A Weekend Winter Wedding Itinerary for French’s Point

Winter Wedding Ceremony
Published February 5th, 2018
Winter Weddings at French’s Point are always a favorite of ours. Enjoy a weekend wedding celebration with family and friends, fireplaces and warm drinks! Go snowshoeing on our backyard trails, sledding, or relax on a sleigh ride with your newlywed! Whatever your favorite winter activity is, enjoy it here at French’s Point for your weekend winter wedding! Sample just a taste of what your winter wedding itinerary could look like at your French’s Point winter wedding…

FRIDAY

1:00PM Check in to French’s Point! Settle into your cozy room and take a deep breath. An incredible winter wedding weekend lies ahead.

2:00PM Kick off the camaraderie and memory-making with a snowman making contest, some epic sledding down the West slope behind the farm or a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the estate.

4:00PM Gather your wedding party, family and everyone participating in the ceremony for a rehearsal at your chosen setting to work out the jitters so everyone can relax on the big day.  Choose from a cozy setting inside the conservatory with broad views of the bay or a refreshing location at the Gazebo for a ceremony no one will soon forget!

4:30PM Meet at the bar at The Retreat for a cocktail to kick off the festivities as guests arrive for your rehearsal dinner. Enjoy the sunset from inside the warm Retreat.

5:30PM Enjoy a delicious rehearsal dinner in the conservatory.

7:00PM Cuddle up fireside around the fire pit on the cobblestone terrace in cozy blanket and reconnect with family and friends gooey delight of s’mores fresh off the fire.

10:00PM Get some rest! Tomorrow is going to be a big day.

SATURDAY

8:00AM Rise and shine, it’s your wedding day! Snowshoe the trails and along the shore in Sandy Point State Park or enjoy a morning yoga session for the wedding party and family lead by a local instructor inside the morning sun-filled Conservatory.

9:00AM  Enjoy a cup of hot coffee, freshly baked blueberry muffins, quiche, and fruit with your family at The Farm before you freshen up.

11:00AM Your wedding vendor team arrives to begin preparation at The Retreat. Pampering time begins for you and your wedding party with hair and make-up sessions with your chosen provider. Sit back and enjoy the hours leading up to your ceremony in your cozy and private top floor apartment in The Retreat.

12:00PM  Wedding party lunch delivered with popovers, chicken salad, and mimosas of course!

1:00PM The groom’s party enjoys the game on the TV in the Recreation Room at The Farm while they begin preparing and dressing for the festivities. Don’t forget those wedding rings!

2:00PM  Time to put on your gown! The Bridal Party and has pre-ceremony photos taken on the balcony overlooking the snowy picturesque estate. Don’t forget your wrap!

The groom’s party arrives to relax in the Recreation Room at The Retreat and enjoys the distraction of a game of poker while waiting for pre-ceremony photos at The Retreat.

3:30PM The ceremony bell rings out over the bay and calls your guests to the ceremony location of your choosing:

  • The outdoor Gazebo
  • The Conservatory inside the Retreat House

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here! Your ceremony will commence with that storied stroll toward your beloved through the gentle Northeast snowfall.

4:00PM  Congratulations to the happy couple! Take your first photos as husband and wife, with your wedding party and family. Head outside to catch the beautiful sunset reflecting off of the glossy ice-filled bay of the Penobscot with your new spouse and photographer. We offer endless locations to capture this splendid light.

  • Your guests will warm up with a toasty beverage in the Lounge by the roaring fire, while they mix, mingle and enjoy cocktail hour with delicious stationary and passed hors d’oeuvres.

5:00PM  Before the dinner reception begins, gather your guests in the foyer and snap some group photos from the balcony. This is a beautiful record of the guests who were able to join you for your big day.

5:15PM Guests are ushered into the beautiful Retreat House Dining Room appointed with beautiful farm tables with cascading winter greens set for family style service. All the winter wonderland details you imagined for the reception start to come to life as guests find their seats.

5:30PM Before dinner, introductions of the family and wedding party followed by speeches. Cheers to the happy couple!

5:45PM  Dinner is served! Enjoy unique fare chosen by you, provided by your wedding catering partner of choice.

6:15PM Official cake cutting. Enjoy your first dance as a married couple in the Conservatory. It’s time to boogie!

6:45PM Cake is served alongside a warm hot cocoa bar!

9:50PM  One last call from the bar. Enjoy one last dance with your sweetie for the perfect ending to a magical day!

10:00PM The Unplugged After party begins with a laid-back vibe while guest removes their shoes and relax by the fireplace in the Lounge. Fuel the fun with delicious late-night treats with the arrival of a vintage food truck serving sausage subs, pizza, or warm cookies and milk!

  • Vendors begin preparing for the next day’s celebrations.

12:00PM  Retreat to your beautiful suite with your new spouse to reflect and celebrate this magical experience.

SUNDAY

8:00AM  The caterer arrives to prepare for the farewell brunch.  Begin your first day as husband and wife!

9:00AM Your guests can stop by The Retreat Dining Room one last time to say goodbye and enjoy a farewell brunch before heading home. Enjoy a beautiful, hearty buffet, or offer portable food and warm coffee to-go so guests can get on the road after they bid you farewell.

1:00PM Check-out time. Pack up your gifts, snap one last picture with the snowy backdrop to immortalize the experience, and hit the road. It’s time for your next adventure!

*Due to the Coast Guard sound ordinance and zoning restrictions, all amplified music must cease at 10:00 pm and exterior lights extinguish at midnight when guests not occupying lodging at the estate must depart.