The Notch House Reviews
Reviews
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![Emily]()
Emily Sent on 11/20/2025The Notch House is superb!
The Notch House is in a stunning location…all of it, the historic house, the apartment, the cottage, all tucked by the shores of Lake Willoughby, the grounds, the details.... It was perfect for those of us staying onsite and for wedding guests. It was beautiful in the late fall and I can only imagine what it is like in full bloom. The photos don’t do it justice.
We had a blast! That dining room table is perfect - perfect for rehearsal dinner, perfect for arranging flowers, perfect for the bridal party to catch their breath…we had a fire every evening in the living room fieldstone fireplace and the kitchen had no problem handling the hungry hoards! The barn. Stunning. It sports all the bells & whistles needed for an event but looks & feels like an historic Vermont barn. There was everything you could ever want for from comfy beds to champagne flutes!
Immediately upon meeting Kelly (the manager), as parents of the bride, I knew we were in good hands! Her patience, common sense, her knowledge of the property (both the event space and housing) & logistics, her communication, her minute attention to detail, her bountiful energy... were magnificent! How many pairs of sneakers are needed during a wedding season Kelly?
The barn morphed from graph paper to our brides vision with the help of bountiful helpers & Kelly's insight; guests were parked, candles were magically lit, I saw her quietly straighten our bride's train before she walked out, cookies were tucked into folded linens, signature cocktails appeared for the wedding party, timelines were adhered to without feeling pressured, it just happened. So many tasks just happened. Thank you! There wasn't a need for problem solving nor adaptability, but I have no doubt she could handle any bump or misunderstandings.
Her side kick, Michelle, was just as good! We are so incredibly thankful. Your lovely kindness and dedication to your craft and the Notch House is a gift. ❤️ -
![Anna]()
Anna Sent on 11/03/2025Best Kept Secret in VT
We spent 2 years debating how and where we wanted to get married. The first time we visited The Notch House, we were so excited by it but not quite ready to commit, however, we continued our search for another year until we realized that we would never find anything comparable. We are so happy we did because there is absolutely no doubt in our minds that The Notch House was the perfect place to create our dream wedding weekend.
The accommodations were ideal for our extended family and wedding party - we had 18 people stay onsite comfortably but the spaces can fit even more. Being able to keep our closest loved ones on-site for the entire celebration, made the whole weekend feel intimate and relaxed.
The wedding barn is GORGEOUS and has many carefully considered touches and well-crafted finishes that make it more elevated and less rustic that most other barn venues you'll find in Vermont. It is very much a DIY space but it can lean in any direction depending on the theme and decor you go with. There are also many resources provided to couples by the venue during the planning process which really helped with planning from a distance.
The outdoor spaces also allow for so many wonderful photo opportunities on the wedding day and multiple areas to hang out and relax on the days before and after the wedding. We lucked out with 60 degree weather in mid-October (along with some leaves on the trees) which made the experience extra magical.
Finally, the people of The Notch House really solidified the choice for us. Polly was communicative and patient with our many questions and offered lots of helpful information early on. We ended up working with Kelly as our day-of coordinator and are so happy we did! Her intimate knowledge of the property, previous food and beverage experience, and experience with prior events at The Notch House made her an invaluable resource during our wedding planning process. She also patiently answered our many question leading up to the wedding and was incredibly helpful with the set up and day of the wedding as well. We truly couldn't have pulled it off without Kelly and Polly.
If you want a fairy-tale experience for your wedding day, look no further than the Notch House!
Photos by Hannah Natalya Photography (also amazing!) -
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![Caitlin]()
Caitlin Sent on 09/15/2025Highly recommemd!
The Notch House was an absolute dream venue for our September 2025 wedding. We had around 85 guests and there was plenty of room for everyone throughout the weekend. One of the best parts was being able to have our close family and friends stay on the property with us, which made it feel like a true wedding retreat. The property itself is breathtaking—from the charming main house to the cozy cabins to the beautiful barn—and there’s even a lovely path down to the lake.
Because of rain, we held our ceremony upstairs in the barn, and it turned out to be absolutely gorgeous—intimate, cozy, and full of charm. For the reception, all of our guests fit comfortably in the downstairs of the barn, and it worked out perfectly. The bridesmaids got ready in the main house dining room, which was spacious and worked so well for hair and makeup. We also loved that we could host our rehearsal dinner outside on the barn patio (a beautiful setting) and enjoy the firepits with friends and family the night before the wedding.
What really made the experience special were the people. Kelly, the venue coordinator, was phenomenal—thorough, thoughtful, and an absolute joy to work with. She was so responsive leading up to the wedding, and we are beyond glad we hired her as our day-of coordinator. When it poured on our wedding day, she helped us pivot our entire plan indoors with ease, ran our ceremony seamlessly, and came up with creative ideas we hadn’t even thought of. I can’t imagine our day without her. Polly, the owner, was also wonderful—extremely flexible, easy to communicate with, and a pleasure to work with throughout the process.
That said, couples should know that The Notch House is a truly DIY venue. You are responsible for setting up and breaking down all tables, chairs, and furniture, returning everything to its original place, and taking out all trash and recycling. You’ll also need to provide your own linens and tablecloths. None of this was a dealbreaker for us, but it’s important to plan ahead (and ideally have a team to help). I’d also recommend reading the fine print of the contract carefully—we did have some confusion around the cost of additional guests beyond those staying onsite.
