Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co

Sunset Cruise & Welcome Party

Bar Harbor Historical Society

Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Our Wedding

In November 2023, Shelby was swiping through Hinge (a respectable dating app), looking for love, and saw a message from a very handsome man with gorgeous blue eyes and a floofy dog! They texted for a few days, exchanging witty banter back and forth, and met for their first date at Quiero Cafe in Portland. Shelby ordered a lunch plate and an empanada and Will, very startled by a car accident he had just witnessed, said he'd have the same. Over conversation about their respective Roman empires, they gabbed so fervently that, at one point, Will held his fork in the air with a bite hanging off of it for at least 10 minutes. Once back at her nearby apartment, Shelby swooned over how cute and funny Will was... and was horrified to discover that she had a big piece of black bean stuck in her teeth. A few days later, Will took Shelby on their second date, where during a romantic stroll up and down East End Beach throwing Freya's red toy, they had their first kiss. A few breakfast dates, beach walks, picnics, adventures and crossword puzzles later, they made it "official" and have been attached at the hip ever since! Shelby and Will felt a deep connection right away through their mutual senses of humor, their appreciation for mental well-being, and their shared experiences of sobriety and recovery. Will's depth, thoughtfulness, love of surprises, delicious cooking, perfect dog and amazing laugh helped seal the deal for Shelby. Shelby's infectious light, dedication to family and friends, passion for adventure and experiences (Lady Gaga's truest Little Monster) and calming presence, made Will realize that she was the one. Their love story has already taken them to St. Lucia, Paris, Costa Rica, Roxbury Pond (!) and most recently to an epic Central Park proposal followed by a Lady Gaga concert. It is the excitement of the big moments, and the effortless joy in the small, that has deepened their loving bond. Their easeful Portland day-to-day consists of trail walks and red ball in the backyard with Freya, tending to their garden, URT (uninterrupted reading time), crosswords before bed, yummy homecooked meals, dinners and game nights with friends, visits to family near and far, and live music as often as they can muster the energy. They feel so incredibly grateful and lucky to have found each other, and to get to celebrate their love with all their favorite people. Shelby and Will can't wait to be married!

Our Story

**Most Budget Friendly Option at $229/night and Close to Venue!** The Mira Monte Inn is a romantic Bar Harbor Bed and Breakfast, a short stroll away from the shops and restaurants of Bar Harbor and near the magnificent Acadia National Park. The historic Bar Harbor B&amp;B reflects the grace and beauty of the mid-Victorian time. Each room features a fireplace and/or balcony and is uniquely styled with antique and period furnishings.

Mira Monte Inn

Bride + Groom + Freya staying here!

Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina

*Bridal Family Staying Here!* This Mount Desert Island property offering panoramic views of Frenchman Bay is within a 10-minute drive of Acadia National Park. It features a spa heated indoor and outdoor pools and free Wi-Fi. The Mizzentop’s Great Room serves cocktails and has live piano music. Bluenose Inn-Bar Harbor Hotel also houses the Looking Glass restaurant. All rooms in the Mizzentop building feature a fireplace and a private balcony overlooking Frenchman Bay. Guests at Bluenose Inn-Bar Harbor Hotel can work out in the gym and relax in the hot tub or in the steam room. Downtown Bar Harbor and the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company are just under 1 mile away.

The Bluenose Inn

*Call in for 10% Discount for Carignan/Reid Wedding!* Make yourself at home in one of the 18 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Ivy Manor Inn Village Center

**Call in for 10% Discount for Carignan/Reid Wedding!** On Mount Desert Island these accommodations are located amidst the dining shopping and entertainment options in downtown Bar Harbor. Hiking and swimming in Acadia National Park is available a mile away. The Acadia Hotel provides free Wi-Fi. Guests staying at this Acadia Hotel can enjoy relaxing on the terrace or spending time in the library. The historic building dates back to 1884. Free parking is included. The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Acadia all feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Kayaking in Frenchman Bay around Bar Island is available in a 10-minute walk from the property.

Acadia Hotel - Downtown

*Call in for 10% Discount for Carignan/Reid Wedding!* Located in Bar Harbor, a 13-minute walk from Town Beach, Queen Anne's Revenge has accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Featuring a bar, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel provides a hot tub and a 24-hour front desk. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Popular points of interest near Queen Anne's Revenge include Agamont Park, The Abbe Museum and West Street Historic District.

