There is so much to be said about highlighting wedding professionals that are talented and deserve to be seen. Today we have the honor to share 18 wedding professionals that range from incredible florists to talented planners. In light of the Black Lives Matter movement, we thought that these women deserve to be highlighted and recognized for the incredible women they are and their impact on the wedding industry. Scroll on to see all these amazing faces we are talking about and to read the heartwarming story and our exclusive interview on how this group came to be by industry florist, Falynn with Flawless Weddings and Events.
Falynn (pictured above) with Flawless Weddings and Events shares more about this shoot and what inspired her to do it,
“Being a black young woman living in the suburbs outside of Los Angeles, California, and working as a floral designer throughout Southern California, I have longed to see black culture setting the wedding trends, gracing the covers of top wedding magazines, and black women alike dominating the wedding and event industry. Bringing diversity to the forefront of the wedding and event industry has been my goal over the last few years. The time is long overdue to see some COLOR on a larger platform. Not just a black model modeling a bridal gown in a magazine, or a black celebrity wedding, but real black brides and grooms who are getting married like any other race of people being showcased in a top wedding magazine. With the help of platforms like yours, we can embrace diversity and allow us to bring culture to the pages of the magazines & blogs.
I came up with “Black Girls Rock the Wedding & Event Industry” concept to get powerful black women who are based in Southern California together for a photo to help depict an accurate representation of black women & multifaceted black women at that. As our business started to focus on bringing our diverse clientele to different publications. We started connecting with female wedding vendors and it became clear that it was not only important to show diversity with couples but to show the talented black females behind those events as well. We have wedding planners, wedding designers, florists, photographers, hairstylist, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, catering companies, chefs, videographers, bridal gown designers, venue execs, bakers, cake designers, DJ’s and MC’s. All black women coming together to celebrate US!
I’m not sure where this will lead us, but I am hoping that it will lead to unity among black creative vendors within our industry, as well as help bridge the gap between all cultures in the industry. The time is now, the conversations are happening, and we are headed towards positive change. People are realizing that not all things are equal for everyone, but it can be. I’ll end with this. I believe in supporting all talented creative vendors no matter what race they are. I just want everyone else to know it’s time to even the playing field when it comes to people who share my skin color and are talented like me. For me and my mom, we had to work extra hard to break down barriers within our industry. We have built many lasting professional and personal relationships throughout our careers. My mom taught me at a young age to have FAITH in God, always “Follow your Passion,” and her favorite quotes are “Sisters, Each One Teach One” and “Sisters, Each One Reach One.”
.01 – How did you come up with the idea of bringing together these 28 awesome black-owned wedding businesses?
I came up with an idea to do a “Black Girls Rock the Wedding & Event Industry” photoshoot. The concept was to get powerful black women who are based in Southern California together for a photo to help depict an accurate representation of black women & multifaceted black women at that. As our business started to focus on bringing our diverse clientele to different publications. We started connecting with female wedding vendors and it became clear that it was not only important to show diversity with couples but to show the talented black females behind those events as well. We have worked wedding planners, wedding designers, florists, photographers, hairstylists, makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, catering companies, chefs, videographers, bridal gown designers, venue execs, bakers, cake designers, DJ’s and MC’s.
.02 – If you had to answer on behalf of all these amazing women, what would be one thing that you wish the wedding industry could change or work on?
I believe we would all like to help bring diversity to the forefront of the wedding and event industry. The time is long overdue to see some COLOR on a larger platform. Not just a black model modeling a bridal gown in a magazine or a black celebrity wedding, but real black brides and grooms who are getting married like any other race of people being showcased in a top wedding magazine. With the help of platforms like yours, we can embrace diversity and allow us to bring culture to the pages of the magazines & blogs. This in return can/will help bridge cultural & wealth gaps.
.03 – How can people further the conversation of raising up all marginalized voices, in the wedding industry?
I am not sure where this will lead us, but I am hoping that it will lead to unity among black creative vendors within our industry, as well as help bridge the gap between all cultures in the industry. The time is now, the conversations are happening, and we are hopefully headed towards positive change. People are realizing that not all things are equal for everyone, but it can be. If you are a vendor, seek out black-owned creative partners to work with for style shoots or to present to your clients to consider hiring. You can even let them do an Instagram take over, offering your social media platform to elevate marginalized voices. BIPOC vendor list are extremely helpful in a blog format or featured on a website. This can guide those who want to connect with Black creative talents but may not know how to.
.04 – Okay Falynn, tell us about your business. How did you get started and where do you hope to be in the future?
I founded Flawless Flowers by Falynn in 2010. I developed a passion for flowers at a young age. My first job as a teenager was in my neighborhood flower shop in Hacienda Heights, California. It was there where I discovered my talent and learned how to create and design flawless wedding flower arrangements. I believe that flowers bring color, life, and aroma to any event, and make a table setting more beautiful. In 2011, my mother (Tracy event planner) and I decided to merge our companies and formed Flawless Weddings and Events. We provide wedding flowers, wedding and event planning, coordinating, and wedding and event design. My hope for the future is to have built a sustainable business for my wonderful children to inherit, own & operate.
.05 – Do you have any more black-owned vendor get-togethers planned for the future?
We definitely have considered making the “Black Girls Rock The Wedding & Industry” an annual photoshoot, bringing together the same & new talent. Of course, with the current pandemic planning such events have become extremely hard because we have no idea where the industry will be months from now, but we continue to stay positive about the future. We want to make sure to host something that brings joy, encouragement, and support to everyone during these uncertain times.
.06 – If you could sit down and have dinner with one woman who would it be, and why?
Michelle Obama!!! She embodies the exact beauty, style & grace that helps show an accurate representation of Black women. She is highly educated with such astounding poise. I can only imagine how impactful a dinner with her would be. The amount of knowledge & life experience she would share could be enough encouragement for a lifetime.
Want to help support these incredible women?
Here’s where you can find them all on the ‘Gram…
@flawlessweddingsevents || @flawlesstracy || @denise.flawlessevents
@winskiweddingsevents || @erikaselegance || @dacy54 || @itsbusi
@crystal_tothetop || @mwokaji || @flowersbyladybuggs || @_beatbeauty_
@angelic_hair || @mothers_of_bundles || @joanfullerphotography
@_miss_destinee || @splendidlyflavored || @bellaluxeloft || @thatrose85
Did you love hearing all of this valuable insight just as much as we did? If so, here is another way you can continue to keep the conversation alive within your own home. We love these 20 Black education books to read to your kids.