5.0
Praised by couples for:
Amenities
Unique aesthetic style
Guests comfort
Elegant, Private Estate 25 mins from Portland!
Holds ceremonies and receptions
We had an incredible experience working with the talented team at The Barn on Walnut Hill! It is a spectacular venue, and we can’t recommend it enough!
Sophie D.
5.0
We loved the charm of the farmhouse and barn and ability to have a beautiful ceremony outside among the trees. Mike and Essie were super responsive and helpful, even coming with fresh towels and pot holders within an hour of the request. They made enjoying their venue and our wedding day easy.
Maura D.
5.0
Essie & Mike
OWNER
AWARD WINNER
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
The Barn on Walnut Hill is one of Maine's most sought after venues, located conveniently just 25 minutes from Portland in the lovely town of North Yarmouth. For more than a decade, the property has been setting the bar for timeless, upscale, and modern events in an elevated New England setting.
Walnut Hill's serene and beautifully landscaped estate-like grounds, including forest ceremony grove, meticulously restored and climate controlled barn, and ample space for tenting, offer the most elegant of settings to host your event in the spring, summer, or fall.
Weddings at Walnut Hill include use of the entire property, including overnight accommodations in the on-site farmhouse for 12 guests from Thursday through Sunday. With a full weekend wedding experience, you are welcome to host your ceremony and reception on site, as well as rehearsal dinner, welcome drinks, and even a farewell brunch if you'd like, with no additional fees.
Additionally, given Walnut Hill's proximity to Portland, many couples love that they can combine the best of the city (including restaurants, hotels, and rental homes for guests) with the natural beauty and privacy of an elevated outdoor setting for their wedding day.
One of the other unique things about marrying at Walnut Hill is that you'll have the opportunity to do some good, just by celebrating with us! Through our Love/Give program, we donate a share of our proceeds from every wedding to organizations that are making a difference for Maine’s people and places.
Woman-owned Business
16+ years in business
Speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Backyard
Barn
Farm & Ranch
Estate
Garden
Historic Venue
Tented
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Bar Rental
Destination Weddings
Food & Catering
Rentals & Equipment
Awards and Affiliations
2024 'Best of Weddings'
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Showing slide number 1 out of 2
- Essie & MikeOwnerWe are the proud co-owners of The Maine Barns, which includes both Flanagan Farm and Walnut Hill. After marrying at Flanagan Farm ourselves, we decided to further marry our professional talents by becoming partners and co-owners of the property a few years later. The move took our growing family from Fort Greene, Brooklyn back to Maine. Mike's background is primarily in the culinary world, with experience as a Chef in Italy, San Francisco, and Colorado. Essie spent the majority of her career leading large scale events, communications, and fundraising for a national non-profit.
- Mike and Essie HaimesProprietorsIt’s no exaggeration to say that our wedding at Flanagan Farm changed our lives. On our first date, we immediately connected around a shared love of Maine and the outdoors, a (near obsession) with food, a passion for bringing people together, and a vision for what life could be like if maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to combine them all. Many years later, we feel so lucky to be doing just that, with our ample-cheeked daughters Josie and Ella in tow! We come to the barns each with more than a decade of events and culinary experience. Mike began cooking professionally in Colorado and Maine. This passion led to a formative apprenticeship in Italy with the renowned Italian chef and butcher Dario Cecchini. From there, Mike worked as a chef in San Francisco continuing to specializing in northern Italian cuisine. Essie has spent the majority of her career leading events, communications, and fundraising for a national non-profit organization. In these roles, she managed relationships with high profile donors and groups and helped curate events and experiences ranging from intimate, elevated dinners to large-scale 1,000-person galas. Looking ahead, we hope the timeless elegance, charm, and standard of excellence that have come to define The Maine Barns all remain, infused with some of our fresh energy and new ideas for hosting modern and unforgettable events. After all, we know firsthand how memorable (and maybe even life-changing) your wedding weekend can be.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.024 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Barn on Walnut Hill is a stunning, well-maintained venue with a charming farmhouse, beautiful barn, and a magical tree grove ideal for ceremonies. The on-site farmhouse and vendor recommendations make planning and getting ready effortless. Staff are responsive, organized, and very helpful, creating a seamless wedding experience.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Valerie R
Highlighted review.
