Peaks Island Wedding questions

mel4101

Hi all,

I am getting married at the Maine Fifth Regiment House in the fall on the "back shore" of Peaks Island.  It is a beautiful spot right on the open Atlantic Ocean with cliff views, and it is a nice victorian mansion.  I was wondering whether anyone else is having/has had a wedding there and would like to share some ideas.  How did you transport people from the ferry to the Museum?  (It is only a 10 minute walk, but in case of bad weather and elderly relatives, I would like a back up plan).

Also, has anyone else had to deal with the fact that after labor day weekend, the last car ferry from Peaks Island on Saturdays leaves at 6 pm?  How did you get vendors back after that time?  Did they just leave their vehicles overnight?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

jpickering8

I'm getting married in June so the last car ferry is 11:55.  Have you checked with the Bay Lines about the car ferry schedule?  That seems really early.  Could you have a trolley or bus go out to the island to bring you around?  How about golf carts?  There's no real good answer to getting people around the Island because it's so small there aren't buses out there.  Maybe go to the Island (if you can) and ask around to the locals and some of hte small businesses, they might know some 16 year old with a car on the island that could transport peoplbe back and forth for a small fee?

mel4101

Thanks!  Asking to see if a local could help out is a really good idea.  Alternatively, my family lives just outside of Portland, so we could always get a friend to come over and do it (but then we have to deal with bringing the car over, etc).  In June, you are fine in terms of the car ferry, as you say, it goes until 11:55, but after Labor Day weekend, the car ferry stops at 6(!!!) on Saturdays (see this link to the fall schedule, "cf" means car ferry:http://www.cascobaylines.com/schedules/fall/peaks_island.htm).  It is still until 11:55 on Fridays.  I found this out from a potential caterer I was thinking of booking, and then I confirmed it on the Casco Bay ferry site.  It really seems to make no sense!   If anyone has had their wedding on Peaks on a Saturday or Sunday after Labor Day weekend in the past, what did you do about the car ferry schedule?

kcole5244

UGH!! I'm getting married in September (after labor day) on Peaks (at the Inn) and I couldn't believe that the last car ferry on a saturday was 6!! The lady from Casco bay Lines told me that vendors (mostly DJ is the only one I was concerned about) would transport their stuff as "frieght" I think it means they get a big cart and put it all on, then they load it back up at the end and unpack it when they get back to their car on the mainlaind. It's more money then a ferry ticket but I don't see it being too much of a problem....

About transportation, I have seen a Peaks wedding where they rented a trolley and brought it over on the ferry. It made for some great pics! But you'd probably only have it to get people to the sight, not from since the trolley would have to go back over at 6 for the last car ferry. Unless you rented it for 2 days (probably not budget friendly since I think it's rented by the hour!) then it could be returned on Sunday....

goodluck, let me know if you have anymore peaks questions/ideas!

mel4101

That is so great to know about the "freight" option even if it is more expensive.  That one caterer I told you about made it sound as if there were no other option than to leave the vehicles overnight!  I will definitely look into it more and really appreciate the help!

eighthmainehost

There is a taxi service on the island with a mini-van. You can reach them at (207) 518 - 0000. They meet the ferry at the bottom of the hill in a reserved spot. 

Island Tours has a large golf cart and is affiliated with the 5th Maine. They could probably help move people if you need the extra capacity. http://www.peaksislandtours.com
http://www.fifthmainemuseum.org

The Eighth Maine Regiment Memorial Lodge and Museum is just around the corner from the Fifith Maine if any of your family or guests need accommodations on the island or if they are interested in a history filled tour.
http://www.8thMaine.org

mel4101

Thanks Eighth Maine for the helpful suggestions!    We already do have a few guests staying with you and I am sure more will be as the time gets closer.  I really appreciate the info!