Affordable Wedding Venues in Birmingham Alabama!

Okay, okay—we fully understand that the term “affordable” can mean something different to everyone and is not always a universal term for “inexpensive.” If you have planned or are in the process of planning a wedding, you know that the words affordable and wedding are usually never paired together. In fact, they are notoriously at opposite ends of the matrimonial spectrum—thanks capitalism!

As a bridal salon that fundamentally believes luxury should be assessable to everyone, we wanted to do our best to introduce you to several venues that won’t have you taking out a second mortgage. Beauty doesn’t have to break the bank! The most important part of your wedding day is celebrating the love story that is unique to you. Your life, your experiences, and the intimacy of bringing those two beautiful lives together. Let’s talk affordable venues in Bham!

1. Aldridge Gardens

In a little garden, not so far away, you can dance with the dandelions on your wedding day. Aldridge Gardens is beautifully intimate with its lush botanicals and effortless enchantment—mother nature does all the talking here. Just a quick visit to their instagram highlights and you can take a stroll through what their wedding ceremonies look like in every season of the year. This venue is perfect for the couple that wants to experience true serenity on their big day. 

2. Tiny Weddings Bham

Since 2017, Tiny Weddings Birmingham has changed the way couples get married in the Magic City! It's a new way to wed, traditional with a twist.

Now more than ever, we understand the importance of celebrating milestones with those who love us the most.

So, gather your people and let Tiny Weddings do the rest! Essentially, you, your betrothed, and 30 of your closest friends and family have the opportunity to hold your special day at one of the many pre-planned ceremonies by Tiny Weddings—from Birmingham’s finest art galleries to historic downtown loft spaces, every venue has been carefully curated with the best of the best—you can visit their website here for their 2023 venue lineup! (Spoiler alert, its GOOD)

““Show up, dressed and ready, a short time before your booked time slot. Short, sweet, personalized Ceremony among 30 of your nearest. We pop the bubbly, serve the cake, you enjoy your friends and family. We send you off for a short couple’s photo session. And you’re off on your married way! Done and Done. Nothing else is easier!”
”

— Tiny Weddings

3. Tannehill State Park

Maybe your idea of the perfect wedding is a little off the beaten path of Bham’s cityscapes and into the peaceful seclusion of the open air. If you’d rather bask in nature, among the sunlit oak trees (a few deer friends—hi Bambi), then Tannehill State Park is for you. This little piece of history has been nestled in McCalla, Alabama since the late 1800s. From sweet church chapels to communal picnic spaces, there is plenty of space to host your wedding day.

4. Historic Woodrow Hall

If you are looking for a historic venue with charm and lots of natural light, this venue might be for you! Woodrow Hall was originally built in 1914 by the Free Masons, and served as their meeting place for much of the last century before it was purchased by the current owners, whose mission is to restore historic buildings in Birmingham. Woodrow Hall offers a large foyer and beautiful banquet hall with exposed brick, high ceilings with huge wooden beams as well as modern amenities. This venue is bursting at the seams with unique architecture, character, and warmth.

5. The Vulcan

You really can’t get more iconic to Birmingham than a wedding at the Vulcan! This venue is as rich in history as it is breathtaking. Vulcan Park and Museum has become one of Bham’s most celebrated wedding venues, thanks to beautiful, spacious indoor banquet rooms and scenic outdoor spaces that offer awe-inspiring views from atop Red Mountain—talk about Magic City! This venue is perfect for the couple that cherishes their city, appreciates local charm (and a really great view).

Birmingham Venue Spotlight: The Historic Federal Reserve

It comes to no one’s surprise that Downtown Birmingham is a beautiful backdrop for your dream wedding. Nothing sparkles quite like the twilight of Magic City. As the community of downtown wedding venues grow, we want to keep you in the loop with the spaces that catch our eyes (and our hearts). The Historic Federal Reserve is a building that captivates us with its undeniable character, complete elegance, and it is exclusively catered by our hometown favorite, Urban Cookhouse. 

