Hi Fi Weddings Fest 2011

This past weekend I got to drive up to Huntsville, AL with my friend Kelly of Spindle Photography to be apart of the 1st Annual Hi Fi Fest, an alternative to the typical bridal show and (as far as I know) the first in the South to bring together rad, like-minded vendors and brides. It was QUITE the interesting contrast from the Birmingham bridal show we did just a couple of weeks ago, and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to experience both. When Ashley, who runs the Hi Fi Weddings blog, featured Lorraine and Dan’s wedding a couple of months ago, we discovered we lived just a couple of short hours away from each other here in Alabama, and she invited me to rent a booth at the Hi Fi Fest. I can’t tell you how excited I was when she sent me the link and I saw all the amazing vendors who would be there. I really hope this will become a tradition, because we made some great new friends and met some really cool brides. BONUS- I also got a visit from our neighbors from waaayyy back in the day in Knoxville! I was best friends with Cambria, and they moved to Huntsville when I was in 6th grade, I think. Anyway, it had been YEARS since I had seen her or her mom Michele, and they stopped by to say hello. So cool!

Yep. Muuuuch more my style…. ;)

I was really excited to walk in and see a booth set up for Benign Objects. I first saw Rachel and her gorgeous work when her own wedding (shot by Simply Bloom, no less) was featured in Southern Weddings magazine. These save the date handkerchiefs are even more adorable in person.

We made some new friends at Blue Vinyl too… they do photography AND custom invitations. Really cool stuff. (And how did I want to steal that Eames rocker? A LOT. Believe me.)

On the left here is another new friend Jamie Clayton, who pimped out his booth with a gigantic poster of Justin Bieber and a bucket of free beer. Best. Marketing. Strategy. Ever. (As if he needed one- this guy could charm the pants off a monkey.)

And on the left is Kelly and her booth! It just so happens she was doing almost the same pose as Jamie… I couldn’t resist!

My booth! I like to call it “Bridal Show Booth… Unplugged.”

Kelly took these next two, and I am in love with them….

Vintage hats and headpieces courtesy of Karma Rags, and adorable dress made by the talented ladies of Knot Couture.

Ashley also works with Stephanie at White Rabbit Studios doing photography and design, and together they put this whole thing together. I seriously can’t believe how much they do between the two of them and their husbands. Ashley of course has the Hi Fi blog, and her husband runs a record store which is also at the Lowe Mill, where the fest was held. They also have a blog chronicling the renovation of their house, which has been featured on several design blogs. Stephanie is also the editor for Offbeat Mama, a blog for alternative parents. If you ask me, they need to start spreading some of their cool points around to the rest of us!

Below is Stephanie with her adorable son Jasper.

I had a Gigi’s cupcake. It was to die for. It was also cool to see some Stella and Dot ladies there representing, because one of my BFF’s Megan is also a S&D stylist, and it was cool to get to see a lot of the jewelry she’s been posting online in person.

How perfect is the vinyl garland?!

The vintage store Karma Rags put on a vintage fashion show. Awesome.

That adorable red dress below? I was THIS CLOSE to taking that sucker home.

The ladies from Dance Trance schooled everyone in breaking it down. Such a fun idea for bachelorette parties!

More of our new buds, Jamie and Caroline and her husband Mark (of Caroline Fontenot- pronounced font-no, for those who were wondering- Photographer). I loved that we’re all like basically the same age, and have such similar styles and personalities. Now we’ve got friends all over the Southeast! :)

p.s. I think that Caroline was unaware that this was a smiling photo. :)

Bye bye, Lowe Mill! Until next time!

Well, that about sums it up! Stay tuned though- Kelly and I did a couple of impromptu photo sessions, so I’ve got that coming soon. And don’t forget to stop back by tomorrow, when I’ll be announcing the winners of all the giveaways from both bridal shows! YAY!