A Favorite Coastal Maine Venue: The Cliff House

Feb 9

One of my favorite coastal Maine resorts and venues is the spectacular Cliff House just outside Ogunquit, Maine. A little quick backstory before I share more. Maine (and the first visit to the Cliff House) stole my heart Fall of 2020 when I had the joy of photographing a gorgeous York, Maine elopement — more on that in another post! Ever since then, my best friend and I plan a special annual trip to Maine. The Cliff House is a must do for us each time. Photographing destination weddings has taken me all over, but Maine is truly like a second home.

The Cliff House sits beautifully on the oceanfront of Bald Head cliff in southern Maine. It overlooks the ocean’s edge and the adorable Nubble Lighthouse. Standing on the edge of the cliff, you see and hear the ocean waves crashing as they hit the rocks down below. The ocean breeze hits your face and you can smell the fresh salt water off the ocean. As you feel the tall blades of grass sweep across your legs, off in the distance on the ocean are gorgeous sailboats floating across the glistening water. However, the extra special spot on the grounds is walking down to the bottom of the cliff out onto the massive rocks that reach into the ocean. The awe you feel looking up at the giant cliff with the Cliff House sitting above you and the waves crashing all around you is breathtaking and surreal. It is easy to get lost in the moments and it is wonderful.

Now imagine experiencing all of that plus so much more as part of your wedding experience! The Cliff House offers all the luxurious amenities you want your family and friends to experience while being there to celebrate you! The Tiller, their fine dining restaurant that is suspended above the ocean and offers panoramic ocean views is the perfect place for a rehearsal dinner affair. The fireside lounges throughout the resort invite guests to cozy up and enjoy a glass of wine or nightcap before saying goodnight. My personal favorite is ordering their fabulous charcuterie board with a glass of wine while watching the waves crash against the cliff.

The grounds at Cliff House offers several gorgeous ceremony options, all of which include the breathtaking views of the ocean. Hosting a cocktail hour or a welcome reception would also be beautiful out on the grounds. Inside, the Atlantic ballroom features a gorgeous cedar plank vaulted ceiling and tall glass windows with a sweeping view of the ocean and cliff — the ideal setup for a stunning designed reception to enjoy a sit down dinner and dancing the night away. In other words, the Cliff House should definitely be on your list of places to visit or to consider hosting your dream coastal wedding!