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!
Futura, distinct colors, a symmetrical living room “scene,” and simple vintage style set the scene for this styled-shoot dream-land. Specific prop choices and 60s mod funky wedding attire and furniture choices allowed a real couple to step into a world inspired by Wes Anderson while in the heart of Brooklyn at Berg'n Beer Hall.
Read MoreWe first connected with Tyler Adams aka The Girl Tyler in November 2016 at {un}convention RVA, and we were thrilled to have her be our official event photography at {un}convention. Tyler is a joy of a human and a total joy to work with, and so we could not be more thrilled to add her to our vendor directory. Couples in the Norfolk, Virginia area (and beyond) get real excited to work with this rock star!
Read MoreWe wanted to showcase some fantastic attire for these two handsome men - and we wanted to be sure that they coordinated without matching. By mixing the burgundy tux with a classic black, they each got to showcase their personalities in a way that would feel suitable for them.
Read MoreThe heat was impossible, but Keisha and her girls handled it like champions for pictures before the ceremony, and although we didn't get to shoot outdoors with the guys, Larry and Keisha's outdoor portraits make it hard to believe it was so hot outside! Watching Larry with his family and friends, it is easy to see why he is liked by everybody, and he could hardly make it down the aisle for his ceremony because he made sure to acknowledge everyone and say hello.
Read MoreThey were married on the coast, celebrated under a tent filled with everyone they loved, and only escaped for a moment to hold hands and walk on the sandy beach. Two men in love, married by the water, dancing through the night.
Read MoreMarc and Laura are one of those couples that even when they're not trying to, they look like they belong together. Throughout their entire engagement session at the National Gallery of Art, I kept photographing these two puzzle pieces fitting together like they had been married a long time. Laura is spunky and fun (just like her dress) while Marc is more reserved and sweet. Their ability to enjoy each other in every moment shows in their photos and moments.
Read MoreThe good news is that it is possible to take the pressure off of your friend to prepare a perfect ceremony for you, while still allowing them to lead the celebration and legally marry you and your partner. Life-Cycle Celebrants are trained ceremony and ritual professionals who can work with you and your officiating friend to create a ceremony that feels comfortable and meaningful to all of you. We are skilled and trained in blending and incorporating elements of different faith traditions and backgrounds into secular (but possibly spiritual) ceremonies.
Read MoreAs we got to know each other more, the more I fell head over heels for this man. In 2015 on Memorial Day weekend, Luis had asked me if I wanted to go to Virginia Beach for the weekend with family. I said yes, and on that Saturday morning he woke me up at a few minutes before sunrise to go to the beach and watch the sunrise. I was livid. I huffed and puffed the ride down the elevator stating, "it's vacation time so we shouldn't be up this early; it's just wrong." He of course thought that it was hilarious. As we walked the beach and watched the sunrise, my eyes drifted toward the beautiful view, but then quickly remembered that sleeping in has its beauty too. Luis didn't risk any minute longer and called my name and got on his knees and proposed to me. I was stunned, and so many emotions were squeezing through my brain that I was mute for a minute or two. And he asked again. This time I had to pay him back for waking me up so early, so I said I would think about it, and oh boy I have never seen a man blush so hard in my life. And I reacted quick and said yes.
Read MoreOur goal for this shoot was to have fun and highlight color and love! Our theme was Girls! Girls! Girls!, and we were able to put together an amazing team of women, The Richmond Association of Boss Babes. We thought, what would a real life couple do when they woke up together on the day of their wedding? Morning sex, obviously! Boudoir images are usually just of one woman, and even less often do you see images of lesbian boudoir featuring an actual couple. We wanted to capture our girls in their element, being themselves together, whether that was dressed or undressed.
Read MoreRoxann and Trey have traveled in the same orbit since they were 18 years old, their lives circling around each other and convening at certain points. When tragedy struck they got closer, but it just was not the right time yet. Through relationship after relationship, they stayed in each other's orbit being that shoulder for each other but declaring nothing because the orbit was just not perfect. After a decade of love, support, and caring it all finally clicked, and they knew the other was their person. Seeing them together, it's obvious that even though it took a while to get to this point, it was the exact perfect point for them both. They are already a family, and their wedding in June of this year will just solidify what was known by all.
