Hello again Friday!! You’re a sneaky lil’ one, but this week you bring total joy! Tonight I’m hoping to dance and prance around downtown since Goodnight Loving, Pine Hill Haints, and Thomas Function are rockin’ a show tonight at a local venue. Whenever we go see one of these bands it’s ALWAYS a good time – and all three together? Oh boy, it’ll be a riot!

ok so back to weddings…here’s some shots and posts over this past week that makes me squeal with excitement!

dear couples that think outside of the box and are totally unique: I LOVE YOU and thanks for being YOU!

omg I didn’t think bow-ties could get any cuter!

doesn’t get much dreamier than this huh?!

new photog crush!!

this wedding is succulent heaven!

stunning Alabama wedding (gotta represent y’all!)

sweet AND sensual

a treehouse wedding!!

now that is a cake!

le WOW…speechless doesn’t cut it

we’ll continue on the carnival/circus bus with these cupcakes…yes, CUPCAKES!!!

so says the cheshire with a big grin, “we’re all mad here“

a blog post inspired by one of my favorite Blur songs, “Parklife”

loving this lyric a day project by lukes beard! especially this quote! (found via boots and cateyes)

HELLZ YA SUMMATIME MIX!

Kid Cudi + Best Coast + Vampire Weekend = Summatime Jam Sesh

Diggin’ this song

Photographed by the talented Matt from Our Labor of Love, Joey and McKay’s Tallahassee wedding looked like pure FUN! The lovely McKay was thrilled to send me details about their music selection for their day…in fact, she sent me several songs so that I can include them in the post! Prepare yourself for a Thursday desktop dance party…or whenever/wherever you read this!

um you guys…I love this shot! Totally checking out the wife’s ass!

My brother played acoustic guitar for all of the ceremony music – “Hallelujah” (acoustic version no words (since they are a little de-press-ing) for the bridal party, “Better Than Love” acoustic for my walk down the aisle and “Here Comes the Sun” was our exit (but my bro forgot to play!) ha!!!

Our first dance was to Taj Mahal “Entrance to the Meters” and the rest of our mix we had play mostly throughout cocktail hour and dinner. We wanted to incorporate some of the music we enjoy listening to at the wedding that isn’t your typical wedding fare, but still have a dance party that our friends and parents would enjoy. Yes – we got down to “Low” by Flo-ri-da and ended the night to “Don’t Stop Believin'” after a slammin’ double dutch contest to who knows what song. We wouldn’t have had it any other way – seeing everyone young and old singing and jamming out was amazing. Here were our “must haves”:

Lovin in my Baby’s Eyes – Taj Mahal
Just Kissed My Baby – The Meters
Orange Blossoms – Mofro
Feeling Good – Nina Simone
Climb to Safety – Widespread Panic
Perfect 10 – The Beautiful South
Just The Way You Are – Billy Joel
Waiting for my Real Life to Begin – Colin Hay
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Out Loud – Dispatch
Homebird – Foy Vance
Beautiful – G Love
Good Man – Josh Ritter
Young Folks – Peter, Bjorn & John
Ybor City – Mofro
All I Want Is You – Barry Louis Polisar
Beloved One – Ben Harper
Move Your Feet – Junior Senior
Yeah – Usher (my guilty pleasure…mine too McKay, mine too!)
I Will – The Beatles
Walkin – Widespread Panic
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Do you Realize – Flaming Lips

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Super Always Awesome Photos: Matt from Our Labor of Love

“What is this weird word math she’s tryin’ to do?!” you may be pondering after reading the title…but fear not because this isn’t a math lesson at school! Far from it…unless you go to Summer school, I guess. So yeah, it’s officially summer as our city is now under a heat wave advisory that most of you are already experiencing. Well, here’s a little mix to jam (while you sweat your balls/tits off) that I made just for Green Wedding Shoes!

Click here to listen: Hi-Fi Weddings + Green Wedding Shoes = Summer Songs Mix*

*or: Sweet Sensual Mates, Sexy Saucy Maidens, Sublime Subtle Music, Super Scandalous Mrs…ok ok I could go on and on lol. Sometimes you gotta stop yourself on these here blogs huh? Just call me Ramblin’ Rosy!

