Wedding Inspiration // 7 Hairstyles for Brides with Short Hair

Wedding Inspiration // 7 Hairstyles for Brides with Short Hair

My lovely mother HATES my short hair. From the moment the ring was put on my finger, she asked, "But will you grow your hair out?" In her defense, she commented that all bridal magazines really only show long bridal hairstyles, and she was right! As I began to try and show my mother how my short hair could be done, I realized there wasn't a ton of inspiration out there. 

Because of this, I decided to create a "Short Hair / Don't Care" shoot to show brides with short hair how they can still have amazing hairstyles for their big day! The results were fantastic and now my only trouble is deciding which style I'll go with for my own wedding!

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Woke Wednesday // Meet San Francisco Planner Chanda Daniels of A Monique Affair

Woke Wednesday // Meet San Francisco Planner Chanda Daniels of A Monique Affair

Liz: Can you tell us a bit about your background? What was growing up like for you?

Chanda: I grew up being raised by my grandmother, "Granny," who had the house where all the kids went to get a hot meal! She was always cooking and entertaining. She was always at home, her number was everyone's "emergency" number, and she influenced me to graduate from high school. But little did she know, she was planting the seed for me to become an event planner…

Liz: Your grandma sounds wonderful. How was she planting the seed?

Chanda: I wanted to be like her. She found joy in making dinner and setting a fancy table with Sunday china and having everyone over. She didn't like being in the spotlight, but she loved how everyone felt after they left...I didn't know that then, but that's what I loved and love to this day!

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Real Couples // Surprise Proposal: Tomasz + Jessica

Real Couples // Surprise Proposal: Tomasz + Jessica

Today we’re sharing a surprise proposal at the one and only Metropolitan Museum of Art. It took place last March, on our sweet couple’s fifth dating anniversary inside the Temple of Dendur. It was a perfect location for a classic NYC proposal because it was as picturesque as much as it was unique and exciting. And spacious! Having lots of space to walk around and get different angles is always so important when capturing a proposal! Associate Photographer Emily Tuttle captured our couple from the moment they entered the temple until that special moment when he got down on one knee and she said yes. It was unforgettable in every way, as these two were lucky enough to be surrounded by masterpieces, works of art, and plenty of onlookers, too! We’re honored to share this perfect NYC surprise proposal with you all today. Enjoy this recap and, if you’re looking for a Proposal Photographer in NYC, contact us so we can start planning!

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Inside the Fitting Room // Embracing Genderless Design When Branding Your Wedding Business

Inside the Fitting Room // Embracing Genderless Design When Branding Your Wedding Business

As the designers of their own businesses, wedding professionals have the choice to design gender neutral spaces to better accommodate folks who do not identify with the gender binary. I hope they embrace this approach because creating more inclusive businesses benefits us all.

The boundaries are blurring and evolving into a new normal. To put it simply, wedding industry professionals who claim to care about inclusive feminism need to put in the work it takes to create gender sensitive businesses.

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From Tropical Fruit to Silk Wedding Gowns // Silviyana's Indie, Eco-Friendly Bridal Boutique

From Tropical Fruit to Silk Wedding Gowns // Silviyana's Indie, Eco-Friendly Bridal Boutique

From weave to wedding, the purchase of a Silviyana gown represents an environmentally sustainable choice, and one that supports every person involved in making the dress, from weaver to designer.

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Real Couples // A Superhero Wedding: Elena + David

Real Couples // A Superhero Wedding: Elena + David

The Bonifays have a unique love story, which began before the two of them even knew it. Both born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Elena Bonifay, born Elena Washington, crossed paths with David Bonifay in various ways before the couple ever met. Both have artists as mothers: Elena’s mom, Vicki Meek, is a visual artist and David’s mom, Elly Lindsay, is an actress. Both women taught at the local Arts Magnet High School and brought their children with them on various occasions to work. With this is mind, David and Elena have technically been acquainted since they were toddlers. The two would meet again in elementary school on the playground when both found each other about as interesting as watching paint dry. But it was the high school meeting that would change everything. The summer after senior year the two began dating for what was intended to be a “summer fling,” but soon grew into something much more. The two became inseparable, attending college together and securing work in the same establishments. They both currently work for Elena’s family business and local newspaper, The Dallas Weekly.

