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!

The inspiration for this shoot came, for the most part, from my own personal experiences. I knew that I wanted to embrace the romance of an elopement (my husband and I eloped!) and that I wanted to showcase the beauty of unconventionality by adding subcultural elements. I wanted there to be courtship and passion without losing a sense of self; I wanted there to be strength and individuality as well without losing the aspect of soft femininity. Three of my favorite styles of fashion and music are 1960-1970s ska (Rudies), psychobilly, and punk rock; this was the driving force behind making my vision a reality. There are no fancy venues or elaborate décor here. This is meant to be the down-to-earth, private, backyard celebration you’d love to have with the people closest to you.

My bride, Deny, is someone I had previously worked with. One day she posted a photo on Instagram of her short hair, and I immediately contacted her about this idea I had for a wedding photoshoot. After unsuccessfully searching for a male model, we decided to make it a bridal shoot instead. A day prior to our photoshoot, however, Deny mentioned she had a friend who may be interested in assuming the groom role, and the rest was history! Patrick fit the style perfectly, and they both had such great chemistry. For me, it was the most satisfying photoshoot to date; it was fun, relaxed, and truly made my jumbled ideas come to life flawlessly.

Styling and photography by Helen Feliciano-Bailey

Ska Punk Psychobilly Wedding Elopement Inspiration in the San Francisco Bay Area by Helen Feliciano-Bailey

Vendors

Stylist and photographer: Helen Feliciano-Bailey / @photosby.hfb

Model: Deny Rodriguez / @kittenpuurrs

Model: Patrick Ferguson Richards / @pedakin

Groom's Attire: Thrift / Target

Bride's Attire: Stop Staring Clothing / @stopstaringclothing

Bride's Headpiece: Thrifted

Hair and makeup: Deny Rodriguez

Food/Drink: Black Ink Wine / @blackinkwine & Cupcakes from Just Desserts

HELEN FELICIANO-BAILEY

Helen Feliciano-Bailey is a portrait, wedding, and travel photographer based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Her style is moody, romantic, and raw; she loves capturing the real emotions that truly make each moment special. When she isn't photographing weddings, she's chasing down her kids with Nikon in hand, exploring new places, and engaging in animal activism.