Why Your Wedding Is Actually a Celebration of Womanhood

In the spirit of International Women's Day, we have a realization to share with brides and grooms everywhere: There really is no better way to celebrate women's empowerment than with your wedding. Sure, we might be a bit biased (you know, being wedding experts and all), but hear us out.

No matter what kind of nuptials you're planning, there's a long list of vendors to consider. You're most likely hiring a planner or day-of coordinator, a florist, a caterer and a DJ, just to name a few. So, why not employ an all-female team to make your wedding dreams come to life?

We're living in an age where women's empowerment is not only as strong as ever, but it is also as critical as ever. So let us convince you to make one of the happiest days of your life one of the most empowering as well by hiring a crew of fierce, creative females to bring your nuptials to life.

Welcome to a New Era of Weddings

While we've already discussed how much weddings themselves have changed in the past decade alone (hello, untraditional "I dos" and sustainable practices!), we have yet to highlight how the industry itself, as in the creatives working behind-the-scenes, have changed, too.

If you met Kate Headley 12 years ago, you would have found her stepping into a predominantly male wedding photographer scene. "I remember taking a photography class and I was the only woman in it," she recalls. But over a decade later, reality has changed. "Today, the photography scene is not like that at all. It’s very diverse and there are a lot more women," said Headley.

She continues, "I’m really proud of coming on the scene when I did and it’s been exciting," she expands. "I absolutely love being a wedding photographer and I feel really lucky and empowered that I get to run my own business throughout my 20s and 30s."

The Impact You Make

Have you ever realized the impact you have on wedding vendors when you employ their services? You're not just giving them business—you're validating their skills, ideas and talents. And when that's a female-led operation, even better.

"I don’t even think a lot of my clients know or realize that I’m running my own business and not only that but I’m a single woman and I'm supporting myself fully," shares Headley. "[Couples are] probably hiring me and businesses because they think they’re talented and they’re going to do a great job. Meanwhile, there’s a little hidden bonus underneath that they’re supporting a woman-owned business and maybe a woman who’s supporting a household, too."

Excerpts From a Bride (and Business Owner!)

The same sentiment rings true for recent bride and entrepreneur, Diana Marsh. When it came time to plan her August 24, 2019 wedding to then-fiancé Matthew Finney, she called upon her community of creative friends to make her big day come to life—Headley included. And it just so happened to turn into an entirely female wedding team. "When Matt and I got engaged and started planning the wedding, we realized just how amazing our wedding could be if we let our creative friends do their thing and give them the freedom to let their talents shine and it just so happened, amazingly, that everybody, basically every single person involved in the wedding was a woman business owner," Marsh said.

Heather Anne Leavitt, owner of Sweet Heather Anne (which boasts a completely female staff), was responsible for creating one of the most beautiful and intricate wedding cakes we've ever seen. "They hand-punched thousands of edible sequins and applied each one with tweezers to make the cake," shared Marsh. "It was pretty magical and crazy. We felt awful cutting into it but it tasted pretty fantastic as well." Escort cards were the duty of Elizabeth Carter of The Striped Petal, entertainment was up to DJ Sarah Aldridge's talents, and the bride's gown was a Reem Acra creation.

"I feel like the energy that these women brought to the table and the excitement that they felt to work together on this project in creating this vibe and this day, it was pretty magical," reflects Marsh. "We all push each other up as women business owners that you want to do your best and bring your best to the table."

While yes, a wedding day is all about the newlyweds committing to a life of love together, it is also about the ones who create the fairytale, too. "[Women business owners] are doing so many amazing things and it’s time that women get the credit that they deserve for the work that they’re putting out there."