There’s something undeniably charming about weddings at Tourterelle Restaurant & Inn — the long Vermont views, the farmhouse-meets-barn layout, and the quiet feeling of being tucked into the countryside. Danielle and Scott’s celebration on July 31st had all of that and more. From their outdoor ceremony on the barn lawn to a high-energy reception inside, the day moved with that relaxed, summer-in-Vermont rhythm that makes everything feel grounded and joyful.
Ceremony on the Lawn Outside the Barn
The ceremony took place at 4:30 PM on the lawn just outside the barn — a simple, scenic setup with open air, wide sky, and a clear view of the rolling fields behind the venue. ECS handled both sound and live ceremony music, using a solo acoustic guitar to keep things warm, familiar, and heartfelt.
The couple chose a classic, almost storybook sequence of ceremony music:
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Prelude: guitarist’s choice, kept light and uplifting
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Processional: “Canon in D”
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Bride’s Entrance: “Here Comes the Sun”
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Recessional: “Wedding March”
It fit the setting beautifully. The only wrinkle was that power was about 100 feet away — but between Tourterelle’s long extension cables and our own backups, everything went smoothly.
With the barn right behind the ceremony site, the entire space felt connected — effortless transitions, no long walks, no lost guests. It was a lovely, clean setup.
Cocktail Hour on the Lawn
Cocktail hour ran from 5:00 to 6:00 PM on the lawn beside the barn. Danielle and Scott asked for a keyboard/sax duo, with a repertoire that leaned into light rock, folk, classic singer-songwriter, and a little jazz sprinkled in. Think Eagles, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Clapton, Marley — the perfect porch-summer-evening mix.
Guests spread out across the lawn with drinks as the sun dipped a bit lower. The duo kept things breezy and familiar without ever taking over the space.
Reception Inside the Tourterelle Barn
At 6:00 PM, everyone moved indoors for the reception — a classic Vermont barn setup: wood beams, warm lighting, and a dance floor that fills up fast.
Danielle and Scott chose something fun for introductions: a quick hit of “We Are The Champions” for the parents, then switching to “Kung Fu Fighting” before introducing the wedding party. It kept the room loose, loud, and laughing — exactly what they wanted.
Their own entrance followed:
“And now introducing, for the first time as a married couple… Scott and Danielle Regan!”
First Dance: “Everlong” (Foo Fighters)
The couple’s first dance was one of the coolest parts of the night. They chose “Everlong” — the Foo Fighters’ acoustic version — performed live as a female vocal + keyboard duo. It’s not a typical first dance pick, and that made it feel even more personal.
Just the two of them danced for the opening, and then we invited everyone else onto the floor. It was intimate and warm without being overly formal.
Toasts & Dinner
After the first dance, Danielle’s father gave a welcome toast, and dinner began around 6:35 PM. The band shifted into a small instrumental combo (2–4 players) performing classics: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Four Seasons — the kind of timeless material that pairs well with farm-to-table dinners and candlelit tables.
Tourterelle served vendor meals at 6:50 PM, and the band took a short break to eat while music kept flowing. Their staff made everything incredibly smooth.
More Toasts & Transition to Dancing
Around 7:15 PM, toasts resumed with speeches from:
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Maid of Honor, Lindsay Labonia
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Best Man, Andy Regan
After that, the band eased into the last part of dinner performance before shifting to parent dances.
Parent Dances Inside the Barn
Just before opening the dance floor, the couple shared sweet moments with their parents:
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Bride/Father Dance: “My Girl” — shortened just a bit
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Groom/Mother Dance: “Forever Young” — also shortened
Both songs were performed live. The shortened versions kept things comfortable, especially given some mobility considerations, while still letting the moments be meaningful.
Dance Floor: Soul, Motown, Classics, and Feel-Good Energy
By 7:55 PM, the band launched into the full dance set — and the crowd was more than ready.
Danielle and Scott have great taste and love a little of everything, but their preferences leaned heavily toward:
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Aretha
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Tina Turner
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James Brown
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Motown
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80s and 90s throwbacks
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A few early-00s staples
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Some modern hits sprinkled in (Lizzo, Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, JT)
Their must-play was “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G., which always gets the room moving.
Requests included classics like “Valerie,” “Proud Mary,” “Can’t Stop The Feeling,” and (pending review) “Don’t Stop Believing.” With no do-not-plays to worry about, the band shaped the night dynamically based on the crowd, with an older-leaning demographic but plenty of energy.
From the first tune to the last, the dance floor stayed full — joyful, loud, sweaty, and exactly the kind of party Scott and Danielle wanted.
Tourterelle allowed us to run just a few minutes past the scheduled 10:30 PM end time, giving the night a perfect final lift before bringing things to a close.
A Vermont Barn Wedding to Remember
Danielle and Scott were an absolute pleasure — warm, organized, excited, and incredibly trusting. Tourterelle Restaurant & Inn was the perfect venue for them, offering that mix of rustic charm, open-air ceremony space, and a barn built for real celebrations.
It was a beautiful summer night in one of Vermont’s most welcoming wedding settings.
Congratulations again to Danielle & Scott — and we can’t wait to be back at Tourterelle soon.
