Top Black Wedding Vendors You Should Know About

One of the highlights of planning a wedding is finding the perfect vendors to help pull off your dream day. From photographers and videographers to florists and wedding gown designers, here are some of the top Black wedding vendors infusing their creativity into weddings around the globe.

Photographers

Reem Photography

Speciality: Engagements and Weddings

Best For: Modern and Vintage events

If you follow pop culture, then you’ve seen Reem Photography’s work. Kareem Virgo and his team captured actress Danielle Brooke’s wedding photos so beautifully that the photos went viral. Reem Photography (Reliving Each and Every Moment) is based in South Florida, but they are available to travel worldwide. They capture love of all forms and consider their work to be “very natural, modern, crisp, and vibrant, with a vintage mix.” The photography is perfect for couples with a modern, vintage wedding.

Kristy Tasca Photography

Speciality: Weddings and Elopements

Best For: Creative and Experimental couples

Kristy Tasca Photography is a Buffalo, New York-based intimate wedding and elopement photographer who documents authentic love stories and moments. If you’re looking for someone to coach you through the session, Kristy relies on her cheerleading background to help get those candid photos, whether it’s in nature or in the pool. Couples that love creative shoots for their engagement may find that this vendor is their perfect match.

Kesha Lambert Photography

Speciality: Engagements and Weddings

Best For: Colorful and Cultural events

Kesha Lambert Photography is based in New Rochelle, New York. They focus on learning about couples so that they can connect with them and their history. Kesha is a Jamaican American, a lawyer, and a mom that loves light and color. Couples that are looking to celebrate their culture and their individuality will gravitate towards this vendor.

Steib Weddings

Speciality: Weddings, Elopements, Editorials, and Fine Art Portraits

Best For: Modern and Vintage events

Khrystina Steib uses her architecture industry and educational experience to create a masterpiece behind the lens for your wedding day. She composes photos with a designer’s eye. Steib Weddings is based in Louisiana. Couples that love sleek, modern, or even vintage will love having an architectural take on their wedding day photos.

Weddings by Raat

Speciality: Engagements and Weddings

Best For: Fine Art Photography-loving couples

Roland is the owner, photographer, and cinematographer at Weddings by Raat, a Houston, Texas-based vendor. He enjoys capturing a couple’s unique story of love, no matter the type of wedding and/or location. He specializes in engagements and weddings, and says that he stays in constant communication with couples from start to finish. Roland turns any environment into a backdrop that will make your wedding photos pop.

Morgan–Raquel & Co. LLC

Speciality: Destination Weddings

Best For: Classic, Traditional, or Multicultural events

Morgan of Morgan–Raquel & Co. LLC is a former active duty US Marine that’s obsessed with love. She and her husband have been married for 21 years. This vendor serves Baltimore; New York; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Virginia; California; and destinations worldwide. Morgan also has a collective that includes a multicultural hair and makeup expert and videographer. Couples making an impact in the world, those who are looking for one-stop-shopping, and anyone having a classic or traditional wedding will connect best with this vendor.

Phylicia Willis

Speciality: Destination Weddings

Best For: Vintage and Boho events

Phylicia Willis is an award-winning destination wedding and brand photographer based in Charlotte, North Carolina and Washington, D.C. This vendor includes a team of photographers and videographers that take basic photos and elevate them to a whole new style of artistry. If you and your SO are looking for a photographer that fits with your vintage, bohemian, or even garden wedding, then this is the team for you.

Food and Drink Caterers

The Drinking Well

Speciality: Mobile Bar and Custom Drinks

Best For: Cocktail-savvy couples

If you’re looking for a bartending experience at your wedding reception, The Drinking Well in Nashville, Tennessee may be just what the doctor ordered. The Drinking Well, owned by mixologists Kia Armstrong and Cathryn Denise, is a mobile bar concierge that can tailor drinks to your wedding theme. The pair started their business out of a passion for flavor and innovation. Couples can create a signature drink for the reception (as well as mocktails for guests that don’t drink alcohol), and couples can add on the "snapbar" for a complete 360 degree photo booth experience.