(photo and design by yours truly)

I’m gathering quite the page of kick ass vendors/inspiration*. These are people in the industry that not only would you hire for your special day, but you can just as easily sit down with and have a beer (or coffee). And since Hi-Fi is all about the tunes in our lives, we’re gonna get to know what these peeps dig on musically.

Amma is like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. Or like a pink nose on a newborn kitten. Or like a lighthouse in the middle of a dark and stormy night. Or like the cherry on top of a scoop of half baked ice cream. She’s one of my favorites, and she will quickly become one of yours. From her sense of humor to her endless talent, she always brings a smile to my face! Beyond/Beyond was one of the first major supporters of Hi-Fi and still continues with her enthusiasm. And even though we are across the pond, I feel like she’s my BFF next door!

Can you describe your life (so far) in 3-5 songs?
*Brown Girl in the ring – Boney M (I played this 45 to death when I was a kid and drove everyone to the brink of suicide…and beyond. It just reminds me of being a kid and dancing like a maniac)
*Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve (Just a reminder about life and what it means. Also reminds me of a lot of great and less great experience which in spite of everything have made me into a person that I am; and for all of those collective things I am very grateful)
*F.E.A.R – Ian Brown (I heard this song at a time when the lyrics were almost like manna from Oprah, good life advice that rhymes. Also it is one of the cleverest songs I have seen in terms of lyricism outside of Hip Hop.)
*Keep smilin’, Keep Laughin’, Be Happy – Doris Day (Just a reminder to keep a smile on your face, a sense of humour and a laugh are the best medicine that life has to offer.)
*So Ambitious – Jay Z feat Pharell (Because it is about striving, dreams, and just to keep trying in spite of what the world tells you what you can or can’t do…and there is something sweet about proving people wrong! Power to the people!)

What is your favorite love song?
My favourite love song of the moment is Green by Coultrain – I love the lyrics and his voice is amazing.

If you could go see anyone perform live who would it be?
James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Prince with the Roots as the back up band, and Chuck in Slash as an extra guitar.

What is your preferred format of music?
MP3, I destroyed vinyls for fun – musical sacrilege I know – but I am such a klutz. At least with a mp3 the worst I can do is press delete.

Are you a musician? If so, what do you play? If not, what would you play?
I have a guitar, I did lessons – but I am badly out of practice – so it the sound of me playing it would be enough to raise the dead and earn me a bitch slap from the after life. But, I did master a Bob Dylan song. Other than that I have decks at home – I labour under the delusion I will be the world greatest DJ.

*Do you know someone who should be on the vendor page? Just email me and let’s chat!

Just because they can. Just because they did. Just because they are in love. Just because it’s awesome – here is Troy and Sarah’s “just because” session!

Photos by: 927 Photography

You know…I gotta be a bit honest, when I reached out and said “hey guys I’m here” to the internet, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do other than provide a place for brides and grooms (past, present, and future) to gush about music. In these seven months I’ve connected with so many new people and it’s been thrilling to get a glimpse and a listen to how music obsessed people all over the world celebrate when they get married. Why so sappy you might ask? Well the site you’ve helped make happen, this here Hi-Fi Weddings, is a finalist for A Real Bride Blogger Award! The category kinda threw me off, but hey I guess it counts cause I am a Mrs! The only downfall to being in this category is I share it with the all-mighty amazing Alison…so I totally understand the tough choice. I voted for us both, so there’s definitely that option! winkwink

Click to Vote Please and Thanks!!! xoxo

This wedding is a true DIY affair with quite the vintage flare! Once again the talented photographer, Kella MacPhee wrote such descriptive words to go right along with the marvelous photos!

