Bear Mountain Inn + Barn Reviews

This review is a long time coming. Partially because I can't believe our special weekend is over (we got married 10/07/23), but also because I needed to figure out how to sum up the experience and utter bliss Jess, Nick, and the whole Bear Mountain Crew provided. First I would like to say, my husband and I decided to have an out of state wedding which required so much research but when we first signed our contract with the prior owners Brian and Julie, we simply couldn't believe the space. It had everything we could have ever imagined. A beautiful historic barn, incredible views, a shimmering lake, home baked welcome cookies, it was cozy and charming and somehow felt like home from the first moment we stepped foot on the property. When the inn was sold, to be honest at first we were extremely nervous. Would it feel the same? Would we be able to still execute the way we intended? So many questions, especially for an out of state wedding. From the jump, Jess and Nick as well as Cassie (the inn's wedding coordinator) made all of our worries melt away. The lengths they went to ensure we felt supported was truly incredible. The most amazing thing is, they did this from the bottom of their hearts, it surpassed any form of fleeting customer service. They treated us like family, and with how many weddings and events they have in a year, it is truly incredible they always went the extra yard, even when it wasn't anticipated or expected. They exceeded the contractural promises, and having Nick as our caterer for some of our events (rehearsal dinner and brunch) it made it even more special. We had rain the morning of our wedding, and up until that point I convinced myself weather was not going to be a thing. Even with this scenic change, they did an immaculate job transforming the spaces to fit our needs and the flow we were looking for, and honestly it was more beautiful than we could have wished for. I was so nervous with the rain, as we had a lot of guests and had a separate tent for dinner, the staff was even outside in the rain with umbrellas for anyone moving from the barn to the tent. Everyone said it was the best wedding they had ever been to, even with the rain, and that is a direct result of the care and dedication of Jess and Nick and the standard/expectation they uphold. If you have the opportunity, I highly suggest a holiday weekend, especially if it is an out of state wedding. The day after the wedding we were able to soak it all in and it will forever go down in our book as the best way to have everyone we love together in an intimate space since the whole inn was just ours, moments frozen in time. We are forever grateful for Jess and Nick and the whole Bear Mountain team. I could go on forever about the special little shining moments that made it magical. Now that we are married, we have a place that will forever be a part of our story that we can visit and one day (hopefully haha) show our kids. Thank you will never be enough, and I believe this was the best decision we could have ever made for our wedding.

We had the most magical day & weekend here at the Bear Mountain Inn! We wanted to celebrate our relationship for an entire weekend, and the inn really provided that. We had the most amazing time the whole weekend, celebrating our love with all our favorite people. All the staff was so welcoming, helpful, and kind throughout our whole experience. They answered any and all of my questions and helped make our wedding day our dream come true! This venue was a perfect combo of rustic & elegant, and allowed for any and all fun personalized details. Would recommend for any loving couple to tie the knot!

We are so happy that we chose to have our Wedding Weekend at Bear Mountain Inn. We had a 75 person wedding on the lawn and a 25 person rehearsal dinner in the barn- both events were stunning and our guests raved about the setting, the food and friendly service.
The owners are wonderful people and the coordinator Cassie made sure ever detail was executed to perfection & on time. While seamlessly checking in with us and our guests to ensure we were taken care of, smiling and had full glasses.
The Inn itself is so lovely and felt like home for the weekend, the breakfast is incredible. We are so happy we chose a venue that we can come back to for years to come as we celebrate anniversaries/special occasions.
Thank you Nick, Jessica, Cassie and the entire team at Bear Mnt Inn!!!

We had the most beautiful wedding weekend at Bear Mountain Inn + Barn! We had right around 65 guests and this venue couldn't be more perfect for a small or large wedding. My favorite part about planning our wedding at Bear Mountain Inn + Barn was getting the chance to work with Cassie, the amazing Wedding Coordinator. Cassie goes above and beyond to make sure everything is perfect for the Bride, Groom, Bridal Party and families/guests - we love her! Our entire wedding weekend, from Rehearsal night to Ceremony to Reception would not have been so perfect without Cassie, Nick + Jessica! Thank you all so much!!!

My husband (!!!) and I just got married at the Bear Mountain Inn this past weekend and it was literally the most incredible wedding in the world. Nick and Jessica go above and beyond for their couples and Cassie is an incredible day of coordinator that makes you feel like you're at home on your big day.

It was pouring rain all day on Saturday and the whole BMI team made our day so special. We decided early on to have our ceremony in the beautiful barn on site and it was literally the most beautiful set up I've ever seen at a wedding. We couldn't get over how beautiful everything looked. It is such an intimate and beautiful memory that is burned in our brains for life. Our wedding was for about 160ish people so we rented a tent to do our reception outside - this couldn't have been an easier process and the tent looked like a fairy tale out on the yard.

