A winter return to Mountain Top
There’s something especially magical about a winter wedding in Vermont, and Nicolette and Jon’s celebration at Mountain Top Resort captured that feeling perfectly. Snow-dusted hills, cozy indoor spaces, and a soundtrack that blended Taylor Swift-inspired strings, jazzy Christmas instrumentals, and a vintage-leaning dance party made this Chittenden wedding feel warm, intimate, and unforgettable. From an outdoor ceremony on the tavern patio to a barn reception that carried on into the evening, East Coast Soul was honored to be there for every moment.
Ceremony on the Tavern Patio
The day began with a 3:00 PM ceremony on the patio outside the tavern at Mountain Top Resort, overlooking the winter landscape. East Coast Soul provided both sound and live performance, keeping the setup simple and elegant with a single microphone and acoustic instrumentation tailored to the couple’s Taylor Swift vision.
Guests arrived to instrumental versions of Taylor Swift favorites, setting a modern, romantic tone as everyone took their seats. For the processional, the couple requested a special combination of “Lover” and “Wildest Dreams,” building to Nicolette’s entrance to “Wildest Dreams” in a cinematic, string-style arrangement. After the vows, the newlyweds recessed back up the aisle to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours),” kicking off the celebration with soulful, joyful energy.
Cozy Cocktail Hour at the Tavern
Following the ceremony, guests made their way into the tavern for cocktail hour from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. The couple requested an instrumental trio with a focus on jazzy Christmas music, which fit the December date perfectly—think cozy, fireside vibes rather than full-on holiday kitsch.
The trio mixed classic standards with wintery favorites, keeping the volume comfortable for conversation while still creating a festive atmosphere as guests warmed up, grabbed drinks, and settled in for the evening ahead.
Barn Reception & First Dance
At 5:00 PM, everyone transitioned to the barn at Mountain Top Resort for the reception. Nicolette and Jon opted to keep introductions simple—just a formal welcome for the two of them as they entered the space together for the first time as a married couple.
Their first dance followed shortly afterward to a recording of “Wildflowers & Wine” by Marcus King. The couple requested that the entire track be played, giving them time to really relax into the moment while guests watched from around the room.
Welcome Toasts & Dinner
Staying true to the personal, low-fuss feel of the evening, Nicolette and Jon chose to give their own welcome toast around 5:10 PM, right after the first dance. It was a sweet, genuine way to thank their guests and set the tone for the rest of the night.
Dinner service began around 6:00 PM. For this portion of the evening, the couple requested a small full-band combo with vocals, keeping the energy elevated but not overwhelming. The band delivered a blend of laid-back soul, light Motown, and acoustic-leaning arrangements—perfect for a winter barn dinner with friends and family.
Toasts from Best Man Dave and Maid of Honor Stephanie added heartfelt storytelling and plenty of laughs as the meal progressed.
Parent Dances
At 6:40 PM, attention shifted to the parent dances, an especially meaningful part of the evening. Nicolette chose to honor her late father by sharing a dance with her mom, Theo, to “Where You Lead” by Carole King (played from a recording). After a bit of time on the floor together, her sister and brother joined in, turning the moment into a beautiful family tribute.
Jon followed with a mother/son dance to “Landslide” (Baby Rose’s Fleetwood Mac cover), also played from a recording, which the couple requested be shortened slightly to keep the flow moving. The room was quiet, attentive, and full of emotion for both dances.
Opening the Dance Floor
With formalities complete and dinner winding down, East Coast Soul shifted into full dance mode. The couple indicated a strong preference for a mix that leaned about 4-out-of-5 toward vintage—Motown, classic rock, funk, and soul—balanced with select contemporary favorites.
The band wove together artists like Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and other classic soul staples with modern tracks that still felt timeless, creating a set list that resonated with every generation on the floor. As the night progressed, the barn transformed from a cozy winter refuge into a full-on dance party, with guests singing along, spinning in couples, and forming big circles for the band’s high-energy numbers.
Dancing Through a December Night
From 5:00 PM straight through to the 10:00 PM end time, the band kept the momentum going, with only minimal breaks and carefully chosen background tracks in between. Break music stayed in the background, letting the live sets do the heavy lifting.
By the end of the evening, cheeks were flushed, glasses were raised, and the December night outside felt a world away from the warmth inside the barn. It was everything you hope a winter wedding in Vermont will be: cozy, joyful, and centered around the people—and music—that matter most.
A Winter Wedding to Remember
Nicolette and Jon’s Mountain Top Resort wedding was a perfect example of how to lean into the season: thoughtful song choices, a festive yet refined cocktail hour, intimate parent dances, and a dance floor that stayed full all night. East Coast Soul was honored to help bring their musical vision to life in such a stunning Vermont setting.