5.0
11/12/2023
Having our wedding at The Barn on Walnut Hill was an absolute dream. Essie and Mike were great to work with and having the property for the weekend and a few days before made all t...
he difference. The property is immaculately maintained. Being able to have getting ready photos, photos before the wedding, first look photos, the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception all on one property made the day so smooth and enjoyable. I couldn't recommend having your wedding here enough! We used the following vendors and also highly recommend all of them. Michelle K Martin Photography, MKQ Events, Clo Floral, Fire & Co, One Stop Event Rentals, The Girl Who Cuts My Hair, Sarah Seven Dress, and Silver Arrow Band.
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Valerie! You and Pete were the dream! Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of yo...
ur beautiful celebration. Your thoughtful touches, attention to detail, and fabulous vendor team made the day one to remember. We’re so grateful to have you as a part of the Walnut Hill family.
Sophie D
5.0
11/10/2025
We had an incredible experience working with the talented team at The Barn on Walnut Hill! It is a spectacular venue, and we can’t recommend it enough!
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 12/21/2025
Sophie! Thank you so much for your kind words. You, David, and your loved ones filled Waln...
ut Hill with so much light, laughter, and *joy*! It was such an honor to play a part in bringing your beautiful weekend together. Thank you for trusting us with such an important day and please don't be strangers!
Any questions?
Maura D
5.0
9/19/2025
We loved the charm of the farmhouse and barn and ability to have a beautiful ceremony outside among the trees. Mike and Essie were super responsive and helpful, even coming with fr...
esh towels and pot holders within an hour of the request. They made enjoying their venue and our wedding day easy.
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 12/21/2025
Maura! Such a joy to have hosted you and your wonderful family and friends at Walnut Hill....
The weekend was absolutely stunning and so heartfelt through every single moment. Thank you so much for sharing these kind words and for allowing us to be a part of helping you celebrate! Sending lots of love from Maine!
Jessica S
5.0
9/13/2025
We would highly recommend the Barn at Walnut Hill to host a wedding event. The overall place was beautiful and created a warm and inviting space for our guests. The grove felt like...
a magical space for the ceremony. We utilized a tent for the dinner and felt like the flow of the day worked very well. The barn looked wonderful with disco balls and string lights. Having the use of the house located at the venue was more helpful then we could have imagined. Essie and Mike were a joy to work with and provided vital recommendations for vendors which was crucial when planning the wedding at a distance. The overall experience exceeded our expectations. - the Shankman Doman family
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 12/21/2025
Working with *you* wonderful people was the best! Truly such a joy to have connected aroun...
d this special day. The way that S & J absolutely lit up Walnut Hill with their love and infectious positive energy is something we'll never forget. Thank you for creating these special memories at Walnut Hill and we hope to see you again!
Hayley S
5.0
8/01/2025
We could not have asked for a more beautiful venue for our wedding! Everyone we worked with was kind, responsive and helpful! Mike and Essie are lovely to work with, and their venu...
e is truly stunning.
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 12/21/2025
Hayley! Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting us to host your special wee...
kend. We absolutely loved having you two and your loved ones at Walnut Hill and hope we'll cross paths again. Sending happiness and all good things from Maine!
Steve M
5.0
6/24/2025
The Barn at Walnut Hill is simply put, an amazing and magical place to have a wedding. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, with abundant, perfect spots to take photos (our wed...
ding photographer was giddy about his ability to get "perfect background for shots all over the property". Essie and Mike are two of the most organized, clear and kind people you could ask for during wedding preparation and execution. Their approved vendor lists are a lifesaver for assisting in the search for all the various vendors you need to put together a wedding and they will go out of their way to help with anything you need or are searching for. The "ceremony grove" is amazing. Set in an open space surrounded by enormous deciduous trees that create a canopy-like space, its a gorgeous setting made better by the sound system already set up in the trees for your needs. The farmhouse, well, wow! It was great to watch our daughter have her friends and cousins and grandmother around to help her and just have a relaxing time over the weekend. It is perfectly appointed, all the things in the kitchen and other spaces you could possibly want and all in great condition. I guess I would say that Mike and Essie have thoughtfully created a wedding venue that makes it much easier to organize a wedding, in a space that is taken care of meticulously, with an age-old barn that makes you feel like you are in the coolest space you could possibly be in. It truly is a special place to have a wedding.
