The Airdrie Bridal Fair on February 21, 2016 was a super fun (and nerve-wracking!) day for Kaycee Ann Photography. I still get butterflies when I think about it!! It was my first showing at a bridal fair– and in my hometown. I wanted to make a splash and really convey my brands message: Kaycee Ann Photography: Specializing in rural, country couples, and the urban bride with a rustic flair! I spent the winter months leading up to the Airdrie Bridal Fair dreaming (obsessing?/panicking?/breathing into a brown paper bag?) about my booth. What could I come up with, to make myself stand out & still be true to my brand? How can I present myself as authentically as possible and attract my perfect couple? So I went to the drawing board.

I strongly believe in community (not competition!!). I’ve always thought that us professionals in the wedding industry are all on the same team: trying to make each wedding better than the last, to add value to our brides special day. I also truly value my fellow wedding photographers as a source of education, emotional support and at the very least— they make me step up my game!! My K.A. Brides aren’t a match for other photographers in the area, just like their brides might not match my style. And having the right bride whose vision for their wedding day photos matches your own, is the first step in SERVING your clients to your best potential. So I brainstormed an idea on how I can get local vendors involved in my photography booth, to make my booth irresistible for passers-by!

Now let me tell you– Building the backdrop to my booth was a true labour of love! I was determined to feature essential farm elements like barn wood and tin. I was able to score barn boards from my uncle Ken and construct this 8ft x 8ft barn wood wall. I placed the boards with a bit of space between them to look like a windbreak you’d see here on the farm & built 11×14″ photo frames directly into the backdrop. My BIG SCORE would have to be the tin letters I found at Michaels to make the “Kaycee Ann Photography” sign!! I screwed the letters down onto a barn board, then krazy-glued & clamped them down to set.  The backdrop splits down the middle into 2 separate pieces (because this monster is heavy!!) and my name sign screws into the top to hold the pieces together (HECK YES to multi functionality!). The name sign was a decent investment at $140, but it was soooo worth it— it hangs in my office year round!!

To decorate the backdrop I added hooks and screws so I can hang canvas & lanterns. I also strung some christmas lights around my booth to really draw the eye. (Les-be-honest: I was a little nervous about stringing christmas lights.. ’cause there’s a fine line between vintage and trailerpark, if you get what I’m sayin’). I added little knick-knacks from my house here and there (like my Chantecler Scentsy chicken warmer that I love), but I have to thank Brooke from Cellar Door Vintage Rentals (right here in Airdrie) for helping me bring my booth to life. I rented a mustard yellow sofa & wine barrel to add to the rustic feel, as well as a blue typewriter, film camera w/ glass cover, and a tin cake stand. There was something to draw everyone into my booth, and I had loads of compliments on the rustic naked cake that my girl Rachel from To Die For Cakes in Airdrie made, extra special for my booth! I decorated it with roses & babys breath from Summerhill Florist in Airdrie.

CREATIVE TEAM

It was such a treat to feature local vendors in my booth at the Airdrie Bridal Fair!

Cake: To Die For Cakes by Rachael in Airdrie

Rentals: Cellar Door Vintage Rentals in Airdrie

Flowers: Summerhill Florist in Airdrie

Event Production by Angela Pitt from  Airdrie Events

P.S. lots of love & a shout out to my mentor & BFF Victoria Blaire Photography for helping me out with my booth!!! I get by with a little help from my friends!