Winter Elopement at Wolf Cove Inn, Poland, Maine


In the current bridal industry, everything needs a label. It helps to identify what sort of day you want to have or not have, so the terms are important. However, they can be so limiting and I generally hate them. So much of creativity is very specific and a culmination of many many ideas and preferences and desires. So to distill all of that to a word already narrows people’s interpretation of it from afar and a new meaning is created on the surface level. An example of that is the anti-bride term that has taken on a life of its own as something counter-bridal-culture which in itself just makes it another part of the mainstream culture. Ugh! Where do you go from there?

Brianna + Jack knew which way to go. They knew that they just wanted to be married, alone with only each other to stay as present as possible and for it to happen in a place that was new to them and fun. Although they are from the mid-East-coast, they loved winter and snow. And Disney! And board games! So those were some of the building blocks of this winter Maine elopement.

They chose a little bed and breakfast called the Wolf Cover Inn during its off season in Poland, Maine and knew they would make a little weekend of it. Think: that little summer vacation where the accommodations feel like home with no strangers. It is all to themselves. They were the only guests during their night’s stay which made it feel that much more intimate.

Maine tends to be a great location for outdoor enthusiasts looking to be married in a place that feels different enough from the other areas of the East Coast. Generally it is a very nature-focused state with raw coastal towns, inner state lakes and forests beyond your comprehension. It is a huge place, yet filled with small towns that feel unique and special to whatever brings you there. Poland, Maine is a tiny little town with tons of lakes and hills and a historic resort to check out. 

The two of them spent the morning together, Jack getting ready relatively quickly and care-free playing GameBoy on the couch while Bri worked on her makeup in the adjacent bathroom. She opted to dress privately and had Jack wait until she was totally ready to be seen. A moment like this can feel so overwhelming and so full of emotion, but is often coupled with the reactions of so many others around you (including the venue staff or a coordinator at times which feels inappropriate). But they quietly cried while hugging, looking at each other dressed in a way they hadn’t seen before and taking in the reality that this is happening. Today. Soon!

They made their way to the edge of Tripp Lake at the back of the property, wind blowing and cheeks chapped and everyone smiling ear to ear. There is something inherently human about reacting to the experiences of others so deeply even when you may not know them personally. You are watching these two souls getting married for each other and nothing else. 

As they said finished their vows, the snow flurries started despite having no snow on the radar that day (something that the bride wanted and anticipated having chosen Maine in the winter for the potential of either snow coverage or snow fall the day-of). But the proximity to the cold lake and the overcast was the perfect cocktail for a mini snow fall that emerged right as their vows ended. Actual snow flakes gently sprinkled the bare ground as they kissed their first time as a married couple and coated their hair and clothing as we captured some outdoor portraits around the property. They retreated indoors to warm up, drink some cocoa and played a round of chess before moving to the sunroom to cut their cake and play a game of Catan to end their photographed portion of the day.

A midday wedding means having the evening to do whatever feels true to you. If it is drinking, celebrating and eating yummy foods or spending it in your cozy wintry room or hiking and adventuring the surrounding paths and hikes, the day is actually yours and reflective of you two. You do not need the pomp of a traditional wedding that is derived from a time when two families melding together was a social event that changed the status for those involved. It can be rooted in love, gratitude, appreciation and simplicity the way it was for Bri + Jack.

If a Maine elopement, or outdoorsy Maine wedding or a more individualistic wedding is something you are considering and want to pursue, I’d love to be the one to capture it to reflect the realness of you.

If you connect with these photos or want to learn more, I would love to hear from you. Reach out here 🙂


Venue: Wolf Cove Inn \ Photography: Britt Hill Photo

About the author:

Britt Hill is a wedding and elopement photographer that creates film inspired photographs for those that love some adventure, who live intentionally and for those looking to do things their way.