Ceremony arbor framed by two oak trees on the shore of Pemaquid Harbor

Pemaquid, Maine

Where the harbor
keeps the vows.

A private 23.5-acre estate with a quarter mile of private shoreline.
One property, three distinct places to gather.

The Venue

Twenty-three and a half acres, and not one acre wasted.

Painted Fish Barn & Estate sits where field, forest, and tide meet on Pemaquid Harbor. It was never built to be a wedding venue. It was a home first, and it still feels like one. That's the difference guests notice before they can name it: nothing here is staged for photographs. It's simply beautiful, and you're welcome in it for the weekend.

Painted Fish Barn & Estate is a private, oceanfront wedding venue on Pemaquid Harbor in Midcoast Maine. It's one of a small number of coastal Maine wedding venues with a working barn, a full estate house for lodging, and a private ceremony site directly on the water. Couples looking for a barn wedding venue, a waterfront ceremony, or a true Maine coastal wedding often end up choosing between the barn, the field, and the shoreline. Here, you get all three.

Ceremony at the water. Reception in a hand-built barn or under sailcloth in the field. Family in the house. Every part of the day gets its own place on the property, and no two moments look the same.

23.5 acres of field & forest
1/4 mi of private shoreline on Pemaquid Harbor
40–250 guests, from intimate to large
1 wedding per weekend, yours alone

Private property, by appointment. We'd love to walk it with you. Get in touch to schedule a visit.

01 · The Barn

Raw timber, ringed in candlelight.

The reception barn is unfinished on purpose: bare wood walls, a concrete floor built to take a dance floor's worth of wear, and three wagon-wheel chandeliers lit with real candle bulbs overhead. It's dry, it's warm, and it seats the whole party comfortably if the Maine weather has other plans for your outdoor reception. Rain plan, not backup plan.

1,739 sq ft · Intimate weddings from 40 · 110 seated with tables · 200 with a bar & dancing · 250 for dancing alone

The barn's front doors framed by two tall evergreens

The Barn Front doors, framed in green

Reception inside the barn, wagon-wheel candle chandeliers lit above long tables set for dinner The barn viewed across a meadow scattered with yellow wildflowers on a clear summer day
A bride and groom kiss under a veil, black and white photograph The dirt driveway leading toward the property, with the barn visible in the distance
A view through an open door and window screen out to the harbor, framed by tree branches

02 · The Estate House

Where your people actually stay.

Lodging is included with your package. Most venues send your family to a hotel. Here, they stay in the house: post-and-beam great room, stone fireplace, a kitchen that gets used, water views from nearly every window. The property is a top 1% Airbnb, and the reviews say the same thing our wedding guests do.

The open-plan living area with a loft overlook and kitchen beyond

The Living Room Open-plan, post-and-beam

The great room, with exposed post-and-beam construction and a stone fireplace The kitchen, with wood cabinetry, stainless appliances, and fresh peonies on the counter The dining room, timber-framed with French doors opening to a water view
A sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the harbor A cozy den with a leather sectional and original art on the walls A second view of the kitchen, with a farmhouse table and view to the water
Bridesmaids look out a window watching the ceremony begin, black and white photo

Getting Ready In the sunroom, moments before

Where Everyone Sleeps

4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, room for the whole wedding party.

Sleeping

3 rooms with king beds

1 room with two queens

2 rooms with pull-out sofas

Spaces

Living room & separate TV room (85" TV)

Sunroom (doubles as the bridal room)

Office, full kitchen, laundry room

Good to have

400 Mbps wifi

Washer & dryer

Top 1% Airbnb property

The primary suite, with a wood bed frame and a private door out to the deck A bright bedroom hung with original paintings from the property's artist-residency days A guest bedroom with a upholstered bed frame and a window looking over the lawn A bedroom with two queen beds, wood sleigh-style frames, and a reading lamp between them

"We hosted our wedding here and it was a magical event. This is a great venue that can host a whole wedding in distinct locations. You could have a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception on the property and no one would see the same space twice."

Gareth

"Five stars aren't enough. The location is beyond gorgeous, with plenty of space for everyone to spread out."

Margaret

"Everything was perfect: the views, the privacy, the huge deck, the sauna, and the home itself."

Daniela & Scott

"Our large group loved the spacious, comfortable home and the peaceful beauty of the property."

Katie

"The breathtaking views and room for everyone made for an unforgettable stay."

Christine
Rows of wooden ceremony chairs facing the harbor beneath a canopy of oak trees

03 · The Grounds & Waterfront

Vows, said with the tide going out behind you.

The ceremony site sits under two old oaks at the water's edge, looking out over Pemaquid Harbor's islands and ledges. It's unstaged, and it doesn't need to be. The view does the work an arch usually has to.