Ooey Gooey Catering

Speciality: Customizable Menus

Best For: Modern and Traditional events

Owner and Chef Edward Koraynie would sit in the kitchen with his grandma watching and helping, and that inspired him to follow his dreams of becoming a chef. Ooey Gooey Catering is based in Encino, California, and they cater weddings with every menu customized to the couple’s wants and needs. Couples looking for colorful, locally-sourced foods will find that Ooey Gooey Catering’s foods will accent their modern, traditional, seasonal, and/or indoor and outdoor weddings.

Chipper & Cheeky

Speciality: Non-GMO, Vegan, and Gluten-free Desserts

Best For: Creative and Experimental treats

Chipper & Cheeky is a made-to-order bakery in Los Angeles, California that primarily caters to people with food sensitivities. So, if couples or some guests have food allergies, this bakery can still give you the taste and look that you are seeking so that everyone can still enjoy a delicious dessert without worry. All ingredients are non-GMO, vegan, and certified gluten-free. For weddings, the bakery offers three flavor options of your choice, plus two cake makeups for $70. They can even make keto-friendly cakes for the couples that are watching their diets!

DrinksByDez LLC

Speciality: Custom Drinks

Best For: Lux events

Desmond Edson is a luxury bartender that is passionate about the combination of exclusive experiences with customized cocktails. His personal brand, DrinksByDez, is based in Los Angeles, California and serves to curate diverse people, vibes, and customized cocktails. He infuses his Nigerian roots into creating drinks to accent your celebration, and is sought after by couples looking to infuse culture into their wedding day, as well as couples planning outdoor weddings.

Sugar Euphoria

Speciality: edding Cakes and Dessert Bars

Best For: Minimalist and Traditional sweets

Sugar Euphoria is a wedding cake and dessert boutique located near Raleigh, North Carolina. Couples with a minimalist theme—or even a traditional one—may find their perfect wedding cake here. Sugar Euphoria Director Randi Smith says that their creations use locally-sourced ingredients and have an editorial aesthetic full of bold and romantic accents. They can also create dessert bars and cakes from scratch to fit any couple’s style.

Makeup and Hair

Taji Natural Hair Styling

Speciality: Natural Hair Styling

Best For: Dramatic, Trendy, and Glamorous updos

Taji Jones started a natural hair movement in the Raleigh, North Carolina area over a decade ago. Taji means “crown” and she says that crown is your natural hair. Taji has natural hair herself and can relate to any natural hair couple’s concerns. Taji Natural Hair Styling specializes in natural hair for brides. This salon is for a bride looking to take her natural hair style to the next level for her wedding day, whether it’s locs, twists, or designer cuts.

Kimberly Yasmine

Speciality: Sultry and Soft Glamorous bridal Makeup

Best For: Natural, Romantic, and Classic looks

Kimberly Yasmine is a makeup artist to the stars, but she also specializes in bridal looks. She is located in Memphis, Tennessee and has been doing makeup since 2012. Sultry and glamorous bridal makeup is her signature style. If you’re hoping to use some of her former clients as inspo, she has worked with Missy Elliott, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Kate from the B-52’s, and Maranda Curtis.

Makeup Artist Breezo

Speciality: Natural and Hypoallergenic Makeup

Best For: Glamorous and Classic looks

Breanna Anderson is a Los Angeles-based professional makeup artist. The nickname Breezo was given to her by her brother who is currently serving a life sentence in prison. She made a promise to him that she would follow her dreams and become a makeup artist. Breezo was also the makeup artist for Dr. Kendra Segura on the show “Married to Medicine LA.” Her specialty is natural makeup looks, and glamorous and classic for brides.

Glam by Sharan

Speciality: Timeless Makeup Looks

Best For: Romantic and Classic couples

Sharandy Osei-Tutu is a Philadelphia-based makeup artist that loves helping women look their best on their wedding day. Glam by Sharan’s speciality is romantic, classic, and glamorous looks for brides.

