You want to get married in the mountains, but you also don't want to hike all day to get to the summit. Or maybe you or your guests need some place that is more accessible but you don't want to miss out on exchanging vows with epic views. Well, this list of New England and New York destination wedding package options is for you! Below is a summary of some of the best mountain wedding venues in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine that give you epic views for your wedding celebration (without all the sweat).
Meet Your New England Mountain Wedding Photographer
Hi! I'm Molly and I exclusively photograph elopements and intimate mountain weddings across New England. As an award-winning photographer, I can help guide you through the entire planning process, from where to get married to what vendors to include. And then give you some epic adventure wedding pictures to boot!
Not sure where exactly you want to get married, but you know the vibe you want? As your elopement photographer, I will provide you with a custom list of locations based on what you want to see, feel, and experience on your wedding day.
Better at email? You can reach out to me at molly@outdoorchroniclesphotography.com.
Intimate Weddings and Elopements in Maine
The Pine Tree State is known for its rocky coastline, rolling mountains; and lush forests. Not to mention, the seafood, blueberries, and lighthouses! Maine is perfect for the couple that is looking for an adventurous wedding experience with all the activity options. Whether you want to visit one of the 67 lighthouses, hike Maine's highest peak Mount Katahdin, or explore the waterways and see one Maine's 3,000 islands, there is so much to do. Maine is nicknamed the Vacation State for a reason!
Getting Legally Married in Maine
In order to get married in wild & wonderful Maine, whether it's on the rugged coastline, on top of one of the many high peaks, or in a lush forest, you must apply for a marriage license. The first step to obtaining your marriage license is to file your intention to marry in writing. Due to COVID, you are currently able to fill the form out at home and send it in. Please note that your original signatures must be notarized (hey, guess what! I'm a notary! But we would have to notarize the document in New York where I am registered.)
Both parties must sign the intentions, stating they are free to marry. There is a $40.00 fee to obtain a marriage license. If either of the parties are residents of Maine, they must file their intentions at the municipal office in the town or city in which one of them resides. If only one party to the marriage resides in Maine and the other party resides outside the state of Maine, then both parties must file their intentions at the municipal office in the town/city where the resident lives. If neither one of the parties is a resident of Maine, they must file intentions, but may file in any municipal clerk’s office. Once the intentions are filed and the license is issued, the parties are free to marry anywhere within the State. It's important to note that there is no waiting period (yay!) and that the marriage license is valid for 90 days from when the intentions were filed.
Reasons to get married in Maine:
You can visit Acadia National Park, the only national park in New England.
The opportunity to explore 32 state parks with over 500,000 acres.
You can spend your days white water rafting, biking, or hiking and your evenings visiting one of Maine's 155 breweries.
The food! Think buttery lobster, fries, and blueberry pancakes.
Have you always wanted to see a Moose? Maine is only second to Alaska in boasting the most Moose per square mile in the United States.
This rustic venue with four different ceremony and reception options is located just across the border of New Hampshire. Nestled in between the White Mountains of Maine and New Hampshire, this wedding venue offers the complete Maine experience. In addition to a heated and air conditioned barn for year-round events, couples can get married at an outdoor woodland chapel or nearby at Shawnee Peak. Do you want to host your family and friends for a weekend getaway? Hardy Farm can accommodate up to 32 guests onsite overnight in the historic farmhouse and log lodge.
Highlights: Views, Easy to get to, Picturesque on-site lodging
Pricing: Hardy Farm offers special pricing if your wedding is less than 9 months away and you are flexible with your date- perfect for your winter or springtime elopement in Maine!
Availability: Year Round
Guest Count: Intimate Elopement - 100 people; 200 people in the summer when an outdoor tent is utilized
Perfect for: The couple that can't decide if they want to be in the forest or on a mountain. Do both!
If you want to get married on Shawnee Peak, I recommend contacting Hardy Farm to arrange a collaboration between the two partner organizations. Imagine getting married to your love 1,300 feet above Moose Pond and with views of the lakes and mountains of Western Maine and the Presidential Range of New Hampshire including Mount Washington. The summit is also a spectacular place to hold your rehearsal/welcome dinner. Imagine traveling to the top of the mountain via the lift and then watching the sunset as you exchange vows or have a picnic. Also on the property is a small alpine sugaring house in which you can hold your intimate wedding reception.
As for lodging, there is a small lodge that can sleep 44 guests. If you want something more adventurous that you have to hike or ski into, Shawnee Peak offers mountaintop yurt and a cabin options. Both have bunk beds for sleeping and basic kitchen amenities. These elopement lodging options are perfect for the adventurous couple who wants a unique mountain experience. Imagine sitting on the front porch or around the outdoor fire pit watching the sunset over Mount Washington and the Presidential Range after an amazing all day elopement in Maine.
