January 24, 2017

Bourbon Espresso Snickerdoodles

January 24, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Good 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.

January 24, 2017

Wedding Inspiration // One Couple Three Ways: Grunge

January 24, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

A group of us creatives meet our perfect match: a young couple married two years, who never had their wedding day in the sun. They married at a courthouse before moving abroad to teach English in Korea. There was no first look, no dress shopping, and no being doted upon. Even before we met our couple, we decided to stretch ourselves and what we consider possible by using one couple and one base outfit — but in wildly different aesthetics.

January 23, 2017

Real Couples // Dreamy Redwoods Engagement: Nausheen + Husam

January 23, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Nausheen, a marketer from San Jose, and Husam, a consultant from Chicago, were introduced to each other by a mutual friend. They first met in San Francisco and spent countless weekends exploring the city together — which is why they chose San Francisco staples for their engagement shoot locations. They wanted a rustic backdrop focusing on the natural beauty of San Francisco so they picked the redwoods of the Presidio.

January 20, 2017

Real Couples // Six Years Married in New Orleans: Victoria + Nathan

January 20, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Nathan and I met in Pensacola, Florida in April 2010. I had recently got out of an interesting relationship and was not looking to start another one. I even told God that I did not want to get married. All of that changed when I met this hilarious, handsome man who asked our friend for my number right in front of me. After that night we dated for two months, and he told me one night that he was not dating me just to date me. I responded, "So you want to marry me?" With a surprised look he said, "Well yeah!"

January 18, 2017

The Perfect Wedding Pants for Your Astrological Sign

January 18, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

We've seen articles about which wedding dress you should pick based on your astrological sign, but what if you are not interested in wearing a dress on your wedding day. What if, instead, a pant suit or jumpsuit is more up your alley? Look no further, we have the guide for you!

January 18, 2017

Real Couples // Hollywood Beach Engagement: Paul + Keith

January 18, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

We spent a beautiful Friday evening at Hollywood Beach in Chicago, exploring the area with this amazing duo and their adorable pup Floyd. Paul and Keith are so perfect together, and after meeting through mutual friends, these two have been inseparable ever since. Their wedding next year at Promontory Point is undoubtedly going to be one epic celebration!

January 17, 2017

Wedding Inspiration // Sharp Angles with a Geo Edge

January 17, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Forever Enchanting Wedding & Event Planning put this stylized wedding inspo shoot together just before Christmas through collaboration with some amazing talented vendors in Edmonton, Alberta. The style we were going for was bold and edgy with sharp angles and crisp lines. Some of our favorite details included the wedding gown because it showcased the geometric shapes, and we also loved the copper himmelis and the unique love showcased by the real life couple in our shoot.

January 16, 2017

Honey, Marry Whoever You Want

January 16, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

If she had chosen someone black, someone wealthier than her, someone, or anyone, else, there would still be commentary about it. There would still be outrage. The longer I've worked in this world, the more I realize that the wedding industry has little to do with weddings and everything to do with a public pronouncement of a woman's worth. Most wedding media enforces it; the whitest, slimmest, blondest, most feminine women deserve the gigantic rings, the most lavish productions, and most deserving partners (usually your run-of-the-mill dude-bro). That's who graces the covers and the ads that drive what I consider unnecessary hype.

January 16, 2017

Real Couples // A Family African Engagement: Val + Lawrencia

January 16, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Val 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.

January 13, 2017

Modern Rebel & Co. Brings Activism to Weddings

January 13, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Amy of Modern Rebel & Co. is an alternative event planning company that gives back to local New York City non-profits that serve survivors of domestic violence, provide homes for the homeless, prevent suicide, and bridge education and art. She recently planned an immersive theater experience in a cemetery. She also happens to be a delightful person, and her website is the bomb.com.

January 13, 2017

Real Couples // An Unbreakable Love: Aileen + Tyrone + Maya

January 13, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Aileen 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.

January 12, 2017

Wedding Inspiration // Dreamy Autumn Forest Elopement

January 12, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

This styled shoot steps away from the more traditional wedding attire and keeps the focus on the couple's connection, supporting the free and wild spirits out there and showcasing that marriage and love truly is meant for everyone, no matter who you are, where you are, or what you're wearing.

January 11, 2017

Woke Wednesday // Meet Björn VW, New York City Wedding Planner

January 11, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Björn VW is the owner of Björn & Company, a New York event planning and design company, who also organizes Forks, Corks, & Cocktails, an annual LGBTQ Food, Wine, and Cocktail show.

January 11, 2017

Real Couples // A Black Renaissance-Inspired Wedding: Adrienne + Joshua

January 11, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

I am a co-owner of The ARTisan Cafe, an artisan cooperative in Richmond, Virginia so with my involvement in the arts and culture scene I really wanted to find a fresh and new muse for our special day. The wedding was inspired by classic charm, rustic elegance, and Black Renaissance.

January 10, 2017

Wedding Inspiration // "Perfect Pairings" from Asheville, North Carolina

January 10, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

This shoot was located in a brand new wedding venue, Highland Brewery, and features a phenomenal dessert bar by French Broad Chocolates, two favorite local establishments. Asheville is all about lifting our local community up, and all the vendors for this shoot are local to Asheville! The shoot has an industrial setting at the brewery but brings in the romance through styling.

January 09, 2017

Brittani + Christine's Music Festival-Inspired Wedding in Maryland

January 09, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Brittani and Christine are the definition of opposites attract. Brittani is more on the carefree side while Christine was previously in the military, and the two met while she was at West Point. While this wedding was a long time coming as the couple had to work past many barriers to get to this point, the union is one of the most natural things I've ever seen. They have pushed on through judgement and stereotypes and also worked through separation when Christine was deployed.

January 06, 2017

Maternity Shoot Turned Wedding Proposal and Engagement: Kelly + Tom

January 06, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Kelly and Tom met during Lollapalooza weekend at exactly this spot in 2013, so this location was very important to him. On a perfectly crisp November afternoon, we met at Buckingham Fountain under the guise of maternity photos. I began their session just as I would any other. Focusing on that sweet bump, a few on her own, a few of them together. Until we made it around to "the spot".

January 05, 2017

Six Perks to Online Dress Shopping that Will Eliminate Stress

January 05, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

In the endless sea of wedding planning there’s one thing that has the power to elicit both boundless excitement and nervous dread: the dress, or to be precise, shopping for the dress. While many couples are beginning to realize there are alternatives to traditional dress shopping, like DIY dresses and amazing vintage thrift store finds, brides continue to flock to high-fashion boutiques that speak to eurocentric ideologies of beauty and style. While the traditionalist boutique is certainly an attractive option for some, there are just as many brides looking for another option. There’s a brave new world of bridal gowns out there, one that is entrenched in our reemerging appreciation of the highly skilled craftsperson, and it’s online.

January 04, 2017

Feminist Wedding Photography in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Chicago: Watassa Wedding Photography

January 04, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

We’re about to introduce you to one of our favorite people we’ve met this year. If you are a Midwestern couple planning a wedding for 2017, we envy you. Quick! Hire Emily Alt of Watassa Wedding Photography before she’s booked up!

January 04, 2017

Real Couples // Intimate Poe Museum Wedding: Ben + Christina

January 04, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Ben and Christina had moved from their hometown Richmond to San Francisco three years ago, but they wanted to celebrate the most intimate part of their wedding in their native city surrounded only by their closest family, and Teddy, of course. I am so happy they did; I just adore this couple and everything about this wedding day. It’s not the typical all-day wedding affair. It was simple, stress free, exactly how they wanted it, and oh so beautiful. A new favorite for sure!