This venue stands out to us in so many ways. The Federal Reserve Bank Building offers a refined space for truly any occasion. The Historic Federal Reserve is on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places and is surrounded by downtown Birmingham's finest architecture. The building and the Grand Lobby were designed by A.J. Krebs of Warren, Knight, & Davis, a prominent early 20th-century architectural firm that helped Birmingham earn its nickname, The Magic City. Since opening its doors in 1924, this iconic space has preserved the Gatsby spirit of the 1920s.

The Historic Federal Reserve has been hosting lavish events since 2018. Before that time, the building got a “facelift” in 2016 and those renovations led to the start of a second life for this historic space. A complete renovation added immaculate modern facilities while meticulously preserving the historical details that mark this world-renowned structure. 

Some of our favorite details of this space are the high columns and marble floors - so much glamour! 

Whether you are planning a seated wedding, a dinner party gathering for a notable birthday, or the ultimate Roaring 20's party, hosting your event at the Federal Reserve Grand Lobby assures that your evening will be the talk of the town for years to come. If you are looking for a spacious rehearsal dinner venue or an unforgettable space to host a wedding in downtown Birmingham, this space can be tailored for your event. 

““Our team is prepared to exceed your expectations from start to finish. We will provide everything you need, including setup, catering, and clean-up.””

— Bella Garzon; Historic Federal Reserve

Urban Cookhouse is exclusively the caterer for the Historic Federal Reserve. The pairing of this stunning venue with a Birmingham favorite like Urban Cookhouse is the marriage we all need. We added a few photos of their delectable dining options - if only we could grab a little through the screen.

For more information about this dream space and how to get started planning your special day, you can visit their website here.

Floral Preservation Art with Once Upon a Bloom

“I am following nature without being able to grasp her, I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.”

— Claude Monet

We’ve all had this feeling once in our lives. You see a painting that is so beautiful, you wish you could reach in and tangibly hold it. In a world where we cannot physically jump into a canvas, we have flowers. These little breaths of art can bring happiness to you in the simplest way. Flowers have the ability to hold sweet memories on their shoulders and remind us of some of the best and hardest days of our lives. That’s why bouquet preservation is so incredible. You can hold the beauty of your most sentimental flowers as artwork in your home forever.

Heather Jones has made a career out of her craft and appreciation for floral preservation with Once Upon a Bloom. When Heather isn’t busy making the botanical art of our dreams, she is spending time with her sweet yorkie, Louie. Heather comes from a big family and is an aunt to some precious kiddos. And in her words, “Yes…I’m their favorite aunt.”

 This 31-year-old powerhouse has been working in the wedding industry for her entire life. Heather’s mom has been a caterer since she was born. When most kids were learning how to walk, Heather was learning how to set a table. After college, Heather went into full time catering with her Mom. 

“I quickly fell in love with florals and started offering florals in addition to the catering. One of my floral brides had her wedding bouquet preserved, and that really caught my interest.”

— Heather

 She thought adding a preservation service to her floral business would be something that could set her apart from other florists. After a couple months of extensive research, Heather started taking flowers home from weddings to practice her newfound skill. 

“I surprised several brides with pieces that turned out well. In the beginning of 2021, I decided to officially separate my florals and planning from my Mom’s catering business, then Once Upon A Bloom was created.”

— Heather

 After a few months of perfecting the temperamental art of resin work, Heather felt comfortable enough to take on her first commissioned order. Heather’s ultimate goal is to create for the special moments in life. She hopes her resin pieces bring joy. Whether it’s the happiness you feel on your wedding day or a memorial piece, she wants her artistry to be a reminder of love. 

“For some, the pieces represent a love and commitment between two people. For others, a piece represents an entire life and legacy of a loved one they’ve lost. I am honored to be able to create such meaningful art for people, and it’s a privilege I don’t take lightly.
”

— Heather

Heather’s favorite preservation art she’s ever created is one that will have you reaching for a tissue or two. Last fall, she created a beautiful memorial piece for a sweet three-year-old girl whose father tragically passed away in a car accident.

“To me, this piece represented so much. And the little “Daddy” charm in there just breaks my heart every time I see it.”

