Our couples choose The Retreat at French’s Point to host their wedding festivities for many reasons:
But above all other reasons, couples choose to host their wedding with us because they can craft the timeline they envision for their events in order to achieve the overall experience they are seeking to provide for their guests. Wedding celebrations at French’s Point have the combined feel of relaxed long-weekend vacation, with an exciting schedule of wedding-related festivities. Woven together, these two experiences create the wedding event of a lifetime for both you and your guests. Weddings here at our venue are a meaningful, personal reflection of the couples’ that create them.
Below is a sample weekend wedding itinerary. Our French’s Point staff will work in partnership with your wedding planner to help you create a customized schedule that will reflect your vision of the perfect Maine wedding experience!
8:00 a.m. – Start the day off with a morning yoga session for the wedding party and family lead by a local instructor at the overlook Cobblestone Terrace or on the private beach at The Farm at French’s Point. Enjoy a breakfast of freshly baked blueberry muffins, local yogurt and fresh fruit awaiting you in the parlor at The Farm.
10:00 a.m. – Choose your own Maine adventure. Head out onto the Penobscot Bay on a schooner out of Belfast Harbor; enjoy golf excursions; relax at a spa retreat; explore Fort Knox Historic Site and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory, or hike one of the many trail systems in the area.
12:00 p.m. – Lunch for the wedding party and family at Young’s Lobster Pound.
4:00 p.m. – Gather your wedding party, family and anyone else participating in the ceremony for a rehearsal at the Retreat at French’s Point to work out the jitters so everyone can relax on the big day.
5:00 p.m. – Enjoy an alfresco rehearsal lobster bake, wood-fired pizza, or food truck fare with family-style seating at long tables on the Cobblestone Cocktail Terrace at the Retreat at French’s Point. Give yourself some time with those closest to you in your wedding party and family, or go big and include your entire guest list in this event. You can customize this event to have photo slideshows, a personal music playlist, a fun bluegrass band, a signature cocktail, and a fire pit with a s’mores station of course!
7:00 p.m. – Open the doors of the Retreat at French’s Point to all of your guests as they roll into town from near and far with a cocktail and dessert welcome reception.
*10:00 p.m. – Guests depart to their local area lodging to rest up for the big day. Vendors begin preparing for your wedding day festivities.
8:00 a.m. – Rise and shine. Take a walk through the trails and along the shore in Sandy Point State Park. Enjoy a cup of coffee, freshly baked quiche, and fruit with your family at The Farm at French’s Point before you freshen up for the day.
9:00 a.m. – The Retreat at French’s Point opens to wedding day vendors as the caterers, florist and others help prepare your event spaces per your specifications!
10:00 a.m. – 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 our private second-level Bridal Boudoir and Relaxation Room in the Estate house.
12:00 p.m. – Wedding party lunch delivered to the Relaxation Room with popovers, chicken salad, and mimosas of course! The groom’s party and family can enjoy a casual BBQ lunch after enjoying some healthy competition on the recreation lawn at The Farm at French’s Point.
2:00 p.m. – The groom’s party begins preparing and dressing for the festivities. Don’t forget those wedding rings! Bridal party gets dressed and has pre-ceremony photos taken on the Relaxation Room Deck. Check out that view!
2:30 p.m. – The groom’s party arrives for pre-ceremony photos at French’s Point Estate.
3:30 p.m. – Bar begins offering thirst-quenching lemonade, infused water or iced tea while your guests begin to gather and mingle on the Cobblestone Cocktail Terrace. The music begins to set the mood.
3:45 p.m. – The ceremony bell rings out over the bay and calls your guests to the ceremony venue of your choosing: the Gazebo, the Oceanfront Lawn or Lower Level Terrace. Rainy day? Your good luck doubles as your ceremony will be moved inside our stunning Conservatory or Sailcloth Tent, both with beautiful water views.
4:00 p.m. – The moment you’ve been waiting for is here! Your ceremony will commence with that storied stroll toward your beloved.
4:30 p.m. – Congrats to the happy couple! Take your first photos as husband and wife, with your wedding party and family. Your guests will mix and mingle while they enjoy cocktail hour with delicious drinks and hors d’oeuvres on the terrace, take a stroll on the bluff path, take in the commanding view of the bay from our signature Grand Daddy Adirondack chairs, or play a rousing game of cornhole on the oceanfront lawn.
5:20 p.m. – Before the dinner reception begins, gather your guests and snap some group photos on the terrace. This is a beautiful record of the guests who were able to join you for your big day. We’ve seen everything from jumping bridesmaids to college friends showing off their alma mater pride.
5:30 p.m. – Guests are ushered inside the beautiful Retreat house ballrooms or the Sailcloth Tent for the reception with tables set with all the details you imagined and work so hard to design.
5:45 p.m. – Before dinner, introductions of the family and wedding party followed by speeches. Cheers to the happy couple!
6:15 p.m. – Dinner is served. Enjoyed unique fare chosen by you, provided by your wedding catering partner of choice.
7:00 p.m. – Official cake cutting. Enjoy your first dance as a married couple. It’s time to boogie!
7:30 p.m. – Cake and coffee are served.
8:00 p.m. – Head outside to catch the beautiful sunset with your new spouse and photographer. We offer a variety of locations to capture this splendid light.
9:00 p.m. – Fuel the fun with delicious late-night treats like mini lobster rolls, sausage subs, pizza, or even a milkshake and cookie bar.
9:45 p.m. – One last call from the bar.
9:55 p.m. – Enjoy one last dance with your sweetie for the perfect ending to a magical day!
*10:00 p.m. – Guests move inside the Retreat house to say goodbye until tomorrow. Vendors begin preparing for the next day’s celebrations.
11:00 p.m.- Retreat to the Wedding Suite with your new spouse to reflect and celebrate this magical moment.
9:00 a.m. – The caterer arrives to prepare for the farewell brunch.
10:00 a.m. – Your guests can stop by the Retreat at French’s Point one last time to say goodbye and enjoy a farewell brunch before heading home. Enjoy a beautiful, hearty buffet for a more formal affair, or offer portable food and coffee-to-go so guests can get on the road after they bid you farewell.
12:00 p.m. – Check-out time at The Farm at French’s Point and the Wedding Suite at the Retreat at French’s Point. Pack up your gifts and hit the road. It’s time for your next adventure!
* Due to the Coast Guard sound ordinance and zoning restrictions, outdoor activity and amplified music must cease at 10:00 p.m. Additional access time can be purchased to extend your event inside the Retreat at French’s Point without amplified music until midnight. Contact our office for details about event extensions.