Nestled near the banks of the York River, Foster’s rises from the northeastern shore as the perfect setting to host a one-of-a-kind New England wedding and reception. We offer a scenic and spacious spot to tie the knot and enjoy a traditional clambake. A New England tradition, our sensational lobster and inspired dishes are sure to delight and impress your wedding day guests. An ideal choice for couples seeking a fun and festive place to share vows, Foster’s provides both indoor and outdoor celebration spaces to enjoy your special day your way. Whether you prefer the spacious main pavilion, the intimate barn-style, York Room, or the manicured lawn complete with pond and sparkling fountain, every direction you turn is sure to provide the spirited wedding day photos you've always dreamed of.
Civil Union, Commitment Ceremony, Elopement, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding, Vow Renewal Ceremony
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks, Food & Catering, Planning, Rentals & Equipment, Tents, Service Staff
Settings
Backyard, Garden, Tented
Business Attributes
Pricing for Foster's Clambakes and Catering
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Starting Cost
Moderate
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Peak Season Bar Service Cost
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Foster's Clambakes and Catering Reviews
Alexandra Riddle(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We did a lobster bake for our Maine wedding to give our guests the authentic Maine experience and it could not have gone better. Foster's Clambake exceeded our expectations and went above and beyond in every way possible to ensure perfection for our day and our guests. Roxanne and her team were SO great to work with. Not only did the day-of turn out to be great, but the whole process leading up to it was great! Roxanne and her team were organized and attentive and made the planning stages (which are usually stressful) a breeze. We HIGHLY recommend Foster's Catering! Reviewed on 04-08-2023
Jennifer Giffels(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Fosters was one of the 5 caterers that we could partner with at our wedding venue in southern Maine, and we are so glad we went with them! Their communication was consistent, accurate, and friendly, and the food was reasonably priced for wedding catering - for what ended up being delicious food. The appetizers especially were fun and a big hit with our guests, and I recently was told the fall salad was one of the best salads one of my guests had ever eaten! Service was quick, friendly, and \"inconspicuous\" in a way that allowed us to focus on the experience. Fosters was able to accommodate all of our guests' food restrictions and allergies. They helped us slice our cake and set up our donuts which were both from other vendors. We worked with Garrison leading up to the day and then Roxanne the day of, which we were initially worried about but ended up working seamlessly! Fosters was great about waiting until very close to the wedding day in order to charge us for our final head count, and throughout the planning process we never felt bad if we changed our minds or pressured into decisions at all. Great experience (and my husband is a chef!) - thank you so much!! Reviewed on 12-11-2023
Erin Marley(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Cannot say enough good things about Foster's! We loved everything-- their staff, the meals, all of it was was perfect! Our guests raved about the food and Foster's was so accommodating with special requests, allergies, ect. Really appreciated everything! Reviewed on 23-10-2023
Rossi Fish(other)5 out of 5 Rating
We held our rehearsal/welcome dinner at Foster's the night before our wedding at Stage Neck Inn. We were in the York Room for our event, and we had a really incredible night! The team at Foster's and the event manager helping out with our dinner were so wonderful to work with. They were very flexible, letting us come in earlier in the day to set up some decor, etc. The food was SO good - everyone raved about their meals. They helped us set up the music we wanted to play and a tv for a photo slideshow. All of the staff were kind and did a great job making sure our guests had everything they needed. We would highly recommend hosting an event at Foster's!! Reviewed on 08-08-2023
Julie Baxley(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 10-06-2022 We had our wedding at Foster’s in June 2022 and it was a dream come true. Beth and Garrison were extremely helpful, they went above and beyond! The food was delicious, everyone loved the lobster! Can’t recommend them enough. Reviewed on 05-01-2023
