Wedding season is kicking into a high gear. Here are some Sonoma finds for the bride- or groom-to-be.
Scents of Calm: Wedding preparations are famously stressful, but the bride-to-be can answer back in calming actions. Soaking in a tub of Sumbody’s stress relieving blend of Bolivian Rose Salt, herbs and Pacific sea salt is a nice start. $19.50 (11.5 oz) Sumbody, 118 N Main St., Sebastopol, sumbody.com
Delicate Direction: Signage at a wedding can give guests the gentle nudge to sign that guest book, sit on either side at the ceremony or even get out on the dance floor already. Sheryl Kristie Chan of Blushtype lends her artful hand and wit to these exquisitely penned signs to add beauty and seamless orchestration to the event. Blushtype, Healdsburg, Blushtype.com, etsy.com/shop/blushtype (Photo by Andrew Weeks)
A DIY Bouquet: Deep hues, dried flowers and oversized bouquets are especially loved by brides right now, according to Susan Kelly of Marion Moss Floral. Kelly and other local florists will be sharing their skills at workshops in Gundlach Bundschu’s new retail and maker space at Abbot Supply Co. A workshop just might be a 3-in-1 opportunity to come together with friends, sip “Gun Bun” wines and assemble bouquets, or learn techniques, for the big day. Abbot’s Passage Supply Co., 27 E. Napa Street, Sonoma,707-939-3024, abbotspassage.com (Photo courtesy of Marion Moss Floral)
Comfort Foods: Obscure culinary fare is a lovely indulgence at classy events, but classic comfort food can be found on the best catering platters. Caterers like Preferred Sonoma offer a grilled cheese with organic white cheddar and gruyere in tomato bisque. Preferred Sonoma Caterers, 416 E. D St, Petaluma, 707-769-7208, preferredsonoma.com
Polaroid Guestbook: Signing guest books is so last decade (and all the decades that came before). Bring the guest record into the present day by calling up 80s technology. The Fuji Instax mini 9 camera, today’s cute and colorful “Polaroid” camera, can be a welcome addition at the reception table. Guests can photograph themselves and place their picture in the book alongside their written well-wishes. $69.99, 3011 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa,707-546-3456, shutterbugcamerashops.com
Finery Keeper: Just as wedding day memories occupy a special place in a bride’s heart, her wedding day jewelry should have a special place on the bureau inside this Italian-made pewter box by Match. $125, i Leoni, 120 Kentucky St., Petaluma, 707- 762-9611, ileoni.com
Honeymoon Games: When packing a snorkeling mask or safari hat for a far-off honeymoon adventure, why not toss in a dice game for some couple playtime? With a carrying sack, a stamped leather cup and instructions for three dice games, this set is a perfect tag-a-long. $28, 14 Feet, 229 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-6379, squareup.com/market/14feet
Welcoming Style: The return to home as newlyweds should start with some visual fanfare at the front door. This plastic rug by Pappelina of Sweden is for the couple with modern sensibilities. Made from a 1950’s loom which uses vintage punch card technology, Pappelina gives born-again modernity in this update of their world-popular 1960s rugs. $90, Petaluma Home & Garden, 516 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-778-6177
Wedding season is kicking into a high gear, so we’ve picked out some Sonoma finds for the bride- or groom-to-be. “To have and to hold from this day forward,” goes the ceremony, and here those words have inspired some must-haves for the time before, during and after the wedding – click through the gallery above for details.
