The Politics of Shopping
Vote with Your Dollar to Make Small Businesses and Portland Great
Shop... and Resist
In the Time of Trump, Local Stores Are Giving Back to the Community
Portlandâs Pretty
Portland’s POC Bring the POV
The Woke Wedding
Not Enough Local Wedding Professionals Cater to People of Color—So I Made it My Mission to Find Those That Do
Businesses Who Support Your Womanist Wedding
No Need to be a Bridezilla! Here’s a Vendor List that Takes the Microagressions Out of Wedding Planning.
Iâm committed to curating an accessible collection of local businesses that matches the mission of our photo shoot (see: The Woke Wedding: Not Enough Local Wedding Professionals Cater to People of ColorâSo I Made it My Mission to Find Those That Do), and whose beliefs align with intersectionality. Along with vendors Iâve worked with, Iâve also included vendors mentioned in my essay that I can personally recommend (which is to say, they provided zero microaggressions). Safe spaces are essential for marginalized people, and the following individuals arenât radicalsâjust companies where people like me can feel safe expressing their business needs, free of discrimination. This #wokewedding file can just as easily serve as a resource for all couples planning their union of love.
DRESSES
Ania Bridal
Twitter: @aniabridal
Instagram: @aniabridal
aniabridal.com
796-9170
Shopping for my wedding dress consisted of squeezing into a tiny sample size then subsequently crying into a complimentary glass of champagne, because none of the floor model dresses were large enough for me to envision my dream gown. Even though I loved my dress, the experience really should make you feel flawless. Despite this being an imaginary ceremony, Ania Bridal made browsing through their selection of dresses for brides of all sizes a joyous experience.
MAKEUP
Peter Asio
Instagram: @mr.ladymua
Peter saved me from looking messy in all my wedding photos, and even made a house call for our trial session. He has eight years of makeup experience and trained as part of the Portland freelance team for Anastasia Beverly Hills before dedicating his life to makeup artistry.
Rayna ThomasÂ
Instagram: @raynaxoxo
facebook.com/RaynaThomasMUA
âI love weddings! I adore the magic, and you can definitely feel the love when you walk into the venue on the big day,â Rayna says. She thrives as a local artist with several years of experience doing runway shows and bridal makeup.
HAIR
Kendra Jones at Beauty Embodiment
Instagram: @beauty_embodiment
(360) 721-9494
Finding a stylist who can do my hair textureâlet alone special occasion hairâadded even more anxiety to planning a wedding look. Kendra specializes in many styles and was able to work on both girls regardless of their curliness and to enhance their natural beauty.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Beth Olson at Twisted Aisle Weddings
Instagram: @twistedaisleweddings
twistedaisleweddings.com
(541) 868-4392
âA lot of people seem concerned theyâre not âphotogenic,â too âweird,â or arenât âcoolâ enough to have amazing photos,â says Beth Olson. âIâm a âno judgment zone.â Thereâs essentially nothing a couple can dream up thatâs too tame or too weird. If theyâre being true to who they are and having fun with their celebration, Iâm 1000 percent on board.â
CAKES
Tier PDX
Instagram: @tierpdx
cortez.marchessault@gmail.com
Baby cakes are the next big thing for sure, and Tier PDX has tasty cakes of all flavors. Kristina Cortez-Marchessault will help you realize your sweetest wedding dreams.
FLORAL
Saria Abubo Dy at Rue Anafel
Instagram: @rueanafel
rueanafel.com
(801) 560-6709
âI was taught at a young age that beauty can be anything,â Saria says. âIt really depends on the way you or the thing is presented or holds itself.â
VENUE/CATERING
Urban Studio / Pearl Catering
Instagram: @pearlcateringpdx
pearlcateringpdx.com
765-8058
This blank-slate venue located in the Pearl can transform into whatever you imagine for the big day. And donât forget, people only remember two things other than the ceremony: music and food. Katie Carver from Pearl Catering expertly perfected our menu, and a year later my bridesmaids are still texting about our receptionâs delicious Truffle Mac and Cheese.
DRINKS/CATERING
Heart of Celebration
Instagram: @heartofcelebration
heartofcelebration.com
Party makers who can create cultural menus minus the appropriation, they specialize in everything from custom cocktails to fried plantains. The wedding food options are endless and unforgettable.
PLANNER
Justine Broughal from Together Events
Instagram: @together.events
togethereventplanning.com
(971) 266-1279
A bridal planner and a self-proclaimed ally to people with diverse backgrounds, Justine loves being able to create an incredible space for people to start their lives together.
RENTALS
Sherine Iskandar of Vintage Meets Modern
Instagram: @vintagemeetsmodern
vintagemeetsmodernpdx.com
432-3993
Vintage Meets Modern is exactly what it sounds like: a classic combination of old style and current designs. According to owner Sherine Iskandar, âWe seek out the unique and quality pieces that will wow our clients and their wedding guests, and if we canât find it, we search for the right local talent to custom make it for us.â
Pillar Ilo of Vintage Mingle
Twitter: @vintagemingle
Instagram: @vintagemingle
vintagemingle.com
568-1653
I moved from Connecticut where âvintageâ is almost a dirty word. I truly respect and envy Pilar as a fellow vintagehead who keeps her ear to the street in her quest to hunt down all the best estate sales. Any Portland bride searching for a timeless look can depend on Vintage Mingle for all the rare and exquisite vintage treasures.
GALLERY
Gallery 903
Twitter: @gallery903
Instagram: @gallery903
gallery903.com
When one of our photo shoot artists was a no-show, we dashed to this modern art gallery. Gallery 903âs Herschel McGraw didnât hesitate to loan us a painting, which added even more beauty to our project.
MODELS
Kanda Mbenza-Ngoma
Twitter: @kmbenzangoma
Instagram: @kmbenzangoma
Ashleigh Elizabeth
Instagram: @ashleighelizabethc
facebook.com/ashleighelizabethplusmodel
And letâs not forget our gorgeous plus-size models who are available for paid gigs by contacting their booking information.
Other vendors mentioned in my essay:
Bloomsberry Floral
bloomsberryfloral.com
971-206-4677
Meredith Bacon Photography
meredithbacon.com
Paradox Productions
djpdx.com
La Joconde Cakes
lajocondecakes.com
Further reading:
The Woke Wedding
Not Enough Local Wedding Professionals Cater to People of ColorâSo I Made it My Mission to Find Those That Do