— Heather

When it comes to bridal preservation pieces, Heather is a wonder at what she does. She loves when her clients give her creative freedom to create botanical magic. We love how she added the couple’s cake topper in this piece. It gives the best personal touch!

We couldn’t recommend Heather and her beautiful business more. Sometimes it’s easy for personability to get lost in business. With a lot of businesses the clients become another invoice in a long line-up of orders. Heather is a significant reminder that there are people out there that make it their purpose to make sure others feel seen. Seeing the smiles on her clients faces gives her the reassurance that she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be.

When we asked Heather who her DREAM client would be, her answer did not disappoint.

“Oh! I’d be lying if I said my first thought when Britney Spears posted pictures from her wedding wasn’t ‘Man... I wish I could get my hands on those flowers!’ I am currently trying to stalk my way into Mallory Pugh’s DMs in an effort to try to preserve her bouquet. I am a huge Braves fan, so Mallory and Dansby’s wedding is like my version of the Royal Wedding. I cannot explain how badly I want to preserve her bouquet!”

— Heather

If you would like to talk with Heather about a floral piece of your own or take a look at her gorgeous portfolio of floral preservation pieces, you can visit her website here. She would love to give your florals a life that lasts as long as the love you have for them.

Birmingham Venue Spotlight: Christopher Glenn and The Farrell

Ashtynn Bree Photography

This week, Bustle had the absolute pleasure of shooting photos in the stunning sister spaces: Christopher Glenn and The Farrell. These breathtaking venues are both located in the heart of Homewood, just steps away from Soho. We LOVE how the management style and open-vendor policy gives every bride the flexibility to bring their vision to life. If you are looking for a space that is both sophisticated while exuding the upmost warmth, these venues are for you. We know all-too-well that finding a place that marries those two attributes can be harder than expected. Your wedding is THE day. You want your guests to feel significant and comfortable without sacrificing theatrics. Both Christopher Glenn and The Farrell will make accomplishing that dream effortless.

Christopher Glenn

Christopher Glenn is a vintage venue with 1,500 square feet. This timeless space also features a beautiful courtyard, additional hardscape (idyllic for tenting), and a wonderful caterer’s prep room. This event space is perfect for your smaller gatherings and micro events. In an industry that thrives on grand matrimonies, Christopher Glenn is here to host your more intimate moments. We love how versatile this sweet venue can be: weddings, bridal luncheons, baby showers, you name it!

Photo Credit: Spindle Photography

The Farrell

Photo Credit: Eleanor Stenner Photography

Dearest Readers, The Farrell is straight out of your Bridgerton dreams. The venue features an elegant main hall with exposed truss ceilings, honed concrete floors, hand-made steel windows and doors draped in linen and velvet. With a 3,200 square ft main hall, two private suites, a European courtyard and a caterer's ideal prep room, The Farrell is a multifaceted dreamboat. This venue is perfect for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, fundraising galas, corporate events, and the list goes on. It is no surprise to us that this space was inspired by grand properties in Europe. Their stunning landscape mural left our entire team completely speechless - a showstopper.

Photo Credit: Meghan Gray Photography

Photo Credit: Deborah Michelle Photography

The team behind Christopher Glenn and The Farrell value relationships and truly enjoy learning about each bride and their families. You are not seen as just another wedding to check off the list, you are a person with a significant day to celebrate. 

“We enjoy making the venue as stress-free as possible!”

— CG & The Farrell

If you would like to learn more, you can contact Christopher Glenn or The Farrell to schedule a tour!

BUSTLE PHOTOSHOOT CREDITS

GOWNS & STYLING: BUSTLE

PHOTOGRAPHY: ASHTYNN BREE PHOTOGRAPHY

VENUE: CHRISTOPHER GLENN & THE FARRELL

FLORALS: GAIA FLORALS

HAIR & MAKEUP: ASIA NICOLE

MODELS: Hyelim Cho Stockard, Trudie, Ashton Loreal

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT: Laine White & Jillian Darling

Bustle's Local Valentines Day Gift Guide

Image by Gaia Florals

When it comes to matters of the heart, we think Birmingham is THE sanctuary of love. The beautiful creators and business owners in this city know how to make an impression that lasts. While this community is a remarkable pool of talent and innovation, we tried our best to narrow down some of our favorite spots to grab a Valentines Gift for your honey. If romance isn’t on your February forecast, then by-all-means make this a gift guide for yourself. After the last two years, YOU DESERVE IT.

