Austrian Mountain Wedding at Steirereck am Pogusch | Viktoria & Michael
Above the Pogusch, the pace slows. Friends and family arrive to mountain light and timber. Viktoria and Michael both work at Steirereck Stadtpark — he a three-Michelin-star chef, she in outstanding front-of-house service — so the bar for hospitality was naturally high.
As their wedding singer for this Styrian mountain wedding at Steirereck am Pogusch, my brief was clear: live vocals and guitar that are understated, modern and easy to enjoy — music as part of hosting. That means welcoming pacing, guest-friendly volume, multilingual touches where they matter, and seamless transitions so people feel looked after from the first note.
If you’re curious how I usually structure live music for ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and first dance, you can read more about my approach here.
Guest welcome in a dream setting
We started before the ceremony, up on the clearing. No setlist, no guardrails—just trust. I kept it simple and familiar so people could land, say hello, take in the view. The music stayed a step behind the moment. For a mountain wedding like this, guests often need a few minutes to arrive, take in the view and feel the place. The music simply gave them permission to do that.
Ceremony Highlights
When I plan ceremony music for Austrian mountain weddings like this, I usually work with a few clear musical anchors. It keeps things calm and makes room for real reactions instead of rushing from one moment to the next.
Entrance — „Weu’sd a Herz hast wia a Bergwerk“ (Rainhard Fendrich).
Viktoria and Michael took their time — fully in the moment. I stretched phrases, let the song breathe, then shaped the next section to meet their pace. No one felt hurried; it supported exactly what was happening.After the speech — „Cloud #9“ (Bryan Adams).
Their song. They mouthed the words, barely audible, and smiled at each other. Small detail, but it says everything.Signing
Straightforward — a short guitar bed and we were ready for hugs and photos with the view.Rings/Kiss — „Kiss Me“ (Sixpence None The Richer).
They stayed in the hug—longer than most. Goosebumps. The chorus sat right where it needed to.Exit — „Auf uns“ (Andreas Bourani).
Natural smiles, easy movement, great frames for photos.
Florals by Andreas Stern
Everything happened outdoors—sun, timber, mountain air. Andreas Stern built florals that felt like sculpture in the landscape: tall, cloud-like installations suspended above the long tables, light enough to move with the breeze, bold enough to define the space without blocking sightlines.
Up close, it was all texture and craft—wild stems, dried elements, fine grasses, small seed heads—layered so the palette read natural rather than “arranged.” Pops of colour echoed through the smaller vessels on the table, so the big pieces and the low pieces spoke the same language.
The result: a cohesive outdoor tableau—photogenic from every angle, practical for conversation, and unmistakably Pogusch. It didn’t decorate the setting; it completed it.
Hospitality, dinner invitation & how it felt
Viktoria and Michael don’t perform hospitality; they live it. They asked me to join them for dinner—kind and very “them”. I knew almost no one when I sat down; by dessert I did. When food, pace and live music line up, the evening moves on its own.
Culinary notes at Steirereck
Region, season, precision. Flavours that make sense, service that never needs to explain itself. If food matters to you, this is a place where you can stop worrying and simply enjoy.
For your planning
If you’re planning a mountain wedding at Steirereck am Pogusch, here are a few notes from my side as a wedding singer who has worked on site.
Two-level layout. Ceremony on the elevated clearing; reception & dinner down at the Wirtshaus/courtyard. It’s a short walk—nice for a processional-style stroll after the civil “yes.”
Bridal base next to the clearing. The house where Viktoria & Michael stayed sits right by the ceremony spot—great for last touches and no uphill walk in a gown.
Welcome Night (what worked). Keep it simple at the Wirtshaus. They hosted theirs there, in Tracht—easy logistics, relaxed atmosphere, photos that feel authentically Styria. Reserve a block and confirm timing with the kitchen.
Stay on site. Mix & match rooms, treehouses (Baumhäuser), bird-house suites on the ridge, and glasshouse cabanas. Walkable distances keep groups together; mornings are easy.
Guests & access. The path to the clearing is short but slightly uphill—flag comfy shoes for grandparents; a golf cart or shuttle can be arranged if needed.
Weather & comfort. Even in summer, temps drop after sunset—add light blankets/shawls and a water station. Midday sun is strong at altitude: bring sunscreen (I caught a sunburn on my right arm here, and I rarely do). Provide parasols or timed seating for shade.
Seating & view. Semi-circle rows on the clearing keep mountains in frame and improve sightlines; leave a center aisle for photo/video.
Decor that behaves outdoors. Florals like Andreas Stern’s sculptural “clouds” read beautifully in wide shots and don’t block faces. Avoid loose petals or tall candles if it’s breezy.
Power & sound. No fixed power on the clearing. I brought a fully self-contained (battery) setup as the wedding singer, which worked perfectly. Make sure music and speech vendors come autonomous and quiet (battery PA, wind protection).
Curfew & noise. Ask for current outdoor music cut-off and indoor options if you plan to go late.
Signage. One simple sign at the Wirtshaus for “Ceremony ↑ / Dinner ↓” is enough; everything else is intuitive.
If you’d like to see how I shape live music for other weddings, you can explore more real wedding stories in my portfolio.
Getting married at Steirereck am Pogusch and want live music that feels natural and quietly confident?
I offer live vocals and guitar for ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and first dance at mountain weddings like this.
Inquire now and we’ll shape a set that suits you, your guests and this landscape.
Vendors
Venue: Steiereck am Pogusch
Photos: Alex Photography
Flowers: Andreas Stern
