When Hensley & Cullen reached out, they were positive they wanted their elopement day on April 29th. The weather in Maine can be unpredictable in April, so we made sure to plan their day around easy to get to locations in Acadia for elopement photos. We didn’t want to get caught in a long hike or windy ridge if it started to rain.
This is Hensley and Cullen’s spring elopement in Acadia and all the easy to get to locations we explored!
Easy to get to locations in Acadia for elopement photos #1: Bar Harbor, ME
I recommend most couples eloping in Acadia to stay in Bar Harbor. It’s the largest urban area on the island and has the most hotels, restaurants and other amenities you and your guests will need.
We started Hensley and Cullen’s day in Bar Harbor at their hotel getting ready. Cullen got ready in a separate room with his brother, who had a surprise waiting. The two of them had lost their father a few years before, and as a gift, his brother handed him their father’s knife. It was an heirloom his brother had at his wedding, and now, it was Cullen’s turn.
In the other room, with Taylor Swift’s new album playing in the background, Hensley slipped into her dress.
One of the reasons they were so insistent on April 29th being their elopement day was because Hensley is a MASSIVE Swifty. (The date April 29th is mentioned in one of her new songs). The date also worked out well with Cullen’s job as a farmer and Hensley’s graduation, so there was no changing their minds.
Luckily, the finicky spring weather played nice. The weather that day was beautiful. Outside the Airbnb in the sunshine, Hensley had an emotional first look with her dad and grandpa.
The hotel staff was also so psyched to see her dressed up and cheered her on down the hallway.
Easy locations in Acadia for elopement photos #2: Schooner Head
Once they were both dressed up and ready, we went to our first location. Cullen drove separately so they could have a first look at Schooner Head, a rocky lookout location over the water.
He walked ahead and we followed.
After their first look, they wanted to read private vows here. However, they couldn’t agree on who would go first, so they settled with a game of rock, paper, scissors. Hensley won, so Cullen was up first!
Before their elopement day, they both knew the other would be tempted to sneak a peek at their pre-written vows, so they taped them shut in a box. It was the perfect moment to honor Cullen’s dad by using his knife to break open the box.
Easy locations in Acadia for elopement photos #3: Otter Point
Otter Point is one of my favorite easy to get to locations in Acadia for elopement photos. It’s the perfect ceremony spot, especially for groups. Their families met us here, and Hensley’s dad walked her down the path to Cullen.
Her grandpa officiated their ceremony, overlooking the sea, surrounded by family. It was a very emotional moment for everyone, and we took advantage of the occasion with a ton of family photos.
Easy locations in Acadia for elopement photos #4: Fabbri Picnic Area
Our next stop was to a super quiet and very easy to get to location in Acadia: the Fabbri Picnic Area just down the road from Otter Point. Here, Tabitha from Luxury Picnics Acadia had a massive picnic waiting for all 25 of us.
They sat down in the spring sun and shared food, drinks and two wedding cakes. The first cake was a more traditional wedding cake, but the second one was special to the family. They are from Georgia, and the family is a huge fan of a local bakery there. In order to have this cake on their wedding day, their grandparents drove all the way to Maine with it packed in their car!
Easy locations in Acadia for elopement photos #5: Little Hunter’s Beach
After the picnic, we parted ways from their families and headed to Little Hunter’s Beach. They skipped rocks and hung out, talking along the pebbled shore.
We also did some photos nearby in the middle of the road, which Hensley was really excited about. I always recommend stopping by Little Hunter’s Beach since it’s such a beautiful, relaxing and easy to get to location in Acadia.
Easy locations in Acadia for elopement photos #6: Otter Cliffs & Boulder Beach
Our last Acadia location of the day was Otter Cliffs and Boulder Beach. In order to get to the beach, you have to pass the cliffs, so it’s a one stop location. Normally, this popular spot is packed with people, especially during the afternoon.
Today, however, due to it being a foggy April day, we were the only ones there.
We explored and took photos with the last of the light, and then headed back to Bar Harbor for one last treat: ice cream.
It was a great cap to a perfect day, ending full circle with ice cream back where we started.
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