July 05, 2017

Natural History Museum Engagement: Jess + Karolyn

July 05, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

I was enjoying swimming in a sea of accents as the bustling group of tourists funneled their way into the Natural History Museum in London. Karolyn and Jess told me about their engagement story as we walked through the crowd. They pointed at the staircase and told me it happened upstairs, a small private corner of the museum all to their own. This is where they got engaged, this is where they come to remind themselves of how it all started. This is where we took photos in loud whispers, in the echoes of the monumental stone walls, before wandering out into the rare sunlight of London for a walk in the park.

July 04, 2017

Real Couples // A British-American Wedding: Tammy + Hayley

July 04, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

"I first clapped eyes on Tammy in Leeds nightclub SinCity in 2013," said Hayley, "She was surrounded by women. When she caught my eye my heart was beating fast, I loved her sparkly eyes and beautiful smile. I didn't think that I would have a chance. On our first holiday together to the USA I knew that I wanted her to be my wife and when we arrived at Miami Beach with it's beautiful views I knew that's where I wanted to propose to her.

July 03, 2017

Real Couples // Knoxville, Tennessee Soulmates: Randall + Jenna

July 03, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

We met in 2014 at Carson Newman University. I had just graduated from UC Santa Barbara and transferred to Carson-Newman to finish graduate school and my last year of volleyball. I remember the first time I saw him. I was in the cafeteria, and he strolled up on me trying to ask me whole a lot of random questions like I was the new one at school. He was good-looking, so it didn’t bother me too much. Soon we started to hang out more and more and became really good friends. I remember always having the feeling that we were going to know each other forever, but I thought just as friends. I wasn't ready to get in a relationship, and he was still being whoever he was. But eventually, a love began to blossom between us. Fast-forward two years later to the weekend of my graduation, my family all came down to see me and out of the blue, he popped the question!!! I was so surprised but very happy. What I like best about our relationship is that nothing felt forced. Everything just felt easy and natural.

June 30, 2017

4 Ways to Stay Sane While Planning A Wedding

June 30, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

IS IT POSSIBLE TO PLAN A WEDDING WITHOUT GOING MAD?

Well, aside from what a whole LOT of media would like you to believe, people do it all the time. They decide to get married, they plan a wedding, and then they are married. And if they didn’t throw the most interesting/beautiful/fun/unique/fancy/quirky wedding any of their guests had ever seen—no one noticed. Because all the wedding industry expectations and Pinterest boards and so-called “must haves” don’t actually matter on a wedding day.

I’m sharing a few things to remember throughout the planning process to keep the spiraling in check and your priorities straight.

June 30, 2017

Real Couples // Spontaneous Friday the 13th Elopement: Mariam + Fernando

June 30, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

I never wanted to plan a wedding, as I think it’s a waste of our time and money. I always believed that the plan would reveal itself when we’re ready. So a week ago, we jokingly talked about getting married before Trump becomes president. We looked at the calendar and saw Friday the 13th and thought it was perfect! Shortly after, we picked what to wear from our closets, we asked friends (and our witnesses) to come over on Friday, and we spent less than $500 in food, drinks, etc. We had no plan. Our only plan was to enjoy each other’s company.

June 29, 2017

Out of the Box Winner // Confetti Unicorns

June 29, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

As soon as we saw the wrapping papers included in our mystery box, we were transported to the end of the 80s and early 90s. All the textures, patterns, and shapes brought us back to a time of bright makeup, Saved by the Bell, flashy clothes, and fun music. We wanted to make sure those textures and patterns were felt and seen throughout the shoot as our inspiration, but with a contemporary modern twist.

June 28, 2017

Woke Wednesday // Meet St. Louis Photographer Raquita Henderson of Pinxit Photo

June 28, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

For Woke Wednesday, we chatted with Raquita Henderson, the photographer behind Pinxit in St. Louis, to discuss how she started photographing weddings at age 13, how she risks losing business by being vocal about her values, and how much she deeply loves weddings.

June 28, 2017

Real Couples // Austin Engagement: Kristin + Delilah

June 28, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

We met at a bar in Austin, where we found ourselves sitting at a red picnic table with a mutual friend, drinking Lone Star Tallboys. Kristin cried over her beer because she didn’t know how to tell her conservative family that she was questioning her sexuality. Delilah listened and shared her own coming out story, trying to comfort Kristin by divulging vulnerable details about her journey. That night was the first of many that we would spend talking for hours. We started dating a couple of months later. It was the first time either of us had been in a serious relationship with another woman. We faced several challenges during our first few years together as we both became more comfortable being ourselves and living more authentically. We created a home where we are fully loved, respected, and accepted. We’re passionate about being social workers and love our quirky Chiweenie, Noodle. We plan to get married this October, exactly five years after meeting at that red picnic table.

June 26, 2017

Divorced at 23

June 26, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

I was so desperate to believe I had found this person that I began to excuse the red flags erecting themselves faster than I could ever imagine. His disdain for my parents (and my parents’ disdain for him) was simply birthed from situational misunderstandings. His lack of motivation in education and work was an intentional (and brilliant) slap in the face of “the man.” His unwanted advances and coercing were a testimony of his attraction and devotion to me. Everything that soured my gut was immediately soothed the moment he kissed my forehead or proclaimed his endless love for my being. And I bought it.

June 26, 2017

Real Couples // Long-Distance Love Story: Jen + Amy

June 26, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Amy: I lived in California, Jen lived in Chicago. A mutual friend introduced us, and our distance apart couldn’t hold us back from experiencing an instant, electric connection. I bought a plane ticket to meet her in person, and as each day passed, we posted a hand-crafted number to count down to our first meeting. We had a little over a month to learn everything we could about each other, and by the time we physically met, so much care and trust had been built.

