Budgeting for a Sonoma Wine Country Wedding

 

Last week, I started reading the Weddings Edition published by REAL SIMPLE magazine. One of the articles addressed the challenges of budgeting for a wedding. As a Sonoma wedding photographer, I often ask a prospective bride if she has a budget. In most instances, the answer is “no”.

I know the budgeting process, a necessary task, is a painful one for many. So I would like to share with you some tips (from the REAL SIMPLE magazine article) on how to approach the question “who is paying?”

“Although tradition dictates that the parents of the bride are responsible for footing the bill, the rules have changed. As the marrying age has risen steadily (in 1964 the average bride was 21 years old ; in 2010 she was 27 years old).”NOTE: Most of the brides I photograph are over thirty.

“ Many more established couples are paying for the event themselves. In 2010 about 60 % of the cost of the wedding was contributed by the couple on average according to the Wedding Report.”

“Unless Mom and Dad have insisted on paying since your childhood – no ifs, ands, or buts, - you may have some difficult conversation ahead if you need or want financial help. After you and your fiance have discussed what kind of wedding you want to have, you both should ask your parents whether they are interested in contributing.”

“The key is to get them to be specific about their gift- even giving you a dollar amount – without making them feel awkward. Be honest and gracious during the conversation, and explain that you don't want them to stretch their savings account balance so much that they feel uncomfortable.”

NEXT BLOG: How to determine what you are willing to spend?

New Logo Honors Sonoma's Historic Building

One of the reasons Sonoma is a favorite destination for weddings is the preponderance of historical buildings. As as a Sonoma photographer,  I volunteer my services to photograph special events for selected non-profits in the area.Last week I did so for the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation gathering  at "the General Joseph Hooker House to recognize and celebrate one of Sonoma’s best known landmarks and the League’s efforts to protect and preserve it along with the Sonoma Valley’s greater historic landscape.  

The League opened an exhibit on the historic Duhring Building and unveiled a new logo that prominently features the landmark Sonoma structure at the corner of East Napa and First Street East.  In the face of cries from a then Sonoma city official to demolish and remove the smoldering structure following a devastating fire 21 years ago, the League and other dedicated volunteers stood up, saved, and ultimately restored the building. Many regard the effort as the League’s defining, even signature moment.

“Today, we are honoring the past and looking toward increasing community awareness to protect and preserve the very special architectural and cultural resources of Sonoma through education and advocacy,” observed League President Loyce Haran, who presided over this evening’s activities.

Playing off the Duhring Building, the new League logo features a rendering of the building’s cupola in red and black with the League’s familiar logotype surrounded by the motto, “Honoring the Past, Imagining the Future.”  Sonoma artist Barbara White Perry provided sketches and pictures to local graphics designer Tina Tovey who came up with the logo and rendering working closely with Perry and League members Yvonne Bowers, Pat Pulvirenti, Micaelia Randolph, and Gary Kozel.

“Using an image as historically meaningful as the Duhring Building within the logo is such a plus,” commented Randolph. “The new mark will provide a consistent and compelling message about the work of the League, past as well as present that can be used in its newsletters, Web site, stationery, signage, and more. We believe it can become a truly memorable and highly visible symbol not just of the League and its preservation efforts, but of the marvelous historic and architectural character of the City of Sonoma and the greater Sonoma Valley as well.”

Description written by Gary Kozel, one of the members of the Board of Directors for the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation.