The wedding vendor search can be overwhelming. There’s so much talent out there to compare, and you’re trusting them with one of the most joyous and delicate days of your life.

Where do you even begin?

Having been in the wedding industry for 10 years now, I’ve met and collaborated with countless wedding vendors in the 100’s of events I’ve documented. In an effort to make your vendor search easier, and in order to lift up other small businesses I love, I’ve collected my favorite wedding vendors (aka “friendors”) in this exhaustive list.

Here you’ll find professional, experienced vendors vetted and curated by me, with an emphasis on those who are not normally centered in the wedding industry, including queer & BIPOC-owned businesses, and those who are values-driven and prioritize eco-friendly practices in their businesses.

Note: I have no business agreement with these folks, just support and love. 💛

Happy Booking!

My “Friendors

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nyc-based, bridal shop, black-owned Bailey Quinlan nyc-based, bridal shop, black-owned Bailey Quinlan

Mark Ingram Atelier

Mr. Ingram established his own namesake collection ‘Mark Ingram Bride’ as a response to hearing firsthand the gowns that his customers were missing the most. The Mark Ingram Bride is a Collection brand first but truly so much more of an adjective. The title embodies the woman and the women who inspire their effortless look and feel. They are simple yet stately, they are delicate but impactful. The Mark Ingram Bride Collection is inspired by the women who adorn the gowns and their innate appreciation for chic, quality, and impeccable design.

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The Tailoress

“With years of experience and the happy clientele to prove it, we work with you to create superior fits and custom creations all while reducing apparel waste and preserving the art of tailoring. Tailoress Atelier + Agency is based in Brooklyn, New York - providing services for personal alterations, bespoke and fine tailoring. Including suiting, bridesmaid, bridal, menswear, womenswear & genderless.

Our mission is to restore the art of tailoring and provide superior quality and services while operating our fair-wage fitting space and atelier.

Whether it's the vintage find that has been hanging in your closet or that look you've always wanted but can never find-- Tailoress Atelier is here to construct the fit of your dreams.”

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Alts

“With an average of more than 20 years of professional tailoring on their resumes, the expert tailors at Alts can be trusted with your finest and most sensitive pieces. Our master tailors are passionate about delivering a top-notch customer service experience coupled with the highest quality tailoring.

Our team consists of many industry-leading master tailors, seamstresses, studio managers, and customer service associates. We are extremely selective in our hiring process and go to great lengths to recruit the most skilled and talented employees.

Our tailors are adept at working on a wide range of materials, including leather, denim, wool, fur, velvet, lace, bridal gown appliqué and more. Whether you need a bridesmaid dress tailored, winter coat alteration, pant hem, menswear alteration, bridal gown alteration or anything in between, you are in great hands.

We have worked tirelessly to build a reputation for providing fast turn-around times, exceptionally accurate work, transparent pricing and unparalleled service.”

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Carlaesthetics

From Fashion Redesign to Sustainable Solutions to Alternations & Tailoring, Carlaesthetics supports crafting and community in the heart of NYC’s Garment District.

A designer and textile artist focused on promoting ethics in fashion and craft, Carla hosts Mending Mondays at Wing & Weft Gloves, a staple of NYC weddings.

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Once Upon a Vow

“We're Latine sibling wedding officiants passionate about storytelling, inclusivity, and making sure your wedding ceremony reflects you. Based in New York City and Boston, we specialize in bilingual wedding ceremonies, custom vow renewals, and fun, meaningful elopements.

We believe that love is the universal language that connects us all and it’s in divisive times, like these, that we must spread love as far and wide as humanly possible. For us that means being inclusive, non-judgmental siblings who enthusiastically celebrate the awesomeness of your love story. We excitedly officiate ceremonies for same sex couples, interracial couples, interfaith couples, multicultural couples, and those who have historically been denied the basic human right to love and marry.”

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Automic Gold

AL Sandimir is an indigenous, queer, non-binary refugee and Automic Gold’s founder, CEO, and jewelry designer. They’ve been working in the fine jewelry industry since 2009. They’re obsessed with small details, sustainable quality, and planning better systems for a post-capitalist future.

Automic Gold jewelry was specifically designed to mix and warp the feminine, masculine, in-between, and outside to make fine jewelry that is beyond gender. Truly gender-free jewelry, designed by a non-binary person. Their custom line of wedding rings that are ethically made, size inclusive and customizable.

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Catbird

Since 2004, Catbird’s tiny Williamsburg shop has been a destination for the finest solid gold jewelry and gifts for all, lovingly designed in Brooklyn since 2004 and made from over 95% recycled gold & recycled diamonds. Explore our range of solid gold rings, including signet and stacking rings, all designed to layer and wear over time. You can shop all of our jewelry here, as well as our collection of silver jewelry.

Celebrate love and mark life’s milestones with our wedding ring collection, featuring recycled diamond engagement rings, and lab-grown diamond engagement rings, all sustainably sourced and designed to last a lifetime.

