We’ve been preaching this message for years but if you’re new here we’re happy to share our story and tell you why investing in black owned businesses is important.
6 years ago when we were engaged, wedding planning was very different. Instagram and Pinterest were brand new and looking for wedding inspiration that surrounded a black couple was very difficult. It was hard finding brides and grooms who looked like us in the mainstream wedding industry (it’s better now but still needs improvement). Not only was it hard finding wedding inspiration from couples who look like us, it was hard finding black wedding photographers (let alone a husband and wife team). As a black engaged couple, it was like we didn’t exist in the wedding industry.
After we got married in 2013, we decided we wanted to change that. So despite a lot of doubt of what a wedding photographer should be, we started! And it’s changed our lives completely! We made a vow to shine a spotlight on couples who are not usually recognized in the mainstream wedding industry. This usually includes brides and grooms of color along with those of different ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs and sexual orientation. We work hard to get these couples published by bigger media outlets so that more couples can see themselves when planning their wedding. It helps :)
How to Shop for Black Wedding Vendors
It’s a lot easier now that social media has really developed. To find Black Wedding Vendors in your area we recommend using Instagram and search your city and black wedding vendor (like “Baltimore Black Wedding Photographer” ) and check out who comes up! Or just selectively search through the Hashtag without adding “Black” and see whose work speaks to you the most. Here’s a more detailed blog on how to find the perfect vendors for your wedding.
You can also take initiative when searching for Wedding Vendors by asking friends of any black owned businesses that they could recommend. We’ve worked in the wedding industry for 6 years now and have compiled a list professionals that we love to work with and would recommend. For this shoot, we shot right outside one of our favorite bridal boutiques in Baltimore City, Elite Secrets Bridal, which just so happens to be owned by a black woman. Her daughter (@K_khemistry88) designed the dress that you’ll see in the next set of photos.
Why you should use Black Wedding Vendors
By investing in a black owned business not only are your making an inclusive decision but you are allowing that entrepreneur to grow in an industry that is essentially new to us. By using black wedding vendors you fuel a dream and encourage them to create an even better system than before. When you hire a black artist, it also promotes more diversity in the wedding industry to help inspire more couples who want to see more couples like them plan out their dream wedding.
We decided to use this shoot as an example because not only was it comprised by using black wedding vendors but it the clothing designer was a previous groom of ours. Justin of Shaw’s Covenant designed his own suit for his wedding and set a trend that we’ve never seen before. Since then, we’ve included him on our Preferred Vendors List and have the chance to see our grooms in his custom suits multiple times. This is how we recycle the black dollar and keep encouraging more black businesses to get into the market and inspire future couples to think outside the box.
BLACK WEDDING VENDORS
Photographer: @MegapixelsMedia
Make-up: @EliteSecrets
Bridal Gown Designer: @K_khemistry88
Bridal Boutique: @elitesecretsbridal
Men's Clothier: @ShawsCovenant
Bride: @budrflai
Naima + Gary