Looking to get married on top of a mountain but have a barn reception? You could combine having your summit wedding on Shawnee Peak with a reception at Hardy Farm just down the road.
Highlights: Location, Ease of Access
Pricing: starts at $2,000
Availability: Year round
Guest Count: 2-50 Guests
Perfect for: Great for the DIY, casual couple
Eloping in Massachusetts
The Bay State takes its name from the indigenous Massachusett tribe, and is roughly translated as “great mountain place,” or “large hill place". Whatever the exact translation, the Berkshire Mountains are full of wonderful places to get married! Think lush, rolling hills, isolated swimming holes to cool off, and roaring waterfalls. And if you love art and independently owned shops, there are quite a few charming small towns to explore during your destination wedding including Lenox, Great Barrington, and North Adams.
Getting Legally Married in Massachusetts
In order to get legally hitched in Massachusetts, you will first need to apply for a marriage license, which can be from any city or town in Massachusetts. It doesn’t have to be from the town where you live or where your wedding or elopement ceremony will be.
You should contact the city or town clerk to find out exactly what you and your future spouse need to do to get a marriage license. In general ,though you will need to first fill out a Notice of Intention of Marriage Form. You and your future spouse will need to go in person to your city or town clerk to fill out this form. You’ll need to provide proof of your age, such as a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security number, and payment. The cost of your marriage license will depend on the place you file and will be anywhere between $4 and $50. For example, in Lenox, you will be charged $35 to file your notice of intention and receive your marriage license but in Boston you will be charged $50. Each town sets its own prices.
There is a 3-day waiting period to get married in Massachusetts after filing your Intention. The license is then valid for 60 days. After getting married, your officiant must sign and return the license to the city or town clerk who issued it. One of the perks about getting married in Massachusetts is that you can have a friend or family member easily officiate your ceremony. A One-Day Designation Certificate allows a loved one to perform a ceremony on a specific day for you and your lover. The fee is $20 and is valid for 6 months.
Lastly, if you plan to get married at one of the State Parks, you will have to apply for a special use permit. There are 144 state parks in Massachusetts, many of which offer unique features like waterfalls and summit trails. If you want something that is a bit less formal and more intimate, this might be a good option for your elopement.
Reasons to Get Married In Massachusetts
A family member or friend can easily marry you
You can have a mountain top ceremony and lakeside reception easily
Charming small towns with local shops and art galleries
Award-winning breweries around pretty much every corner
Cheese. You may not know it, but after living in Massachusetts for a few years in my 20s, I can say that I ate some of the best cheeses from local farms while there. If you like goat cheese, there's a small, family-run place that has THE BEST GOAT CHEESE. Buy some beets from the local farmer's market, and you've got yourself a nice post-wedding snack.
Nestled in the Northern Berkshires in the Jericho Valley, Jiminy Peak offers a variety of wedding packages. You can elope with an intimate Brookside ceremony and dinner in the lovely Jericho room or choose a majestic vow ceremony on the summit with breathtaking vistas! Most larger wedding packages are available only in the summer and the fall, however, if you are planning to elope and want to have an intimate ski-wedding, wedding planners at Jiminy Peak will work with you to make your winter wedding dreams a reality! Picture taking a chairlift up to your styled-ceremony location, maybe even with an arch decorated with local flowers. And then you look into your partner's eyes as you make your promises to each other. Cue the tears.
Jiminy Peak is also easy to get to. Only 2.5 hours from Boston, 3 hours from NYC, and 45 minutes from Albany, this is one of the easiest mountain wedding destinations to travel to on the East Coast.
Highlights: You are able to make a weekend out of it, complete with late night fire pits and on-property housing
Pricing: Wedding packages start at $1,750
Availability: Year round
Guest Count: 3-350 people
Perfect for: The couple that wants a wedding surrounded by gorgeous fall foliage or an intimate ski wedding
New Hampshire Elopement Packages
The Granite State slogan is "You're going to love it here," and that is spot on. Less than an hour outside of Boston to the New Hampshire border, this state is very easy to get to whether you are flying in from across the country or taking the train up from Massachusetts. In fact, New Hampshire is one of my favorite states to escape to with my honey for a romantic weekend away at an Air BnB we love 3 hours away from where we live in Upstate New York. And for the book nerds like me, New Hampshire established the first free public library in 1833- pretty cool, right?
