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!

From Ali:

"We met online; our first date was at the Frothy Monkey, a coffee shop, three years ago when we were both living in Nashville, TN. I got there early and found a table outside. I will never forget seeing Liz walking up the front path. She was smiling, and I immediately felt her warmth and a hint of nerves.

Over coffee we exchanged the typical first date information (what do you do? Where are you from? How many siblings? Do you have pets?). We hit it off immediately and ended up spending the rest of the evening wandering around the cute 12 South neighborhood.

Liz has this remarkable way of caring and nurturing. She kept me sane during the long hours and late nights of my medical internship. From the nights at home playing our ongoing Uno game (which I am currently winning 1,789 to 1,567) to our weekend excursions, every moment is the best adventure. Our relationship has always been full of laughter, flirting, encouragement, and support. We have moved states, homes, and jobs over the past three years, and I couldn't have imagined making any of these life shifts without Liz. She is not only my partner but my best friend. I cannot wait to see what life as in store for us!"

From Liz:

"Ali was the coolest woman I have ever met, and the fact that she is gorgeous makes it even better. When we first met, I fell in love so hard with her and didn’t want to do anything else but spend time getting to know her. I was so nervous to meet someone else after multiple weird blind dates before, but the moment she said hello and laughed at my beverage choice, I knew this girl would be a complete adventure! We immediately clicked, chatting about animals, medicine, and funky art.

Ali is a veterinarian. To propose, I showed up to her office with our three-legged dog, Ned, acting like he was sick. I knelt down to show her "something weird on him" and pulled out the ring. She was so surprised. Her whole staff was in on it!"

Photos were taken at the Melody Cafe in Baltimore, MD by Kara Wright.

BALTIMORE COFFEE SHOP ENGAGEMENT SESSION ALI AND LIZ AT OUTDOOR TABLE OF MELODY CAFE

BALTIMORE COFFEE SHOP ENGAGEMENT SESSION COUPLE HOLDING HANDS AT TABLE

BALTIMORE COFFEE SHOP ENGAGEMENT SESSION EMBRACE IN FRONT OF ORNATE DOORS

BALTIMORE COFFEE SHOP ENGAGEMENT SESSION ALI AND LIZ IN SMALL GARDEN WITH STREET IN BACKGROUND

BALTIMORE COFFEE SHOP ENGAGEMENT SESSION COUPLE IN GARDEN LAUGHING CANDID

BALTIMORE COFFEE SHOP ENGAGEMENT SESSION EMBRACE IN GARDEN

BALTIMORE COFFEE SHOP ENGAGEMENT SESSION EMBRACE IN GARDEN, BREEZE BLOWING LIZ AND ALI'S HAIR

KARA WRIGHT

Kara Wright is a photographer born and raised in the Washington D.C. area, but travels worldwide. She loves to find the uniqueness in every couple that pulls you into a photo, a moment and a memory. She specializes in weddings, elopements, engagements, and lifestyle photography. Her best friend is a 50lb Siberian Husky named Sookie. She makes a lot of guest appearances in her photos.