The adorable Addie & Sean were married on Saturday at the beautiful Rutgers Gardens and had their reception at the very modern Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick! The weather was not looking promising for an outdoor ceremony during prep…it was raining, hailing, and I think I even saw some cats and dogs outside the hotel window! Hurricane Bill had hit and it was bad! Then by the grace of Addie and Sean’s love, the skies parted and the rain stopped! yay! This wedding was all about details, and I expected nothing less knowing the couple are artists and have an amazing shop on etsy called Drink and Dream! There were canvas welcome bags with the I love NJ logo, hand embroidered {by Addie} handkerchiefs for her mom and grandfather, a personalized cake topper of the couple and their boston terrier bonnie, delicious shortbread cookies, really fun signage, and vintage inspired pendants hanging around the ceremony. Addie wore a glamorous and vintage inspired satin dress with very cool round metallic shoes…and lots of sparkly jewelry! Sean wore a toffee and orange pin-striped suit with suspenders. With performances by Sean’s dad and aunt as well as a groomsman, it was obvious this group was very musical. The music was a great mix of 50’s as well as some beloved 80’s classics and everyone danced all night!

All ceremony and refreshment music at the Gardens was performed by ragtime musician Frank Schaap, and I walked down the aisle to What A Wonderful World. Our first dance was my brother’s rendition of Chris Isaak’s, “Two Hearts”. The DJ was Colleen Crumbcake of PopShop.

Bruce Springsteen – Badlands
Four Tops – Bernadette
Prince – I Would Die 4 U
Queen – Fat Bottom Girls
Curtis Mayfield – Move on Up
Gaslight Anthem – Casanova Baby
Earth Wind & Fire – Let’s Groove
Modern English – I Melt With You
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come on Eileen
Pulp – Disco 2000
Lionel Richie – All Night Long
Wilco
Blur
Replacements
Ramones
Pogues – Sally MacLennane
B52’s – Rock Lobster
Little Millie Small – My Boy Lollipop
The Clash – Train in Vain
Prince – 1999

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Lovely Images By: Kella MacPhee

Click to listen, right click “save as” to download:
So Cow – To Do List

I see a lot of brides and grooms getting ready for their big day by posting their to-do lists. I’m a huge fan of lists, and I actually really enjoy reading other people’s. Odd? Maybe. But this song? Great! So all of you with crazy long lists (myself included) I hope you sing along to this little ditty as you check things off!

Still hankering for more?! Check out all of the past Tuesdays!

Oh me oh my! While my husband and I have played together in bands before, it’s not a constant thing for us…and we’ve never made an album (hopefully that changes this year!!!) But Ash and Bec?! Well hold the phone a sec and look at these two stylish sweeties! Not only are they rockin’ the outfits, but they also rock it together in a group called Institut Polaire. Bad Ass.

Snapshots By: Stephen Blakeney Photography

I love hearing brides and grooms explain all of their music choices. Hope and Joel definitely had a lot to say about their selection of tunes…and it’s quite the playlist! There’s a range of songs from the 70’s all the way to today’s hits. And with a musician in the family who helped pick the tunes, you can bet there was a happy mix of all sorts of music! I can’t thank Hope and Joel enough for sending me so much great info to go along with the fabulous shots from their big day!

So we broke our music into four parts: Pre-Service, Songs that went with events (processional, etc.), Cocktail Hour, and Dancin’ tunes. The songs that we used for “events” were:

Wedding party processional: Edeilweiss by Andre Rieu
Bride processional: Canon in D by Lumiere String Quartet
Bride and Groom Recessional: You’re My Best Friend by Queen
Wedding party entrance to reception: All You Need is Love- Beatles
First Dance: How Deep is Your Love by The Bird and The Bee
Father/Daughter & Mother/Son dance: Here Comes the Sun by Yo Yo Ma and James Taylor
Money Dance: My Boogie Shoes by Kc and The Sunshine Band, Get Up Offa that Thing by James Brown
Cake Cutting: A Wink and A Smile by Harry Connick Jr.
Garter Toss: I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
Bouquet Toss: Wannabe by Spice Girls

The story behind our music is that we are both have very eclectic tastes. Love everything from rock to hip-hop, classical, jazz, etc. So, some of that is reflected in our song choices. Joel and I both had one goal when it came to the reception…get people to BOOGIE. We wanted everyone to let loose and dance. We wanted a good variety of music, but lots of classic jams that everyone could enjoy. We actually got the bulk of our reception music from Joel’s cousin, Regan. Regan got married to his wife Julie last summer, and being music buffs as well, they had a great playlist that they generously let us borrow. Regan happens to be a musician himself, he is in the Seattle band, SHIM. So, the tunes were great, and the goal was achieve. People got DOWN at the reception and it was a total blast.