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 12/21/2025
Steve - thank you so much for these generous and thoughtful words! It was truly our pleasu...
re to host you all at Walnut Hill. Always *so* wonderful getting to work with local couples and families. You put together a stunning, authentic, delicious (!), and very special weekend at Walnut Hill and we were honored to play a small role in it. Sending all the very best and thank you again!
Sara C
5.0
1/17/2024
My husband and I had such an amazing experience getting married at the Barn on Walnut Hill in August 2022. Everything about the venue was absolutely perfect, from the farmhouse to ...
the barn and ceremony grove and everything else about this beautiful property.
My bridesmaids and I stayed at the farmhouse the night before the wedding and my husband and I stayed there the night of the wedding. The house is beautifully decorated and a lovely setting for photos but also comfortable and functional. The ceremony grove was a stunning setting for our ceremony and we loved having dinner outside under a tent and dancing in the barn. Essie and Mike were fantastic to work with and so helpful. We would absolutely recommend this venue!
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 12/21/2025
Sara! Thank you so much fro these lovely and kind words. What a weekend you had at Walnut ...
Hill! We were so honored to be a part of it and thank you for trusting us with your most treasured of days!
Sophia S
5.0
10/23/2023
My husband and I got married at Walnut Hill in late May and had the most beautiful, intimate wedding. The venue itself brought so much in terms of decor—the gorgeous tree grove, ch...
arming barn, in bloom garden—we really only added small touches with florals and tablescapes / seating to bring the event together. As the bride, I also loved that we had the on-location farmhouse to get ready in, watch guests arrive, plus be able to run back to change or touch up during the event. Essie and Mike (venue owners) are incredible to work with, they truly care that you're going to have an amazing time. And Kate, the venue GM / planner, is super organized, has the best attitude, and will make the planning process SO much more fun and exciting. Overall, you just feel taken care of. The Walnut team is also very well connected and respected in the area. Vendors love working with them, which means you get access to a lot of good recommendations, and options to fit your vision. We couldn't recommend the venue or team more!
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Sophia! Alex! You and your families were such a joy to host. We love a May wedding, but th...
e way you leaned into the greenery, the florals, and the intimacy of the space brought a whole new level of magic. We loved the energy and every thoughtful detail. And those late night photos on the pickleball court - swoon! This isn’t one we’ll be forgetting any time soon. We’re so grateful to have you as a part of the Walnut Hill family.
Nathan M
5.0
10/12/2023
What a venue!! A true beauty and hidden gem in Yarmouth. Essie and Mike were fantastic communicators and supportive all along the way - we never wanted for information or how to ge...
t something done because they provided any and all info we'd need.
Callie the venue manager was also extremely attentive and aware of all our needs + met them! They even sweetly sent over my wife's bridal mug we left behind.
If you're thinking of a stunning, sorta secluded and naturally cozy venue look no further than The Barn at Walnut Hill!
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Thank you so much for your kind words,
Nate! You and Lily were the epitome of wonderful a...
nd we’re so thrilled that the weekend was everything you imagined it to be. We’ll make sure to pass this along to Callie too! We’re so proud of the family we’ve built at Walnut Hill and are so grateful to have you as a part of it!
Kate S
5.0
8/30/2023
A beautiful, beautiful barn for a Portland Maine area wedding. Despite a rainy evening, the wedding was magical with a tent for dinner and a joyous square dance after in the barn....
I can't say enough about how responsive and supportive the owners were. This barn is a real gem.
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Kate! Thank you so much for this! We’re glad you felt the magic and warmth of the property...
even on a less than ideal day and the magic had everything to do with you both and your wonderful families. Thank you for choosing us to help you celebrate!
