East Coast Soul at the von Trapp Family Lodge | Mary & Willis in Stowe, Vermont
There are few places in New England as cinematic as the von Trapp Family Lodge. Sweeping meadows, mountain ridgelines, quiet forests—everything about Stowe in August feels serene and storybook-beautiful. Mary and Willis chose this iconic Vermont setting for their celebration, and from the moment we arrived at the Concert Meadow, it was clear the day was going to be something special: heartfelt, music-filled, and overflowing with joy.
Ceremony in the Concert Meadow
The ceremony took place in the Concert Meadow, framed by the open mountainside landscape that makes the von Trapp property so unforgettable. Mary’s cousin sang during the ceremony with accompaniment from her husband on guitar, while our team handled the sound setup with two mics and a clean, supportive system to keep everything intimate and natural.
Their processional choices fit the setting perfectly—“Rocky Mountain High” for the processional, followed by a glowing entrance to “Bright” by Echosmith, leading into a joyful recessional of “You Make My Dreams Come True.” It felt warm, personal, and wonderfully Vermont.
Cocktail Hour Under the Tent
After the ceremony, guests made their way to the cocktail hour tent beside the reception space. Mary and Willis curated a vibe built around country, folk, and acoustic favorites—think Chris Stapleton, Bob Dylan, James Taylor—performed by a guitar/sax/bass trio.
It created exactly the mood the couple wanted: relaxed and earthy, with just a hint of rustic charm. Guests wandered the tent, settled into the afternoon light, and soaked up the mountain air.
First Dance & A Quick Burst of Early Dancing
Instead of waiting until later in the evening, Mary and Willis chose to share their first dance before moving the party to the dinner tent. Their song, “Daydream” by Lily Meola,” was performed live—a soft, dreamy choice that matched the tone of the day.
Guests were invited to join them toward the end, kicking off a short, mini dance set that kept things upbeat before everyone transitioned for dinner.
Welcome Toast, Blessing & Dinner
Once the crowd settled into the dinner tent, the couple shared a heartfelt welcome before a brief blessing by Mary’s mom. The early part of the evening flowed gracefully: salads served at 6:25pm, entrees at 7:15pm, and soft, warm solo performance music filling the tent in the background.
The couple’s vision for dinner music was simple: gentle, warm, lightly upbeat—something that supported conversation while still keeping the celebratory energy alive.
Vendor meals were served to the band between 6:50–7:20 before speeches began.
Toasts as Sunset Approached
As golden hour settled over the property, the evening moved into several rounds of meaningful toasts:
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Father of the Bride
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Best Man
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Two Matrons of Honor
Guests laughed, cried, and toasted as the light shifted outside the tent—and Mary and Willis snuck out for a quick set of sunset photos around 7:15pm.
Parent Dances Before the Party Launched
After dinner wrapped, guests returned to the main dance tent for parent dances:
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Groom & Mother: “One Love” — Bob Marley
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Bride & Father: “Believe” — Caamp
Both dances were shortened slightly, with space for guests to join at the right moment. It was a grounded, heartfelt way to open the dance floor.
A Dance Floor That Never Stopped Moving
This crowd came ready. From the moment the first full-set downbeat hit at 6pm, it was clear the night was going to be high-energy.
Their requests were a dream for a live band—classic rock, soul, R&B, funk, Motown, and throwback pop—the exact mix that keeps a multigenerational dance floor on its feet all night.
Some standout must-plays included:
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You Make Loving Fun – Fleetwood Mac
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Empire State of Mind – Alicia Keys
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Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
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Proud Mary – Tina Turner (as the possible closer—always a home run)
The couple leaned heavily toward vintage and timeless selections, with just enough modern touches to keep things fresh—and they encouraged us to stay away from too much contemporary Top 40. Their guests loved it.
The night was packed with singing, dancing, moments where the band stepped offstage, and a whole lot of joy. Even with the venue’s strict 11pm cutoff, the room stayed full, loud, and energetic right to the final note.
A Perfect Summer Night at the von Trapp Lodge
Mary and Willis brought a beautiful spirit to this wedding—warm, heartfelt, music-loving, and full of intention. Against the backdrop of Stowe’s mountains, their celebration felt both epic and deeply personal.
Mary & Willis — thank you for inviting East Coast Soul into your day. We loved every minute of this one.