Lauren Leskowsky(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-06-2022 Foster’s is a hidden gem! I’m from Southern Maine but didn’t want to pay the Southern Maine price for a big wedding. My dream was to invite as many people as I wanted and serve them lobster, and Foster’s made that possible. This team is great to work with compared to other venues that pump out more than one wedding per weekend in the area. Everything from our cocktail hour food and service, bar staff, wait staff, main course, event staff, parking, decorations, place settings, outdoor fire pits, restrooms, tables and chairs, was absolutely perfect! The venue speaks for itself, especially when the string lights come on heading into the night. My mom was a creative/pinterest MOB and made some out-of-the-box decor, and this crew let her be creative and do what she envisioned. When everything finally came together, it was a dream. I can’t say enough fantastic things about this venue and crew! All our hometown guests couldn’t believe how we found such a great spot, and our out of town guests felt spoiled (we all were). Highly recommended to anyone looking for a big space and wish to serve and treat their guests to a traditional Maine feast and experience! Infinity stars!!!!! Reviewed on 29-08-2022
Jessica Connearney(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-09-2019 Such an awesome facility, everything we needed was right on site. Our wedding coordinator, Beth, has been doing this for years and it shows; she went above and beyond to make sure every last detail was how we wanted and was SO helpful through the entire planning process and was on top of everything on the day of the wedding. Staff was also very professional, friendly, and hardworking. The event areas were clean and easy to bring your own vision to. Very reasonable pricing, and all of our guests had a BLAST. Reviewed on 11-11-2019
Melissa Hake(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-08-2018 Everyone at Foster's was amazing and so helpful. They were all so informative when we had questions. Planning a wedding across the country is tough but they were so willing to help and answer all of our questions. We sure did have a lot! The staff was very professional and even came to dance with the bride for a little bit while on break. It was amazing. The food was absolutely delicious, hot, and timely. One of the most professional staff I have ever worked with. Reviewed on 25-01-2019
Leah Jennings(bride)5 out of 5 Rating
We couldn't have picked a better place to have a wedding reception! Kevin, Jenna, Beth, and all staff went over the top for us. Everyone kept talking about how wonderful everything was! They seriously have the best food ever! They made my wedding a dream come true. We had a big white tent out back by the pond. It was so magical! Reviewed on 03-09-2018
Samantha Hall(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-09-2017 Foster's made our wedding AMAZING every step of the way from planning, to food, set up, and the day of festivities. Between the time we booked, March 2016 and the actual wedding, September 2017 they made great additions to the venue. My husband and I wanted a rustic-ish wedding in Maine and Foster's was the perfect spot. They worked within our budget to produce a wedding that our friends and family cannot stop talking about. Clearly professionals, the planning was almost too easy with their staff who tolerated my many questions, visits, and phone calls. Jenna and Beth made every hope, thought, and idea of my wedding come true. The food was unbelievable and everyone really enjoyed it especially the 'Maine' feel of it all. I was very impressed how their team took on the set-up and decorating of the venue with my MANY decorations to personalize the space. ( Every other bride I spoke to couldn't believe this was part of my package.)We were suppose to be married by the pond, have an outdoor cocktail hour and move inside for dinner and the reception.... Mother Nature had another plan for us. To be honest until that weekend, I had never considered a rain plan but that's why I'm so happy I was at Foster's. With no prompting, they took it on themselves to develop a plan which went off without a hitch. Everything had to be held inside and I have to say now, I can't imagine it any other way. The night-of, Jenna and her staff were so attentive to everyone's needs and were beyond professional in every aspect.I cannot say enough wonderful things about the venue and the amazing team behind the scenes! Thank you Jenna, Beth, and everyone else who made our day perfect! Reviewed on 25-09-2017
Danielle Petelle(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-05-2017 We had a our family clambake here the night before our wedding. The team at Foster's was so gracious and accommodating. Our family LOVED the food, they were all raving about the place, the experience of a real traditional clambake and being able to see it being cooked etc. They set up the York room for our family and it was PERFECT! Reviewed on 14-06-2017