Kent A
5.0
8/28/2023
NICE
Fiona O
5.0
7/03/2023
We wanted a venue that was near Portland, Maine but wasn't a traditional hotel-type venue. The Barn on Walnut Hill checked all those boxes and more! We had our wedding in early Jun...
e and the venue was beautiful with all the flowers in bloom. We also loved having access to the venue for the extended weekend and being able to have our families stay on-site. The owners, Mike and Essie were wonderful throughout the entire wedding planning process - they're quick to respond to any questions and checked in with us too.
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Thank you so much, Fiona! We felt your energy from the moment you and Scott stepped on the...
property for your tour - it was clear this was the space for you and goodness did you deliver! Your energy, your joy, and your love for each other was palpable the entire weekend. Thank you so much for choosing us to help you celebrate!
Nicholle G
5.0
6/23/2023
The Barn on Walnut Hill is an incredible venue! Coming from out of state, it was so nice to offer our wedding party a place to stay for the weekend and to have a central location f...
or all of our weekend events. The grounds are beautiful and make for stunning photos. The farmhouse has everything you could need for a weekend away and acts as a great spot for Sunday brunch. Mike & Essie were wonderful to work with and really made sure we had everything we needed leading up to our wedding day. They also have a lot of great connections with vendors with made planning so much easier. Can't recommend this spot enough!
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Thank you so much for your kind words, Nicholle! You and Cam were such a joy and we are SO...
grateful for the opportunity to help you celebrate. We’re so proud of the family we’ve built around Walnut Hill and are thrilled that you felt that too. Please don’t be strangers!
Patrick O
5.0
5/17/2023
My wife and I were married at Walnut Hill in July of last year and we had the best day of our lives there! Mike and Essie were an absolute pleasure to work with - they were so fri...
endly and accommodating throughout the process. The entire property is so beautiful, from the Barn itself (and its attached, charming country house which can sleep up to 12 if memory correctly serves), the newly redone patio beside the barn, the sprawling lawn and last but certainly not least, the ceremony area (the main reason fell in love with this location!).
The ceremony area lets the perfect amount of light in, which in our case was especially great since it kept our guests (and ourselves) cooler on what was a 90+ degree day! It is also equipped with speakers surrounding it which is really helpful for whatever sort of musical arrangements you have for the most important part of the day.
Cocktail hour was out on the patio. The massive tree nearby provided shade to those who needed to step out of the sun for a few.
We had our reception in the barn. It is HVAC-equipped which was key on such a hot day. We had a little under 70 guests so we had plenty of room for a full band and dance floor in the middle, but I think you could fit double that size without much trouble at all. The barn also has a bar built in which was such a great touch.
I would recommend The Barn On Walnut Hill to anyone looking for an intimate, all-inclusive venue. It really is one of the best spots in the Portland, ME area, if not all of Maine in my book.
Thanks again Mike and Essie!
-Pat
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Pat! Thank you so much for your kind words. You and Shandra were a true joy to host and we...
’re thrilled that you chose us to help you celebrate. The ceremony grove is itself a little slice of magic, but to see it filled to bursting with love and energy is what really brings it to life. Thank you for letting us be a part of it!
Miranda C
5.0
5/16/2023
We had our wedding at The Barn on Walnut Hill in September of 2022, and it was the most perfect day imaginable. Stunning outdoor setting, beautiful grounds/patio for cocktail hour,...
and a big, spacious barn for our reception. Essie and Mike were amazing hosts, and it was so fantastic to have the grounds for the weekend to enjoy as a couple and with close friends. Wish we could relive this every year!
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Miranda! You’re welcome back to relive your day anytime! We’re so grateful that you and K ...
chose us to help you celebrate. The warmth and joy that you brought to the property is exactly why we love what we do. We’re so glad to have you as a part of the Walnut Hill family!
Erin N
5.0
5/08/2023
Had such an amazing wedding weekend at Walnut Hill. Essie and Mike were great hosts - Super communicative and accommodating. The venue itself is absolutely beautiful - We got so ma...
ny compliments from our guests. From the charming and comfortable farmhouse, to the picture-perfect ceremony grove with it's stunning tree canopy, we couldn't have imagined a more beautiful setting to say our I-do's. The barn was excellent for after dinner dancing the night away. I wouldn't have changed a single thing.