Jen: By the time the countdown ended, we had learned so much about each other and had grown so much closer. In addition to the daily countdown, we were also sending each other letters and packages and accidentally staying up until 3am on 6-hour Skype calls! We had fallen for each other, and meeting each other in person only validated everything we had been feeling. Amy and I also started an Instagram account and blog to keep sharing with each other through the distance.

June 23, 2017

Real Couples // Love Hard, Dance Hard: Crystal + Michaela

June 23, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Crystal and Michaela have been through so much with one another, and they finally got married. They both unknowingly bought really similar dresses, which was super adorable when they finally saw one another. They also “shared" their bridesmaids back and forth, and during prep all of their friends were running from one room to the other. When it came time for the ceremony they walked each other down the aisle in a real show of their love for one another. They partied that night until their feet and the bottoms of their dresses were completely dirty and black. It was such an amazing day for two amazing women.

June 22, 2017

These Are the Best Feminist-Friendly Songs to Put on Your Wedding Playlist

June 22, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

You and your fiancé are ready for the big day: You've found the perfect pair of locally-sourced rings, your outfits are on point, and any sexist traditions have been snuffed. Now, what about the dance playlist? No need to sift through your Spotify in vain—your song choices can be both feminist and rockin'.

June 22, 2017

My Feminist Wedding // Long Distance Engagement

June 22, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Next summer, I will marry a man who has never lived in the same state as me. My fiancé, Greg, and I met on Tinder two years ago, and since then, we’ve taken turns to visit each other every weekend at my home in Natick, Massachusetts, and his in Manchester, Connecticut.

Even getting married won’t guarantee that we can live together, as school and work tie us to our respective states for the foreseeable future. While there are times when this arrangement is difficult (mostly when I’m sitting on the Mass Pike in traffic), it has strengthened our relationship by making us truly appreciate our time together. Besides, you don’t pass up the love of your life because he’s geographically undesirable.

June 21, 2017

Real Couples // Virginia is for Lovers: Hana + Kaity

June 21, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Sometimes I dream about the kinds of wedding I’d love to shoot. Those in distant places, like Africa or Asia, with simple details and big landscapes. I often think it would make me a better photographer, to have a portfolio with these weddings. But I’ve come to realize the kinds of weddings I want to shoot are the ones like this.

We met Hana and Kaity a little over a year ago and quickly became friends. Their wedding day was full of genuine, real love. They asked to have their closest friends and family present for their first look. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but afterwards I looked around and saw that we were all crying. It was my favorite part of the day.

June 21, 2017

Woke Wednesday // Meet London Photographer Becky Bailey

June 21, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

We sat down with London-based photographer Becky Bailey who shared with us her love for her work and her family, her path to finding pride in her Deaf identity, and the misconceptions she has faced as a Deaf photographer working with hearing clients.

June 20, 2017

Inspiration // Bathtub Goddess in A Floral Explosion

June 20, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

This was a personal creative project showcasing natural creativity and feminist images. We invited a local amateur model, artist, and student to participate in the photo shoot to share her beauty and confidence among the flower structure and style created by Pilar in her home. The overarching look is natural with a touch of rich gold, very little makeup, and focal jewelry pieces. Bold colors, strong lines, fierce eyes, and bodily ease suggest a woman warrior, finding peace and clarity in this garden bath. The creators of this piece are all women (the designer, the photographer, and the model)—most of them brown women. We are creative women and beautiful souls, and we deserve to be boldly represented.

June 19, 2017

Black BeauTEA Talk // When Diversity is Cool, Black Women Are Still Ignored, Tokenized, and Used

June 19, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Diversity and representation are important, but before you send out that model call, stop and ask yourself these questions.

1. Why is diversity important to black women?

2. What do I do regularly to help fight against the white supremacist world we live in?

3. What will this black woman gain from doing my photo shoot?

June 19, 2017

Real Couples // Winter Solstice Elopement: Will + Ruby

June 19, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Will and Ruby eloped on the winter solstice, December 21, 2016, at Charlotte Beach in Vermont. Will built a fire from drift wood to warm their hands, much to the confusion of their puppy, who continuously tried to start a game of fetch. A truly intimate event, the only people present were myself and the officiant while they exchanged their vows on the shores of Lake Champlain. It was incredible.

"We chose to celebrate our marriage on the winter solstice to create a glowing memory to brighten the shortest and darkest day of the year. The lake and Charlotte Beach hold a wistful and romantic place in both of our lives. We could not have picked a more memorable and moving time, place, and photographer to engrave this moment into our memory." - Will

June 16, 2017

Real Couples // Lin-Manuel Miranda-Assisted Engagement: Leah + Rachel

June 16, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Leah is a theater director in New York City. Rachel is a history teacher. What better place to get engaged than the set of Hamilton with the assistance of Lin-Manuel Miranda?! Yes, that actually happened. These two are the quintessential New York City couple. For our engagement session, we started at their place in Bedford-Stuyvesant and then headed out to the New York Transit Museum (which is my favorite place in NYC), ending in their old neighborhood of Prospect Heights, where they lived together for years.

June 15, 2017

Your Wedding Pantsuit Fits You, But Does Your Wedding Ceremony?

June 15, 2017/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Marriage is changing (can I get a hallelujah?), and these days, getting married can be an act of social justice.

A wedding is a symbol, after all, and like the marriage it’s ushering in, a wedding is full of potential and increasingly devoid of rules. In this way, its meaning deepens.

One of the most powerful ways we can create meaningful shifts around marriage is by how we honor ourselves and each other through our wedding ceremonies and vows. Rewriting any social narrative means working in big blank spaces, and while that can be super liberating, it can also be super disorienting. Ultimately, though, like every creative pursuit, it’s an empowering act of self-discovery that benefits us all.