Kokila R(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-09-2016 We loved the food and experience provided by Fosters at our wedding! We had a beautiful countryside wedding in a Vermont Sep 2016. Kevin and his team arranged to make it down, host the clambake onsite and provided great service. They customized to what we wanted on the day of, arranged to set up the tables and really took care of everything including making sure my husband and I had a chance to taste all the appetizers before they were all gobbled up. Fosters really took the time to listen to what we want and delivered on alovely, fun, and authentic experience for our guests. Reviewed on 02-05-2017
Laurel Chadwick(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-08-2016 Fosters goes above and beyond their call of duty. I didn't have a wedding planner, but Beth was with me every step of the way and made the process easy for me, which was hard to do since I was planning from across the country! Both Beth and Kevin are pros and just an absolute pleasure to work with! They will put those wedding jitters at ease.Then there is the food... I highly recomend Sarah's menu, which was absolutely delicious. I wanted a Maine dinner, without the mess of a lobster dinner and Sarah's menu was a perfect solution to that. The lobster meat is served out of it's shell in such a fresh unique way. Our guests absolutely loved it! Reviewed on 23-09-2016
Kelsey Pastore(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-06-2016 We used Foster's for our rehearsal dinner and we had an amazing time! It was beautifully decorated and the staff were so responsive. Everyone LOVED the food (we had the cookout menu) probably almost more than the food at the actual wedding. Everyone kept going up for seconds! I would definitely recommend working with Foster's for your wedding or rehearsal dinner! Reviewed on 03-07-2016
Danielle Cyr(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-07-2015 Fosters was great to work with. The team was responsive and helped my Coordinator a lot! People loved the food and the place settings they included were perfect! The only downside is that they forgot the dessert which was a bummer, but when we called about it after the wedding they quickly offered a partial refund for forgetting. Reviewed on 21-10-2015
Anonymous (guest)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 14-12-2016 I had the pleasure of being a guest at a good friends wedding reception this summer at Foster's and had such a good time at the clambake! The Foster's staff was so friendly and efficient and the entire event was really the \"Maine\" experience the couple had hoped for. Maine lobster (my first)cooked right outside with sweet corn, steamers and clam chowder. Being from the south, and a newbie to this New England tradition, my husband and I loved every minute of it. Spectacular beaches in the area as well! Reviewed on 14-10-2015
Anonymous (bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-07-2015 My husband and I got married in July in my parent's backyard and Fosters catered our reception. We could not be happier with how everything turned out! Beth and her team were wonderful to work with every step of the way. The food was incredible and our guests continue to comment on both the quality and quantity of their meal. I would highly recommend Fosters if you are looking for a traditional New England clambake and want your guests to leave full and happy! Thank you, Fosters! Reviewed on 13-10-2015
Morgan Lincoln(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-09-2015 Foster's was everything we hoped that it would be. Kevin, the owner, was great to work with. The staff was extremely helpful and we had the relaxed, comfortable, and classy atmosphere that we wanted. They were very professional but also very personal and caring. Mary Beth and Beth were just incredible. And the guests said the food was the best wedding food they have ever had! Thanks Fosters! Reviewed on 09-10-2015