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Erin! Thank you so much for your kind words. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of y...
our celebration. Your thoughtful touches and joyous energy really brought the property to life. Thank you so much for choosing us!
Molly W
5.0
4/15/2020
We feel so lucky to have found this venue - it is stunning (beautiful sanctuary in the woods for the ceremony, big lawn with room for a tent, and a barn!). The really special think...
for us is that the house attached sleeps 12 people, and we could stay there Wed - Sunday. This meant we could really share the week with our families and settle in, rather than just staying in hotel rooms. It felt like a home and so cozy. Would highly recommend!
Response from The Barn on Walnut Hill on 11/28/2023
Thank you so much for your kind words, Molly! We’re so glad that the property was all you ...
dreamed it would be and that the day felt as serene as it was beautiful. And was it ever beautiful! We loved the way you brought the property to life and are so grateful that you chose us to help you celebrate.
Rebecca H
5.0
4/14/2020
Our wedding at The Barn on Walnut Hill was everything we wanted. The venue is rustic and sophisticated at the same time. The wooded area where the ceremony was held is surrounded o...
n all sides by trees, which creates the effect of being in a cathedral of nature. The property itself has plenty of space for an outdoor cocktail hour and games. Another upside is that the ceremony area and venue are both handicap accessible.
And we loved being able to stay on the property the whole weekend- we actually hosted a small family BBQ the Thursday before our wedding, and also had our (huge) rehearsal dinner at the venue. We didn’t leave the property from Thursday to Sunday!
Final plus - it’s close enough to Portland that our guests could stay there, which was convenient and fun for people flying in who didn’t want to rent a car.
There are a ton of photos online of photos from the venue, and they don’t lie- it really is as beautiful as it looks.
Kaitlyn A
5.0
10/07/2019
A gorgeous venue and a great place for our family to gather. We couldn’t have asked for a better location to celebrate our big day!
Molly H
5.0
7/26/2015
I LOVED my wedding at Barn on Walnut Hill. We still have friends and family seeking us out to tell us that it was one of the prettiest, most unique, and hands down best weddings th...
ey have ever been to. The sanctuary is stunning, the property is beautiful, and the barn had the exact rustic vibe we were going for. We also loved the farmhouse, it is so cute and well decorated. We threw a DIY rehearsal dinner in the backyard and it was so laid back and fun, everyone said they absolutely loved it. It's also close to Portland, where most of our guests stayed, so there is so much to do and see in the area. I absolutely love that area of Maine. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. This place is great!
Danielle P
4.0
7/02/2013
Perfect place to have a rustic barn wedding
Michelle C
5.0
6/27/2013
The second I found this location online I knew it was it!! We went for a visit the same day! Being able to stay Wednesday through Sunday was SUCH a benefit! We had plenty of time t...
o settle in and had a place for everyone to mingle before the wedding! I didnt want to leave! The outdoor ceremony area was perfect followed by a reception in the barn! It didn't rain so we had yard games going on outside as well! So perfect and well worth the money! Also loved that we were able to pick our catering company and beer on tap!
Rebecca D
5.0
11/13/2011
The Barn on Walnut Hill was an amazing locale to have our wedding! Our family was able to stay in this gorgeous 5 bedroom farmhouse from Wednesday through Sunday and we hosted our ...
rehearsal dinner, wedding and a Sunday morning brunch there. Our wedding caterers could work out of the Farmhouse kitchen and they loved it. The owners Gail and Merrill were wonderful to work with throughout the process. It was the perfect place for us!
Naomi M
5.0
8/27/2010
We loved the space, the barn offered a rustic elegance that you can only get form an old structure that's been maintained well and recently renovated like this one has. We had out...
door and inside components through our wedding day. Rent home and Barn from Wed to Sunday for the (small) wedding party.
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The Barn on Walnut Hill
Essie & Mike
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The Barn on Walnut Hill
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