WEDLY was founded by Julie Bartoo, a former educator turned stay-at-home mom turned entrepreneur. With a bachelor’s degree in education and a passion for creativity, Julie spent over four years running a niche wedding business as a wedding dance choreographer. While growing her own small business, she realized how difficult it could be to reach engaged couples in the Erie area—and how much she craved genuine connection with fellow wedding professionals.

After gauging interest from local vendors, Julie decided to take a leap and build something Erie’s wedding community had never seen before. On October 1, 2025, Wedly officially launched with just 18 vendors and a mission rooted in connection. Since then, it has grown rapidly with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

As a wedding vendor herself, Julie wanted Wedly to be more than a webpage with names on a list. She envisioned a space where vendors are real people—a community where professionals can meet face-to-face, collaborate, learn, and lift one another up. Today, Wedly brings that vision to life through open houses, wedding expos, networking events, and educational opportunities featuring experts from Erie and beyond.

Wedly is a place of growth, connection, and celebration—and Julie is honored to help shape a stronger, more supportive wedding community for vendors and couples alike.