Maine’s Top Five Airbnb’s for Wedding Prep
As a Maine-based wedding videographer who has filmed countless couples on their special day, I've witnessed firsthand how the getting-ready location can dramatically impact both the wedding experience and the final film. Over the years, I've developed a deep appreciation for couples who choose Airbnbs as their preparation space, and I'd like to share why this approach might be perfect for your wedding day as well. Before we discuss the why, let’s take a look at my top five picks for Maine.
Cozy Cottage on the Penobscot
Location: Hampden
From the Owner:
Escape to your private sanctuary where tranquility meets luxury. Our Coastal Maine Cottage home is perched on a granite ledge that disappears twice daily with the rising tide. Enjoy the pristine interior bathed in natural light, cherry floors, and gourmet kitchen. Wake to panoramic views of the Penobscot River from the owner's suite. Conveniently located 12 minutes to downtown Bangor, our retreat offers easy access to urban amenities, an international airport, and Acadia!
BREEZE
Location: Appleton
From the Owner:
BREEZE Treehouse, is located at The Appleton Retreat on 120 acres of private land, bordered by 1,300 acres of a protected nature conservancy. To the south is the Pettengill Stream a resource protected area and to the north a large secluded pond. BREEZE guests may reserve the wood fired cedar hot tub and the sauna, at an additional charge, which are close by and private. The Appleton Retreat is less than a 30 minute drive to Belfast, Rockport, Camden and Rockland, charming downeast seaside towns.
Wildwood Acadia Salt House
Location: Stockton Springs
From the Owner:
Salt House at Wildwood Acadia is a brand new midcoast Maine coastal getaway. Under an hour to Acadia National Park!
This modern, coastal-inspired getaway has been curated throughout and offers one bedroom (queen), organic linens and towels, a fully stocked kitchen with four-burner gas stove and oven, oversized sink, dining kitchen island with custom quartzite countertops, toaster, french press coffee maker, heat and AC, curated decor, smart TV, Sonos, high speed WiFi (300 mbs), dedicated workspace, in-unit washer and dryer (available for guest use), oversized soaking tub with handheld shower attachment, Public Goods toiletries and personal products, and seasonal flower and herb gardens...just to name a few features. Come enjoy Maine in a whole new way!
Private Luxury Yurt
Location: Woodstock
From the Owner:
Birdsong yurt is a truly unique and special lodging experience you won’t forget. An ideal couple’s getaway or perfect place for friends and family to relax and connect with loved ones. Located on two private acres of land surrounded by trees, you will feel close to nature while still having the comforts of modern conveniences. The deck is the perfect place to enjoy the Mountain View, watch the sunsets and stargaze with a glass of wine by the gas fireplace! Relax in the Hot Tub to end the day!
Extraordinary Architectural Masterpiece Downtown
Location: Portland
From the Owner:
This penthouse suit is the perfect get away right in the heart of the old port. Rise above it all with stunning views of downtown and a private deck! The state of the art kitchen is complete with a gas range to cook up a fantastic meal. Feel like going out? The suite is a walk to a number of fabulous restaurants, bars and shopping!
Why Consider an Airbnb for Wedding Prep?
When I arrive at a wedding venue with my camera gear in tow, I'm immediately assessing the environment. Light, space, ambiance—these elements significantly influence the footage I capture during those precious pre-ceremony moments. Traditional getting-ready spaces often present challenges: cramped hotel rooms with limited natural light, poorly positioned mirrors, or distracting backgrounds that detract from the emotional significance of these moments.
Airbnbs, by contrast, can offer a thoughtfully designed setting that enhances rather than hinders your wedding footage. But the benefits extend far beyond just aesthetics. Let me explain why selecting the right Airbnb might be one of the most important decisions you make for your wedding day.
Light, Space, and Atmosphere
Natural Light
As someone who has filmed in countless getting-ready locations across Maine, I cannot overstate the importance of natural light. When I walk into an Airbnb with large windows that flood the space with soft, natural illumination, I know we're set for stunning footage.
Natural light flatters every complexion and creates an authentic, intimate atmosphere that artificial lighting simply cannot replicate. When filming those close-up shots of makeup application, hair styling, or emotional moments with loved ones, natural light brings a cinematic quality that transforms ordinary footage into something truly special.
Many Airbnbs in Maine offer this advantage, especially coastal properties with their expansive ocean-facing windows or woodland retreats with strategic clearings that capture the golden morning light filtering through the trees.
Spatial Freedom
One consistent challenge I face when filming in traditional hotel rooms is the limited space. With bridesmaids, family members, makeup artists, hairstylists, photographers, and videographers all crammed into one room, the environment can quickly become chaotic and claustrophobic.
Airbnbs typically provide multiple rooms and common areas, allowing your wedding party to spread out comfortably. This spatial freedom doesn't just reduce stress—it creates visual opportunities that enhance your wedding film.
When filming in an Airbnb, I can capture wide establishing shots that show the full context of your preparation space. I can move freely between rooms to document parallel activities: perhaps the groomsmen sharing drinks and laughter in the kitchen while bridesmaids help with final dress adjustments in the master bedroom. This narrative complexity adds depth to your wedding film, creating a more comprehensive story of your day.
Personalized Aesthetics
The visual backdrop of your getting-ready footage matters immensely. Generic hotel rooms with their standardized decor rarely complement your wedding's unique style or your personal aesthetic as a couple.
When selecting an Airbnb, you can choose a property whose design sensibility aligns with your wedding vision. For rustic Maine weddings, I've filmed in charming coastal cottages with weathered wood and nautical accents. For more contemporary celebrations, minimalist properties with clean lines and neutral palettes create an elegant backdrop.
This intentional selection creates visual cohesion between your getting-ready footage and the rest of your wedding film. The result is a seamless storytelling experience that feels authentically yours from the first frame to the last.
Check out some of my films:
Nick & Ashley
Jacqueline & Marshall
Monique & Diran
Jamie & Charlie
Practical Advantages Beyond the Visual
Privacy and Exclusivity
Having filmed in both hotel environments and private properties, I can attest to the significant difference privacy makes in the emotional quality of getting-ready footage.
In hotels, you're sharing public spaces with other guests. The background noise of strangers in hallways, housekeeping interruptions, or even the awareness that others are just beyond your door can create subtle tension that the camera captures.
An Airbnb offers complete privacy. This exclusivity allows for genuine emotional moments to unfold naturally—tearful conversations with parents, quiet reflections, or uninhibited celebrations with friends. These unguarded instances often become the most treasured parts of a wedding film, and they flourish in environments where you feel truly at home.
Logistical Flexibility
From a purely practical standpoint, Airbnbs offer logistical advantages that significantly enhance the filming process:
Flexible Timing: Unlike hotel check-ins with rigid schedules, many Airbnbs can accommodate early access, allowing me to capture the full arc of your preparation day without rushing.
Catering Options: The kitchen facilities in most Airbnbs enable easy catering or food delivery, ensuring everyone stays energized without disrupting the preparation timeline.
Seamless Transitions: If your Airbnb is strategically located near your ceremony site, we can capture the departure sequence with greater cinematic impact than the often awkward hotel elevator rides and lobby traversals.
Cost-Effectiveness for Multi-Day Celebrations
For couples planning extended wedding celebrations, an Airbnb can offer significant cost savings compared to multiple hotel rooms. This approach also provides a natural gathering place for pre-wedding events that I can document as part of your comprehensive wedding story—rehearsal dinner moments, welcome gatherings, or post-wedding brunches.
How to Select the Perfect Wedding Prep Airbnb
Prioritize Light Over Location
When reviewing potential Airbnbs online, I always advise couples to prioritize properties with abundant natural light, even if it means being slightly farther from your ceremony location. Look for listings that specifically mention "sun-filled," "bright," or "large windows" in their descriptions.
Study the property photos carefully, noting the position of windows and the quality of light they appear to admit. Properties with east-facing windows often receive beautiful morning light—ideal for those early preparation hours.
Space Configuration Matters
As you evaluate properties, consider how the space is configured and how it will accommodate your wedding party size. Ideal properties feature:
A spacious master bedroom or similar room for the primary getting-ready activities
Adequate bathroom facilities (multiple bathrooms prevent scheduling bottlenecks)
Common areas where family members can relax without crowding the preparation space
Outdoor areas that provide additional filming locations and natural light
Remember that your wedding party will need to move comfortably through the space along with vendors, including myself with camera equipment, potentially a second videographer, and your photography team.
Consider the Visual Story
When I arrive at a getting-ready location, I'm already composing the visual narrative in my mind. Properties that offer a variety of visually interesting spaces allow me to craft a more dynamic and engaging sequence.
Look for Airbnbs with distinctive architectural features, appealing interior design, and varied environments within the property. Even simple elements like a beautiful staircase, a striking front door, or a picturesque porch can become powerful visual moments in your film.
For Maine weddings specifically, properties that incorporate elements of our state's natural beauty—ocean views, forest settings, or classic New England architecture—create a sense of place that enhances your wedding story.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Your Airbnb Wedding Prep Experience
Communicate with Your Host
Once you've selected an Airbnb, I recommend being transparent with your host about your intentions to use the property for wedding preparations. Many hosts are delighted to accommodate wedding parties, but clear communication prevents any misunderstandings.
Some hosts may even offer additional services or amenities when they understand the purpose of your stay—early check-in, special cleaning arrangements, or recommendations for local vendors who can enhance your experience.
Plan Your Timeline Backward
When planning your wedding day timeline, I always suggest working backward from your ceremony time, adding buffer periods for unexpected delays. With an Airbnb, you'll want to allow time for:
Complete preparation of all wedding party members
Individual and group portraits in the best light
Candid moments and meaningful interactions
The "first look" if you're planning one
Departure sequencing and transportation to the ceremony
Share this timeline with me well in advance so I can plan my filming approach accordingly, identifying the key moments and spaces I want to highlight.
Prepare the Space
Upon arrival at your Airbnb, take time to prepare the space for optimal filming conditions:
Clear clutter from primary filming areas
Position important activities near natural light sources
Designate a specific room for wardrobe and accessories
Consider adding meaningful personal touches that reflect your relationship
Creating Memories Beyond the Ceremony
As I reflect on the hundreds of weddings I've filmed throughout Maine, I've noticed that couples who invest thought into their getting-ready environment often express the most satisfaction with their wedding films. Those pre-ceremony hours contain some of the day's most authentic emotions—the nervous anticipation, the tender family moments, the friendship-affirming laughter.
An Airbnb, thoughtfully selected and prepared, provides the ideal canvas for these moments to unfold naturally and beautifully. The result is wedding footage that captures not just how everything looked, but how everything felt on this milestone day.
If you're planning your Maine wedding and considering your getting-ready options, I'd be delighted to discuss your vision and how we might capture it beautifully on film. After all, your wedding story begins long before you say "I do"—and every chapter deserves to be told with care, authenticity, and artistry.