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Conscious Consumerism through Thankful Registry

Conscious Consumerism through Thankful Registry

We know many of us are concerned about consumerism and its role in climate change, so we asked Catalyst sponsor Thankful Registry for some practical ideas on how to create a wedding registry hat's more ethical, eco-friendly, and mindful of the world we live in. 

Thankful Registry is designed for couples who believe gratitude makes the world go round. It's an open-platform, universal registry where you can host traditional gifts, honeymoon funds, charity donations, and experiences all on one page. A lifetime registry with Thankful costs just $30, so feel free to keep using your registry for special occasions long after your wedding day. Explore the features by starting a free one-week trial at thankfulregistry.com.

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Real Couples // A Community-Created Wedding: Blanca + Cody

Real Couples // A Community-Created Wedding: Blanca + Cody

Blanca and Cody met in Seattle in the summer of 2007. Cody was 21, and Blanca was 24. They dated for nine years before tying the knot. They're a couple that's always on the go! Cody is an amazing cook at a local hot spot in Ballard, and Blanca is a talented photo stylist for Zulily.com. Together the couple also runs an Airbnb and are superhosts! Their home has also been featured on Apartment Therapy.

Blanca: We didn't have a traditional engagement. We came to a decision to get married together while in traffic. Then we planned a 2-day wedding in only three months! We planned and executed it ourselves with the help of friends.

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Elopement Inspiration // Playful Bohemian Woodland Celebration

Elopement Inspiration // Playful Bohemian Woodland Celebration

The inspiration for this styled session was dreamed up and brought to life by the Creative Director, Robyn Fryer of Vivid Detail Event Design. It was a collaboration that was months in the making and came together beautifully with the help of a wonderful team. We wanted to create a wedding that was simple, yet elegant, and something a bit nontraditional while still showing the beauty the South has to offer. Being an elopement and intimate wedding photographer, I enjoy capturing the details surrounding a couple's big day, as well as their connection to one another. So often couples can become lost in the grandeur of a larger wedding, so something small allows the couple to be in the moment with one another and for the day to be truly about just the two of them.

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Woke Wednesday // Meet Washington, D.C., Photographer Kanayo Adibe

Woke Wednesday // Meet Washington, D.C., Photographer Kanayo Adibe

Kanayo: My fiancée, now wife, bought me a camera for Christmas. So she tends to buy me enabling gifts when she notices a new interest I may have. I think I have an extreme personality, so say you give me 10-pound weights, I may end up a body builder, or you buy me a bike, I may start biking 20 miles a day. All of this happened by the way. So she gave me a camera, and it ended up as a photography business.

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Real Couples // Dirty Dancing Inspired Engagement: Blanca + Cody

Real Couples // Dirty Dancing Inspired Engagement: Blanca + Cody

I'm a commercial photo stylist, and I love conceptualizing creative shoots! So when Cody and I got engaged, I decided we needed to go all in for an awesome, original engagement shoot.  Needless to say we love Dirty Dancing. We're both huge Patrick Swayze fans; Cody particularly loves his work in Point Break, and of course I prefer him as Johnny Castle.  

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Tulle & Fury // People Are Politics

Tulle & Fury // People Are Politics

Why does a wedding planner want to talk about politics and identity? As a Texas-based business owner, you can imagine how often I get asked that question. But the answer is always the same: because politics and identity affect everything I do: my choice of hairstyle, who I work with, the very fact that I’m a black-owned business that loves working with same-sex couples in a state that makes its position on that very well-known. I could go on. But ultimately, do you know why? Because people are politics.

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Real Couples // An Artistic and Playful National Gallery Engagement: Marc + Laura

Real Couples // An Artistic and Playful National Gallery Engagement: Marc + Laura

Marc 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. 

