Christy & Samil

DETAILS
When — October 2024
Where — Sonoma Wine Country
Service — Full Planning

Marriage in My Village: Planning a Wedding that Felt Like Home

Growing up in Kenwood, a town of just 1,000 souls nestled in rural Sonoma County, I spent countless afternoons beneath the massive oak tree in our local park. Those childhood memories guided me as I planned my wedding in just six months, determined to create an intimate celebration that felt like our tiny village was coming together to marry off one of their own.

The ceremony took place beneath that same oak tree where I once read books and daydreamed about the future. I had carefully observed how the October sun filtered through its leaves at 3pm, creating the perfect dappled light. The date—the Saturday closest to October's full moon—was chosen knowing that the moon would rise majestically between the two round hills that frame our valley, just as it had done each October since my childhood.

With 90 guests gathering at the historic Kenwood Depot, built in 1884, I envisioned a celebration that felt more like a community gathering than a formal event. I deliberately chose minimal vendors and no traditional servers, preferring a DIY atmosphere elevated by fine antique pieces—including my months-long quest to collect various patterns of Blue Danube porcelain by Blue Nordic, my favorite pattern since childhood.

Months in advance, I reached out to friends and family with specific requests for help, from volunteer coordination to carpool management. I met individually with those taking on larger responsibilities, creating a network of support that transformed our celebration into a true community effort. The result felt less like a wedding and more like the village coming together to celebrate one of their own.

The magic of that day wasn't in hired professionals or expensive details, but in the familiar faces surrounding us, the light I'd known since childhood, and the collective joy of a small community marking a momentous occasion. Our wedding became a reflection of the very village that shaped me—intimate, personal, and deeply rooted in the landscape and relationships that make Kenwood home.