Mad River Barn

The casual elegance made everyone feel at home, and so many guests told us this was one of the best weddings they’d been to. We hosted our daughter’s wedding here last weekend and couldn’t be happier. The food was excellent, the rooms comfortable, and the service was perfect. Their help with coordination was invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend Mad River Barn.

Breakfast was nice, which is the only reason I’m giving this place one star. If you’re a guest hoping for a charming, beautiful suite, I wouldn’t. The owner called it “rustic charm,” but that wasn’t what I found. The room looked cheaply decorated and colorless, the lighting at night was awful, and there was a tiny fridge just sitting in the corner. I’m a designer, and the room didn’t match what I expected from the online pictures. We arrived at night; in the morning, the young staff seemed low energy and unwelcoming, with little interest in greeting or entertaining guests. I contacted them about it, and they had an excuse for everything.

Breakfast was good, hats off to the cook, but there’s no dinner service Monday-Wednesday, so plan to eat before you arrive. The place feels set up for weddings, with the B&B an afterthought. It was disappointing: basically a minimal, mostly unstaffed B&B. There’s nowhere for your bags except the floor by the entrance, no table or chair, poor bathroom lighting for shaving or makeup, and the beds were worn out and very uncomfortable. In the evening, several guests sat with family in the closed pub, unsure whether that was allowed because nobody was at the desk.

Having our friends and family stay right on site meant we could spend as much of the weekend together as possible. We got married at Mad River Barn on May 17th, and it all felt magical, even with the rain. As a local Vermonter, I knew a May wedding might get wet, which is why we chose the beautiful pavilion as a backup. We got some outdoor pictures before the torrential downpour and historic May flooding started, then everything went so smoothly I barely noticed the weather. Sharing good food was another priority, and the chef Sam really takes pride in his work. Every meal was wonderful, and guests called it the best wedding food they’d ever had. Adrienne was an amazing resource and support. She made planning it in 3 months feel easy, with timelines and vendor recommendations, and gave us the right guidance to move the ceremony inside before the rain. We’re grateful to her and the whole staff for making the weekend so special. The Mad River Valley is always special, and Mad River Barn is part of its magic, with great food, beautiful surroundings, and wonderful people.