“Love planted a rose, and the world turned sweet.”

— Katharine Lee Bates

Everyone needs one of those go-to shops where you can pop in on a whim and confidently pick up a last minute gift. Charm is THAT place. Just a moment in this little wonderland is self care at it’s finest. Their vintage accessories and ornamental novelties will have the special person in your life feeling like a golden girl. This women owned local haven will always have the most unique gifts for yourself or the ones you love most. Whether you’re having a galentines celebration or a romantic night with your significant other, we highly recommend a visit. You can shop Charm at their new Downtown location or online!

The wonderful founders of Cala, Josh and Melanie Cosio, want to bring something bright to your mornings. Born and raised in California (Cala = California + Alabama), they moved to Birmingham, AL in the summer of 2016 without ever stepping foot in the state before. The pair began roasting coffee in 2021 and have cultivated such a special beverage experience. Each blend is unique and aromatic. Valentines Day is all about giving love and comfort to those that you care for most and the heartfelt blends from Cala do just that. Their light roast is a marriage of Floral notes, Berries, Dried Apricot, Honey, and Jasmine while their dark roast has deep notes of cocoa and nuts. Give a gift of warmth and rejuvenation. Cala recently announced that they will be opening their FIRST brick and mortar in Cahaba Heights this year, so keep your eyes pealed for the in-person shopping experience to come. Until then, you can find them online or at one of their many pop up locations!

Flowers are never a cliche at Gaia. The handcrafted bouquets that come out of this stem shop are truly the beauty that we all need in our lives. These straight-out-of-wonderland arrangements have us believing in magic. Sarah is the powerhouse behind this ethereal escape and we couldn’t be more spellbound by her work. The deep tones in their Valentines Day collection conjure complete romance. We love that you can order an arrangement crafted by the floral goddess herself, or you can take a peak inside their gorgeous shop and create a bouquet on your own. We’ll take an entire garden to-go, please!

By K. Morg

Kelcey is the wonderwoman behind By K. Morg. This multifaceted designer, maker, and illustrator has created a powerful collection of clay earrings that will uplift the soul. We love that each piece is created with confidence in mind. By K. Morg puts humanity and connection at the center of their artistry. Everything about this collection is empowering from product to packaging. If you want your valentine to feel radiant from the inside-out, By K. Morg is where you need to be this holiday. You can shop this beautiful collection online and in the words of the founder herself, “When you shop small, an actual person does the ‘whoa’!"

Naughty But Nice

KettlE Corn Co.

Naughty But Nice is the local artisanal kettle corn company of our dreams. They have lovingly coined the term, “Popheads” for their ever expanding fan base and we couldn’t agree with that title more. NBN has taken one of the most universally beloved snacks and exponentially raised the bar. Our favorite flavors are Green Apple Pie and French Toast. Whether you are a sweet tooth or prefer something savory like their Eugene’s Hot Chicken flavor, they have every taste bud in mind. If your date could do without the chocolate, we think a freshly popped bag of artisanal kettle corn will do the trick. You can shop their amazing line-up online or visit their storefront!

Studio 264

Meredith Taylor is the phenomenal visionary behind this little piece of heaven in Birmingham. Studio 264 is straight out of all our 1970’s fantasies. Their clay and multimedia accessories have an incredible ability to completely captivate anyone who beholds them. We have truly never seen anything like Meredith’s work. Her earrings are inspired and will always capture all the attention in a room. Studio 264 is launching their Sleepover Collection for Valentines Day and we couldn’t be more obsessed! We would happily fall in love with anyone who gifts us a pair of their earrings this holiday season - no glass slipper needed! You can shop their collection on their website or check out their instagram for their next pop-up location.

