Spoken Bride Vendors | Spotlight, Vol. 1
/Are you recently engaged and ready to book your wedding vendors? Newly married or attending a wedding, and in search of gifts that affirm the vocation to marriage?
We are proud to serve you through the Spoken Bride Vendor Guide, the first online resource for distinctively Catholic wedding vendors: hand-selected professionals from around the U.S. with not only an abundance of talent, but a reverence and passion for the sacrament of marriage that brings a uniquely personal, prayerful dimension to their client experiences.
From photographers and videographers who understand how to capture the most significant moments of your nuptial Mass, to coordinators who understand the needs of Catholic couples, artists whose jewelry, stationery, and prints become enduring keepsakes long after your wedding day, clinical and theological experts in the fields of fertility and relationships, and beyond, Spoken Bride Vendors view their work as a call and find deep joy in putting their talents at the service of the Lord.
What’s more, our vendors are truly engaging and fun. With a range of stories, hobbies, and devotions, it’s our privilege to share who they are and connect them with their ideal clients--you, faithful Catholic couples who are energized by working with like-minded, prayerful individuals. Each month, we’ll be introducing, or re-introducing, you to members of Spoken Bride’s vendor community, and we encourage you to learn more through their full vendor listings.
Our Featured April Vendors (click to jump)
Laurentina Photography + Video
Washington, D.C., available for nationwide and international travel
While studying abroad in Orvieto, Italy, Laura Kuah fell in love with the art of photography--and, through the art and theology surrounding her, with the Catholic faith. Specializing in building relationship throughout a couple’s engagement through vendor connections and monthly communication, all bathed in a spirit of prayer and intercession, Laura says, “Our postmodern world has lost the human connection. We have become fixated on the "hustle" rather than slowing down to appreciate the little moments in life. This is the message I want to share with the world: that you are enough, that God loves you with an everlasting love and that your story is worth it.”
How I describe my business: Candid, artistic, and free-spirited, and adventurous. Life is an great adventure and we have to be bold enough to step in faith to trust the journey God has given us. As a documentary photographer and storyteller, I love to travel.
How my faith plays a role in my work: My Catholic faith helps me promote the dignity of the human person with my clients. I love sending them notes, gifts and going the extra mile to make sure they feel loved and appreciated, as I have such a huge honor of documenting their special day. I also know if we are a good fit based on the questionnaires that they fill out during the initial inquiry process. Furthermore, I embarked on the Catholic faith and entered the Church as a result of the time I spent living in a convent in Italy and my friendship with the nuns there. They truly believed in my potentiality and loved me through every step of my messy, faith-filled life.
My coffee order: I love Italian espresso or cappuccino with dairy-free milk, or a matcha green tea latte.
PHOTOGRAPHY | @love_evermore VIDEO I @youplusmefilms VENUE |@enchantedforestweddings DESIGN + STYLING | @carmennavarrodesigns VINTAGE DECOR + PROPS | @ricketyswank FLORALS | @lovelystemsfloral CAKE + TREATS @irenesdesserttable HAIR + MAKE UP | @bridesamore STATIONERY | @sea.and.sun.calligraphy TUX | @friartux DRESS | @thedresstheory MODELS | @kortnaaayyy + @griffinbrady52
Sea & Sun Calligraphy
Marisol Acosta first picked up a fountain pen in eighth grade, when she began learning the art of calligraphy, and has since continued mastering her craft. Offering bespoke invitation suites, menu and place cards, wedding Scripture verse prints, custom wedding monograms, and canvas art—many inspired by nature—Sea & Sun Calligraphy combines Marisol’s delicate watercolor art with hand-lettering that’s at once timeless and original.
My favorite part of working on weddings: helping my customers express themselves on that special day with our custom designs. It is very special to be part of something so sacred.
I root for: the Dodgers & Lakers since I was born in Los Angeles. I was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys as a young girl, and my husband also loves the same teams I. I’m a lucky girl!
Favorite Saints: As a young girl, I never understood our Catholic devotion to the communion of saints. But as I grew older I was blessed to understand the gift of the saints. I have a devotion to St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Faustina, and St. Catherine of Siena. I developed a special devotion to St. Padre Pio during my breast cancer diagnosis in 2012, which I survived by God's grace. I also love St. Anthony of Padua for his quick and amazing intercession with lost items and St. Francis of Assisi—his life is so inspiring.
Michelle Arnold Paine
Fine Art & Gifts; Perrysburg, Ohio
A former student of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and MFA graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Michelle specializes in commissioned paintings of sacred architecture, using oils or watercolor to commemorate a couple’s wedding church or venue.
Michelle holds a particular fondness for painting Catholic churches--she says, “Couples work so hard to find that perfect place to join their lives together: I enable them to take it home. I love that I am participating in a life event and creating something that will last as an heirloom of that short day.”
Ministries I’m involved in: I’m a participant in my local Catholic mom’s group and the regional leader of Catholic Creatives Michigan.
On my bucket list: exhibiting my paintings in a solo show in a museum, visiting the Gothic Cathedrals of Northern France (Chartres, Reims, etc.), and having a skylight!
Love means: giving with joy.
Juliana Tomlinson Photography
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, available worldwide
While in school for TV and studio journalism, Juliana’s husband gave her a camera as a wedding gift. As she used it for video, she discovered another hobby and gift: photography. Viewing her talent as a means of evangelization, Juliana describes her work as “romantic, joyful, and timeless,” in the hope that her images will allow her couples to frequently recall the events and emotions of their wedding day, “and that will help them to choose one another day after day.”
Favorite saints and devotions: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and Saint Gerard
I take my coffee: black with sweetener, if I like the coffee bean. Otherwise, pour on a lot of fat-free milk!
Love means: Today more than ever I know love is a choice. Everyday we need to choose to give ourselves to the other, be patient with the other. And in that we need to decide to love even when feelings don’t match up.