When I tell you think is the most incredible wedding venue on the face of the Earth we so mean it. Every single moment our wedding was so perfect and it was really was made possible by the team at the Bear Mountain Inn.

Nick, Jessica and Cassie + team we LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH and legit cannot wait to come back in the winter to hang out and party with you guys. Thank you SO much for everything you did for us WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

ps - these photos were taken by Ben Wheeler at Ben Wheeler Photography

Rooms: Literally the cleanest, most beautiful rooms I've stay at away from home. Every single one of our guests were blown away by the Inn.

Nearby activities: Lake life, quaint restaurants and beautiful scenery!

Noteworthy details: The property the Bear Mountain Inn sits on is a literal dream. It was foggy and raining on our wedding day and it really looked like something out of a movie like OMG take me back!!!

Bear Mountain Inn + Barn in Waterford, ME is easily the best wedding venue to get married at! From the beautiful ceremony backdrop to the incredible barn and everything in between. Nick and Jessica made our families feel at home the entire weekend staying at the inn with THE BEST BREAKFAST every morning. The inn itself has so many beautiful rooms for your friends and family to stay in during your wedding weekend. Cassie, as the wedding coordinator, did an absolutely incredible job creating the wedding of our dreams. We did not hire a wedding planner, and Cassie made sure to have herself available via email with all of our questions and concerns being answered far before our wedding date. She made sure that someone was on site when all of our rentals were being delivered, so when we arrived everything was already in place.

On our wedding day, we were back and forth with the weather and actually moved all of the chairs inside to get married in the barn (which was a beautiful set up). However, once our guests had moved inside, the clouds started to move away, and we decided (about 1 minute before we were supposed to start the ceremony) that we wanted to do it outside. Instead of moving all of the chairs, Cassie ushered all of our 180 guests outside and they stood as they watched us get married in the sun. It was an amazing ceremony and our guests still talk about how exciting it was run outside to celebrate us. Our number of guests was too large to fit in the barn, so we rented a tent for dinner and then did the dancing portion in the barn. Cassie helped everything flow flawlessly throughout the entire night.

Bear Mountain is the type of venue that makes you feel like family and so so loved. You are their top priority during your wedding weekend and they bend over backwards to give you what you ask for and make your wedding dreams come true. I truly could not have picked a better venue. We are excited to come back and visit over and over again! WE LOVE YOU BEAR MOUNTAIN INN!! Amazing vibes all around.

Our wedding at the Bear Mountain Inn was an absolute dream. Brian, Julie and Cassie really went above and beyond to have our wedding weekend be the best weekend of our lives and they succeeded! It's such a picturesque location and we couldn't have asked for anything better. The Inn, guest rooms and the grounds are treated with such care and is really a testament to the staff and owners. Breakfast each morning was delicious and you can't beat the cozy sitting areas, fire places and amenities throughout the property. You really feel like it's your home away from home! You will absolutely have the best wedding weekend at Bear Mountain Inn! We can't wait to come back and visit!

Bear Mountain Inn could not have been more perfect for our October wedding! So perfect that this was the first venue we saw and booked it on the spot. Yes, the grounds, inn, barn are incredible BUT what made this an extra special experience was having the owners Julie and Brian and Wedding planner Cassie there to help with all things wedding and welcome you as if you were family. From the moment we stepped on site for our wedding weekend we were relaxed and felt that we had nothing left to worry about. We will cherish this place forever and plan to come visit as often as we can!

The Bear Mountain Inn & Barn was a dream venue for our August 2022 wedding. We loved having some of our family members stay at the Inn on the days leading up to the wedding. The grounds were beautiful and everything was run in such a warm and professional way. Julie, Brian, Cassie, and Terry make you and your guests feel right at home. We cannot wait to return for our first anniversary!

We got married at Bear Mountain Inn + Barn in July of 2022 and our wedding was an absolute dream. We planned our wedding from out of state and in 6 months but Brian, Julie and Cassie were so helpful along the way. When ever we had any questions or needed a recommendation for a vendor, they were always happy to help! They made sure our wedding day was special and went smoothly. The venue is beautiful, the views are just breathtaking and the Inn is so charming and comfy (we can’t wait to go back!). The experience as a whole was incredible and we’re so happy we were able to get married there.

My husband and I got married at Bear Mountain Inn in June 2022 and it was absolutely perfect! Brian and Julie (the owners) and Cassie (the wedding coordinator), were extremely helpful throughout the entire process, from signing, to planning, to the big day. Everyone at Bear Mountain Inn was always kind, professional, and responsive. The venue itself is beautiful and offers guests the opportunity to truly enjoy themselves while at your wedding – the rooms are cozy, nicely decorated, and clean, guests have access to kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, and there are wool blankets and smores kits for use at the fire pits on cooler nights. Breakfast was also delicious, with a wide variety of options. Every last detail at the inn was carefully considered, and guests even get a pack of cookies to welcome them at check-in. The Inn offers a list of preferred vendors when you sign with them, and we used a lot of businesses off of this list – we found all of them to be wonderful to work with. On our wedding day itself, we didn’t need to worry about too many details, as Cassie helped ensure things stayed on track. Overall, it was an amazing venue and we had an unforgettable wedding with our family and friends!