Chocolata is an ethereal chocolate shop, beautifully nestled downtown on 2nd Avenue North. Each treat is incredibly special and always starts with the highest quality chocolate, made with ingredients from South America. You will immediately feel like you have arrived in a chocolate nirvana upon entering this place. The smell of sipping chocolate and bonbons fill the air and it’s truly something straight out of a fairytale. We love how it’s not only the taste of these delicacies that are elevated. Chocolata has a remarkable way of making each treat just as captivating to look at as they are to taste. If you want your honey to feel special this Valentines Day, Chocolata is the place for you. You can visit their gorgeous storefront and follow their instagram for the most luxurious sugar rush.

Curateher Winter Box Launch

During the pandemic, over six million women lost their jobs and were left to navigate the world in a way that none of us had before.  Michelle Chandler, the founder of Curateher, saw that a vast number of women were honing in on their hobbies and taking this time to create, imagine, and play.  It is beautiful that in a time full of uncertainty and worry, women were able to come together and find an escape in the things they are most passionate about.  Michelle is an interior designer and the owner of Harper James Home.  She has two brilliant daughters, Phoebe (8) and Nia (5).  Michelle grew up in Northern California and went to college in SoCal, where she lived for twelve years before moving to Birmingham in 2015.

“ I finally found a way to combine my expertise in interiors with my passion and vision for helping women.”

— Michelle

Michelle couldn’t help but notice how the landscape of delivering products was changing and booming with direct-to-consumer subscription models.  She started to think about how the interior design industry had not evolved to meet the new way we all live, and then began to dive into how she could connect women makers with the massive market of buyers in the home decor industry.  Michelle had a growing desire to make design accessible without sacrificing quality.  She became determined to help female entrepreneurs grow their businesses and that is when Curateher was born. 

 Curateher is a home decor subscription box sourced exclusively from female makers, artists, and small business owners.  Michelle wants your home effortlessly styled in every season.  Each box comes with six products that have been thoughtfully selected to keep your home updated with the latest classic styles. These curated boxes are mailed out every three months and are crafted to work together interchangeably, giving you a designer level home collection to build on over time.  When you subscribe, you also gain access to her online member library, where Michelle will host empowering events and inspirational design workshops to provide a hands-on style experience.  Michelle believes the home of your dreams should be accessible to everyone.

“I want every person to have the confidence to be their own interior designer.”

— Michelle

Michelle shares that her heart for Curateher is the ability to connect home with our wellbeing. Our homes should feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside and that is a daily practice.  One of our favorite aspects of this business is how intentionally the products are married together.   This has always been one of Michelle’s strongest skills as a designer: finding unique pieces that work together to make a statement.  Each box is seasonal, but that doesn’t mean it has to be literal. You will definitely get a feel of each season through texture, color, and the details of each piece.  The Winter Box is perfect for Christmas because the high quality, classic pieces will add the perfect touch to your holiday decor, but can absolutely be enjoyed well beyond the Christmas season.

“Our homes should bring us back to ourselves. Mindfulness is the key to not only a beautiful home, but a beautiful life as well.”

— Michelle

“We are so stimulated by the rush of everything this time of year, I want to make homes light, classic, and easy to be in.”

— Michelle

We are swooning over Michelle’s Winter Box!  The effortlessly neutral color palette will fit into any space while celebrating the classic Christmas nostalgia that we all love.  This box is “cozy” personified and we couldn’t ask for a better way to wrap up with the people we love most this season.  Each item in this box is selected with comfort and ease in mind.  Michelle wants every client to come home and feel relief.

Curateher is a yearly subscription, but Michelle has made it possible to exclusively purchase the Winter Box from now until Christmas by itself. YAY! The Winter Box would be a beautiful gift for a loved one or yourself.  If you want a little holiday magic for your interior decor this Christmas, visit www.curate-her.com to make your spirits (and home) very bright. 

House of Rêve Brand Launch

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Left: Julianne Dean, Right: Scout Campbell

Julianne Dean started working at Bustle this past spring, and last month she launched her new fashion brand, House of Rêve, with her best friend, Scout Campbell. Julianne and Scout also run a balloon styling business in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa called For Love and Loons. These ladies are so talented and full of amazing ideas, and we are so excited to share their most recent one with you. We asked Julianne a few questions about House of Rêve so we could give you all the details!