I'll admit that most of the time I'm in New Hampshire, it is snowy. That's because New Hampshire has some of the best winter hiking that I've experienced on the East Coast, so I'm constantly driving here to explore all the trails and summits! That said, New Hampshire is gorgeous any time of year and a lovely place to get married year-round. Whether you want to be close to the coast or right in the middle of the White Mountains, there is a wedding destination for you. With it's romantic mountain vistas and gorgeous lake-side retreats, New Hampshire is a popular wedding destination for adventurous lovers.
How to Get Legally Married in New Hampshire
Any couple wishing to marry in New Hampshire must first appear together at the town/city clerk's office. You can do this in any city or town of your choosing- it does not need to be the one that you are getting married in. After filling out the form to obtain your marriage license and paying the $50 fee, you are almost ready to go! There is a 3-day waiting period in New Hampshire to get married and your marriage license is valid for 90 days.
In order to obtain your marriage license, you will need:
Certified copies of your birth certificates
Government-issued photo identification
$50 fee payable to the clerk
If you have been married before, you will need other paperwork proving the annulment, dissolution, divorce, or death from a previous spouse.
Reasons to elope in New Hampshire:
You can do it all- rock climb, ski, hike, chase waterfalls, or hang out on the beach. There is literally something for everyone. And at most, it's only a few hours away.
Perhaps surprisingly, New Hampshire has some of the best wineries in New England! You can book a tour and tasting at one of the many local wineries.
Visiting in the winter? Ice Castles is one of the coolest exhibits. Located in North Woodstock are a series of caves, tunnels, fountains, slides, and sculptures made of icicles.
Do you love to go backpacking? The White Mountains offer some of the best backpacking terrain in the Northeast. For some extra fun, you can stay overnight at one of the many huts throughout the mountains.
If you love farm-to-table cuisine and desire inclusive experiences in a private, authentic farm setting featuring breathtaking lake and mountain views, well, Timber Hill Farm might be perfect for your destination wedding!
The barn is located on a prominent private ledge outcropping at the top of one of the most remote fields, surrounded by woods and far from the road and houses. The front of the barn perfectly frames views down the field, and across Lake Winnipesaukee to the northern mountains. The outdoor wedding ceremony site offers expansive views of the surrounding mountains and lakes as well. The patio, ornate staircases, stonework, wedding tree and bonfire pit are highlights of the sprawling event space.
Highlights: Mountain Views, Lake Views, Barn, Farm to Table Cuisine, Bonfire, Lawn Games
Pricing: $10,000
Availability: Year-round
Guest Count: Intimate Elopement - 200 People
Perfect for: Intimate Weddings and Elopements
This resort provides the opportunity for an extended stay destination wedding. Take the extra time to unwind, relax and create lifelong memories with friends and family. Purity Spring Resort offers two full venue rentals including lodging, reception rooms, outdoor activities and more. And for ease of getting to the summit, you and your guests can take the chairlift up to your ceremony.
Highlights: Ceremony Options (Lakeside, Mountaintop, Fields); Views
Pricing: Two-day rentals start at $3,000
Availability: Spring, Summer, Fall
Guest Count: 20-200
Perfect for: The couple that wants to invite guests for an extended getaway
If you are hoping to ski on your wedding day, the Mountain Club on Loon might be the place for you! No matter what time of year, you can get married surrounded by the gorgeous mountains of New Hampshire. This resort is perfect for the couple looking for an all-inclusive wedding getaway. You have your choice to hang out at the pool, go skiing, ride the gondola, or go hiking right at the resort. If you wander off the resort, you have options to mountain bike in the fall, visit ice castles in the winter, and so much more!
Highlights: Mountain Views, All-Inclusive
Pricing: Starts at $500
Availability: Year-round
Guest Count: Perfect for your intimate elopement or a larger affair with 150 guests
Perfect for: The couple that wants to ski on their wedding day
Mount Sunapee might be one of my favorite resorts to get married at. About 90 minutes outside of Boston, it is the first "big" mountain you get to when traveling north through New Hampshire. Not only do you get 360 degree views on the summit, but you also have lush forest options for portraits as well. For the reception, there is a gorgeous lodge with New England post and beam construction and windows everywhere- and did I mention the 2 story ceiling? As for fun before or after the wedding, you can spend time at on the property rock climbing, visiting the aerial challenge course, or playing mini golf! This resort is perfect for your intimate, destination wedding.
