Bear Mountain Inn + Barn — Hotel in Waterford

We are a couple who loves the outdoors, and after getting engaged while hiking in the White Mountains, we knew we needed an altar with a natural backdrop. Our search for a rustic barn combined with stunning scenery led us to Bear Mountain Inn & Barn—and as soon as we saw it, we knew we’d found the perfect place.

We booked a trip to tour the venue, already set on booking, but what we didn’t expect was to fall in love with the incredible people who make it so special. Jessica, Nick, and their team—both at the Inn and MANE Catering—went above and beyond to bring our unconventional dream wedding to life. Nick enthusiastically embraced our vision of skipping a traditional sit-down meal, crafting and executing exceptional food stations and passed courses that our guests are still raving about. His passion for his craft was evident from our first call.

Jessica played a key role in making our wedding weekend the best of our lives. During an earlier visit, a blizzard gave us extra time to bond with her and her lovely daughters, making it even more meaningful when she stayed on as our day-of coordinator. Her professionalism and calm demeanor made the weekend stress-free and seamless.

One of the greatest perks of Bear Mountain was spending the weekend onsite with our closest family, friends, and our pup, Hayden, in such a serene, secluded setting. Our rehearsal dinner—a casual cookout by MANE Catering—was the perfect way to connect with loved ones before the big day.

The wedding day began with a peaceful sunrise walk on the property’s trails with Hayden before we parted to prepare. The bride and her girls got ready in the Post + Beam House with mimosas, while the groom and his guys enjoyed fresh cuts and shaves from his barber in the bar, fishing, kayaking, and fireside relaxation.

The ceremony was magical. From the groom being walked down the aisle by Hayden to “The Imperial March,” to our nephews running the rings down to the bride’s spirited “WOOOO!” as she came down the aisle, it was filled with unforgettable moments, laughter, and plenty of happy tears. Afterward, we had a quiet moment together in a private cottage, where Jessica had thoughtfully prepared hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails for us.

The reception was everything we’d dreamed of: stunning photo opportunities, heartfelt speeches, endless dancing, incredible food, and a lively atmosphere. We are eternally grateful to Nick, Jessica, and the Bear Mountain team for making our day more incredible than we could have imagined.

Bear Mountain Inn & Barn will always hold a special place in our hearts. We look forward to celebrating anniversaries there and sharing it with our kids in years to come. If you’re planning a wedding in Maine, put Bear Mountain on your shortlist—book a visit and...

Friendly, Attentive, Flexible, and Gorgeous! Brian, Julie, Cassie, and the entire Bear Mountain Inn (BMI) crew are all incredible! First of all, the inn itself is one of the nicest places to stay in western Maine. The renovated rooms are clean and comfortable. The breakfast and amenities are top notch. We filled practically every open bed in the inn the weekend of our wedding, and they were able to provide the service and care as if there were only a handful of people staying. Second, the property is amazing with beautiful views, access to the lake, multiple fire pits, and plenty of open space to play games. The trails on the property are isolated and offer a wonderfully quick sense of escape. The updated barn has efficient heat pumps and a new level floor, yet it still feels rusticly classic. Third, the organization of our wedding was magical. Nearly everything was taken care of for us which allowed us to spend the maximum amount of time with our guests. The tables and table settings were all set up and taken down for us. We only had to deal with the centerpieces and any added decor. They were flexible and accommodating with all of our ideas that sprang to mind. Where we were clueless, they offered ideas and suggestions based on their experience and knowledge. They were able to make everything possible leading up to the wedding, the wedding weekend, and the wedding day. For example, on our wedding day we had several musical requirements (bagpiper as guests arrived, ceremony musicians, cocktail musicians, and reception musicians). BMI was completely accommodating and flexible when it came to running electricity to several different sites on the property. Additionally, we had our rehearsal dinner at BMI since we wanted to make our wedding a true getaway for our guests. Our rehearsal dinner was provided by a food truck and BMI welcomed the idea with enthusiasm. In the end, I can not imagine any other venue that would provide the quality and care for our wedding weekend. Our 135 wedding guests still compliment us on how incredible our August wedding was and we know BMI had a large part of making it all happen. We are thankful for the amount of work BMI took on which allowed us to enjoy and absorb every moment. We are forever grateful for Brian, Julie, Cassie, and the BMI crew, and will return to stay as often as possible to reminisce the magic of our...

I was planning a weekend getaway for my girlfriend and I who was visiting from LA and came across the Bear Mountain Inn while looking at lift tickets for Shawnee Peak. After falling in love with the photos, I reached out and spoke with Julie on the phone. We made an instant connection and it was clear from even the phone call that this would be a perfect romantic getaway for us. The drive to the Inn was scenic with beautiful views and everything you imagine when you think of picturesque Maine. We arrived and as we walked in were immediately greeted with a huge smile and hug from Julie. Her joy was contagious and Brian joined soon after in a matching Bear Mountain Inn sweatshirt with a similar beaming smile. We picked out what we wanted for breakfast, more on that later, and then proceeded to get the grand tour. The Inn is BEAUTIFUL. Everything is intentional and done with care. From the room decor to the bar, you will instantly feel both at home and at rest. Since the occupancy was low that night, we were given a free room upgrade to the Red Oak. The room was perfect. An indoor fireplace, small kitchenette, a beautiful bathroom that had both a tub and shower, and a very comfortable bed. With hugs goodbye from our wonderful hosts we went into town for dinner. We highly recommend the Standard Gastropub in town. On return we used the hot tub (tip: set the hot tub to your desired temperature a few hours before you plan to use it) which is out under the stars. The next morning we had coffee in front of our in-room fireplace and then ventured downstairs for breakfast, where we once again were greeted with smiles from Julie and Brian as they prepared breakfast. Breakfast was perfect. Local brewed coffee, fresh homemade banana bread, fresh fruit, eggs to order, bacon, and perfectly seasoned potatoes.

If you are looking for new friends and a place that feels like home, the Bear Mountain Inn is second to none. We will absolutely be coming back year after year to celebrate our...