Catbird has grown into a much larger jewelry studio where we create pieces that still make my heart race with excitement. Our kind and lovely customer service team and store teams are devoted to helping you on your quest - whether it is a stacking ring, a wedding ring, or a small gift. Confession: we sometimes cry at the good news we get to be a part of.

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Written by Forest

Yayoi’s own designs feature organic, nature-inspired jewelry handcrafted in 14K gold and sterling silver. Specializing in detailed wax carving and etching, the collection features rings, necklaces, and earrings that incorporate themes from the natural world, such as twigs, leaves, and water. These organic textures and shapes, inspired by her childhood growing up in Osaka, Japan, where she often played in the forest near her home. “That experience as a little girl still inspires me.” She named her jewelry line Yayoi Forest, after these precious memories.

A lot of families come into Yayoi’s storefront for gifts for special occasions, custom orders and even repairs on older jewelry that belonged to grandparents.

Yayoi enjoys interacting with customers and being a part of the Atlantic Avenue community. “Mostly the neighbors in this area, it’s really nice, it’s like being a part of the customers’ life. They come with their boyfriend, and then they get engaged and then have kids, and they purchase another ring for the memory of the baby, and sometimes they break up and then they come back to resize the wedding band to wear it on their pinkie or as a pendant. I really appreciate people coming back.” Many Atlantic Avenue merchants visit Written by Forest, “It’s nice to have people around here, especially other female owners.”

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Olivia Garvin Makeup

HI, I’m Olivia and I specialize in bridal makeup that elevates your natural beauty & private makeup lessons to refine your everyday routine.

Makeup is personal. It’s more than how it looks- it’s about how it makes you feel. When everything comes together, it should feel effortless, natural, and completely you.

I’ve learned that the best makeup isn’t about transformation or applying a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about intention, collaboration, and understanding what makes you feel like yourself at your best.

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RIE Makeup & Hair

RIE is an NYC-based makeup artist/hair stylist for Beauty, Fashion, Portrait Photography, and Weddings.​ Her makeup style is natural. She loves creating a look where you still feel like yourself, but the most elevated version of yourself!​

She loves animals and all her makeup and hair kit are cruelty-free.

RIE used to be a professional ballet dancer and has performed with companies in NYC and Canada.

She enjoys being in nature, taking pictures of birds, and taking care of her many house plants.​ RIE also speaks fluent Japanese.

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Simple + Sultry

“Simple + Sultry was named after my artistic style, so marriers know exactly what they are getting. I believe in skin that looks like skin, just even and glowing. Simple makeup that accentuates and enhances the individual. Soft and romantic hairstyles that never look too "done". Sunless tans that appear as a natural glow, especially in photos. My goal is to make you look, and more importantly, feel beautiful.

We welcome everyone. EVERYONE. As long as you are a human being in love with another human being, we will service you. Hair, makeup and sunless tans are available to everyone, and everyone will receive the same high standard quality of service.

You don't have to worry if we stock your shade of foundation, we have you. You don't have to worry about ignorance, we respect who you are. We are honored by any opportunity to be a part of someone's wedding day, and we thank you for considering us.”

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Willow House

Michelle Schultz, creative director and founder of Willow House, has worked over the last 15 years to hone and perfect her vision and skills in beauty and weddings. Now, with over 300+ weddings under her belt, Michelle is a leading expert in the wedding and beauty industries.  She is a regular beauty contributor to BRIDES magazine + was selected as one of The Knot’s “Ones to Watch” for 2024.

Michelle shares: “Our team of 15 elite hair & makeup artists is composed of folks of all backgrounds. We are seasoned professionals who have done weddings all over the globe, each with over a decade of experience. We’re a tight knit crew who love being around each other, which makes for a fun wedding day! We’ll make you feel like you’re in the company of old friends while also putting you at complete ease with our expertise. We are well-versed in all styles of makeup and hair with experience ranging from editorial, red carpet, TV and film, and beyond.

Each appointment is a personalized journey, where our skilled artists work meticulously to craft looks that harmonize with the unique style and vision of each Willow House client.”

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Her Own Beauty

“Zhané Thorpe is a licensed Natural Hair Specialist, who loves love and decided to pivot into becoming a bridal natural hair stylist! Within 7 years of experience in the beauty industry, Zhané's focus has been caring for & styling all textures from wavy to coily hair textures. Because it has been such a rewarding experience thus far, it led her to create HOB Bridal! Ready to connect with Zhané? Contact email! Info at herownbeauty .com (Please note: Only hair services are provided. Zhané does not provide makeup services)

HOB Bridal was created to provide each bride with an opportunity to embrace her natural hair on the day she says "I DO!" with an experienced hair professional. The ultimate goal is to give each bride her desired look that will embrace and enhance her existing beauty and allow her to remain true to her essence on such a sacred day! There’s no need to encourage you to wear a wig or a weave! I’m here to service you & provide you with your desired hair vision! I’m looking forward to providing you with ease, great energy, and a beautiful time. I’m truly looking forward to meeting you and excited to partner! - Zhané T.”

