{"id":63541,"date":"2026-06-16T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maggiesottero.com\/blog\/?p=63541"},"modified":"2026-06-16T08:45:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T14:45:42","slug":"hetler-hopelynd-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maggiesottero.com\/blog\/hetler-hopelynd-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"Maggie Sottero Partners with Hetler Photography and Hopelynd to Champion Disability Inclusion in the Wedding Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maggie Sottero is proud to announce an official partnership with celebrated wedding photographer and educator Kellie Hetler<\/a> of Hetler Photography<\/a> and Hopelynd<\/a>, a non-profit co-founded by Kellie and Kara Hanes<\/a> dedicated to creating authentic representation for individuals with disabilities through art and photography. Together, the organizations are working to advance a more inclusive wedding industry by increasing visibility for brides with disabilities, supporting accessibility education, and helping more individuals see themselves represented in bridal fashion and wedding media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This collaboration reflects Maggie Sottero’s deepest values and mission statement: that every bride deserves to feel exceptional on their big day, whatever their style, identity, budget, size, timeline, or wedding vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore Our Heart<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Is Hopelynd?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image Vendor Credits: Hetler Photograph<\/a>y<\/a>, Chasity Anderson<\/a>, The Pink Figgy<\/a>, The Joyful Florist<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopelynd<\/a> is a non-profit organization on a mission to serve the disability community through art and photography. Co-founders Kellie Hetler <\/a>and Kara Hanes<\/a> built Hopelynd around a simple but radical idea: people with disabilities deserve genuine, meaningful visual representation \u2014 not as an afterthought, but as a centerpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridal industry has long overlooked this community in its marketing, editorial content, and professional education. Hopelynd directly challenges that by creating imagery and opportunities that help individuals with disabilities see themselves represented and celebrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“At Hopelynd, we serve the disability community through art and photography by creating authentic representation and opportunities to be seen. We are excited to partner with Maggie Sottero to bring greater visibility to individuals with disabilities in the wedding industry and help ensure every person can see themselves represented and celebrated.”<\/p> Kellie Hetler and Kara Hanes, Co-Founders of Hopelynd<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the Art of Accessibility?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Image Vendor Credits: Hetler Photography<\/a>, The Bahia Resort Hotel<\/a>, Sherylynn Styles<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kellie Hetler created the Art of Accessibility<\/a> course to give wedding professionals the practical education they need to confidently serve clients with disabilities. Most vendors want to create an inclusive experience \u2014 but many have never received training on how to do it well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The course delivers real-world tools, language, and techniques that any wedding professional can apply immediately, whether they work as a photographer, planner, florist, or venue. Maggie Sottero proudly supports the Art of Accessibility for the betterment of the wedding industry as a whole \u2014 and the partnership doesn’t stop there. A bridal boutique-specific course, developed in collaboration with Kellie, is coming soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Accessibility isn’t about lowering expectations \u2014 it’s about removing barriers so every couple, guest, and family member can fully participate in one of life’s most meaningful celebrations.”<\/p>Kellie Hetler, Creator of “The Art of Accessibility” Course<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Does This Partnership Matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For too long, brides with disabilities have struggled to find themselves reflected in bridal imagery, marketing, and the vendors who serve them. Through this collaboration, Maggie Sottero, Hopelynd, and Kellie Hetler are working to create more authentic representation, advocate for greater accessibility across the wedding industry, and equip wedding professionals with the tools and confidence to better serve clients of all abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maggie Sottero brings significant momentum to this work. As a family-run brand led by CEO and Creative Director Kelly Midgley, Maggie Sottero has earned back-to-back Bridal Buyer Inclusion & Diversity Awards in 2024<\/a> and 2025<\/a><\/strong>, and has long prioritized representation across its three labels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n