A Rehearsal Dinner With An Elevated Western Aesthetic at Holden Marlot Museum in Aspen, Colorado
Who said work romances don’t work out? Not Elizabeth Stone and Bloor Redding, that’s for sure. The pair met remotely, working for the same company but out of different offices. “I was in the New York office, and Bloor was based in San Francisco on a different team,” the bride recounts. “We were just friends and colleagues for a few years, but we always enjoyed each other’s company. We originally met in 2016 and started dating in 2018.” Bloor popped the question on a hiking trail in Aspen, where the couple had spent the majority of the pandemic. “Bloor hiked the same trail with his groomsmen the morning of our wedding,” Elizabeth notes, as a way to bring things full circle.
Selecting their favorite town—Aspen—as their wedding locale was an easy choice, and when designing their wedding weekend, they wanted to show off everything the area has to offer. “Many of our guests had never been to Aspen, and we were excited to share everything we love about the town,” says the bride. “Our reception the next day was a black-tie event, so for ‘the night before,’ we wanted to create a fun, laid-back evening where our family and friends could catch up and get to know each other.” With that, they chose to host an “elevated western” dinner to thank their wedding party for participating in their rehearsal.
In keeping with the relaxing theme, the bride and groom began their rehearsal day by going fly fishing with their family and closest friends. Then, just before the rehearsal, Elizabeth and Bloor gathered their nearest and dearest at a local western-wear store to get into the spirit before the event. “We brought some wine from a Sonoma winery that we regularly visit to share with our guests for the evening, and we had everyone sign one of the large bottles that we kept as a fun memory,” describes Elizabeth. “On the tables, we had scattered photos from different phases of our lives and our relationship. Bloor and I also had black and white cowboy hats for the event we had branded with our wedding date. Our planner also had a custom corn hole set made with the same artwork from the event invitation that was so fun.”
Attendees dressed in their most stylish rustic wear for dinner. Long wood tables sat underneath string lights and featured delicate, pale blue details from the runner to the goblets to the minimalistic centerpieces. “Our planner and florist suggested a bright color palette, and it was beautiful against the rustic backdrop & venue,” they explain. “And the live music by Dan Sheridan was a perfect fit for the ambiance we were looking for.” Amidst the dancing and munching, guests were invited to play a round of horseshoe as they gazed out over the picturesque mountaintops. “We really enjoyed the speeches made by family and friends. They were all so touching, and it was such an incredible way to set the tone for the weekend,” Elizabeth says.
Following their wedding, the newlyweds shared some of their advice to couples going through the planning process themselves. “Splurge on the planner and the photographer! Do something fun the morning of, before the getting ready begins. Trust your vendors and let them be creative. And don’t skip the cake!”