Bear Mountain is a really special venue! Cassie, Julie, Brian, and the whole staff will make you feel so at home and supported. Our wedding parties and immediate families stayed with us at the Inn and everyone agreed it was the perfect getaway. Between boating on the lake, sitting around the fire, and hot-tubbing, we all managed to relax and enjoy ourselves amidst all the excitement and last-minute to-do's. Our guests were wowed by the grounds and the gorgeous barn, with many approaching us after to tell us, "We get why you picked this place." I highly recommend Bear Mountain!

I think we knew deep down that BMI was our venue as soon as we found it online, but the site visit was just the icing on the cake! We didn't look at any other venues - BMI was it! We planned our wedding in 9 short months but the BMI team made it fun and removed any stress from the experience. The wedding weekend was simply perfect, and as soon as we arrived we were greeted as if we were old friends. We were truly able to relax and soak in all the magical moments the weekend provided. We can't recommend BMI enough and we look forward to returning for a visit soon. Thank you, Julie, Brian, Cassie, and the entire BMI team!

We couldn't have picked a better place for our wedding on October 30th. Cassie, Brian & Julie are just amazing and went above and beyond to make our weekend one for the books. The place is absolutely stunning and the barn was the perfect setting for our woodsy-chic wedding. The weather didn't cooperate on the day of but didn't even notice. Our guests raved about BMI and Brian and Julie's hospitality all weekend (especially the cozy and delicious daily breakfast). Cassie made sure we didn't have to think about a single detail and kept everything running perfectly smoothly. She even found my phone in the rain!

Thank you all for making our wedding weekend so special. We'll be back for a weekend away!!

I wish I could give Bear Mountain Inn ten stars. This was truly a dream venue for my husband and I. The rustic barn, picturesque lake, and beautiful Maine woods was everything that we were looking for. But beyond that, what truly makes this place special, is the staff. From day one of the wedding process, my husband and I lived by the mantra "choose people you want to work with"
and we certainly did that here. Brian and Julie, the owners, made us feel right at home from our very first visit and were present throughout our whole wedding weekend making sure everything went according to plan. And Cassie, the wedding coordinator, is one of a kind. She answered every question we had quickly and informatively and was the best quick thinking, problem solving person by our side on our wedding day. I can't say enough good things about this place and it's staff. If you are looking for a Maine wedding venue with woods, water, and incredible staff, look no further. Can't wait to go back every year and relive the memories!

Our family attended our son’s wedding earlier this month at the Bear Mountain Inn in Waterford, Maine, and we can’t begin to say enough great things about the accommodations; the venue, facilities, and grounds; and the warm hospitality shown us by Julie and Brian, Josh, and the rest of the staff at the Inn.

The historic Inn and expansive grounds are absolutely beautiful. It was the perfect place for a picture perfect wedding. While the setting is idyllic, quiet, and peaceful (we could hear the loons on the lake from our rooms), there was also much for us to do — walking trails along the lake and through the woods; canoes and kayaks to use on the lake; fire pits for guests to sit and linger, relax, and visit. There were even lawn games! It all made the long weekend as much a vacation getaway as it was an event.

The rooms at the Inn were first rate - quiet, comfortable, beautifully updated and stylishly appointed. Each is different, but all have retained their historic New England charm with all the modern comforts. Spacious, gorgeous bathrooms, modern (quiet!) heating/ac, gas fireplaces, refrigerators, luxury bedding and towels. The little details throughout the Inn were nice as well — charming common areas stocked with water and other helpful amenities, plus spaces indoors and out for guests to kick back and relax. And the huge, made-from-scratch New England breakfasts really topped off the whole experience.

In these times I also feel it is important to mention how well the staff addressed COVID safety, sanitation, and protection. Everyone was vaccinated (in addition to the wedding party and all guests) and the vendors also wore masks when interacting with the guests. Everything was spotless and well sanitized. With breezes off the lake and an abundance of fresh air, the outdoor spaces afforded plenty of room for anyone who wanted to maintain a little more distance. Likewise, indoor spaces were roomy and never felt crowded. Our family is quite careful and we felt very safe - almost like a little respite from the pandemic.

Our son reports that the Inn facilitated and coordinated every aspect of the rehearsal, ceremony and reception (basically like having an on-site wedding planner), and that he and his new wife were completely satisfied. Other reviewers seem to concur..