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Leda NYC

“Any great hairstylist can replicate a look in a photo, but it means nothing if it doesn’t suit your lifestyle or work for your hair. With over 15 years in the industry, Chelsey has settled beautifully into her niche creating trendy yet timeless looks specializing in hair extensions and lived in hair color.

Leda is a boutique hair salon specializing in luxury hair extensions, eco conscious hair color, and hair cutting. The team at Leda truly believes in the magic of matrimony. I mean, who doesn’t love a little romance! After being a part of hundreds of weddings, and being featured in some of the most incredible wedding publications, we still get butterflies seeing a look come together.”

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Stems Brooklyn

Stems Brooklyn is a woman owned small business founded in 2013 offering daily flower delivery services and more to the New York City area. We are dedicated to creating artistically inspired, farm fresh bouquets while striving towards a more kind, sustainable and equitable future in floristry by maintaining our commitment to our earth, community, customers, and team.

We keep Stems eco conscious by:

Composting which reduces our carbon emissions.

  • Buying seasonal, locally grown flowers reduces waste and provides a lower carbon footprint. Our flowers are never painted or dyed!

  • Sourcing recycled products and environmentally friendly driven products for our store.

  • We never use flower foam which is a single use petroleum plastic which harms our oceans.

  • Taking care of the people in and around Stems

We also support mutual aid groups and non-profits dedicated to racial/food/environmental/social justice in NYC by hosting a reoccurring event called Solidarity Sunday. As a mission driven business, building inclusivity and giving back to our community is vital.

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Firecracker Floral Design

Specializing in responsible floral and botanical event styling in the greater New York City area, Firecracker Floral Design LLC launched in 2018. My design aesthetic is the product of an educational background in visual arts and work experience in urban landscaping, container garden design, and floristry. With an emphasis on locally sourced material and seasonally available flowers, my sustainably driven wedding and event floral work is rooted in a passion for the natural world of horticultural. Each celebration is unique, and I find great joy in creative collaboration with clients in developing designs that are singular to each event.

I chose the name “Firecracker”  for a couple of reasons: For me, the word evokes a  bit of nostalgia and lighthearted fun. I think of sparklers and the summer holidays of my youth spent with family and friends. In a headier respect, people have marked special occasions with fireworks  for nearly 2,000 years. Flowers have been incorporated into the ceremonial for untold millennia more. Forms common to both flora and pyrotechnics have given us a shared vocabulary: Chrysanthemum, Peony, Dahlia, Palm, Willow, Pistil, Bouquet are all horticultural terms that have been adopted to describe fireworks effects. Between symbolism and my (usually!) ebullient demeanor, “Firecracker Floral Design” seemed to describe my business perfectly.

I look forward to bringing a little floral “Boom!” to your next celebration!”

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Hair by Alison Farfan

I have over 10 years of professional experience and am always seeking to further refine and advance my skills. I have been specializing in bridal, event and editorial styling for over 5 years now. I feel so fortunate to say that my work has been donned by beautiful brides and celebrities, has been featured in commercials for Maybelline and even seen on set at Amazon studios. It is such a pleasure to work and collaborate with the finest professionals in the all over New York City!

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Brooklyn Blooms

LaParis Phillips is the owner and principal designer of Brooklyn Blooms, a boutique flower shop based in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, known for its creative and fashion-forward floral arrangements. Founded in 2017, she transitioned from a background in fashion to create unique, sustainable, and vibrant botanical designs, expanding to multiple locations.

Originally from Missouri, LaParis moved to New York for fashion but found her niche in floristry, combining the two by treating floral design as art. Known for using unusual flowers, vibrant colors, and unique textures, her designs often feature "spicy" and artistic, unconventional styles.

“Brooklyn Blooms draws inspiration from fashion, nature, and art while using flowers as the medium. Mixing textures, colors, and silhouettes applies to arranging flowers just as much as it applies to creating the perfect look. We believe that everyone is an individual and deserves to have florals tailored just for them, even down to the vessel! By using curated seasonal blooms in interesting found vases we create “beautiful things out of beautiful things” with you in mind.- LaParis P.”

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Miriam Bloom Designs

“I'm a sucker for a love party! It’s a big fucking deal. Seeing my couples gather their most beloved folks together for the celebration of love is magical.

In this really tough world we need to have more beauty,
kindness, and joy.I bring my heart and passion to creating beauty for your event.  When partnering with me you will get my focus and collaboration.  From our initial consultation to the day of your event I will listen and guide you on how best to bring your vision to life.

I call my style wild crafted and asymmetrically designed with inspiration from what is seasonally available. Building relationships with regional flower growers, I strive to bring the freshest and lowest carbon footprint flowers to your event.”

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