Boston & New England Wedding Venues
Cliff House Wedding, Maine
Documentary Wedding Photography · Boston & New England
TL;DR, Cliff House Wedding Guide
- Coastal Maine setting: The Cliff House sits on the rocky cliffs of Cape Neddick, about an hour from Boston.
- Oceanfront ceremony: The North Point Lawn holds over 145 guests with a 180-degree Atlantic view above the crashing surf.
- Ballroom reception: The Atlantic Ballroom seats 150 for dinner and dancing beneath cedar ceilings and floor-to-ceiling sunset windows.
- Time it for light: I recommend a later-afternoon ceremony so the light is right for your photos.
- Resort amenities: 226 rooms with ocean-view balconies, a spa, two restaurants, and pools make it a full-weekend venue.
About The Cliff House
The Cliff House resort is situated in Cape Neddick, about 24 kilometers from Kennerbunkport, Maine. The venue is a the ideal venue for couples looking for a coastal New England feel. Facing the panoramic ocean view, the Cliff House gives you to a scenic views of the rocky Maine coastline.
Waterfront Wedding Ceremony Location
Wedding ceremonies are held on the North Point Lawn of the Cliff House in Maine. The lawn’s location sits on top of the rocky cliffs just above the Atlantic ocean, giving you a 180-degree view of the Atlantic during your ceremony. The ceremony space is a blank canvas for your decor and can be decorated to match your wedding style. The waves crashing against the rocky cliffs below will provide a natural symphony of sound and add a romantic touch to your ceremony. The North Point Lawn is large enough to accommodate over 145 guests. I recommend a ceremony later in the afternoon, so the light is perfect for your photos.
There are also several indoor wedding ceremony locations at The Cliff House. In case of rain the Atlantic ballroom is one option for a backup plan, which features soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll be able to see the Atlantic ocean in this room during your wedding ceremony. If you need a smaller ceremony location, the wedding planner can help you find the perfect ceremony location the property. The professional staff at the Cliff House is experienced in planning weddings and executing beautiful and seamless wedding ceremonies and can help you choose the best location for your special day.
Oceanview Wedding Reception
The Atlantic Ballroom at Cliff House Maine is a one of a kind waterfront wedding venue space that features panoramic windows with vaulted ceiling adorned with cedar planking. Hanging from the cedar planking ceiling are several large modern chandelier lights. Their entire back wall are floor to ceiling windows that will give you a spectacular view of the evening sunset. The Atlantic Ballroom can comfortably seat 150 for dinner followed by dancing.
Catering Options
You and your wedding guest at the Cliff House can anticipate food to match the stunning surroundings. The in house catering staff is known for creating inventive, mouthwatering dishes that are influenced by the local flavors. There are a variety of items available on the Cliff House wedding menus, such as barrel-aged drinks and craft brews, truffle essence risotto with foraged mushrooms from the area, distinctive lobster rolls with handmade butter, and grilled Atlantic halibut.
Accommodation and Amenities
This is a perfect venue for couples that are looking for a waterfront wedding venue close Boston, that offers a beach ceremony and has a large ballroom.
Rooms at the Cliff House Resort
The Cliff House is a reputable resort with 226 guest rooms that are designed with white, yellow, and blue and nautical themes. There are also several suits for your to chose from for your to get ready for your wedding day.
All rooms have private balconies allowing the guest to take in the scenic ocean view. The rooms also include unique amenities like bathrobes, Flatscreen smart TV’s, refrigerators, and a lot more.
Spa
The Cliff House Spa offers spa services and treatments such as facial, body massage, body wraps and more.
On Site Restaurant Options
Inside the Cliff House are two restaurants known as The Tiller Restaurant and Nubb’s Lobster Shack.
If you are craving for freshly picked sea foods, you can have it in the Shack. On the other hand, some guests are looking for a option with a full menu would want to check out The Tiller.
Outdoor Activities
Maine is not only popular for its beaches, but also for its forests and wildlife. The famous Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is near the Cliff House. This is one of the largest forests in the nearby town of Wells and is a home of many of Maine’s local wildlife.
The Cliff House is also twenty-minutes away from Mount Agamenticus, and a is popular hiking spot full of nature and views of the Atlantic Ocean
The cliff house is famous for its stunning beach weddings. It offers a cozy, dreamy, and calming experience of the Atlantic Ocean. Your wedding photographers would not run out of wedding photo locations ideas at the Cliff house.
Other Amenities
Resort is equipped with a pool, bar, patio, and workout room. There are outdoor pools for both kids and adult, while the gym is open for 24 hours. There are some seasonal activities for kids to enjoy. If you wish to roam around the area, you can rent a bike from the resort.
The History of The Cliff House
The Cliff House resort is rich in historty as it was built 146 years ago. In 2016 that the owners, Peter Anastos and Marc Dugas, announced their plans to renovate the wedding venue. Since then, the Cliff House has become a popular resort destination for people throughout the world.
Most guests describe the place as luxurious and sophisticated Maine wedding venue. Following its landmark renovation worth $40 million dollars, the Cliff House has been a go-to place for weddings, honeymoon, family vacations, and getaways.
How To Get To The Cliff House
The Cliff House is conveniently located and can be reached with ease if you are from Boston, New England, Portland, and Manchester. The place is hour’s away from Boston and New England, and 40-minute drive away from Portland. Foreign guests however need to land on Manchester airport to avoid long hours of travel.
