Coastal Celebrations at French’s Point: Caroline & Malcolm’s Wedding
French’s Point in Stockton Springs, Maine has a way of feeling both calm and electric at the same time. Perched above the water with sweeping coastal views, it’s the kind of place where a fall wedding feels extra special. Caroline and Malcolm leaned into that cozy-meets-celebratory energy with a soundtrack full of 60s and 70s favorites, a heartfelt terrace first dance, and a packed dance floor inside the Retreat House.
Ceremony at the Gazebo Promenade
The afternoon began at the Gazebo Promenade, where guests gathered overlooking the grounds for a ceremony that felt personal, relaxed, and warm. Instead of live performance, the couple opted for curated playback — a thoughtful mix of 60s folk, classic singer-songwriters, and easy, familiar tunes to set the tone.
The prelude featured songs by artists like Neil Young, Ray LaMontagne, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, James Taylor, John Denver, and Van Morrison, all pulled from a cozy, intentionally crafted Spotify playlist. It felt like an autumn afternoon mixtape — calm, nostalgic, and welcoming.
The wedding party processed to Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day”, an instant mood-lift, followed by the bride’s entrance to “(They Long to Be) Close to You” by The Carpenters — soft, romantic, and perfectly matched to the setting.
Once vows were exchanged, the recessional kicked things up a notch with Barry White’s “My First, My Last, My Everything”, using the faster radio edit. It was a joyful, slightly disco-leaning exit that hinted at the dance party to come later in the night.
Cocktail Hour on the Terrace
After the ceremony, guests moved to the Cocktail Terrace, a natural gathering spot at French’s Point with beautiful views and space to mingle. Our guitar and sax duo provided the soundtrack, keeping things laid back and familiar with jazz standards, soft grooves, and recognizable melodies.
The direction from Caroline and Malcolm was simple: cozy, familiar favorites that feel like you’ve heard them a hundred times in the best way. The duo had plenty of room to interpret that brief, and the result was a cocktail hour that felt unhurried and intimate, with just the right amount of musical personality.
A Terrace First Dance to “Songbird”
One of the most memorable moments of the night happened before guests even stepped into the Retreat House. Instead of saving their first dance for later, Caroline and Malcolm chose to share it out on the Cocktail Terrace as the evening settled in.
They danced to “Songbird” by November Ultra, played from a recording — a tender, modern choice that still felt timeless. With everyone gathered around, it created this quiet, focused moment before the energy shifted indoors for dinner and dancing.
Welcome Toasts & Dinner in the Retreat House
From the terrace, guests made their way into the Retreat House, greeted by Van McCoy’s “The Hustle” playing as they entered — a fun, tongue-in-cheek nod to the couple’s love for 70s music and disco.
The evening officially kicked off with a welcome toast from the Mother of the Bride, Colleen, together with the Bride’s grandmother, Kathy. It was a sweet way to ground the celebration in family before dinner began.
Our small instrumental combo — sax, keys, bass, and drums — handled the dinner set, leaning into soul, jazz, and warm mid-tempo tunes that stayed present without overpowering conversation. The couple’s priority was a relaxed, musical backdrop, and the band kept that balance while still keeping things moving forward.
Later in the meal, a second round of toasts from the Maid and Man of Honor (Alison and Chip) and Best Man and Best Woman (Ben and Roxanne) rounded out the storytelling, giving guests plenty of laughs and emotional moments before the energy turned fully toward dancing.
Cake Cutting & Parent Dances
The cake cutting at French’s Point came with its own soundtrack: Love Unlimited Orchestra’s “Love’s Theme”, a lush, orchestral disco classic that matched the couple’s love of 70s music. Guests gathered in, cheered, and the room shifted seamlessly into the next big emotional beats of the night.
For the parent dances, Caroline and her dad danced to “This Dance” by Scott Thomas Laughridge, performed by the band and gently shortened to keep it feeling natural and sweet. Malcolm followed with a dance with his stepmother to Plain View’s version of “In My Life”, played from a recording. Both moments felt intentional, personal, and unforced — just the right length and tone.
The Dance Floor: 60s, 70s & a Few Modern Bops
Once the formalities wrapped, it was time to let the band really take over. Caroline especially loves 60s and 70s music, and that era shaped much of the set list: soul, Motown, disco, and feel-good classics that get every generation onto the floor.
Must-plays like ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and Tina Turner’s “The Best” (saved for the last song of the night) anchored the evening, while other requests shaped the flow of the dance sets:
- Sly & The Family Stone – “Everyday People”
- Fleetwood Mac – “Everywhere”
- Bee Gees favorites, including “Stayin’ Alive”
- Disco staples that kept the energy up
- Dua Lipa – “Levitating”
- Lizzo – “Juice”
- Michael Jackson – “Love Never Felt So Good”
The couple’s vision was clear: not a Top 40-heavy night, but a “healthy mix” of eras that would resonate with all ages. We kept the focus on vintage favorites and selectively sprinkled in 80s, 90s, and a few 2000s/2010s tracks that matched the vibe.
Guests packed the dance floor from the first tune to the last, and when it was finally time for Tina Turner’s “The Best” to close the night, the room felt exactly the way Caroline and Malcolm had hoped: full of people, singing, and a shared love of boogie.
A French’s Point Wedding with a Timeless Soundtrack
Caroline and Malcolm’s wedding at French’s Point was a perfect fit for the venue: coastal, cozy, and full of music that felt both nostalgic and alive. From 60s folk during the ceremony to 70s disco and soul on the dance floor, the night told their story through songs — and we were honored to be the band behind it.
