Why We Chose to Get Married at Maine Maritime Museum

Tom and Melissa first met 30 years ago; Melissa is from Bangor originally, and Tom moved to Bangor after graduate school—they met through mutual friends. Then life brought them in different directions; Tom moved to Massachusetts, Melissa stayed in Bangor, and they both got married and started families. Occasionally, they’d cross paths over the summer at the lake where they both had camps. 

Eventually, they found themselves single again, and Tom was referred to Melissa as a reference for a potential tenant in one of the buildings he maintains in Bangor. This happenstance connection sparked long conversations about where they’d been, what they’d been doing. After dating for three months, bonding over shared goals, hobbies, and lifestyle approaches, they got engaged on a long walk across the dunes at Popham Beach. When you know, you know, as they say.  

When it came time to start planning their big event, they knew they wanted to be in Bath. Not only is Tom a fourth-generation Bath native and Bath homeowner, but it was an ideal halfway point between their families and friends in Bangor and Massachusetts, respectively.  

“We knew we weren’t going to have a gigantic wedding, and we just wanted to find a place where we could throw a party and celebrate,” Melissa said. 

The ceremony in Sewall Hall, the museum’s lobby.

As a venue, Maine Maritime Museum offers quite a bit of flexibility, with many solutions to accommodate a large or smaller group. Having previously attended the Maine Maritime Museum annual gala, Tom & Melissa were familiar with the feel of having a tent set up in the historic Percy & Small Shipyard, but ultimately decided that the gorgeous Long Reach Hall mixed Maine post and beam charm with a stunning view of the river. So, they chose to have the ceremony in Sewall Hall, the museum’s lobby, with the reception in Long Reach Hall; “Between the lawn around it and the expansive porch, it's plenty of outside space,” Tom said about giving their guests flexibility to enjoy a gorgeous Maine summer along the banks of the Kennebec River. 

The feedback from their guests supported this intuition. “This is an unbelievable spot,” they heard over and over, between the view, the relaxed atmosphere, and the quality of the space. Add a complete dinner spread from Mainely Pig Roasts, a licensed bartender and a few signature cocktails, and it turned into an excellent celebration! 

Long Reach Hall is a flexible space for dinner and dancing, and between the views of the Kennebec River, the deck, and easy access to the lawn, it provides a great indoor/outdoor feel.

While Tom and Melissa handled the planning and logistics themselves, if they have one piece of advice for anyone booking a wedding at Maine Maritime Museum. hiring a wedding planner would have been helpful to oversee the final crossed T’s and dotted I’s. The Special Events Team at Maine Maritime Museum is happy to recommend Lana at Sunflower Events.  

Thinking of booking a wedding at Maine Maritime Museum? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at events@maritimeme.org.