Some of the “brides” who participated in this year’s Prestwood Benefit Ball. More than 200 Prestwood parents attended the ball. Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun
The curious bevy of brides who converged on the Lodge at Sonoma last Friday night, Feb. 29, might have confused onlookers. Perhaps visitors from out of town – or out of space – murmured among themselves at the sight of women dressed for the aisle in Goth getups, corpse couture and other outlandish outfits.
How could the tourists have possibly known that the Prestwood Elementary School benefit ball was in progress? Or that the theme was “My Big, Fat, Fun Wedding”? Brides and grooms were invited to dress according to the styles popular in various eras … and they didn’t disappoint. In addition to more traditional fashions from the ‘50s through the ‘80s, some people really got into the spirit of the occasion. The “corpse bride” even wore spiders in her hair.
More than 200 guests bought tickets and bid on a variety of lots in both silent and live auctions to raise money to fund computer labs and arts and other programs at the school. There were also various raffles as well as entertainment such as the “Not-so-newly-wed” game, patterned after an old TV show and featuring five couples who had to answer some pretty sticky questions.
“Of all the events in the Valley, we always strive to have a fun time as well as to make money – in that order,” said event chair Gillian O’Donnell. “People will remember having a good time more than they will remember what they spent their money on.”
