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!

Allie and Ywanarai had the most warm and loving Lightner Museum wedding. St. Augustine is always on my top favorite locations to photograph. There are so many hidden alleyways, cobblestone roads, palm trees, gorgeous stone buildings, and gorgeous natural backdrops. The two brides got ready in separate houses, down the street from one another, and did a really sweet and intimate first look. Ywanarai was so nervous as she could hear Allie walking down the steps, walking toward her. The look on Ywanarai's face when Allie turned around was priceless. She couldn't help but just grab her and hug her as soon as she saw her gorgeous bride.

The Lightner Museum was a perfect backdrop for such a simple and elegant wedding. The two exchanged vows on the little bridge in the middle of a gorgeous courtyard, filled with lush greenery and a Koi pond. They decided to keep it super simple and had their brother and sister stand up with them to bear witness their promises to one another. The reception was full of tearful toasts and head-throwing laughter. The love between Allie and Ywanarai was palpable. They forwent a traditional slow dance and came into the reception full on party-vibe. There was not a single person sitting during the dancing.

There is something truly magical about making new declarations in such an old city. These two had the power to make the old new.

Words by photographer Shannon Griffin, as told by Amber Marlow. Photos by Shannon Griffin.

Saint augustine wedding outdoor museum path through palm tree garden

Saint augustine wedding allie doing makeup

Saint augustine wedding allie writing in notebook

Saint augustine wedding allie having dress buttoned

Saint augustine wedding ywanarai portrait

Saint augustine wedding embrace in soft sunlight

Saint augustine wedding allie with bouquet

Saint augustine wedding couple dancing, allie's skirt twirling

Saint augustine wedding ywanarai hugging sister

Saint augustine wedding floral table centerpiece

Saint augustine wedding smaller wedding cake and desserts

Saint augustine wedding ywanarai making announcement at reception and holding allie's hand

Saint augustine wedding couple cutting cake, allie making a face at the camera

Saint augustine wedding cutting cake, allie laughing

Saint augustine wedding allie dancing with guests

VENDORS

Photography | Shannon Griffin Photography

Ceremony venue | Lightner Museum

Reception venue | A1A Ale Works

Wedding planner | The Wedding Authority

Florals | Leslie Rios Designs

Invitations | Things Very Special

Cake | Calli Marie Bakes

Bride's Dress | BHLDN

Hair | Sami Skinner

Shoes | Dollskill

SHANNON GRIFFIN

I am very much a realist and know the amount of energy, work, and hardships that go into a successful marriage. I believe the same is applied to running a successful photography business. Although my background is in fashion photography, I quickly learned that my heart was in weddings, boudoir, and families. The fact that I’m able to capture some of the moments that we will never get back is something that really hits home for me.