The Report

This venue is VRV (Venue Report Verified); Venue Report Correspondent Lauren Wells Events has personally visited this venue. Located only 90 miles north of Boston, Hidden Pond resort is found in the quaint, historic town of Kennebunkport. Which in itself is extremely fun to say five times fast. The resort is nestled right off the southern Maine coastline on sixty acres of welcoming birch groves and balsam fir trees.

Simple in it’s elegance, it’s true luxe lies in it’s attention to detail. Everything looks ripped right out of a Restoration Hardware catalog but better - an industrial, rustic, local feel. The valet keys for Earth, the open-air restaurant, are not simply keys - but numbers burned into errant slices of wood. From the giant upside-down tree light fixture to the on-site flower and vegetable gardens to the multiple bars, pools and fire pits, the grounds are breathtaking. If the grounds are wonderful – and they ARE, the bungalows are spectacular, complete with outdoor showers, fireplaces, the coziest of beds and enormous bathrooms loaded with L'Occitane goods. You know, the kind of products you guiltily scoop into your bag like a thief in the night. Come on. We know you do it too.

Each morning, free of charge, the charming staff delivers a morning package right to your door - thermos of coffee, newspapers, freshly baked goods, homemade granola and mini quiches. You’ll wonder, with every, single bone in your body, why oh why doesn’t this happen every morning? You’ll wish it did. In your fridge, you will find fresh squeezed juice, milk and yogurt. Should your relaxation include getting your blood pumping, Hidden Pond will lend you a beach cruiser free of charge or attend a morning yoga session or guided hike. The onsite spa is actually located 8ft above ground in a tree-top and aptly named, The Tree Spa. Indulge in signature massage treatments made with rosemary, mint & lavender, grown in the gardens at Hidden Pond.

The Scoop

Lauren Wells Events raved about her experience at this stunning rustic luxe setting that is perfect for weddings, celebrations and corporate events. The ideal wedding would be 80 or fewer guest count which would allow for a reception in the barn. The barn is a beautiful, clean space with amazing details, such as a wire boat light fixture and a bar made out of birch branches. Ceremonies with a higher guest count could be hosted down at Goose Rocks Beach, with the Hidden Pondwoods as a backdrop, or on the Farm amid the gardens.

Earth, the amazing on site restaurant (with both indoor seating, and outdoor seating - how rad are those branch teepees?!) is perfect for rehearsal dinners and corporate parties. In fact, all on-site catering is provided by the Hidden Pond. They are farm to table, grow much of their own products, source local meats and the menu is the brain-child of the great Ken Oringer, a James Beard award-wining Boston chef.

Lauren Wells Events  also highly recommends the on-site treehouse spa, the massages were excellent! In addition to all of this, there is a free shuttle back and forth to Kennebunkport town as well as Tides Beach Club (their sister property), so guests can have a range of options of where to stay. The town itself is quintessential New England, with so much to see and do, perfect for a weekend getaway.

Venue Capacity. The event barn can accommodate 80 guests max, and does not require property buy out. You can also tent on The Farm (the flower/vegetable gardens at front of property). This can accommodate 200 guests max, and does require property buy out.

Pillow Talk. There are 16 2-bedroom cottages, perfect for a family or 4 friends, and 20 1-bedroom bungalows perfect for a couple.

Photos Row 1- 4: Correspondent Lauren Wells Events  // Photos Row 7-9 Indigo Foto

Bonus

There is a free shuttle back and forth to Kennebunkport town as well as Tides Beach Club (their sister property), so guests can have a range of options of where to stay. The town itself is quintessential New England, with so much to see and do, perfect for a weekend getaway.

For all you boozehounds out there (us, included), Hidden Pondhosts Mixology classes and provides hand-crafted cocktail ingredients grown on the property itself. We’re big fans of all the myriad ways they put these lovely gardens to use. Let’s recap our dream day: Wake up in luxurious bed. Delivery of coffee, newspaper and freshly baked goods. Shower with L’Occitane products. Breathe in crisp air smelling of birch and balsalm. Morning yoga. Guided hike. Tree-top spa treatment. Dinner at Earth. Mixology class. Drink what learned. Good night.

STYLE FOR YOUR SETTING

Nature abounds and rustic, luxe touches can be found everywhere. Errant bits of driftwood, seashells and sea glass from your adventures around Kennebunkport would make the perfect, texturized foil to a lovely East Coast nautical palette. Fuze this with the forests and ferns that are surrounding the venue setting for a unique twist on a Maine fête.

1. Invitations: Borrow the periwinkle blues and mint greens of the Hidden Pond beach cruisers along with the ferns surrounding Hidden Pond for a fun take on the nautical theme. No anchors or sailboats for this crew   2. Looking for a cute idea for table numbers? Take a cue from the Earth restaurant valets and use errant pieces of balsa wood with numbers etched into the delicate bark. You can also use this on the menus to incorporate the white-tailed deer that roam around Maine. Photo Jen Huang.   3. Keep it simple. The excessive, swoon-worthy setting will be the unspoken character in your wedding narrative. Long, rustic farmhouse tables set with beautiful cream, seaglass, china, votives and pops of local farm produce and greenery will allow the love story being celebrated to shine brightly. Design: Canvas & Canopy // Photo: Cameron Ingalls.

Inside Scoop

Lauren Wells Events recommends doing a floral hanging installation on the boat fixture in the barn for your event. She saw one there when she visited, and was wowed by it! Pinterest-worthy, for sure. Another juicy piece of inside scoop is letting guests know about taking kayaks out to Timber Island - perfect little island (with the clearest of water!) to hunt for driftwood, sea glass and other treasures. The beach cruisers come in the cutest mint green and periwinkle blue - Lauren highly recommends tying some cans onto the end and using them as your "getaway" car! Lastly, late-night party animals can make use of one or both fire pits on the premises, with s'mores for all.

Highlight Reel

Around Town

We all Scream for Ice Cream!:

Rococo's Artisan Ice Cream Shop is amazing - Argentinian style ice cream with the wildest flavors including: Candied Ginger, Malbec & Berries Sorbet, Chai Cardamom, Rosewater Pear Sorbet, Moxie Soda, Sweet and Salty Olive, and Curry Carrot to name a few! via rococoicecream.com

Be SHELLfish!:

Mabels Lobster Claw is *the* place to get a lobster roll, so don't miss it! This establishment has been open since the 1950s and serves homemade pies, blueberry bread, & corn muffins that are baked every morning! The lobsters are hauled off the pier across the street by the lobstermen and delivered straight to the back door here. Visit mabelslobster.com

Shop till you Drop.:

Daytrip Society is the hippest shop in town, and you can take Rt 9 all the way down towards Wells, where antique shops line the road. Once in Wells, the Reserve is a beautiful place to walk around or plop down with a picnic! Visit daytripsociety.com