Catherine Faulkner(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 22-08-2015 My husband and I got married on August 22 2015 at Foster's Clambake in York, Maine. We could not be happier about choosing Foster's for our big day! We had our ceremony outdoors on the field they have outback overlooking an adorable pond, and they provided the arbor for us. We had our reception inside the big room at Foster's but the doors were open so people could float in and out as they pleased. It was absolutely beautiful and totally relaxed, everything we ever could have imagined. Beth Wilson is amazing! She is the reason I chose Foster's in the first place!! She is so down to earth and calm so she can keep the brides calm through the whole process. I brought her my decor the day before/morning of the wedding and she totally did everything! When I walked inside after the ceremony it was a complete surprise how everything had been set up and I was speechless, she made everything absolutely perfect so I didn't have to worry about any of it! Not only are all of the staff at Foster's great, but their food is phenomenal! We had Lobster, Chicken, and Eggplant Parmesan for our meal choices. Everyone loved their meal & the portions were perfect! As far as the cost goes for this venue, totally reasonable for what we got! We had about 110 people, and we had our ceremony and reception here, we had a cash bar, but Foster's took care of everything. We paid around $7500-$8000 for everything I would say. All in all, Foster's was the perfect place for our wedding and I wouldn't change anything about that day. Everyone should seriously consider Foster's for their wedding or reception they are amazing! Reviewed on 10-09-2015
Anonymous (groom)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-10-2014 We held our wedding reception at Foster's Downeast Clambake in York, ME, on Saturday, October 11th.\r\rThe clambake hall transformed from a big room lined with red-checkered tables to a ballroom that had rustic elegance. The lights and candles, once the sun went down, made the whole scene glow, and the autumn pumpkins and hay bales gave the place a fairy tale feel. It was a truly special setting for our wonderful reception.\r\rOh, and the food??? The appetizers were to die for, and our guests loved the scallops wrapped in bacon and our special-made empanadas. Guests had a choice between lobster, beef tenderloin, or a vegetarian meal, and the food was incredible. My lobster came with clams, mussels, potatoes, corn, and chowder. Don't forget the chowder!\r\rKevin Tacy, the owner, made us feel right at home. There is a picture of him with former President George H. W. Bush in the hallway by the offices, and it's clear that he knows what he's doing. When we were touring, we were sold on his warmth and genuine kindness. Beth, the manager, was who we spoke to about the details. As we got closer to the date of our reception, we spoke with her often. Nothing made my wife feel better than talking with Beth. Beth understood the kind of event we were looking to have, assured us that she had everything under control, and delivered beyond our expectations. \r\rWe could not be happier with Foster's! I couldn't recommend them enough! Reviewed on 19-10-2014
Chantel Bonner(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-08-2013 We had so much fun, and Beth made planning a breeze! If you are looking for something different and not black-tie, the clambake at Foster's is excellent. The food was plentiful and delicious, and they work with you to make sure everything is perfect. Reviewed on 23-08-2013
Sarah Tacy(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 16-06-2012 I have to start my review before the food even enters the picture. Beth Wilson helped to coordinate everything for our wedding. She made sure that every part would fit together. Two days before the wedding she walked us through the timing of the ceremony, h'odervers, cocktail hour, announcements, when the food would be served, dancing, when the cake would be cut etc. She left no detail unattended to. She's an absolute pro and that's huge because brides for the most part are complete amateurs when it comes to weddings!\r\rI LOVE clambakes and getting messy, but we expressed to Kevin, the owner, that we wanted a meal that was a little more refined for our big wedding day. That is exactly what they provided. It was gourmet! He and his staff came up with a meal and h'orderves that people are still talking to me about today! \r\rWe had the A team! (this goes for all of our venders!)\r Reviewed on 14-04-2013
Ashley Torr(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-10-2012 Foster's Downeast Clambake hosted my wedding in October. Everyone from the bartenders, waitstaff and of course our amazing events coordinator Beth, were wonderful to work with and did everything possible to make sure the day went smoothly.\r\rThe food is pretty basic, but hey, it's lobster, and it's good. You get to eat with a bib, and it's a lot of fun. The pavilion was decorated beautifully and the grounds are beautiful as well - huge grassy yard and a pond. Reviewed on 15-11-2012
Jacqueline Venckus(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-07-2011 We had a fabulous clambake that everyone loved! It was a terrific price and we got lots of food, drink and dessert! Definitely a fun, laid back atmosphere. Reviewed on 25-08-2011