Conclusion
On Maine’s rugged coastline, sits The Cliff House. You can have your wedding ceremony here and enjoy breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. A large ballroom and lovely outdoor terraces are just a couple of the venue’s many indoor and outdoor event areas. From cuisine to decor, the Cliff House staff and wedding coordinator are there to make your wedding day flawless. A wonderful choice for your Maine wedding is The Cliff House.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of day should we have our ceremony on the North Point Lawn for the best photos?
I'd push your ceremony as late into the afternoon as the venue allows. The North Point Lawn sits right on the cliffs with a 180-degree view of the Atlantic, and that later light is so much softer and kinder on faces than harsh midday sun. It also sets you up for those glowing golden-hour portraits along the rocks afterward, which is when this place really comes alive.
What happens to our Cliff House wedding photos if it rains?
You're in good shape here. The Atlantic Ballroom is the indoor backup, and with its floor-to-ceiling windows and ocean view it still gives me a gorgeous room to work in. I shoot weather as part of the story rather than fighting it, and honestly some of my favorite frames have come from couples ducking out for a few minutes once a Maine squall clears and the cliffs are wet and dramatic.
Can we do a first look on the cliffs before the ceremony?
Absolutely, and the cliff's edge is one of my favorite spots for it. A first look gives us a quiet, unscripted moment before the day speeds up, and it buys us extra time for portraits so you're not missing your own cocktail hour. I never choreograph these, I just hand you the moment and document what actually happens between you two.
How many hours of coverage do we need to capture a wedding at the Cliff House?
For a full day here I usually recommend coverage that starts with getting ready and runs through the open dancing. Between the oceanfront getting-ready rooms, the North Point Lawn ceremony, portraits along the rocky coastline, and the reception in the Atlantic Ballroom, there's a lot of ground and a lot of light to work with. I'm happy to talk through your specific timeline so the hours fit your day rather than the other way around.
Where are the best spots for portraits at the Cliff House?
The rocky coastline is the obvious star, the paths and stairs down toward the water give you that raw Maine cliff backdrop with the waves behind you. The North Point Lawn at sunset is hard to beat, and the Atlantic Ballroom's wall of windows is a great rainy-day fallback. I tend to keep moving and shoot candidly between the staged moments, because that's usually where the real ones live.
Do you cover both photo and video for Cliff House weddings?
Yes, I'm a hybrid documentary photographer and videographer, so you get one vendor and one consistent style across both. That keeps things calmer on the day since you're not coordinating two separate teams chasing the same moments. With 20 years and 800 weddings behind me, I'd love to talk through what coverage at the Cliff House could look like for you.
How many guests can we have on the North Point Lawn?
The lawn accommodates over 145 guests. It sits on top of the rocky cliffs just above the Atlantic, so you get a 180-degree ocean view during your ceremony, and the waves hitting the rocks below give you a natural soundtrack nobody had to book. The space is a blank canvas, decorate it to match your wedding or leave it alone and let the ocean do the work.
What's the backup if it rains on our ceremony?
The Atlantic Ballroom. It has soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can still see the Atlantic during your ceremony, you're inside, but the ocean is still the backdrop. If you need something smaller, the wedding planner can find you another spot on the property. The staff there has done a lot of these and knows how to make the call.
What's the reception space like at the Cliff House?
The Atlantic Ballroom is a one-of-a-kind waterfront space. Panoramic windows, a vaulted ceiling finished in cedar planking, and large modern chandeliers hanging from it. The entire back wall is floor-to-ceiling glass looking out at the evening sunset. It comfortably seats 150 for dinner with dancing after. It's rare to get a ballroom where the best decor is just the window.
Where do we get ready before a Cliff House wedding?
On property. The resort has 226 guest rooms and several suites you can choose from for getting ready. Every room has a private balcony with the ocean view. Getting ready where you're getting married takes the whole travel problem out of your morning, and it means I'm photographing a calm room instead of a car ride.
Where is the Cliff House, and how do our guests get there?
It's in Cape Neddick, Maine, about 24 kilometers from Kennebunkport. It's roughly an hour from Boston and a 40-minute drive from Portland, so most of New England can reach it easily. Guests flying in from overseas should land at Manchester to avoid a long haul on the back end. It's a destination that doesn't ask too much of the people you love.
What's the food like at the Cliff House?
The in-house catering staff is known for inventive dishes built on local flavors, and the menus reflect where you are. Think distinctive lobster rolls with handmade butter, grilled Atlantic halibut, truffle-essence risotto with foraged local mushrooms, plus craft brews and barrel-aged drinks. The food matches the surroundings, which is not something you can say about every venue with a good view.
What is there for our guests to do over the wedding weekend?
A lot. There's a spa with facials, massages, and body wraps. Two restaurants on site, Nubb's Lobster Shack for fresh seafood and The Tiller for a full menu. There are outdoor pools for kids and adults, a 24-hour gym, a bar and patio, seasonal activities for kids, and bike rentals if people want to roam.
Is there anything to do outdoors nearby?
Maine isn't only beaches. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is close by, one of the largest forests around nearby Wells, and home to a lot of Maine's wildlife. Mount Agamenticus is about twenty minutes away and is a popular hiking spot with views out over the Atlantic. Good options for guests who arrive a day early and don't want to sit still.
How old is the Cliff House?
It was built 146 years ago, so it's got real history behind it. In 2016 the owners, Peter Anastos and Marc Dugas, announced plans for a major renovation, and since that landmark redo it's become a destination for weddings, honeymoons, and getaways for people from all over the world. Guests tend to describe it as luxurious and sophisticated, the history is there, but it doesn't feel dated.