Highlights: Charm, Views, Location, Staff and Customer Experience
Pricing: Starts at $2,400 for the summit ceremony; $7,000 for reception
Availability: End of May through Late October
Guest Count: 10-200
Perfect for: The couple that wants a rustic yet modern vibe on their wedding day
Mountain Wedding Venues in Upstate New York
When you think of New York, do you just think about NYC? Well, you aren't alone. But guess what, New York is HUGE! In fact, did you know that the Adirondack Park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier and Olympic parks COMBINED? And there is so much to do. Think multi-day kayak trips, exploring waterfalls, and hot air balloon trips- you can pretty much find something amazing to do wherever you are. And because I live here, I spend a lot of time finding all the hidden gems that aren't too popular yet. And by working with me, I'll give you all of the recommendations I have so you can explore them as well!
How To Get Legally Married in New York
You can apply for your marriage license to get married in any city or town in New York. There is a 24-hour waiting period and the license is then valid for 60 days. In order to obtain a marriage license, you must have original documents with a raised seal. You will need:
Your birth certificate- if you cannot obtain your birth certificate, you may use a baptismal certificate or naturalization papers
Photo ID with a birth date on it, such as a driver's license or a non-drivers/work ID
All previous marriage info is needed as well (Divorce, Annulment, and/or Death Certificates
$40 Cash
Reasons to Get Married in New York
Think wine, apple picking, sunflower fields, and space to roam.
The skiing is some of the best on the east coast. But be warned- it gets icy!
If you like road trips, New York is perfect! With so many cute, small towns to visit and beautiful state parks throughout, it is a road trip-lovers dream.
Do you like horse-back riding? Horses are very popular in Upstate New York and many farms offer trail rides! One of my favorite places to ride is K&K Equestrian Center at Ravine Farm in the Catskills.
Interested in eloping or getting married in Upstate New York? Check out this blog post for more ideas!
Gore Mountain is a spectacular place to get married, whether it's in the fall or in the winter. In fact, Gore has some of my favorite skiing of all the mountains in New York! If you choose to host your intimate wedding or elopement at Gore Mountain, you will start by taking a gondola ride up to the summit. Surrounded by views of the Adirondacks, it is truly epic. Plus, unlike many of the other mountain wedding venues on this list, you can actually host your wedding reception on the mountain at one of the mid-mountain stations. Or, perhaps you want to just get married at Gore, but you actually want to host your reception at one of the charming Air BnBs or intimate venues in town- you can do that too! One of the most attractive things about getting married at Gore is that they have a pretty great mountain bike park. So, if that is your thing, definitely check it out!
Highlights: Location, Surrounding Activities
Pricing: Starts at $4,934
Availability: Year-round, but with adjustments during the winter (i.e. ski or snowboarding ceremony on the mountain but reception elsewhere)
Guest Count: Intimate Elopement to 200
Perfect for: The couple that loves to play outdoors- especially if you love skiing and mountain biking!
If you want incredible scenery in the Northern Catskill Mountains, consider getting married at Hunter Mountain. Hunter Mountain is a ski resort located in Greene County, about 3 hours from NYC and Boston and only an hour outside of Albany. Take a chairlift up to your summit ceremony and enjoy 360 degree views on your way up the mountain. Getting married in the summer or fall? Enjoy the skyride or ziplining right on the property! And if you are into hiking and love fire towers, there is one right on top of Hunter Mountain that is part of the Firetower Hiking Challenge. Another 4 are nearby and easily able to be completed over the course of a couple days!
Highlights: Location; All-Inclusive; Good Food
Pricing: Typical spend for 50 guests is around $13,000
Availability: Spring, Summer, Fall
Guest Count: 50-350
Perfect for: The couple that wants to celebrate with their family and friends while enjoying fall foliage.
These locations give the feel of being in the mountains on your wedding day with the ease of accessibility. And if you are a Winter Olympics fan, this is definitely the place for you! If you get married at the Jumping Complex, you will overlook the Sentinel Range and Whiteface Mtn. At the Sports Complex, you will overlook Cascade Mountain, Porter Mountain, and Whiteface Mountain. All venues are ADA accessible.
For the couples that want a sporty wedding day or weekend, the Olympic Center offers group curling, ice skating, and hockey shots, with a bit of history as well!
Highlights: ADA Accessibility, Beautiful Scenery, Activities
Pricing: $1,000+
Availability: Year-round
Guest Count: 3-250
Perfect for: The couple who wants Adirondack views on their wedding day with an ADA-compliant venue.
Romantic with a side of daring, Whiteface Mountain offers a dramatic wedding experience as you stand surrounded by panoramic views of majestic mountains and lakes. Picture hosting your rehearsal dinner atop a 120-meter ski jumping tower, inviting your guests up to the top of Little Whiteface for your ceremony, and then partying in Lake Placid Village afterwards.