What made you decide to start House of Rêve?

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Being best friends with different body types, we have learned everyone has insecurities even when you don't realize it. Fashion has always allowed us to express ourselves and feel confident in our own skin. By creating House of Rêve our mission has always been to do this for others by eliminating the standard that there is only one definition of beauty.

How did you come up with your business name?

This took us a minute to get right. We knew we wanted something unique and something that really represented us as a brand. After going through a million different names, we first landed on the name Stevie. However, clearly we went in a different direction. The word Rêve means ‘to dream’ in french, and was actually the name of my first design collection. This became such a key part of House of Rêve, because we wanted to make every girl feel like a "dream girl" . We run the store out of our home in Tuscaloosa and thought "house of" combined both the fashion flare and our actual reality.

Tell us about you and your business partner. How did you meet and decide to start your business?

My business partner is also my roommate and best friend. We have always shared a love for fashion and creativity. We have known each other since 6th grade. In fact, House of Rêve is our third business together. We ran a t-shirt business through instagram when we were in high school, and realized we were the perfect team when it comes to running a business. In college we decided to start our own balloon styling company, For Love & Loons, which we still continue today.

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I am so lucky to be able to do what I love, especially when I get to do it with my best friend. House of Rêve is built on our two different styles. Scout has a western chic style and I bring the west coast flare. Having had three businesses together now, we have really gotten to know each other and how we work together. Knowing each of our strengths and weaknesses has become a huge part of why we work so well together. What I lack, she has and vise versa. Could not do this without her talented self and I am so thankful for her!

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If there is one thing you wish every girl knew about fashion what would it be?

At House of Rêve we strive to bring out the most confident you and I believe fashion allows us to do just that. It gives us a way to express ourselves without talking. If we could say one thing to the women that shop with us it would be - you are so much more than the size of your dress, the tag does not define you! You are fearfully and wonderfully made and YOU and your own style are what makes fashion so fun.

What can we expect from House of Rêve in the future?

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We would love to have a Rêve Girl campaign where we can feature some of our amazing customers. We may even try out carrying mens clothing.

Want to learn more about House of Rêve? You can shop the website or visit their Instagram page @shophouseofreve.

Business Feature: Cala Coffee Company

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Cala Coffee Company is a new local coffee cart business that started in Birmingham run by Josh and Melanie Cosio. They launched the business in February. Josh and Melanie are both from California and moved to Alabama 5 years ago, which is how they came up with “Cala” Coffee (California + Alabama). They roast, package, and ship their coffee beans and also serve hot and iced handcrafted coffee drinks from their coffee cart. We did a Q&A with the owners so you (and we!) could find out all about it.

How did Cala Coffee get started?

We ask ourselves the same question (haha)! Cala Coffee started off as us buying a small roaster to roast coffee for ourselves and as gifts for friends + fam. Once people caught wind of this, we started getting orders and we outgrew our first roaster before we even unboxed it! That’s when we knew we had something and we decided to run with it.

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We’ve always dreamed of owning a small business, we just didn’t know what it would be until earlier this year. Coffee has always meant a lot to our relationship - first, it fueled our drives to visit each other while we attended different colleges, next it became our favorite way to connect with a new city we visited, and now it is a way for us to chase our dream together.

What was the biggest challenge?

There aren’t enough hours in the day!
We both work full-time jobs (Josh is an event manager with Framework Events, Mel is a physical therapist at Birmingham Physical Therapy) in addition to Cala. Thankfully we are passionate about all of the hats we wear, so we stay motivated (+caffeinated ).

What is your personal favorite coffee blend? What's the most popular blend?

We both have been LOVING beans from Ethiopia. We prefer a light roast with fruity notes, so our favorite offering right now is Just Peachy. Our most popular is Happenstance, which is our medium roast.

What do you wish customers knew about your business or about your coffee?