A couple holds hands during their ceremony with the harbor visible behind them A guitarist plays waterside music during the ceremony beneath the oaks Wedding guests seated under umbrellas during a rainy ceremony
Rows of empty ceremony chairs facing straight down the aisle toward the water A weathered fallen tree on the misty shoreline of Pemaquid Harbor The upper deck, with patio furniture and umbrellas overlooking the harbor
Sunset reflecting on the water, viewed from the property A couple embraces on the lawn near the water, surrounded by wildflowers Aerial view of the estate house on the water, surrounded by trees on Pemaquid Harbor
A mown path through tall meadow grass leading down to the harbor, framed by trees

The Path Down Through the meadow to the water

A bride and groom embrace under a veil on a misty, rainy day by the water A bride in her gown approaches her groom in the trees during a fall first look
A couple and officiant share a quiet blessing on the waterfront deck, red Adirondack chairs in the background

A Quiet Moment On the deck, overlooking the water

A newlywed couple runs through a mown path in the meadow toward the reception tent, guests cheering

04 · The Tent

Sailcloth, pitched right in the field.

Between the ceremony lawn and the reception sits an open field, ready for a sailcloth tent staked right into the grass. The tent itself is BYO, rented through your own tent vendor, same as catering and bar, but we mow a path from the ceremony straight to the tent door, so the walk from "I do" to your first dance happens through real Maine meadow grass, with your guests trailing behind.

Two open-fire grill stations set up in front of the sailcloth reception tent

Cooking In The Field Open fire, right outside the tent

The reception tent and a smaller catering tent pitched in the field beneath a large oak tree The sailcloth tent glowing from within at dusk, framed by silhouetted trees under a dramatic sky A wildflower centerpiece with poppies and stone fruit on a moss base
Guests dance with hands raised under paper lanterns strung inside the tent A couple toasts drinks together under the sailcloth tent in the evening light

The Celebration

This part, we just get out of the way of.

Cocktail hour on the back porch. Dinner under the tent or inside the barn. Whatever happens after that is entirely up to your guests. We've just heard the portable bathrooms get complimented more than you'd expect.

A custom cake topper shaped like the couple's dog, beside a simple iced wedding cake Hand-painted signature cocktail cards reading Roxy's Dirty Gin Martini and Chadd's Strawberry Fizz Mocktail A guest holds a martini with the harbor blurred in the background Three bridesmaids in colorful gowns smiling together at the edge of the field A close-up of a bride's hand holding a cocktail, wedding ring visible The tent in the field at dusk, string lights and lanterns lit above the long table Empty ceremony chairs facing the water, with a floral arrangement, before guests arrive A bride and groom kiss under a veil, black and white photograph A chef grills over an open fire at the water's edge during cocktail hour A cocktail table dressed in floral linen set beneath shade trees along the water A traditional Maine clambake fire pit, seaweed steaming over an open wood fire

Packages & Pricing

Three ways to have your wedding here.

Now booking 2026 through 2028 weddings. Most couples reach out 12–18 months ahead of their date. Check your date →

The venue is BYO: you bring your own caterer, bar, tent, and coordinator, which means you build the day around vendors you trust instead of a preset list. If you'd rather not build it yourself, our full-service package does it for you.

Maine coastal wedding venues run a wide range, and a lot of that range comes down to what's actually included. A bare rental fee somewhere else can look cheaper until you add a tent, a generator, restroom trailers, and lodging for the wedding party on top of it. Here, the Weekend and Extended Weekend prices already include the barn, grounds, house, field, and estate lodging, so what you see is close to what you'll spend on the venue itself. Full Service goes further and folds in catering, bar, florals, and coordination, so the number reflects a finished wedding, not just a rental.

Weekend

$8,300

Friday – Sunday

  • Exclusive access to barn, grounds, house & field
  • Estate lodging included (4BR / 3.5BA)
  • Waterfront ceremony site
  • 40 to 250 guests, seated or dancing
  • Bring your own caterer, bar, tent & coordinator

Extended Weekend

$11,500

Monday – Sunday

  • Everything in the Weekend package
  • A full week on the property, not just the weekend
  • Extra time for setup, rehearsal & welcome events
  • More breathing room for out-of-town guests
  • Estate lodging included the entire stay

Full Service

From $75,000

A complete wedding, planned and delivered

  • Venue rental & estate lodging
  • Full catering, bar & rentals
  • Friday night lobster bake & raw oyster bar
  • Florals and a custom-commissioned painting of your day
  • Restroom trailers and day-of coordination

No mandatory caterer, planner, bar provider, or rental company: every package but Full Service is yours to build.

Good To Know

BYO, by design

Catering, bar, tent, and coordination are bring-your-own on the Weekend and Extended Weekend packages, so pick vendors who already know how you want the day to feel. Prefer not to source it all yourself? That's what Full Service is for.

Parking is limited

Depending on your package, the property comfortably fits somewhere between 15 and 50 cars. We'll work out the right number with you, and most couples ask guests to carpool or shuttle in.

Questions We Get A Lot

The practical stuff.

What dates are currently available?

We're now booking 2026 through 2028 weddings. Most couples reach out 12 to 18 months ahead of their date, though it varies by season, peak summer and fall weekends go first. The fastest way to check a specific date is through the inquiry form below.

