| Rockland: Maine's BestKept Secret for A Wedding | | | | historic Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. |
| Destination | | | | · Mt Battie located in Camden Hills State Park |
| | | | offers spectacular views of Camden, Penobscot Bay, |
| In 2004' Rockland Maine celebrated its 150th | | | | and surrounding islands. During the autumn the foliage is |
| anniversary, yet very few in the past would have ever | | | | breathtaking. If you are in the mood to add a little |
| considered it to be a place for a vacation, let alone a | | | | poetry to your ceremony, it should be pointed out that |
| romantic getaway experience or wedding destination. | | | | the famous poet and playwright, Edna St. Vincent |
| Perhaps, this is a draw back to the time when visitors | | | | Millay, who was born in Rockland, was inspired by the |
| would experience the unpleasant whiffs emanating | | | | view from the summit of Mt. Battie when she wrote |
| from the SeaPro fish-rendering plant. In fact, it was not | | | | her poem "Renascence" which opens "All I could see |
| uncommon to hear the jingle: "Camden by the Sea, | | | | from where I stood / Was three long mountains and a |
| Rockland by the Smell." | | | | wood; / I turned and looked the other way, / And saw |
| All has now changed in Rockland as SeaPro, along | | | | three islands in a bay." |
| with the town's two sardine-packing and other fish | | | | · One of the most popular venues is the |
| processing plants, have departed along with their | | | | non-denominational Vesper Hill Children's Chapel, set |
| odors. There is now a handsome harbor- front with a | | | | atop a rock ledge overlooking unbelievable lush |
| walking trail extending over four-miles connecting | | | | gardens. The chapel can seat fifty, however, there are |
| several points of interest as Snow Marine Park, Harbor | | | | other spots nearby where you can exchange vows |
| Park, where the annual Maine Lobster Festival is held, | | | | that will accommodate a larger party. |
| Rockland Fish Pier, Coast Guard Pier, Maine State | | | | · Don't forget to check out the Merryspring |
| Ferry Service Terminal, North End wharves, Marie H. | | | | Horticultural Nature Park with its herb and rose garden, |
| Reed Memorial Park and the Rockland Breakwater | | | | the Perennial Border, and the Birds and Bees/Winter |
| Lighthouse. | | | | Color Garden. In late summer, the 250-foot long annual |
| The latter two are often venues for some spectacular | | | | border is the star of the show, with some flowers |
| wedding ceremonies. | | | | blooming well into October. |
| It is also home to The Historic Inns Of Rockland, a | | | | · Last but not least are the many lighthouses that |
| consortium of six independently owned inns that are | | | | attract couples from all over the globe. There is the |
| dedicated to historical preservation, as well as providing | | | | Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, the Owls Head |
| their guests with a memorable experience within a | | | | Lighthouse and the Marshall Point Lighthouse |
| locale that has reinvented itself as a mecca for the | | | | In order to reach these various venues and at the |
| arts and outdoor activities. | | | | same time keep the wedding party together, many |
| In addition, three of these inns, LimeRock Inn, Berry | | | | couples rent a trolley from the All Aboard Trolley |
| Manor Inn and Captain Lindsey House have created a | | | | Company. |
| sub-consortium that inter-change and leverage their | | | | In addition, the trolley provides you with the added |
| facilities offering a combined wedding venue that take | | | | feature of having some great photo opportunities. |
| full advantage of their unique attributes. | | | | No doubt, with all of these resources available and a |
| As all are in walking distance of one another, you can | | | | little imagination, weddings in Rockland Maine can easily |
| avail yourself of anyone of them for the rehearsal | | | | compete with the best of them at any other |
| dinner, afternoon bridesmaid's tea, wedding reception, | | | | destination. One last important mention, in most |
| and any other functions. | | | | instances it is necessary to contact the officials of |
| The gorgeous outdoor gardens of The LimeRock Inn | | | | your chosen venue in order to arrange a date and |
| make it an ideal choice to exchange vows providing | | | | time for the celebration of your wedding. |
| plenty of space to move around. | | | | A UNIQUE GIFT |
| The stately Berry Manor Inn with its drawing room, | | | | If you are looking for that special gift for the bride, |
| spacious parlor, dining room, and grand stairway, all | | | | mother and daughter getaway, mother-in-law, or |
| presenting a Victorian flair, make this inn a most | | | | wedding attendants, the Lakeshore Inn, a member of |
| attractive wedding venue. | | | | the Historic Inns of Rockland, offers a reasonably |
| You can even engage the services of Captain Ken | | | | priced Ladies Only Spa Weekend during the months |
| Barnes to perform the wedding ceremony. He and his | | | | of Mid-October through June. From their arrival on |
| wife Ellen are owners of the Captain Lindsey House. | | | | Friday evening until they depart on Sunday, groups of |
| The intimacy of the Captain Lindsey House, that | | | | 4 to eight ladies experience a wonderful line up of mind |
| incidentally resembles a European style hotel, along | | | | and body presentations with learning sessions with spa |
| with the Barnes' wonderful collection of décor, | | | | treatments that include facial, massage, manicure, |
| relics, and authentic antiques acquired during their many | | | | pedicure and paraffin wax treatments. In addition, |
| years of travel, will surely provide the wedding guests | | | | owner Pam Masson serves mouth-watering gourmet |
| with some interesting topics for animated conversation. | | | | meals. |
| The combined number of rooms of these three inns is | | | | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
| twenty- nine, and if you add the other three inns, Old | | | | A great place to pick up some excellent wines |
| Granite Inn, Waterman House & Gardens, and the | | | | produced in Maine is Cellardoor Winery & Vineyards |
| Lakeshore Inn, you have a total of forty- four rooms to | | | | located in nearby Lincolnville. |
| call upon. All total with roll-aways and cots you could | | | | For delicious sandwiches, soups, breads and pastries |
| conceivably accommodate about one hundred guests. | | | | check out Atlantic Baking Co. You won't be |
| What is also noteworthy is that all, with the exception | | | | disappointed. |
| of the Lakeshore Inn, are in walking distance of one | | | | Norm and Lily Goldman are a unique husband and wife |
| another. It should be mentioned that the latter is within | | | | team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint |
| an easy ten- minute drive from the others. | | | | about romantic destinations. |
| What is also interesting about these inns is their close | | | | Basically, they meld art and words to create an |
| proximity to many outdoor venues where wedding | | | | unusual travel story, which generates interest, |
| ceremonies can be celebrated. Here is a sampling: | | | | particularly because of the fact that each painting |
| · As mentioned above, the Marie H. Reed | | | | appears to have been 'custom made' for the story - |
| Memorial Park and the Rockland Breakwater | | | | original story and original art. |
| Lighthouse, is a very popular wedding venue offering | | | | You can view all of their articles and art work on |
| spectacular panoramic ocean views of mountains, | | | | Norm and Lily have collaborated with several |
| islands, Penobscot Bay, as well as schooners, island | | | | Convention Bureaus and Public Relations Companies |
| ferries, fishing boats depart and enter the harbor. | | | | visiting many romantic travel destinations, resorts and |
| There is also a small sandy beach leading to the | | | | inns throughout the New England States and Florida. |