It's Bill, 7/26/26: West Quoddy Wedding

Weddings at West Quoddy Station

We have had many weddings over the years at West Quoddy Station, about 3 or 4 a year. After 25 years, I can’t remember them all, just a fine time. Trust me, no two are alike, each unique. Some large, some small, some simple, some more involved.

My First West Quoddy Wedding

I have a fond memory of my “First” West Quoddy Wedding. I was at the Visitors Center at West Quoddy Lighthouse. A friend asked if I could help her. She was a Justice of the Peace [now Wedding Officiant]. With her, a nicely dressed couple needed a witness. Would I be their witness? Sure. We walked over to the State Park parking lot to an open spot in the trees with good views of the lighthouse and Grand Manan. Short and sweet. Done.

The largest wedding was about 12 years ago. All lodgings were rented, allowing the reception to go into the night while the band played. All in all, there were about 225 wedding guests, the bridal party lodging here, others locally. A 4-pole tent was erected in the old, paved parking area. The tent provided room for the 6-piece band and dance floor, as well as ample space for the seated guests.

A July Wedding by the Station House

Last Saturday, we hosted an about perfect July wedding for about 40–45 guests. The bride made all of the arrangements, the groom smoothly coordinating. The guests stayed 3–4 nights, enjoying our Picnic Deck during the evening, around the fire pit. A 30’ by 45’ 2-pole tent was set up Friday afternoon, complete with tables, chairs, and tasteful lighting. Saturday morning, 2 small beer kegs were set in ice in a 16’ Old Town canoe. There was a Maine theme for the reception dinner, offering red hot dogs, Moxie, and Humpty Dumpty potato chips.

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About 1:30 on Saturday, I enjoyed the wedding setup while checking my flowers in my gardens, deadheading as I went. West Quoddy Station looked wonderful, a perfect small wedding venue. Saturday’s weather started off cool, cloudy, with no spirits being dampened; however, spotty rain waited until after the 5 PM ceremony. The ceremony was on the elevated deck by the Station House, with chairs on the grass in front. Music for the reception, selected by the bride and groom, was provided through 2 speakers at moderate levels to about 10 PM. It was a bit chilly, even with the fire pit.

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A Valentine’s Day Favorite

My favorite wedding was about 15 years ago on Valentine’s Day, in the snow, at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. Some of my friends staying in The Station House were witnesses and did not know the bride and groom. There had been about 3–4” of snow during the night, providing a fine, white carpet. The bride and groom stood in snow outlined at the top of the driveway, with the lighthouse providing a picturesque backdrop with the cold blue-black ocean and Grand Manan. Perfect.