Read MorePlay. The idea of play is a form of connection, to each other and to their surroundings. We kept saying that in their world it would rain confetti. The wedding bouquet was edible. Hot pink and bold shapes. Swings, bubbles, ribbons, a hot pink bamboo altar, laughs, confetti frozen into ice, play. Anywhere you go in the world the happiest people you see are often the ones that know how to play, whatever that looks like to each person. It was fun. It was also fun to gather a group of dynamic, female, artists in the area to create together for the first time.
Read MoreGood afternoon! And welcome to a cookie chronicle that will go down in history as the best thing to happen in 2017, due to lack of competition. Just kidding. I'm hoping we see lots of beauty, love, resilience, and badassery in the days ahead — things much more important than cookies. But for the days we don't/can't see those things, I'm here for you. Who am I, you ask? (You didn't, but since I'm the one writing this, it really doesn't matter what you are and are not saying.) I'm a little baker based in Virginia who loves butter, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama’s arms, Michelle Obama’s everything, Drake’s feelings, superheroes, anti heroes, graphic novels, black excellence, spirituality, cheese, dranks, ice cream, “me time,” and these pants I got from Costco that look like real pants but are actually basically yoga pants. And I come with cookies.
Read MoreVal proposed to Lawrencia on Valentine’s Day 2013. They were not considered officially engaged until July of 2015, when their families came together to pay and accept the dowries, and their ceremony traditions were performed. Val and Lawrencia met in April 2009 shortly after Val came to the U.S. Val’s sister had just given birth to her first child, and Lawrencia went with a friend to visit her. Val recalls exactly what Lawrencia wore that day and was immediately attracted to her, although he made no attempt to ask her out. Within moments of being introduced to each other, they had an in-depth conversation about their passions, goals, values and future endeavors, and they quickly discovered they had a lot in common.
Read MoreAileen and Tyrone are a beautiful couple with amazing chemistry! They met at a party for a mutual friend just before Christmas 2007, and they ended up talking until 2 a.m. After dating for a few months, they just knew. They enjoy wine adventures, summer movies, soccer, and getting into all kinds of shenanigans with their friends. They've been together though many job changes, getting a graduate degree, and the purchase of their first home. Their daughter, Maya Hope, is full of energy, hilarious, and delightfully assertive. Along with her joyous giggles and sweet cuddles, Maya has given Aileen and Tyrone new things to appreciate about one another.
Read MoreAmanda and Lauren met about seven years ago when they were both teaching in Mississippi. They became fast friends and were friends for several months before they realized and admitted that they were crazy about each other.
Read MoreSally and Sophia are two incredibly fun and in-love individuals who made the trek [twice] to Charlottesville from their home in Washington, DC. Due to some crazy winter temperatures (10 degrees, plus 20 mph wind chill) we ended up postponing the original session date and, instead, met up for a delicious brunch at The Clifton Inn. Many amusing stories were told, along with much discussion over some recent movie theater experiences.
Read MoreChristina and Ross met at their workplace where their relationship built slowly on friendship. After they started hanging out with friends and each other outside of work, they soon realized there was something more than just a friendship. They started dating and it's all history from there.
Read MoreI met Yewande “Yeye” and Colin through a referral. Our initial email connection almost got lost because of that very important "@" but we finally connected. The two met in school and have seen been inseparable since then.
When stars align, they do it perfectly.
Read MoreWe met during college; Michelle was a freshman, and I was a sophomore. We were introduced through a mutual friend at a party, and it didn't take long for us to start dating. Six years, a cross-country move, and an engagement debacle later, we are now in the midst of wedding planning. Debacle in this case meaning an adorable story of how we were on the exact same page at the same time.
Read MoreWe are so excited to introduce our newest sponsor, Elaine B Jewelry! We sat down with founder Elaine Butcher to learn more about her sustainable and thoughtful approach to jewelry design. We love what she has created and we know you will, too. After seeing these pieces, you'll never go back to a traditional engagement ring again.
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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!
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