Midcoast Maine Real Destination Wedding at Fort William Henry

A wedding ceremony takes place outdoors, with the bride and groom facing each other, attendants standing by, and guests seated on either side.

Maine Destination Wedding at Pemaquid Point

September 30, 2026
Words by Lauren Ertl
Photos courtesy of Fidelio Photography

Most everyone knows or has heard of the play-turned-movie “Grease.” Remember how Danny and Sandy fell in love during the summer on the beach, spending hours playing in the sun and talking the days away? Well, couple Eva and Andrew just might have the real-life “Grease” love story.

The two met as teenagers at a summer camp in Christmas Cove on the coast of Maine, where sparks flew immediately. Little did the then-teenagers know that, many years later, they’d hold their coastal Maine destination wedding not far from the cove at Fort William Henry (opens in new tab) in Pemaquid Point, Maine.

A wedding invitation suite with envelopes, RSVP card, and floral decorations arranged on a lace tablecloth. A bride in a white dress holds a large bouquet of assorted flowers outdoors, with a house and greenery in the background.

Planning a Maine Wedding From Across the Country

While the California-based couple had little trouble selecting their venue location, they were under no illusion that planning a destination wedding from across the country would be easy. To bridge the geographic gap, they hired Sarah Goodwin of Daisies and Pearls, who quickly became the pair’s “planner and life coach all rolled into one,” according to the bride.

Several boats are anchored in a calm bay, with small islands and trees visible in the background. Bushes are in the foreground. The image is in black and white. A bride in a white dress and a groom in a gray suit walk together on a grassy field under a clear blue sky.

Choosing the Venues: Fort William Henry & The Bradley Inn

Eva and Andrew’s vision for their special day was a quintessential Maine laid-back garden party, which acted as their anchor throughout the planning process.

“We chose Fort William Henry because we wanted to find a spot overlooking the water,” Eva says.

Beyond its sweeping ocean views, Fort William Henry is conveniently situated close to the quaint accommodations at The Bradley Inn(opens in new tab). With such close proximity, the couple opted to host their reception at the inn, just an eight-minute drive from their historic ceremony location.

Small green apples with leaves are arranged on lace fabric, each bunch labeled with a handwritten tag for identification. A wedding table setting with floral centerpieces, tableware, candles, wine, and a wooden table number on a lace table runner.

Personal DIY Decor & Coastal Touches

With a clear plan in place, Eva dove into the wedding details and decor, recruiting friends and family for personalized DIY wedding projects:

Custom Menus: An artistically gifted friend of the bride painted and handwrote Maine-themed menus for the reception.
Handmade Photo Booth: Eva’s stepfather designed a custom photo booth complete with handmade props.

Four women in light dresses stand outdoors holding bouquets, smiling at each other, with a house and greenery in the background. A bride and groom pose outdoors on grass with a large bouquet and a dog, with a house and trees in the background.

Overcoming Destination Wedding Accommodation Challenges

Along the planning path, a tough challenge presented itself: finding accommodations for all of their wedding guests in an area of midcoast Maine where hotels are sparse.

“Our advice is to start early and just offer suggestions,” the couple says. “Beyond that, it is up to the guests.”

In the end, everything came together beautifully. Even the Maine weather cooperated, providing clear skies for one of the most important days in Eva and Andrew’s love story.

Outdoor wedding setup with hay bale seating, pastel blankets, and floral arrangements; trees and a stone building are visible in the background. Bride and bridesmaids in light dresses and holding bouquets stand beside groom and groomsmen outdoors during a wedding ceremony. A bride and groom stand with their wedding party outdoors during a ceremony, with a person officiating. The scene is in black and white.

The Ceremony at Fort William Henry

The couple said “I do” next to the stone bastion of the historic fort on Pemaquid Point, with the sun reflecting off the water beyond and gorgeous greenery with pink, purple, and white floral blooms lining the aisle.

A wooden pier extends over calm water with people walking on it, surrounded by trees and buildings in the background under a clear sky. Outdoor wedding reception setup under a white tent with wooden tables, chairs, floral arrangements, and greenery decorations. Long wooden tables with lace runners, floral centerpieces, and hanging greenery are set up outdoors under a white tent for an event. A rustic wooden table is set with floral centerpieces, plates, silverware, wine glasses, and lace runners for an outdoor event.

Cocktail Hour & Reception Celebrations

Cocktail hour shifted the party to the docks of The Contented Sole(opens in new tab) restaurant. After enjoying cocktails, Maine-inspired hors d’oeuvres and a fresh ocean breeze, guests made their way to the lawn of The Bradley Inn for a savory dinner under canvas. Wooden tables adorned with lace runners and lovely floral arrangements in golden vases sat below as greenery hung above. After dinner, the dance floor packed out as DJ Jon(opens in new tab) kept the good vibes rolling.

Ultimately, Andrew and Eva’s Maine destination wedding brought an overwhelming sense of joy and togetherness that made planning an event across the country worth every minute and dime.

A group of people sit around a long table under string lights, raising their glasses in a toast at a festive gathering. Vendors: Photography: Fidelio Photography(opens in new tab); Planning: Daisies and Pearls; Floral Design: Michelle Peele(opens in new tab); Ceremony Venue: Fort William Henry(opens in new tab) ; Reception Venue: The Bradley Inn(opens in new tab); Rehearsal Dinner & Cocktail Hour Venue: The Contented Sole(opens in new tab); Dress: Monique Lhuillier(opens in new tab); Shoes: Stewart Weitzman(opens in new tab); Hair & Makeup: Stacia Tetrault(opens in new tab); Ring Box: The Mrs. Box(opens in new tab); Cake & Desserts: Barn Door Baking Company(opens in new tab); Catering: The Bradley Inn(opens in new tab); Invitations: Little Ivy Paper Goods(opens in new tab); Ceremony Music: Pete Kilpatrick(opens in new tab); DJ: DJ Jon(opens in new tab) A large group of people sit at tables under a lit canopy tent outdoors at night, surrounded by trees.

Midcoast Maine Wedding – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best ceremony spot at Fort William Henry in Maine?

The most popular spot for a ceremony at Fort William Henry is adjacent to the historic stone bastion, offering direct ocean views overlooking Pemaquid Harbor.

How far is Fort William Henry from The Bradley Inn?

The Bradley Inn is located approximately an eight-minute drive from Fort William Henry, making it an ideal reception venue for ceremonies held at the fort.

How do you handle guest accommodations for a destination wedding on the Pemaquid Coast in Maine?

Because coastal Maine hotels and bed & breakfasts are often limited in size, couples recommend securing room blocks early and giving guests lodging suggestions well in advance.

This article was originally published in January of 2019.