PHOTOS BY JOEY KENNEDY

Love can be seen in more than just a wedding. Love is seen in a community where people gather in solidarity with their neighbors. Love is the passion behind running a business that crafts customers’ dreams into reality. 

As Pittburghers protest to educate and reform the way black lives are perceived, they are also cognizant of their right to equal opportunity. Here is a list of black-owned wedding vendors whose talents deserve to be recognized. 

Shayla Hawkins Events {SHE} has 11 years of experience.
Shayla Hawkins and Alexis Allen met through their ex-boyfriends — while the men didn’t last, their friendship has for 20 years. Today, they’re coordinating couples to their, “I do’s,” with SHE, a boutique-style planning service in North Oakland. 

SHE prides itself on fashion-forward design, customized ideas and flawless execution. They believe each event is a reflection of the client, so they take time to understand their couples. 

“We get to know more than just the event itself,” Allen says about their emphasis on details. “We infuse that information into each event.” 

After eight years of event planning, the duo noticed a lack of flexible venues for intimate gatherings. So, they opened Slate Studio, an open-concept space that holds up to 125 people. 

PHOTO BY ADAM MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

At K. Flowers Designs, no two invitations are alike.
Kerry Flowers did not leap from birthday invitations to luxury stationery overnight: two years of design classes and boot camps taught her how to craft one-of-a-kind wedding invitations. In 2016, she was ready to open K. Flowers Designs. 

“If I’m going to be doing invitations, I don’t want to be ordinary,” says Flowers. “I want to be extraordinary.” 

Flowers is not intimidated by any medium. From watercolors one week to wood the next, the South Hills business is known for its versatility and high-end quality. Flowers works to achieve a wow-worthy moment when clients open their orders, so she forages the globe for desired materials to create an individualized experience.  

PHOTO BY ERIN KELLY

Celebrate while giving back with Cakery Square.
Wesley Lyons and Amber Greene opened Cakery Square with more than sweets in mind. Known for his charitable work outside the football field, Lyons partnered with Greene to expand his Pursuit Program — a mentoring program that empowers underprivileged youth with the skills to become experienced, successful adults. 

“Our sole focus is to help transform the lives of underprivileged kids, and we’re happy to do that through Cakery Square,” Greene says. 

Cakery Square is in the midst of relocating but is providing mobile services for bachelorette parties. They bring the cake and decorations, and you provide six of your closest friends for a sweet twist on celebrating. 

Posy sources fresh flowers from local farms.
Paulette Still enrolled in floral design classes to destress from working in the investment world. Although lucrative, her job couldn’t compare to the joy and peace she found in every arrangement. After 10 years of running Posy, a brick-and-mortar floral shop located in Polish Hill, her passion still flourishes. 

Still’s rebellious nature is reflected in her attention to color and texture in all her designs. Her clients’ trust in her uncontained imagination has resulted in more than beautiful centerpieces and archways, but lasting relationships. 

“They become an extension of my family,” Still says. “That is the greatest compliment.”  

PHOTO BY ADAM MICHAELS PHOTOGRAPHY

Adam Michaels Photography is known for its location background shots.
Adam Michaels left finance and accounting behind after picking up the camera for the first time, and opened Adam Michaels Photography after returning home to Pittsburgh. He specializes in wedding photography and is known for his clean, easy-going style.  

In his experience around weddings, time is of the essence. That is why he created a detailed timeline for his couples so that they don’t feel rushed on getting the perfect shot. He emphasizes building trust and communication for a fun-filled session. 

“That’s normally when the best things happen,” Michaels says.

Big Day Little Details sees that your day runs smoothly.
Nancy Mundy loves logistics and organizing, so she enjoys her work as a conference planner for UPMC. She knew her calming, entrepreneurial spirit and skills could help people in a meaningful and fun way; so, she started Big Day Little Details to be a day-of coordinator for those who like to do the planning themselves.

Mundy’s philosophy is to execute, not to plan. A few months from the date, she is the one that gets the details down to her clients’ liking. This is their day — she makes sure it goes smoothly.

“Having that peace of mind by having a professional coordinator is very important,” Mundy says. “You don’t want to have to be bothered by those details and phone calls.” 

Fudge Farm by Goodyhouse can satisfy your chocolate cravings.
Owners of Fudge Farm by Goodyhouse, Molly and Walt Rainer, started selling their gourmet chocolate creations door-to-door in 2011. Now, they have two locations: one in the Waterfront Town Center and the South Side Flats, with their fudge and mania milkshakes as the hottest items on the menu. 

Couples request their treats as party favors for guests. Their chocolate-covered apples have been great for the fall, or a fruit basket or bouquet during the summer. They have also done a fudge or chocolate bar for those in need of a serious chocolate fix. 

Knotzland sews custom-designed bow ties with an eco-conscious hand.
Established in 2014, Knotzland has kept sustainability as a core principle in its designs. By sourcing scrap textiles from local manufacturers, the woman-run business has collected over 1,700 pounds of textiles to repurpose into quality, individualized bow ties and pocket squares. 

PHOTO BY HAL B. KLEIN

Carmi Soul Food brings the heat to weddings.
Owners of Carmi Soul Food, Michael and Carleen King, do not shy away from flavor when it comes to their food. They are serious about bringing homestyle cooking spices, freshness and texture into large catered events. 

“The essence of soul food is really about family, love, and being together [with] the mixture of culture and flavors,” Carleen says. “That is what soul food is, and that is what we provide.” 

Along with their buffet-style services, the King’s partner and coordinate with entertainment services to make the planning process easier for couples. 

PHOTO BY WILD NATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY

Capturing all types of love with Wild Native Photography.
Obsessed with colorful visuals since she was little, Alexa Diserio was hooked when she began snapping her own. When a friend asked the artist to photograph her wedding, Diserio admits she didn’t know what she was doing, but it turned out fantastic. She now works at weddings full time with her associate Sara Lease. 

Wild Native Photography thinks of each wedding as a new work of art. Inspired by the couple and environment around them, they use their aesthetics to creatively tell the story one picture at a time. 

Makeup by Bo is a traveling makeup artist.
Bonita Bey has provided professional services through Makeup by Bo for seven years. One of her brides was featured on Pittsburgh Magazine’s Weddings Fall 2019 cover.