You can rent our cart (+us)! We love doing private events such as weddings, employee/teacher appreciations, and parties/showers. Pricing is determined on a case by case basis and we work with our customers to curate a menu that’s perfect for their event. Shoot us an email to calacoffeebhm@gmail.com for more info!

Additionally, we can do custom bags for gifts/wedding favors! We can create a label that fits our customer’s vision + package our beans of their choosing in 4, 8 or 12oz bags.

What's your favorite part about running your business?

We love the challenge and working together, especially at events! Josh’s full-time job has him traveling quite a bit throughout the year, so we really enjoy getting to park our cart somewhere for a few hours to connect with each other + our customers!

What’s the mission and heart of your business?

Our mission is to help others feel present, connected + energized!

This comes in several forms, such as enjoying a cup of Cala with loved ones at home, grabbing a handcrafted drink from the cart and shopping at Birdsong Farmers Market, or teaming up with local vendors + organizations we support to broaden their reach.

What does the future look like for Cala coffee? What are you looking forward to?

Only time will tell! Right now we are working on getting our bags + cold brew concentrate into a few local shops. We are looking forward to getting more events on the calendar because we love getting to see people’s first sip!

Do you ship your coffee?

We offer free local delivery and we ship nationwide for a flat-rate of $5!

Business Feature: Gaia Florals

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We got to visit Gaia Florals, a wonderfully unique flower shop in the heart of Birmingham. Inside, the shop was filled with a selection of the most beautiful and uncommon blooms we’ve ever seen. Sarah Marshall, who owns the business told us all about her journey to opening the shop, and we are so excited to share the details with you in this little Q&A.

Sarah Marshall - Owner of Gaia Florals

What's the story on how Gaia Florals got started & what made you decide to start a floral business?

Honestly, it just kind of happened. Unplanned. I was a nurse before moving to Birmingham- I was not satisfied in this career. When we moved, I began staying home with our daughter (who was 1 at the time). I quickly realized that I needed something more than strictly being a mom/wife. I started playing with flowers at that point- it was something I could do as a hobby and still be able to focus on Tatum.

It all started with playing with design (arrangements/bouquets), and I quickly realized how much I loved this art form. I couldn't afford to continue to buy flowers for practice so I started growing my own. Long story short, I deeply loved starting plants from seed and began doing this heavily. I grew them in my yard in Crestline Park, so it wasn't a "farm" but it allowed me to routinely have flowers in my hands. I began reaching out to other growers and formed friendships with many of our local flower farmers. In 2019, Holly Carlisle hosted us in her studio once/week for a local flower "market". Through that time, I realized how much I wanted to just run with this... I knew I wanted to continue.

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Owning my own shop was not part of the plan, but I am so thankful that it worked out. My current landlord, Ward Neely, reached out about us having a permanent space at The Battery downtown. As a collective, we planned on doing this, but when the collective approach didn't pan out I still stuck with it. With the support of almost all of the local growers, I took the plunge solo. It was horrifying and I wasn't prepared but it was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.

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Where do you get your inspiration from for your arrangements?

Previously, I was heavily inspired by other designers. This is really how I learned. My first main floral crush was obviously Holly Carlisle. Being able to work around her in her space was unbelievably inspiring.

Of course, I still follow some real badasses on Instagram and love their work, but now it is all pretty much my own intuition — which has been a super cool evolution. I just love nature, the change of seasons, the hope and happiness that it brings and the language of flowers — they can say so much without saying anything. It is all so fascinating to me, and I am so thankful to be able to create beautiful floral art daily.

What are your favorite flowers to work with?

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I mean, it truly changes week to week! It varies so much by season, so favorites are hard to pick for this reason. I've also realized how much it varies from day to day — I am drawn to different flowers/colors based on my mood, the weather, and many other things. I love the bright and cheery colors but also am ALWAYS a fan of moodier, richer, deeper, and darker blooms. I think some of the less recognized flowers that I am obsessed with are: fritillaria persica, dyed ranunculus (new to me this year and I just can't get enough!), poppies, hellebores (this might be one of my all-time favorites), and I freaking love a specialty carnation.

What is your dream project?

