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.
My brief: 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.

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 soundtrack stayed a step behind the moment.

Ceremony Highlights

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.

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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 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

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, which worked perfectly. Make sure music/speech vendors come autonomous and silent (battery PA, wind protection). Venue team is used to events—coordination is straightforward.
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.