Honestly, The Notch House is perfect for a DIY couple. You truly don’t need much décor because the property itself is stunning. It gave us the most magical weekend with the people we love, and we would choose The Notch House again in a heartbeat. If you’re considering it—do it! You won’t regret it. -
Kate Sent on 11/04/2024
Stunning Lake/ Barn venue
Wonderful experience staying here/ hosting our wedding! We had ~30 people staying onsite in the cabins, main house, and carriage house and all were thoughtfully decorated, cozy, and functional- the perfect place for a special event or large family gathering. Grounds and barn are truly stunning!
My only note is that the decor in the inn is very tasteful but includes a lot of antiques, damaging them could be costly- if you have young children it might not be the best option (cabins would be fine!). -
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![Shelby]()
Shelby Sent on 09/16/2024The Best Wedding Venue in VT!
If you’re looking for a wedding venue to enjoy more than just one day with friends and family in the heart of the most beautiful place in New England, this is it. The Notch House was perfect for our wedding, our guests could not stop talking about how incredible this place is. The property is clean, and beautifully landscaped. The owners and property manager are wonderful and attended to all of our needs! -
![Ashlyn]()
Ashlyn Sent on 09/03/2024The TOP Notch House Experience
My husband and I got married at The Notch House on August 24, 2024. This venue is just something you need to experience yourself. It is magical, beautiful, and the most peaceful place to stay. The entire property is extremely clean, orderly, and managed by an amazing woman. We live 4 hours away and I would not have been able to pull this destination wedding off without the help of Polly and Kelly. I HIGHLY recommend The Notch House as your next destination in VT, and most importantly for any future weddings. The photos may be beautiful but I can promise the vision in real life is incredible. We cannot thank The Notch House enough for making our wedding dreams come true. We are already planning on returning with our future family and we cannot wait!! -
![Sergei]()
Sergei Sent on 08/21/2024An incredible venue with an amazing team to work with!
The SweetBeats Band had an absolute blast performing at a wedding at The Notch House this past August! Nestled in the heart of Vermont’s scenic landscape, the venue offers not only a breathtaking, intimate atmosphere but also stunning views of the surrounding nature. The tranquil beauty of the mountains and the serene lakeside setting truly make The Notch House a perfect backdrop for any wedding.
What really stood out to us, beyond the natural splendor, was the incredible team behind it all. The staff was not only friendly but also highly professional, ensuring everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
A special shoutout to Kelly Minery-Hamdan, the wedding manager and coordinator at The Notch House, for her exceptional work. We've been performing at weddings since 2007 and have had the pleasure of working at hundreds of venues across New England, but The Notch House truly stands out in every regard. It’s a place where attention to detail, warmth, and professionalism come together to create something truly special.
We can't recommend The Notch House enough to couples looking for a memorable and seamless wedding experience! -
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Hope Sent on 10/07/2023
Stunning views, excellent service, and overall wonderful experience!
We loved using the Notch House for our wedding. It was so nice to have the property for multiple days, the communication was excellent and made our stay very positive the whole time we were there! The barn is so beautiful and makes for wonderful photos, as well as having easy access to the most beautiful lake in the whole state of VT! Our pictures came out so beautiful with the lovely space's we were in! -
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![Cristen]()
Cristen Sent on 09/03/20236/24/23 wedding
We had our wedding on 6/24/23 and it was absolutely perfect in every way, thanks in large part to the Notch House and their team. It is a cozy, intimate venue that has the features you need to execute a well-coordinated event. Our wedding party stayed on-site in the house for the wedding weekend and they all loved the rooms, which have been thoughtfully arranged to suit this historic building. Overall, we owe the Notch House, Polly, and Kelly our huge thanks! This was the happiest and most unforgettable days of our lives! -
Jeanie Sent on 10/03/2023
Beautiful barn and house
I had my wedding here this September and it was the perfect place for it! The house itself was great for my wedding party to stay in and I love the decor of the rooms. We used the master bedroom and its balcony for getting ready photos with the bridal party, and we used the living room with fireplace for the groomsmen getting ready photos. Both of those locations worked perfectly. There is a private cottage which myself and husband stayed in. The expansive lawns were great for yard games. It's a short walk to the lake, or a 30s drive to the parking lot. We elected to use the nearby end of the path to the lake for our first look, and then drive to the lake for golden hour photos. Be aware that that part of the lake goes to a nude beach, however, not a concern by the photo taking hour.
The highlight was the barn. As soon as I saw the barn on my first tour I knew it was perfect! With 100 guests it felt perfectly sized - full and cozy without being cramped. The details of the barn like the staircase, built in bar, and wooden details all look lovely. I got many compliments from my guests on the location and barn! Also, they have plenty of nice tables and chairs which we used (one less thing to rent!)
I'm so happy that we chose the Notch House because it created a truly magical weekend for us. I highly recommend. -
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Sukran Sent on 09/10/2023
August 5 wedding
Although we loved the venue, the wedding barn, the yard, the house was severely infested with mice! Because the kitchen cabinets were poorly constructed, the mice could get in to the drawers! We found mice poop among cutlery and they went in to bread drawer! Polly came told us, it was common to have mice as we were in mountains. Washed the cutlery and placed them back in the same drawers where the mice could freely roam!! She apparently has no sense of hygiene. On 3rd day after we requested she brought a trap and we caught a giant, well fed mouse! I am sure there still a big family living there.I would rent the barn but would stay away from the house if don‘t want to get hantavirus. -
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