Black Owned Online Shops (Etsy Preferred)

To the OP and everyone who provided resources: thank you! I prefer to support black-, women-, and LGBT friendly- owned businesses. Not every single vendor will check all of those boxes, but I'm looking into people who represent me and my beliefs. It's super important.

Yasss @Gymmie!

From the first, " odd" post- it was inevitable.

My photographer, videographer, MUA, hairstylist, barber and baker were African American. The business who did my decor and flowers was owned by a Latino woman.

H and I made a point to throw as many of our dollars into small/black owned businesses.

@treeshade my FH and I discussed that early on, as well.

What is happening @BecomingABenton? LOL

Exactly @Kristen - thank you!

And also I forgot my DJ is black too lol. My florist isn't black, but they are a minority-owned business.

FB - did you catch I hired a string quartet for my ceremony? Aren't you proud? lol ;-)

Love this post. The struggle was so real for me to find someone who could do my makeup for my skin tone. I had 2 makeup trials and was not successful.I live in Rhode Island and I had to find a black makeup artist in Boston. She's definitely worth paying the travel fee.

Thank you, GymRat, and to all the others who have kept this conversation going and attempted to provide education (in a space where you have no obligation to do so)!

I try to support small-business owners, especially minority and LGBTQ owned, not only for my wedding, but in every aspect of my life. As everyone has said, it's so important to speak with your dollars!

And I'm really trying with this wedding, especially since it is a DW in Jamaica! We are trying our best to support small, locally-owned businesses in the community that we are visiting for our wedding!

Benton- are you trying to use special characters? plus signs and greater than less than signs disappear words.

OP- I think it's awesome your trying to support your community. I absolutely get wanting to search out and support people in your community. 100% get it.

I think it's comical that someone would say (comical but not surprising) well what if I posted "supporting white vendors- or searching for white vendors" wouldn't that be racist.

SIGH. NO.

I see your privilege my dear. You're defensive because you don't understand and you think because someone specifically calls out NOT what is "normal" it makes what you want bad.

Them choosing to be specific in wanting to work directly with black vendors isn't racist. It's supporting a community that is marginalized and a minority and PROVEN that they have a harder time being successful because of the systematic oppression that happens in this country. There is 100% nothing wrong with going out of your way to fight against that.

The same cannot be said for white vendors because.. .ahem- white privilege.

And if it makes you uncomfortable- well good- you're learning something.

When I was first presented with that notion I was REALLY uncomfortable- and defensive- because "not me- that's not me"

but privilege doesn't mean "YOU ARE RACIST" it just means there you have been afford certain privileges in this country simply because of your skin color.

It doesn't always mean you did something wrong- but the very least you can do- is fucking acknowledge that you were handed a slight upper hand.

@Jo YASSSSSSSSS!!! All of this!

Yassssssss @GymRat!!!!! Lol.... I initially started my search for vendors based on those who were rated highest on The Knot and Wedding Wire. I have to admit that I was excited to find and secure a husband and wife duo as my photographer/videographer, wedding planner, and DJ all from the local community (African American). My florist is also a minority owned business - Muslim woman. It's important to give back to the community and I'm especially excited to see people who look like me tapping into this industry especially in cities like Detroit, Chicago, etc. that get such a bad rap.

Again thank you to the OP for this post. I've thought it several times but never posted asking for any advice in this area because I KNEW it would be interpreted wrong by many. From time to time, I also feel like many online forums overlook that certain "cultures" do things differently and that doesn't necessarily equate to bad hosting or improper etiquette.

@Gymmie- I can't wait for your BAM too!

@Jo another well stated comment

@Kristen- Way for you and FH to use your power!

@Oga- That website <3

Personally I went with local small businesses for all of my vendors, regardless of race etc, not one single chain store or national franchise. I think it's important to put your money back into your local community, whether that community is geographic, ethnic, gender specific, religious..etc. entrepreneurs are the backbone of our country and need our support.

I say *slight* upper hand in the interest of being a little caged with my wording.

*slight* would be a gross understatement if we are being honest.

@Benton - I can see your comment on mobile only lol. It doesn't show up on PC. You have to remove what looks like a "less than" sign followed by the number 3.

Anyway, thank you! ;-)

FIX IT WW.

Fix it, Jesus lol.

Thanks Jo and GymRat and all you ladies who get it.

Unfortunately doing a DW in Mexico I couldn't fully support our businesses but I will be supporting the Etsy businesses you named when I purchase my jumping broom.

Last comment... My guess is anyone who finds this "odd" or "racist" would be the same individuals most likely NOT to work with a minority vendor simply because they are minority.

@JoRocka- ah yes I used the less than sign to make a heart, thank you.

@GymRat, LOL jeeezzee I was just trying to tell you I heart you!

FutureMrs be like

@AshD, while you may not be able to support businesses in the US, if there are things (favors or welcome bags) you can purchase in Mexico, I strongly encourage it (I think those of us having DW should also try to support the local economies of the countries we're visiting).

ETA: not sure of how you want your broom decorated, but there is a woman (her shop is called JumpingtheBroom) who makes gorgeous brooms. There are so many great brooms on Etsy (in general).

@Fitz Most of my vendors in Mexico are smaller local companies and vendors not associated with the hotel.

I appreciate this post and the suggestions. Its been a struggle to look at portfolios of people that don't resemble me and pick a MUA or wedding dress