Bands and DJs

Next Level Band of Charlotte

Speciality: Full-service Music and Entertainment

Best For: Live Music-loving couples

If you’re looking for a band that covers all genres then check out the Next Level Band of Charlotte. Based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, the eight-piece party band can cover any musical genre from Beach, 60s, 70s, 80s, Jazz, Motown, Top 40, and much more. The band is made up of four vocalists, a drummer, a bassist, a keyboardist, and a guitarist. So, whatever you and your partner are looking for in terms of musical style, this band can cover it and keep your guests dancing the night away.

Any Event Productions

Speciality: Full-service Music and Entertainment

Best For: Upbeat, Fun-loving couples

If a DJ is more your speed, then Any Event Productions in Dallas, Texas can make your wedding a night to remember. They have three DJs that can travel up to 300 miles away. They specialize in weddings and wedding receptions, and they play a variety of music (up to 15 different genres to be exact). You can also get one-stop-shopping here since they are a production company that provides event planning services to coordinate with your vendors. Couples looking to add a party feel to their reception may consider adding a DJ to the budget.

Florists

Flawless Weddings and Events

Speciality: Full-service Wedding Planning and Floral Designs

Best For: Creative and Experimental events

Flawless Weddings and Events is a full service wedding planning company in Brea, California. If you’re looking for a company that can transform your wedding space with flowers and design, then this family-owned business can help. Wedding Planner Tracy Bowles and Floral Designer Falynn Thompson are co-owners (as well as mother and daughter) who merged their separate companies to create an all-inclusive one. Cousin Denise Cullins is a wedding coordinator in the company too. They provide custom, one-of-a-kind floral designs for receptions and the wedding party. Couples looking for elegance, romance, and a traditional feel will find that these arrangements will make their wedding stand out.

Flowers by Lady Buggs

Speciality: Full-service Wedding and Events Floral Designs

Best For: Romantic, Timeless, Texture-loving couples

Flowers by Lady Buggs is a floral design studio servicing the Los Angeles and Orange County, California area. Founded by Davida Buggs, floral designs are romantic, lush, feminine, and textural. They specialize in wedding flowers, so couples having a bohemian, modern, traditional, or even whimsical wedding will find a range of hues and colors to create a floral experience.

The Flower Guy Bron

Speciality: Floral Design Experiences

Best For: Organic, Natural arangements

This award-winning florist is based in Richmond, Virginia. The Flower Guy Bron is the chief creative florist, and he provides an experience with the flowers. Couples looking for a floral experience with a take on a royal wedding, a modern wedding, a traditional wedding, or even an outside wedding will be inspired by Bron’s portfolio.

Videographers

YNot Images

Speciality: Domestic and International Wedding Videography

Best For: Laid-back, Fun-loving couples

Tony and Haley are a husband and wife team that takes a social approach to photography. They are based in Birmingham, Alabama and they like to get into the mix by having fun and striking up convos to get candid photos. Tony has a degree in architecture and uses uniquely designed buildings to serve as the art of his photos and film. YNot Images focuses on wedding films so that you feel like your day is part of a fairytale.

LionFish Films

Speciality: Drone Photography and Videography

Best For: Artistic productions

LionFish Films is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They offer drone service to capture your wedding at all angles, so that they can then incorporate those images into your wedding film or highlight reel. Couples with outdoor weddings may like using a drone to get the full experience.

Planners and Concierge

D’Concierge Weddings

Speciality: Full-service Wedding Designs

Best For: Chic and Timeless designs

If you want the celebrity treatment and experience, take a look at Houston-based design firm D’Concierge Weddings. The company specializes in chic and elegant weddings, and even provides a personalized platform for open communication for every step of the wedding planning process. D’Concierge has helped plan weddings for athletes, entertainers, and members of the Michelle Obama administration staff.

Event Shoppe Chicago

Speciality: Full-service Wedding Planning

Best For: Bold, Non-traditional events

Calling all Chicagoans! Event Shoppe Chicago planners plan for Chicago couples, with their specialty being bold and non-traditional weddings. They hope to turn your wedding into a personal interactive pop-up, so if adventure and thinking outside the box is what you are looking for, then take a look at this award-winning team.

The Cocoa Bride

Speciality: Bridal Styling and Concierge

Best For: Creative and Urban couples

Candace Darby Phillips created The Cocoa Bride after growing tired of seeing a lack of diversity in the bridal industry. The Atlanta-based firm caters to brides of color with services such as bridal styling, pre-wedding event planning, and vendor and wedding party coordination.