About a 10 minute drive from Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain locations are easy to get to. From taking a gondola up to Little Whiteface or driving up the Veteran's Memorial Highway, you can get to one of the tallest peaks in New York with ease. After your ceremony, you can celebrate at the Cloudspin Bar Grill or host your intimate reception at the J. Lohr Wine Cafe.
*All locations at the Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway, including the summit, will not be available in 2021 or 2022 for weddings. That said, you can still drive to the top and elope with just you and an officiant. You just won't be able to be on the summit itself and you will have onlookers.
Highlights: Views, Rocky Outcroppings, Great Air BnBs, Area Spas, Outdoor Activities
Pricing: $1,000+
Availability: Mid June - End of August
Guest Count: 3-200 guests depending on the venue
Perfect for: Adventurous couples who want to incorporate the Adirondack's wild beauty into their wedding day.
Vermont Mountain View Wedding Venues
Ah, Vermont. Where a sugar house can be found around every corner, and if its sugaring season, you can drop by to buy your fresh maple syrup, maple candies, and sugar in snow (have you tried it? It's maple syrup that is poured on snow so it freezes...yum!) It's probably pretty easy to guess why Vermont is called the Green Mountain State. All you have to do is drive through to see the rolling, green hills all around you. And it might as well be called the state of farmer's markets, because wherever yo
u are, I'm sure you will be able to find a farmer's market with fresh, local goods to enjoy! Speaking from experience, some of the best food I've eaten was from when I lived in Southwestern Vermont.
What You Need to Get Legally Married in Vermont
To get married in Vermont, you will need to complete the Application for Vermont License of Civil Marriage form, which can now be found online. You then bring it to the town clerk in your town of residence. If neither person getting married is a resident of Vermont, then the application may be presented to any town clerk within Vermont. The marriage license costs $60, so make sure to have that with you. That's it, no waiting period! You then take your license to your officiant to be filled out. Once you have your marriage license, you have 60 days to get married.
Reasons to Get Married in Vermont
Swimming Holes, Mountain Vistas, and Fall Foliage
Charming Inns and Bed and Breakfasts
Farm to Table Dining Experiences
Beautiful, small towns with locally-owned shops
Privacy- with a small population, there are plenty of places to escape to where you and your honey can enjoy your surrounding alone.
Whether you are looking for a place to elope with only you and 6 guests or a grand affair for 400 people, Killington offers multiple venues in a beautiful, natural setting! Whether during fall foliage season or in the middle of winter, the team at Killington wants to give you the perfect mountain wedding experience. Each wedding package is tailored to you and the experience you want to have. Do you want a unique dinner experience? Check out the Ledgewood Yurt which can accommodate your wedding party of 34 people! How about something really unique? The Motor Room bar accommodates 10 people and you travel by snowcat to your intimate elopement dinner! How fun is that! Whether you want to spend your wedding day skiing, hiking, or getting pampered at the spa, Killington has something for you!
Highlights: Unique dining experiences; Ski & Snowboard Wedding Options; one of the few wheel-chair accessible mountain top venues in New England
Pricing: Starts at $2,500
Availability: Year-round
Guest Count: 2-250
Perfect for: The couple that wants a unique, all-inclusive accessible wedding venue or the couple looking for an epic ski destination wedding in Vermont.
If you are looking for an incredibly picturesque venue with lovely accommodations for you and your wedding guests, the Mountain Top is an excellent choice (and one of my favorite venues in Vermont!) With multiple ceremony sites, a huge lake, and 700 private acres to explore by foot or by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, the Mountain Top is truly breathtaking any time of year. And the FOOD! The chefs employed are some of the best of the best.
Highlights: Luxurious Accommodations and On-Site Salon; Spectacular Views
Pricing: Custom Wedding Packages Available; Ceremonies start at $750, Receptions at $2,500
Availability: Year-round
Guest Count: 2-200
Perfect for: Foodies and people who want to feel alone in the mountains with their guests on their wedding day; Couples who want an all-inclusive vendor, including flowers, food, and on-site salon services.
Molly is an award-winning intimate wedding and New England elopement photographer who is always up for a new adventure!
Interested in talking to me about your elopement or intimate wedding? Let me be your guide to making the best of your perfect day!
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What a delightful read! 🌄 This article perfectly captures the essence of mountain weddings while keeping accessibility in mind. I love how it highlights venues that offer breathtaking views without the strenuous hikes. The selection is fantastic and offers something for everyone! Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy ceremony in the woods or a stunning mountaintop exchange of vows, this guide has you covered. Thank you for sharing these beautiful options—can't wait to start planning! 💍✨