When couples start searching for Portland, Maine wedding venues, Walnut Hill is always at the top of my list!!! Honestly, it feels like such a hidden gem, tucked in North Yarmouth. It feels like your own little private world, but still just a quick drive from Portland. Which, let’s be real, means your guests can enjoy all the good stuff… the food! Speaking of, you HAVE to try Central Provisions if you haven’t yet! The boutique hotels and that fun, coastal vibe that makes Portland such a dream wedding destination.
When I photographed Jesse & Brad’s wedding here, I swear the venue came alive around them. You know those places that just get it right? The barn glowing during golden hour, their guests laughing under the shade trees at cocktail hour, the farmhouse suites that felt like the calmest, coziest getting-ready spaces ever… every single corner made their day flow with ease. And the best part? It left so much space for the real stuff, the candid, emotional, belly-laugh moments that don’t feel staged or stiff.
And okay, can we talk about how Walnut Hill somehow has this timeless charm without being cookie-cutter?! That’s hard to find. So many venues lean rustic barn or over-the-top fancy, but Walnut Hill walks that perfect middle line, elegant and versatile, but still warm and inviting. It’s the kind of place where your gallery will feel just as magical 50 years from now as it does the very next morning when you’re flipping through your photos with your coffee.
As a Maine wedding photographer, venues like this light me up because they give you the freedom to make the day truly yours, and that’s always my favorite thing to see!
Why Walnut Hill Is a Favorite Among Portland, Maine Wedding Venues
So what makes Walnut Hill one of the most loved Portland, Maine wedding venues? For me, it’s the way it blends intimacy and flexibility. The barn can feel elevated and chic with florals and lighting, or you can lean into a more laid-back, rustic vibe. The getting-ready suites are spacious and actually feel good to be in (natural light, cozy details, room for your people to be silly and sentimental all at once).
For Jesse, that morning meant her friends blasting Taylor Swift, hyping her up, and soaking in all the girlhood nostalgia while she stepped into her stunning wedding gown from Alexandra’s Boutique. For Brad, it meant laughter with his guys and a quiet moment before their first look. And oh my gosh, that first look? His grandmother peeked through the window right behind them, and my heart absolutely melted. You can’t plan moments like that; they just happen, and they end up being the memories you talk about forever.
Walnut Hill isn’t just a “pretty venue.” It holds space for the memories you’ll make, like the goofy, the sentimental, the unexpected little things you’ll treasure forever.
Jesse & Brad’s Wedding Day at Walnut Hill
This wedding was packed with moments that reminded me exactly why I do what I do. Jesse wanted images that felt candid and fun, not stiff or overly posed, so we’d spent time before the wedding on Zoom talking through her vision. Not just how the photos should look, but how she wanted the day to feel!
The ceremony was framed by florals from Poppy Flowers Co., adding a romantic, garden-inspired feel to the outdoor space. Afterward, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on the lawn that felt relaxed and welcoming, with drinks in hand and conversations buzzing.
By the time the reception rolled around, the barn had been completely transformed. There were candles, signage from Fiddlehead Studio, and rentals by One Stop Event Rentals, it was literally so cool to see it all come together. Jesse and Brad danced, laughed, and celebrated with all of their people, and yes, Jesse pulled off an outfit change that kept the energy high on the dance floor. Their band, Every Other Sunday, kept the party going well into the night! Their wedding flowed so beautifully, and when you find a venue that can make your special day flow naturally and take some stress off of you, it literally makes the wedding!
Destination Wedding Vibes Without the Plane Ticket
Here’s the thing: a lot of my couples are coming up from Boston, and they want that destination wedding feel without the chaos of long flights or asking their loved ones to take a whole week off. That’s why Walnut Hill is such a dream.
It’s just far enough outside Portland to feel private and intentional, but close enough that your guests can enjoy boutique hotels, explore the food scene, and soak in that coastal Maine charm. It’s the best of both worlds!
For Jesse & Brad, their guests got to experience everything that makes Maine so special, like the warmth of a barn wedding, the beauty of the grounds, and the ease of being close to the city. Walnut Hill gives you that destination energy while keeping things stress-free, and that’s what makes it such a standout among Portland, Maine wedding venues.
Photographing Weddings at Walnut Hill
As a Maine wedding photographer, Walnut Hill is one of my favorite places to work. The spaces are designed with intention, which means you’re not just getting a venue, you’re getting backdrops that add depth and meaning to your photos! This also makes decorating so much easier!
The farmhouse suites are filled with natural light, which makes those getting-ready photos soft and glowy (and the colors and cute tile made the venue feel so unique and full of character!) Outside the venue gives you that perfect documentary-style space for candids with the stunning lawn and walkways. The barn at night is pure romance with warm light, laughter, and music filling the space.
For Jesse & Brad, I blended film, digital, and Polaroid photography to capture their day in layers. Film brings this nostalgic softness that feels like flipping through your grandparents’ wedding album, while Polaroids add a playful, real-time element. I love creating galleries that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Not just for your family photos and wedding portraits, but for the details and every moment through the day. These are the photos you’ll look back on decades from now and still feel!
Tips If You’re Considering Walnut Hill
If you’re a couple exploring Portland, Maine wedding venues, here are a few reasons Walnut Hill might be your perfect fit:
Spacious Getting-Ready Suites: Enough room for your people, your snacks, your music, and all the memories you’ll want to remember.
Versatile Spaces: From the barn to the shaded lawn, the venue adapts to whatever vibe you’re dreaming of, elevated, rustic, or somewhere in between.
Outdoor + Indoor Balance: Maine weather can be unpredictable (fog, rain, even road races, haha), but Walnut Hill is set up to flow with whatever comes.
Close to Portland: Boston couples love it because guests can easily travel in and still enjoy everything Portland offers.
Vendor-Friendly: The venue is well-loved by florists, caterers, planners, and musicians, which makes the whole day smoother for you. It’s one of those places that doesn’t force you into a box. Instead, it opens up possibilities for your wedding to feel like you.
The Vendor Team
No wedding happens without an incredible vendor team, and Jesse & Brad’s was amazing:
- Coordinator: RGL Weddings & Events
- Venue: The Barn on Walnut Hill
- Florals: Poppy Flowers Co.
- Band: Every Other Sunday
- Stationery & Signage: Fiddlehead Studio
- Rentals: One Stop Event Rentals
- Hair & Makeup: The Beauty Haus
- Catering: Mezzanine Catering
- Desserts: Bova’s Bakery & Cake Elizabeth
- Dress: Alexandra’s Boutique
- Shoes: Naturalizer
Words From Jesse & Her Mom
I’ll let Jesse’s words speak for themselves:
“I could write a 700-page review about how incredible Jess is, and we haven’t even gotten our full wedding gallery back… She was an absolute dream to work with, she photographed every special moment, but was invisible — not sure how she did it, but she did!”
And from her mom (cue the tears again):
“Every time I thought ‘someone should take a picture of this moment,’ I would suddenly see her already ducked in, unobtrusively, capturing every single moment… We are so grateful for her care and dedication, and her ability to make a family’s day feel extremely special!”
Reading these back still makes me emotional, because this is why I do what I do.
Ready to Book Your Portland, Maine Wedding Photographer?
If Walnut Hill is calling your name, I’d love to help you capture it in a way that feels soft, candid, and true to you. Your wedding day should feel like a warm hug, and your photos should carry that same feeling for decades to come.
You can reach out here to start chatting about your Walnut Hill wedding. If you want to see more weddings, you can browse my portfolio! And if you’re just looking for more wedding inspiration, take a peek at the blog here for more Portland, Maine wedding venues and ideas!
