Real Weddings

Alley Theatre stage makes star-studded locale for this couple's wedding and reception

Cassie Gladden and Matt Stone live in New York and hail from Cleveland and Connecticut respectively, but when it came time to say, “I Do,” there was only one place that would do.

The Alley Theatre. In Houston.

Grand yet cozy, familiar, but with transportive abilities, the Alley Theatre was the perfect stage for the couple's new roles as Mr. and Mrs.

It was a home of sorts for Gladden, who's father Dean Gladden, is the theater’s managing director. In fact, it was Gladden who suggested the theater for the wedding and reception after Cassie and Matt were in a quandary about where to have it.

Turns out, father knows best. The couple were at the mercy of the theater’s schedule, but Cassie said they were flexible and open, especially since a fun, inclusive wedding was the highest priority.

“I wish I could do it again,” Cassie Stone said. “It was so much fun. We were so humbled by all the family and friends who came. It was awesome.”

The Stones met at a friend’s party in 2009 and became engaged in 2015. While many brides find planning a wedding stressful, Cassie reveled in the preparations, but kept it all in perspective.

“Stay organized and don’t let it take over your life,” Cassie said.

In addition to the sheer novelty of getting married on the Alley Theatre stage, there were other perks to the unusual wedding locale. The caterers, decorators, and wedding staff started setting up for the wedding Friday evening, allowing for a low-stress wedding day.

After the wedding ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails while the wedding staff did a speedy scene change, setting up for dinner, dancing, and cake balls made by Butter Catering. It was the ultimate sweet start to Cassie and Matt’s happily ever after.

• Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Jackson Street BBQ
• Rehearsal Dinner Music: Buck Yeager Band
• Rehearsal Dinner Dress: Self Portrait
• Wedding Venue: Alley Theatre
• Photographer:FotoWerk Wedding Photograph
• Florist:AJ Petals
• Dress: Badgley Mischka
• Shoes:Shoes of Prey
• Groom's Tux: My Suit
• Wedding Planner: Anna Psaras (Events by Anna)
• Band:In10City
• Ceremony Music: Grad students from the University of Houston
• After Party DJ:Jamison Hewitt

Happily ever afters always begin with a good love story and this one plays out on the Alley Theatre stage.

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Editor's note: It's time to look back at the most popular stories of the week. Two Houston restaurants and a Texas bourbon find the spotlight, plus a long-awaited boutique hotel opens its doors. Get the scoop on our hottest headlines below, and then discover the best things to do this weekend here.

1. 2 Houston restaurants make New York Times best dishes of 2024 list. Two of Houston's most-well regarded eateries made the Times' list, with only one other Texas restaurant in the mix.

2. Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies. A Texas-based bourbon brand is pouring one of the world's best whiskies, according to Whisky Advocate.

3. First look at new boutique hotel now welcoming guests in Montrose. Montrose has gained a new saint. The posh new Hotel Saint Augustine from Austin's Bunkhouse Group is now open for reservations.

Hotel Saint Augustine entrance The Hotel Saint Augustine has checked into Montrose. Photo by Julie Soefer

4. Texas Roadhouse plans first Houston-area outpost of its casual burger spot. Jaggers, the popular chain's fast-casual sister concept, will open at Katy's Grand Morton Town Center.

5. Houston smash burger pop-up finds permanent home on East End esplanade. One of Houston’s favorite burger pop-ups is making it permanent with a brick-and-mortar location opening early 2025.

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