If you’re recently engaged and planning a wedding in Maine, congratulations — and welcome to one of the most exciting (and overwhelming) parts of the process: choosing a wedding photographer.

Photography is one of the few things that lasts long after the wedding day itself, which is why it’s also one of the hardest decisions couples make. Pricing varies wildly, styles can be confusing, and every photographer’s website says they’re “authentic” and “timeless.”

After photographing 500+ weddings across Maine and beyond, I’ve seen what actually matters — and what couples often wish they knew before booking.

If you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding surrounded by rugged coastline, granite peaks, and quiet forest paths, Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful elopement locations in the United States. As an Acadia elopement photographer who has spent years exploring and photographing weddings throughout the park, I’ve had the opportunity to experience many of these locations in every type of light and weather imaginable.

This guide shares my favorite places to photograph elopements in Acadia National Park, along with a few locations that are high on my personal wish list. Whether you’re planning a sunrise ceremony, a cliffside vow exchange, or a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path elopement, this post will help you choose a location that fits your vision.

If you’ve landed on this page, there’s a good chance you’re recently engaged — congrats. Whether you’re planning a full wedding day in Maine or dreaming up an intimate elopement in Acadia National Park, you’re probably trying to find a photographer you genuinely connect with (and trust).

Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming. My goal is to simplify at least one part of that process by being clear, honest, and transparent about what it’s like to work with me — and whether we’re a good fit.

This guide walks you through who I am, how I photograph weddings and elopements, and what you can expect from the moment you inquire until you receive your final images.

Based in Maine and specializing in Acadia National Park elopements, I spend weeks each year exploring the park, scouting ceremony locations, and planning seamless elopement timelines around crowds, weather, and National Park regulations. Whether you’re dreaming of a sunrise cliffside ceremony or a quiet lakeside vow exchange, I’ll help you plan and photograph an unforgettable experience.

As a Maine wedding photographer and Acadia adventure elopement photographer, I hear this question a lot: “What exactly is adventurous wedding photography?”

People often picture couples on cliffs at sunrise, hiking in their wedding clothes, or standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon with wind whipping through their hair. And yes — those moments are absolutely part of what I capture. But adventurous wedding photography is much more than dramatic locations and long hikes. It’s about creating a wedding experience that feels meaningful, intentional, and uniquely yours.

For more than 20 years, I’ve documented weddings all over the world, capturing genuine moments from the rugged coastline of Maine, the mountains of Acadia, the Faroe Islands, Mexico the Tetons, Montana, and beyond. My approach is rooted in photojournalism: emotional, unscripted, and real. I want you to look back on your photos and feel every moment — and for those who couldn’t attend to experience the story of your day through the images I create.

Maine is one of the most stunning places to elope in the U.S., offering everything from rugged coastlines to mountain summits. As a Maine based wedding and adventure elopement photographer, I’ve explored countless locations perfect for couples wanting something meaningful, intimate, and connected to nature. These are some of my favorite places to elope in Maine in 2025–2026!

Over the past several years, the wedding industry has gone through a major shift. Couples around the world have had to rethink what their wedding day really needs to look like—and many discovered something surprising along the way: smaller weddings can be incredibly meaningful, relaxed, and joyful.

Couples who chose to downsize their wedding plans often found that intimate celebrations weren’t just a compromise—they were a better fit. From easier planning to more personal details, many have shared that their smaller wedding days felt more intentional and far less stressful than the large events they originally envisioned.

While small weddings aren’t for everyone—and there will always be a place for big, high-energy celebrations—the benefits of intimate weddings are substantial for couples who value connection, flexibility, and experience over scale.

There are hundreds of places to get married and as a Maine based wedding photographer I've had the luck to travel around this beautiful state and photograph at many of them. Specifically because of the state’s rural and agricultural heritage, there are many beautiful barns and old farms that no longer shelter tractors and hay but have been turned into stunning wedding venues. There are six of my favorites.

The 2019 wedding photography season was a great one. In all honesty, I’ve never had a bad season. I consider myself extremely lucky to do what I do and I cannot thank my couples enough for trusting me to capture one of the most important days in their life. What follows are 11 of my favorite images from the past year in no particular order.

If you’ve landed on this blog post there is a good chance that you’re recently engaged and are thinking about getting married or eloping, congrats! Planning a wedding takes time but hopefully I can take a little stress off your plate by offering this comprehensive guide of what to expect when booking Chris Bennett Photography for your big day. 

Many couples planning their wedding ask the same question early on: Are engagement photos worth it?

The honest answer is that it depends on your priorities, schedule, and budget. But after photographing hundreds of weddings as a Maine-based wedding photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable engagement sessions can be—not just for photos, but for the entire wedding experience.

If you’re on the fence, here are some of the biggest reasons couples choose to schedule engagement photos—and why most are glad they did.

Whatever you choose to do, get creative, be adventurous and have some fun. In the end, you’re the ones who will benefit. Working with Chris Bennett Photography before the big day will help you get comfortable in front of my camera and know what to expect when the proofs come in. Knowing and liking your wedding photographer is significant in the success of your day and will help you focus on the real reason you’re having a wedding in the first place—each other.

Maine is one of the most diverse and beautiful states in the country to get married. Within just a few hours’ drive, you can find sandy beaches, rugged coastline, mountain views, quiet lakes, and four distinct seasons, all centered around a vibrant “big little city” in Portland.

As a Maine-based wedding photographer, I’ve spent years traveling throughout the state photographing weddings at venues of every style—from coastal estates and historic inns to restored farms and tucked-away countryside properties. With so many incredible options, choosing the right venue can feel overwhelming.

This list highlights 9 of my favorite wedding venues in Maine, selected not just for how they look, but for how they feel on a wedding day. While there are many venues I love that didn’t make this list, the ones included here consistently align with my philosophy: weddings should feel intentional, personal, and true to you. These venues offer flexibility, character, and a strong sense of place—perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel like an experience, not a production.

As you plan for your wedding, have you ever thought about some of the traditional things that you're "supposed" to do and where they came from? You might be surprised why how far back their history goes and why their even included and modern day weddings. In terms of wedding photography, think about some of these old traditions. Do they apply to you? Why are you including them? If you've followed my blog in the past, you know I urge every couple I photography to be unique in some way. Maybe it's time to rethink some of these traditions and how they apply to you.

I offer adventurous wedding photography and elopments. What exactly do I mean by adventurous? If you were to look on my website there is talk of climbing to the top of mountains and getting your wedding dress muddy. Google adventurous wedding photographer and you’ll get thousands of results with images of brides on the edge of the grand canyon or on some remote beach with their wedding dress blowing perfectly in the wind. That is a big part of what I do. I want to work with couples who work hard and play hard, who travel the world and aren't afraid to sweat to make their wedding day memorable. But that isn't everything.

“Should we do a first look?”

As a professional wedding photographer, this is one of the most common questions couples ask while planning their wedding timeline. After photographing more than 300 weddings over the past 15+ years, I’ve seen first-hand what works, what doesn’t, and how this one decision can shape the entire flow—and feel—of a wedding day.

This post isn’t about trends or rules. It’s about helping you decide whether a first look on your wedding day makes sense for you.