Rebecca McNaughton(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-08-2011 The bad:\rOriginally was working with Michelle at Foster's, and then was switched to Beth but I was never told why the switch happened. I was supposed to meet with Beth the afternoon before the wedding, and she was super late (over an hour). I was told that the twinkle lights that were burnt out would be replaced before the reception - they were not. We arrived at the reception site to find out that guests were being charged for beverages at the bar - the contract stated open bar. Beth went around to the tables to apologize and to inform them to get their money back from the bartender. Beth apologized profusely for that mistake and made it up to us on the final cost of the open bar. Guests requesting a vegetarian entree were given microwaved eggplant parm (think Lean Cuisine).\r\rThe good:\rEveryone had such a great time. There was no screw ups (that I'm aware of) for food - everyone got what they ordered. Everything was delicious. We were able to get hard shell lobsters for an additional $2/lobster. Completely affordable at about $35/pp, which included chowder, mussels/clams, lobster or chicken, corn, potatoes, and blueberry cobbler. I was worried that 2-7pm would be too short of a time frame, but it really worked out perfectly. Beth had great suggestions for set up. We were able to bring our own apps and desserts instead of ordering through them (but they do offer that service). Reviewed on 23-08-2011
Megan Littlefield(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 23-07-2011 We had our ceremony and reception at Foster's and everything they did was perfect. *No joke!* Michelle helped me in the beginning, and then Beth took over closer to the wedding since she was going to be on-site day-of. The staff is incredible; they listen to what you want and execute it without trouble, they're kind to guests, and especially important: very quick to respond to questions when planning everything in advance! The lobsterbake was wonderful. Also important to us was the ability to offer a vegan meal for friends and family. Foster's whipped up a homemade vegan lasagna that I'm told was really delicious. No one left the reception hungry! Their portions are very generous. The ceremony location is pretty, the reception venue is pretty...There isn't a bad thing I can say about Foster's. It's truly a gem with a wonderful staff. Plus, how can you beat a place that has volleyball, horseshoes and shuffleboard out back for your guests? Reviewed on 01-08-2011
j b(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-06-2011 Fabulous food & Outstanding service!!! Highly recommended!!! I will definitely use them again for other events!!! Reviewed on 03-07-2011
Tina Merlitti(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-09-2010 We used them for a lobster bake Rehersal Dinner. The food was great and our guest had a good time. Once the food was served they took the time to show people how to handle their lobter, it was helpful for our Ohio guest. Reviewed on 23-10-2010
Lindsay Breen(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 18-09-2010 Foster's was truly the best caterer we ever could have picked. The manager, Beth, was amazing and helpful in all aspects of the wedding planning. Her staff was amazing, very polite and efficient, and always had a smile on their face. I believe they all truly had a great time as well. We had a tented reception on the ocean for a semi-formal occasion. Foster's fit in so well - it truly was the best elegant yet rustic lobster bake and our guests LOVED it as well! Reviewed on 10-10-2010
Mikell Reed Carroll(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-06-2010 We had our ceremony and reception at Fosters and it was perfect!! We got married outdoors on their beautiful ceremony site, it looked beautifula nd they set it up exactly as I asked!! We then had our reception in their indoor paviollion, which is very spacious and was decorated to perfection by the wonderful staff! Beth Wilson is the Wedding Coordinator and she is awesome!! She worked so hard on everything and it all turned out beauiful!! They even did some special requests for us at no extra charge!! And it was very affordable for 80 guests with lobster dinner and an open bar!! I highy reccommend Fosters!! Reviewed on 29-06-2010
Kevin Tacy ran an oyster farm in college & later formed a company to ship lobsters overseas. Kevin's York, Maine, based company supplied lobsters to Fosters founder, Bill Foster. In 1984, at Bills's suggestion, Kevin purchased Fosters with the thought to sell within a few years. But as he worked to grow the business, he fell in love with clambaking. In 2010 he expanded to offer additional catering options, & 2 new venues. Today, with Kevin at the helm, Foster's continues to grow while staying true to what we've done best for over 65 years ... steaming up authentic Maine lobster & clambakes!