The barn itself was wonderful — "rustic but elegant," and the attached pub/bar area provided all the additional facilities needed for an event (great bar area, prep kitchen, attractive restrooms, etc). The existing decor, including the amazing chandeliers, would have been enough without any extras, though there are some great optional items to use if desired (our son and daughter-in-law opted to have Josh hang a couple of the striking sheer draperies). Josh did an outstanding job personally directing every detail of the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception - where to walk and when, what to expect throughout - and it all went like clockwork. We had a lakeside ceremony with perfect weather, but no doubt Josh would have had us swiftly under cover if needed.

The Bear Mountain Inn really is a wonderful place for any kind of getaway. For us, as the parents of the groom and guests at the wedding, we can’t imagine that a couple could find a better place to get married and host their friends and family. Julie and Brian have created a truly magical place.

We could not have asked for a better place to hold our wedding. From the rooms to the service to the view it was absolutely perfect! We can’t wait to plan more stays off season at the inn!

We had our wedding at the Bear Mountain Inn in July of 2021 and it was literally a dream come true. Bottom line up front is this is THE place to have your wedding.

The owners, Brian and Julie, have created an idyllic bed and breakfast located on a gorgeous piece of land overlooking a lake. It is a breathtaking place and they are warm welcoming hosts who made us feel like the entire inn was our personal home the weekend of our wedding. Equally as important they are total professionals who, together with their day of coordinator, Cassie, made the wedding stress free.

Cassie is one of the most competent and professional people I have ever worked with, and she worked with us from the day we chose them to host our wedding to make sure everything would be perfect. The result was that the weekend of the wedding everything ran so smoothly we never had to worry about anything other than having a good time. A month later our guests are still talking about how much fun they had and how beautiful the venue was.

Bear Mountain Inn was the greatest. Brian, Julie, Cassie, and Josh were so helpful and made our day absolutely perfect.

Julie, Brian and the whole Bear Mountain Inn team were amazing. They had great communication and accomodated all our requests. The weather did not cooperate for our outdoor ceremony but the team was able to pivot quickly and it was beautiful. I highly recommend this venue for weddings, rehearsal dinners and just a lovely weekend away. I know we will be coming back to celebrate for years to come.

Brian, Julie and the entire team at this stunning venue treat you like family throughout the entire process of planning. They truly want your wedding to be incredible and pull out all the stops to make it happen. The site is breathtaking, the remodeled inn is beautiful and the food every morning was fresh, healthy and delicious. Both our families stayed at the inn for our wedding weekend and are still raving about how lovely it was. Highly recommend to anyone who wants the personal touch for their wedding, the BMI team make all the difference in making that happen seamlessly. We can’t thank them enough.

This venue was everything we could've ever asked for. Aesthetically, it is stunning - our ceremony was on a beautiful patio overlooking the lake, and the reception was in the barn that keeps its rustic charm while having modern amenities (heat pumps in particular, to keep warm on cold autumn nights or cool for summer weddings!). Our bridal party stayed at the inn for the weekend and they have not stopped raving about the stay. Each room is unique and comfortable, and the included breakfast is amazing. The best part of the experience was the team. We had to postpone our wedding due to Covid and they could not have been more kind and understanding, not only helping us find a new date but in fact opening up their wedding season earlier than usual. The owners, Brian and Julie, have done a superb job at making you feel at home while at the Inn. It's no surprise that in some of our other visits, there have been numerous couples visiting who had previously married there, as they truly make it feel like a big family. The wedding coordinator, Cassie, was thoughtful and attentive throughout the entire process, and along with Josh were instrumental in keeping things organized and stress-free for us on our big day. We cannot recommend them enough!

-Jason and Sabrina

We had the wedding of our dreams and it was all made possible by the team at Bear Mountain Inn. From the time we arrived to the time we said goodbye we were treated like family and felt right at home at BMI. The breakfast provided was FANTASTIC, the grounds are gorgeous, and the rooms are cozy. We look forward to visiting again and are so very thankful for Brian, Julie, Cassie, Josh and the entire staff at Bear Mountain Inn for their hard work and kindness.

Bear Mountain Inn will continue to be one of our most favorite places. We knew during our 1st visit that BMI was the perfect place for us to get married. We loved the fact it was pet friendly, had gorgeous decor and that our friends and family were able to stay on site. Yes the property wowed us but the service and the team at Bear Mountain Inn are EXCEPTIONAL. Julie, Brian & Cassie connected with us several times this year to coordinate our wedding during a very tough time. We had to alter plans and they were so accommodating to our needs and very understanding. They all are so friendly and so on point with details and amazing customer service. Our guests also raved about the rooms, the breakfast and the experience at BMI. We all are “lifers” at BMI and can’t wait to visit at least once a year and make more great memories. Eric and I can’t thank Julie, Brian & Cassie enough for making our dream wedding come true! We highly recommend Bear Mountain Inn to other couples!