Fashion & Design

Yemi Osunkoya

Speciality: Custom Bridal Gowns

Best For: Elegant, Couture creations

Yemi is the founder and head designer of the Kosibah brand. The New York-based designer counts members of the British Parliament, senior staff of the British royal family, members of royal families from Nigeria and Ghana, and other celebrities as his clients. Kosibah specializes in figure-enhancing, contemporary, and elegant bridal and evening gowns. So, if you are looking to create your dream gown that screams modern or traditional, then Kosibah may just have what you are wanting for your wedding day.

Brides by Nona

Speciality: Custom Bridal Gowns

Best For: Romantic, Timeless designs

Brides by Nona was established in 2014 after Nneka C. Alexander's own wedding gown shopping experience left her unimpressed by the selection at traditional bridal salons. She created Brides by Nona with a mission to give brides what they have never experienced, but will always cherish. The designer custom creates dresses that have been seen on socialites and celebrities, including Cynthia Bailey of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”. Based in Atlanta, Brides by Nona offers a curated collection of ready-to-wear wedding dresses and formal wear. However, the main focus is creating bespoke, custom-made pieces crafted with authentic Swarovski crystals that transcend trends and fads, and that are timeless and full of intricate details with clean, modern lines that will make any bride feel romantic.

Pantora Bridal

Speciality: Custom and Ready-to-Wear Bridal Wear

Best For: Glamorous, Modern designs

Andrea Pitter-Cambell created Pantora Bridal to address a lack of inclusion and diversity in the bridal industry. Pantora designs are made for the glamorous bride that embraces edgier trends, but it also combines classic silhouettes and modern details in their wedding gowns. Pantora Bridal, based in Brooklyn, New York, also has a wedding gown collection that celebrates curvy, voluptuous brides. The dresses are customizable and the collection features gowns with various alternative neckline and skirt options. Pantora designs also have illusion details, but with a Black bride in mind, so she offers a range of illusion and mesh linings to fit Black brides and bridesmaids.

Laury Bride

Speciality: Custom and Ready-to-Wear Bridal Wear

Best For: Modern, Dramatic looks

Laurie Underwood’s Chicago-based Laury Bride showcases her unique perspective on bridal style. Laurie Underwood appeared on season 14 of “Project Runway” drawing attention to her bold, structured gown designs. Laury Bride has modern styles for the modern bride with dramatic flair, from oversized ruffles to airy ball gowns. Underwood mostly designs bespoke collections, but her Forever Collection features interchangeable bridal separates that brides can mix and match to create a perfect ceremony look and switch it up for a different vibe for the reception. You can buy anywhere from one to three pieces to create customizable wedding looks that are more affordable than two to three different wedding outfits.

Jean-Ralph Thurin

Speciality: Custom and Ready-to-Wear Bridal Gowns

Best For: Luxury-loving couples

Designer Jean-Ralph Thurin specializes in custom wedding gowns and evening wear with an emphasis on pieces specifically for Black women. He has several collections of wedding gowns, including the HUExJRT Collection that has illusion and see-through details customized to perfectly match any skin tone. He also has a collection called ROUGE that is inspired by the 2018 film “Black Panther” that has bold colors accompanied by royal gold accents fit for a queen and weddings that require a cultural touch.

Esé Azénabor

Speciality: Custom Bridal Gowns

Best For: Bold, Extravagant designs

Nigerian-born Esé Azénabor started out designing custom evening wear before expanding her line to include bridal options after a client requested a bespoke wedding dress. Every piece on the wedding gown is handcrafted, including the beading. The designer is known for hand beading with fine crystals, stones, and pearls, as well as hand embroidering on fine French lace and tulle, and then combining it with hymo, hard tulle, and boning, which attributes to her attention to the arts and travel inspiration. In addition to their flagship store in Dallas, Texas, you can find these gowns in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia.

For the most dynamic, easy-to-use, and totally free wedding planning tools—and to find the best vendors for your big day—look no further than Zola.