Real Weddings, Advice, & Inspiration

Catalyst Wedding Company highlights weddings by and for game-changers. We seek to amplify and empower voices and viewpoints that are usually missing from the Wedding Industrial Complex. We're a community of badass wedding professionals who love all things funky, fresh, diverse, unique, and personality-driven; we convene twice yearly for (un)convention, a collaborative workshop, styled shoot, and dinner party. We're also the publishers of Catalyst Wedding Mag, a resource for couples looking for inspiration and affirmation that doing things differently in wedding-world is not only ok, it's wonderful!

Donnie and Jamie's wedding took place July 27, 2014 before gay marriage had been legalized nationwide, so they decided on a destination wedding in Massachusetts, a state going on 10+ years of legalized same sex marriage. They chose a place they both loved, Provincetown, most commonly known as P-Town! If you haven't been there yet, this place is AMAZING — one of the most idiosyncratic and extraordinary towns in the United States. It is a huge summer attraction with its beautiful beaches, quirky shops, and a popular destination for same sex couples.

They planned their wedding in true New England style, complete with anchors, navy blue and lime green, stripes, and even LOBSTER! Every detail was perfection, from their pressed linen suits, all the way to the engraved hearts on the inside of their diamond rings. Their adorable dog, Tucker, was even involved. But as with any wedding day, there are still stresses and this day was no exception. Nearly 20 minutes before reception time, it was still unknown whether the ceremony would be moved inside, since it had been raining on and off. Jamie and Donnie took everything in stride and were so calm, and I can honestly say, it was one of the most easy-going weddings I have photographed! The somewhat stormy clouds made for the perfect backdrop, the rain held off, the sun even peaked through for a bit, and the day was beautiful. I am so thankful to have been part of such an amazing love story!

Words and Photography by Melissa Desjardins

MELISSA DESJARDINS

Melissa Desjardins is a fun, fearless wedding photographer living in RVA, who is available for travel world-wide. She celebrates and documents crazy love and killer style, one photo at a time! She doesn't view photography through a traditional lens, and it means the world to her when couples trust her to capture the genuine moments of the most significant chapter of their love story with her special brand of energy and passion.