Wedding Bookings Drop In Wine Country After Devastating Fires

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- Wedding bookings have dropped massively in Wine Country after wildfires devastated the region last year, making it difficult for businesses to recover from the disaster. KPIX reported that one business, Blissful Events, is only 15 percent booked compared to 80 percent the same time last year. It's just one of many businesses suffering in Sonoma County.

Four major wildfires scorched through the region last killing 40 people and destroying 3,500 homes. More than 200,000 acres were burned during the disaster.

Samar Hatter, a wedding planner, told KPIX that different businesses that rely on weddings are suffering.

“It’s a pretty catastrophic time for many of us," Hatter told KPIX. “It’s so unfortunate that there are so many vendors in this industry that have lost their homes and are now are on the line for losing their businesses."

"So while Sonoma County only lost one wedding venue in the fires, the collateral damage of the blaze will likely be millions of dollars in lost revenue, which is why the industry is trying to get word out — with social media, photo shoots, and advertising — that they are more ready than ever to host your happily ever after," KPIX reported.

--Photo via Shutterstock

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