I chose all of the preservice music, and it mostly consisted of chill music by some of my favorite artists – The Bird and The Bee, Sia and Imogen Heap. These artists have been on my iTunes for years and it was really great to share them with everyone (plus anyone who knew me, knew that I had designed that particular playlist haha). Our first dance song was also a Bird and the Bee version of How Deep is Your Love. Sia duets at the end as well. It’s beautiful and it was a perfect first dance song for us.

As for Cocktail music, that was in attempts to put people in a jazzy fun mood that matched our reception space. The reception was held in an Elks Lodge that has some OLD decor. Pretty sweet 70’s lounge vibe. So we wanted people to get into that mindset and relax and enjoy the fun to come. I think it worked.

Pre-service:

Cocktail:

Wedding Dancing
Song For The Asking – Simon & Garfunkel
My Girl – The Temptations
Dance, Dance, Dance – Steve Miller Band
The Golden Road – Grateful Dead
Best Of My Love – The Emotions
ABC – Jackson 5
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
Suicide Blonde – INXS
Stay – Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
(I Don’t Know Why) But I Do – Clarence “Frogman” Henry
Get Down on It – Kool & The Gang
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
What’s Love Got to Do With It – Tina Turner
Hold Me – Fleetwood Mac
It Won’t Be Long – The Beatles
Fooled Around And Fell In Love – Elvin Bishop
Son of a Preacher Man – Dusty Springfield
Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland
Start Me Up – The Rolling Stones
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Here for the Party – Gretchen Wilson
Funk – James Gang
Honky Tonk Women – The Rolling Stones
You Make Loving Fun – Fleetwood Mac
In The Still Of The Night – The Five Satins
U can’t touch this – MC Hammer
Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
Shake Your Rump – Beastie Boys
Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
Fat Bottomed Girls – Queen
The Boys are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy
Need You Tonight – INXS
Miss You – The Rolling Stones
Where It’s At – Odelay Beck
California Love (Single Version) – 2Pac
No Sleep Till Brooklyn – The Beastie Boys
Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
Right Place Wrong Time – Dr. John
Mama Told Me (Not To Come) – Three Dog Night
Sister Christian – Night Ranger
Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney
Regulate – Warren G
Livin on a prayer – Bon Jovi
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
How Do I Get You Alone – Heart
Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler
Thriller – Michael Jackson
Night Fever – Bee Gees
Jungle Boogie – Kool and the Gang
Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
Superstition – Stevie Wonder
I Want You Back – Jackson 5
Sabotage – The Beastie Boys
The Distance – Cake
These Are My People – Rodney Atkins
Fight For Your Right – The Beastie Boys
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith
(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Sin Wagon – Dixie Chicks
Walk This Way – Aerosmith
Almost Paradise – Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
Paradise City – Guns N’ Roses
Peace Frog – The Doors
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Good Vibrations – Mark Wahlberg
Desire – U2
Ghetto Supastar – Pras
Waste – Phish
Communication Breakdown – Led Zeppelin
Footloose – Kenny Loggins
Tusk – Fleetwood Mac
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Free Ride – The Edgar Winter Group
Life in the Fast Lane – The Eagles
Break On Through – The Doors
Stickshifts And Safetybelts – Cake
Love You Madly – Cake
More than a Feeling – Boston
Holding Out For A Hero – Bonnie Tyler
Subterranean Homesick Blues – Bob Dylan
Here, There And Everywhere – The Beatles
I Feel Fine – The Beatles
In My Life – The Beatles
Something – The Beatles
Hey Ladies – Beastie Boys

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Photos By: Sarah Rhoades