An important aspect of Bridal by Beulah is featuring and partnering with other Black-owned and minority-owned businesses. When I wanted a new and unique logo for Bridal by Beulah, I reached out to my sister’s fellow Lincoln University alum and friend Aaron Ray. He’s a freelance graphic designer in Philadelphia who makes flyers, logos, invitations, and more. I had seen some of his graphic design work, as well as some of his cinematography on Instagram and YouTube and was all-around impressed. After his incredible work on my logo, I knew that I wanted to kick off my Black Wedding Vendors series with a profile on Aaron.
When asked about his favorite part of working with brides and grooms for their big day, Aaron says his “favorite part of doing wedding work is the love in the air. Everything being done is within the spirit of love and true companionship.” This is one of my favorite things about weddings too, and I know this sentiment is universal. Who remembers the scene from The Wedding Crashers where Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are trying to meditate a couple’s messy divorce and the negotiations are deteriorating fast, but when Owen and Vince remind the couple of the joy they felt on their wedding day, they’re able to come together for a fair resolution for them both! I think Aaron is 100% right.
When asked how he highlights diversity in his designs while working with the bride and groom to create their dream invitation, Aaron explained “I always try to make the event appear grand and spectacular when designing. I always try and treat the work like it’s my own.” I can vouch for Aaron on this. He worked with me one-on-one to create a logo that highlights who I am, what I want Bridal by Beulah to represent, and what I want to contribute to the bridal industry narrative. And my logo is indeed spectacular!
As a vendor catering to budget-conscious brides, I asked Aaron to talk about why hiring an artist to make your invitations can be a really worthwhile expense. He said:
the advantages of outsourcing instead of doing it on your own is the fact that you can REALLY deliver your vision. It eliminates the ‘If I had’ and ‘I should’ve done this statements.’
I wholeheartedly agree with Aaron on this. Everyone has to prioritize when budgeting for their wedding and decide what aspects they want to invest in. Your invitation and wedding stationary are things that every single guest will see, so this is one of those areas that could be really important to budget for.
Something I highlight in this series is what makes Black wedding vendors unique, and Aaron emphasized that “What I bring that’s unique to black business owners is creativity and going beyond the design. I want to actually help my clients.” I know that in my case, branding is such an important aspect of making a small business succeed. In helping me create the visual aspect of my brand, Aaron went above and beyond to help me be a success. I know he’ll bring that zeal to every bride that he works with. And as a community, having a village mindset and a commitment to communal success is woven into the fabric of Black culture. This is something I’ve seen Aaron embody and it’s something I’m very proud to see Black owned businesses bring to the table.
You can check out Aaron’s Instagram here, and his YouTube channel here. He charges $60 to make custom invitations that you can print at home/at your local Staples! If you’ve ever been on Minted or Shutterfly, then you know this is a steal!
Bridal by Beulah 