Oh wow. I mean... business-wise, my brain doesn't stop. I have a few business plans/goals that I am not disclosing yet, but in regards to a design project, I would love to create installations for hotels, restaurants, and bars. I love a vibey place and am a huge fan of large installs. I would love to use a blank space and totally deck it out! (If you have watched Full Bloom on HBO — I would absolutely love to do a floral room/immersion experience like on the season finale.) And also, I am obsessed with The Atomic Lounge in downtown Birmingham and would love to drench them in mid-century, wild designs. Any project that has specific requirements/vibes to work within excites me— I love making something with someone or somewhere in mind.

What is your delivery process like?

Our delivery process is simple. Since we are small and do not yet have a delivery vehicle/designated driver, deliveries are done by myself or my employee. We do not currently cover a very large area but hope we can expand as we grow.

If you’ve never visited Gaia Florals, we highly recommend it! It made our hearts happy just walking into such a beautiful, flower-filled place. Now we know where to get the floral arrangements of our dreams!

Business Feature: Refined Birmingham

We did a little Q&A with JoAnna Feldewerth to find out about her new business, Refined Birmingham. JoAnna was a Bustle Bride and she and her husband were married July 21, 2018 (to see their wedding feature click here). We are so excited to share her beautiful, creative work.

How did you come up with the idea for Refined Birmingham?

The idea of Refined Birmingham started towards the end of last year. My goal was to have a small creative business that featured handmade art, home decor, accessories, stationery, apparel, and other crafts! I am someone who has a million creative ideas, so as soon as I get home from my full-time job, I spend time with my husband Andrew and our dog Remmy, and then start creating.

When did Refined Birmingham start and how did you choose the name?

I started making items for Refined Bham in November 2020, and officially launched my Etsy shop on January 1, 2021! Since then, I have sold out almost all of my terrazzo home decor pieces, I have launched mask chains, tea towels, phone cases, badge reels, napkin rings, makeup bags, and tees, and I have been working on at least 12 other items to launch over the six months - stay tuned for those! I can't wait to share them with everyone.

I chose the name "Refined" for two reasons... First, my hope and prayer is that the Lord continues to refine me as a wife, daughter, sister, friend, and business owner. He has taught me so much already, and I am confident that He will continue to shape me and use me for His good. The second reason is that, as mentioned, I have so many ideas constantly running through my head for new goods to make. I want to take all of my thoughts and ideas and "refine" them into a successful business.

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You have a beautiful assortment of products! What are your favorite ones to make and which are the most popular with your customers right now?

My most popular items right now are my handmade jesmonite trays and coasters. My material is shipped from a small shop in Singapore, so it can get pretty pricey, and takes a while to arrive! Jesmonite is a non-toxic, water-based, eco-friendly resin that is so fun and safe to work with. After measuring and hand mixing the jesmonite, I add my terrazzo pieces to create a terrazzo look, or my special pigments to create a marbled look. I then carefully pour the mixture into a mold and let it set. After roughly an hour, the pieces are ready to be sanded... this is hands-down the hardest part! I spend hours wet-sanding each piece by hand, running through sandpaper pretty quickly. Although they are the most challenging to make and most expensive products I make, the jesmonite items are my absolute favorites. I get so excited to see how the pieces turn out!

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The mask chains are also fun to make! This past Christmas, before I officially launched my business, I wanted to do something special for my family. At that point, I had already made and sold a few mask chains (which are so cute and functional), and I wanted to make some for the women in my family! I took a few of my Nana's old necklace chains and, keeping the original clasps, created custom mask chains for each of them. It is so special to wear a piece of her so close to our hearts each day! While I do sell mostly my own creations, I love making unique custom orders.

What does the future look like for Refined?

I am hopeful that the future of Refined Bham will be full of hard work, joy, and blessings. I am so grateful for the amount of support from family, friends, and even strangers as I step into this new chapter of my life! It means the world to me.

If you are looking for a unique and handcrafted gift to give, I would love for you to check out my shop on Etsy, follow me on social media (RefinedBham), and come say hi at future events. I am so thrilled to share my passion for creating, and work hard to have a little something for everyone - thank you for shopping small, and for shopping Refined!