Queen Anne's Revenge

Hotel Recommendations

Registry

Explore Maine's natural wonders from up high at Acadia National Park! Easiest Adventures (15-30+ minutes):- Driving up to the top of Cadillac Mountain, which requires an advance reservation on their website for a specific date and time to enter. This is the most photographed view in Acadia. - Taking a short walk or driving and stopping along Ocean Path, which features Sand Beach, Otter Point and Thunder Hole. The path is wide and flat along the coast with many great views. Medium Adventures (1-1.5+ Hours):- The Jordan Pond to South Bubble loop, a 1.5-mile jaunt pictured above and Freya approved.- Gorham Mountain, a 3.0-mile loop with the widest viewpoint of Frenchman Bay, Sand Beach and the Porcupine Islands. For the Go-Getters/Advanced Hikers (2 Hours+)- Precipice Trail 2.7 mile loop with over 1,000ft of incline.- Beehive Trail 1.4 mile loop. This is the most popular hike for a reason! You can buy a park entrance pass when you get there, or you can purchase in advance to have in your car window. This website has great ideas for how to make the most of your time in Acadia: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/tripideas/a-half-day-at-acadia.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A Half-Day at Acadia (U.S. National Park Service)</a>

Acadia National Park

At low tide, the namesake of Bar Harbor, a sandbar, reveals itself! It makes for a fun walk and sea glass or shell hunting across to Bar Island. This natural land bridge is accessible for about 2 hours before low tide and 2 hours after low tide.&nbsp;Access to the bar is found by walking down Bridge Street. More adventurous hikers can walk all the way out to explore Bar Island which is part of Acadia National Park, northwest of the Town pier.&nbsp;Caution! If you don't cross back before high tide you will be stranded for 9 hours!!

Bar Island Land Bridge

Short, well-paved path that wraps around the coastline of downtown Bar Harbor from the Bar Harbor Inn to Wayman Lane, which loops back to downtown. It offers stunning views of the water and islands and is THE photo op spot.

Bar Harbor Shore path

Things to Do

Photos

Wedding Party

Will there be parking on site for the wedding? No, unfortunately! We would recommend walking to the wedding from your hotel or accommodations, if possible. There is limited street parking directly outside the venue and a few public lots within a short walking distance... but please keep in mind it's gonna be Labor Day Weekend in a tourist trap. Eeek! If you're staying outside of walking distance and need transportation, let us know and we can arrange a pick up and drop off for you through a local trolley service.

What time should I arrive to the boat and to the ceremony? For the sunset boat cruise on Friday, please arrive to the dock by no later than 4:45 pm EST. For the wedding ceremony on Saturday, please arrive by 12:30 PM EST.

Will the wedding be inside or outside? What kind of shoes should I wear? Is it going to be cold? The ceremony will be outside on the back lawn overlooking the ocean (#romance), with a tented outdoor reception to follow. It might be cold, it might be hot, it might be both because that is coastal Maine for ya! In case of chilly weather, we'll have lots of blankets (shoutout to Jason's Granny for her crochet skills) and space heaters standing by and we'll do our best to make sure everyone is comfortable. Please do check the weather and plan for comfortable attire and footwear, as we will be on flat grass other than the dance floor!

Are there any events after the wedding reception or on Sunday?No sir or ma'am! But feel free to talk amongst yourselves and have a get together on your own. Send us an invite!!

Is there a wedding party/bridesmaids/groomsmen? Nope, but there IS a best dog. Her name is Freya.

What's the best way to get to Bar Harbor if I'm flying? Great question. Bangor International Airport (BGR) is the closest major hub, and it's a 1.5 hour drive from downtown Bar Harbor. This will be the best option for most. There is a very teeny airport 20 minutes away from downtown Bar Harbor that has daily flights from Boston, if a stopover there works for you. It's called Hancock County Bar Harbor Airport (BHB). From Bangor or Bar Harbor, Uber, Lyft or Taxi are all available for a ride to your hotel. There are also rental cars available at each airport. Portland International Jetport (PWM) is about 3.5 hours away. Please reach out to Will or Shelby if any questions about flying to Maine!

Are kids allowed? Yes!!!

What does your dress code mean? I don't want to dress too casually. No one likes worrying about what to wear and if it matches the vibe or not. We tried to provide examples of what to wear to take the guessing out of it, but there's no handbook on how to dress for a daytime sober wedding. For men, there is no need for the blazer or tie. Wear dress pants and a nice shirt. Think, "what would I wear to go golfing with my in-laws?" and you're on the right track. For women, no need to be super formal. Wear something that makes you feel good. Sundresses and flats are great. We don't want your feet to ache as you break it down on the dance floor. If you're feeling awkward or unsure, text us a picture of your proposed fit and we will call the fashion police -- I mean help you decide!!

What if I have food allergies or dietary restrictions? Our caterer can accommodate any restrictions with advanced notice. Please let us know your specific dietary needs when replying to the formal invitation, so we can ensure a safe dining experience for you!

Who should I reach out to with more questions? Shelby: 207-329-9626William: 609-234-9818

Shelby & William