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Real Couples // Love and Activism: Bianca + Christina

Real Couples // Love and Activism: Bianca + Christina

Going to a protest as a first date was fitting for these two Chicago land activists who are planting seeds of change all around their community. Bianca and Christina are passionate about making this world we live in a better and equal place for all. Love just happened naturally and sprouted fast for these two. They may even admit that it was L-O-V-E at first sight for the both of them. As they approach two years of being together, it still feels like fireworks and butterflies to them.

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Real Couples // A Family Affair: Toni + Amy

Real Couples // A Family Affair: Toni + Amy

These brides wanted to spend a night with their closest humans...despite the fact that some of the most important people in their lives didn't approve or show up at the wedding because of the fact that the couple is gay. Toni, our black bride, was married to a white man, and her family was fine with that. But after she divorced, she later fell in love with Amy, and it has caused a rift in her relationship with her parents. Despite this, the couple stayed true to themselves and celebrated the love that they KNOW is right for them.

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Elopement Inspiration // Bommer Canyon Hip Outdoor Wedding

Elopement Inspiration // Bommer Canyon Hip Outdoor Wedding

Molly and Liz are a real couple. We approached them after visiting their super adorable home. We knew right away we loved their style, and they would be perfect as our models. They really went beyond the call of duty and even asked their friend Katy, who is actually going to marry them next year, to be a part of this with us. The laughs are real, and we couldn't have asked for a better couple. Our goal was to showcase a DIY wedding with a ton of style. When we designed the table, we used the couple's dishware and rented a few pieces to make the decor feel special. When we got to deciding what to wear, they both asked if they could make it more personal and wear their favorite jean jackets and fedoras. We wanted to show how you don't have to be traditional to be beautiful.

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Woke Wednesday // Meet New York Photographer Amy Anaiz

Woke Wednesday // Meet New York Photographer Amy Anaiz

Liz: So what does your business look like today, nine years later?

Amy: Prosperous.

Liz: That's great to hear. And reassuring to all of us who are younger in our businesses.

Amy: I've had opportunities that I never would have imagined nine years ago. I moved here with 2K in my bank account with a hope and a dream. I had no apartment; I slept on my aunt's couch for months, but slowly I've made a way. Nine years later, I live in a brownstone and make enough money to support myself, my family, and then some... So that makes me proud of myself.

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Real Couples // Two Awesome People: Alex + Kris

Real Couples // Two Awesome People: Alex + Kris

How long have you known about yourself?

A- I knew when I was 12 years old. I knew immediately when I laid my eyes on Laura, this perfect girl who wore hoop earrings with her bikini, that I wasn’t straight. I didn’t know what I was, but I knew I wasn’t what the church told me to be.

K- Jeez I don't know...kindergarten or first grade. I didn't know what to call it. I didn't have words—I just knew that I liked girls better than boys. I remember having my first crush on a girl when I was in first grade. I just liked her so much more than a regular friend. 

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5 Guidelines for Attending Your Ex's Wedding and Avoiding Fallout

5 Guidelines for Attending Your Ex's Wedding and Avoiding Fallout

It’s not an uncommon occurrence to stay friends with an ex, especially if it’s someone you dated in high school or college, or if you dated for a long time and have lots of mutual friends. So that means it’s not uncommon to end up in a situation where you are invited to the wedding of an ex. It can be hard to attend a wedding of an ex, especially if you’re single, but if you want to stay friends with your ex after their wedding day, here are a few guidelines to follow.

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Real Couples // Bamboo Green Florida Wedding: Nathan + Marcella

Real Couples // Bamboo Green Florida Wedding: Nathan + Marcella

Nathan and Marcella met in their early twenties while they both worked at the same place. While it started out as a friendship, they were no denying there was true love blossoming. The two dated for a few years before Nathan proposed to Marcella and they began wedding planning! Marcella and Nathan are so kind, genuine and their hearts are so full of love for each other and their families.

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