Is Painted Fish Barn & Estate an oceanfront wedding venue?

Yes. The ceremony site sits directly on Pemaquid Harbor, with a quarter mile of private shoreline. It's one of the few Maine wedding venues where the ceremony, reception, and lodging are all on the same waterfront property.

Where is Painted Fish Barn & Estate located?

On the Pemaquid Peninsula in Midcoast Maine, about 15 minutes from Damariscotta, 35 minutes from Boothbay Harbor, 45 minutes from Rockland, and roughly 2 hours 45 minutes from Boston.

How many guests can this coastal Maine wedding venue hold?

Anywhere from 40 to 250 guests, depending on whether you use the barn, the tented field, or both.

Is this a barn wedding venue or an oceanfront venue?

Both. The barn handles your reception rain-or-shine, and the ceremony site is right at the water's edge under two oak trees.

What's the rain plan?

The barn and the tent are both real options. It's on the wedding party to make sure whichever one you choose has enough indoor space for your full guest count. We're happy to talk through the numbers with you when you visit.

Are there vendor restrictions?

No preferred-vendor list, no exclusivity. Any vendor is welcome as long as they're approved by us ahead of time, so just send them our way before the big day.

Is there a noise curfew?

Amplified music in the field tent needs to wrap by 10pm. Music in the barn can run until midnight. If the celebration moves into the house, until 2am.

How do I book?

Start with the inquiry form below. We'll set up a time to walk the property together, and once you're ready to move forward, a signed contract and deposit hold your date. We only host one wedding per weekend, so dates do go quickly for peak summer months.

What comes with the venue?

The Weekend and Extended Weekend packages include exclusive use of the barn, grounds, house, and field, plus estate lodging. Catering, bar, tent, and coordination are bring-your-own. See the Packages section above for the full breakdown of what's included at each tier.

Are kids and pets welcome?

Both are welcome. Guests bringing them are responsible for their safety and wellbeing throughout the event.

Is the venue dog-friendly?

Yes. Dogs are welcome on the grounds and even in the wedding party, plenty of our couples have included theirs. Just keep in mind you're responsible for them for the full day.

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse under a clear blue sky

Pemaquid Point Light 10 minutes from the estate

05 · The Area

Pemaquid doesn't perform for visitors.

This stretch of midcoast Maine isn't dressed up for tourists. It's a working harbor, a historic lighthouse, granite ledges, and a lot of quiet. Your guests can walk the point, get a lobster roll that isn't overpriced, and be back at the estate in time for cocktail hour. It's close enough to be convenient and far enough to feel like you've actually gone somewhere.

Pemaquid sits at the tip of a peninsula in Midcoast Maine, between Damariscotta and New Harbor. Guests can visit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, walk the working harbor in New Harbor, or grab a lobster roll in Round Pond. It's about 15 minutes from Damariscotta, 35 minutes from Boothbay Harbor, 45 minutes from Rockland, and just over 2 hours 45 minutes from Boston, close enough for an easy trip, far enough to feel like a real Maine coastal getaway.

Getting here: most out-of-town guests fly into Portland International Jetport, just over an hour south. Knox County Regional Airport in Rockland, about 45 minutes away, is a smaller option for guests coming by private or regional flight. From either, it's a straightforward coastal drive up Route 1.

Staying over: the estate house sleeps your immediate wedding party, but most weddings here also fill a few nearby rentals and inns for extended family and guests. If you need more waterfront lodging on the peninsula, Waterside Farm, our sister property right on Pemaquid Harbor, is worth a look for wedding-week overflow.

Layered granite ledges along the rocky Maine coastline, with pine trees and a quiet cove Harbor seals resting on a rocky ledge just offshore

From The Guest Book

What people tend to say afterward.

"Our wedding was nothing short of magical. The venue is an absolute gem, with breathtaking scenery that provided the perfect backdrop for our special day. From the moment we set foot on the property, we knew we had found something extraordinary."

Roxy P.

"This is a great venue that can host a whole wedding in distinct locations. In theory, you could have a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception on the property and no one would see the same space twice. We had our cocktail hour on the spacious back deck and put up a nice, large tent on the field."

Gareth B.

"The views at Painted Fish Barn & Estate took our breath away! It is such a unique venue and so different from the others we saw. Having the house on-site was even better than we expected."

John F.

"Tyler and Shauna were so great to communicate with from start to finish. They cared about every detail, going as far as having fresh eggs waiting for us in the fridge and flowers throughout the house. The ceremony was right on the water, exactly what we'd hoped for. There's a path mowed through the field between the ceremony and reception sites, a great touch. My family stayed in the house and said it felt like a home. We're so glad we had our wedding here and wouldn't change a thing."

A Painted Fish Barn couple, 2024

Get In Touch

Come see it before you book it.

We only host one wedding a weekend, and we only show the property by appointment. Tell us a little about your date and your day, and we'll set up a time to walk the grounds together.

Address499 Harrington Road
Pemaquid, Maine 04558

Phone(617) 249-4938

Emailinfo@paintedfishbarn.com

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