic winter woods sounds perfect, consider such options as Clay Hill Farm, Outlook Farm or Josias River Farm (yes, we have quite a few farms in Maine). All have the classic Maine barn for your wedding. The difference is what you would like with your barn experience: rustic romance on private estate (Josias River), classic farmhouse with winter gardens (Clay Hill) or post beam barn with modern comforts (Outlook Farm). And with these venues you can still get some amazing winter images.

If neither is working for you – really you just want classic winter wedding in Maine with a resort and venue together, consider Jonathan’s Restaurant for your wedding. Directly next to the Meadowmere, guests can walk from the comfort of our cozy rooms. Pictures can be taken in the foyer entrance of Jonathan’s in front of a gorgeous field stone fireplace and the ballroom means your guests list can be up to 150 people.

Tip 2: Book a hotel room block at a central year round hotel.

You need a hotel that is open and central to your venue with easy access to a well maintained road. It is winter in Maine. That means snow.*

And you want to give your guests a place to be cozy and comfortable so you can convince your family, your friends – whoever you have in mind for this Maine celebration – to travel to Maine in winter.

Meadowmere is close to all the venues mentioned and allows for direct access to Route 1. The hotel also is easily accessible for bus, limo and trolley transportation.  Finally, your guests have three airports, Amtrak, coach bus and car as options to reach Ogunquit. Wedding services and  blocks in Southern Maine are available year round.

Tip 3: Plan winter activities in and near your venue

Winter may be the quiet season but there is still plenty for your wedding guests to enjoy in and near Ogunquit Maine.

If close and cozy is best, wedding guests can enjoy our Ogunquit hotel amenities:  Roman Spa, fitness center, onsite massage, steam, sauna, TV room, pub, outdoor Jacuzzi and heated indoor pool. There is even a game room and the option thru Ciao Baby to have toys ready in room upon arrival.

If a brisk walk is the chosen adventure, guests of your winter wedding can stroll to Marginal Way for ocean view and village shops for gourmet chocolates and coffee.

If a quick drive is on tap, just hop on Route 1 to explore Kennebunkport to our north or York to our south. Both are within a 20 minute drive. Wedding guests can jam it up – Stonewall Kitchen Flagship York Store is just minutes away and free samples abound. From chocolate sauces to Maine blueberry jam to homemade treats, this is a full afternoon of fun – especially if you take a tour or a cooking class. Just a little farther, the Kittery Outlets brings excellent deals and the chance to try Moxie, a Maine staple, at Robert’s Maine Grill. Speaking of tap – The Maine Beer scene is amazing. Tully’s in Wells is like a magic carpet ride for beer lovers and Federal Jack’s is just up Rt 1 in Kennebunkport. In pinch, Cornerstone in Ogunquit brings all that closer – artisan beer and gourmet pizzas.

*This comes with a caveat question ‘What if it snows on my wedding’? All the venues mentioned and the Meadowmere have snow removal down – your guests will make it to the ceremony on time. Even during the blizzard of February 2013, with over 30 inches of snowfall, the outdoor hot tub opened on time. And every car was cleared. There is always the test drive – Plan a winter vacation to Maine and see how you like it. And you did dream of a winter wedding in Maine after all – you might find yourself cheering FOR snow.