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!

Jamie is good at everything he does, even if he just learned it. He is the calm, cool, collected one. He's friendly and very family oriented. He is a regular at the gym, lover of sushi & In 'n' Out, gamer, and the best doggy daddy!

Angela is a tiny cuddle bear with a very loving and kind-hearted personality. She likes to do calligraphy, read books, watch movies, travel, and hike. Her favorite movies are Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory and the Harry Potter movie series.

Jamie's cousin, Glenn, told me to come to his housewarming. I really didn't want to go because I was already in my pajamas and I knew Glenn didn't have a new place. Our friend Jesus ended up picking me up so I had no other choice. It turned out to be Jamie's housewarming—I met Jamie and thought he was cute and shy. Later after I left, Jamie asked Glenn about me and the rest is history.

I (Jamie) had asked her parents for their blessing a few months back. It was her birthday weekend and she always talked about going to Catalina Island so I wanted to surprise her with a day trip.

I (Angela) didn't know what ring I wanted, just something nice. I knew Jamie would know what to get me and he did (except the ring was 2 sizes too big)!

Words by Angela and Jamie as told by Amber Marlow. Photos by Alyssa Rachel.

belmont park engagement session san diego dress and necklace hanging in front of window

belmont park engagement session san diego angela having makeup done

belmont park engagement session san diego bouquet of flowers resting against wall

belmont park engagement session san diego angela and jamie under belmont park sign

belmont park engagement session san diego angela and jaime's clasped hands

belmont park engagement session san diego angela and jamie in roller coaster seat

belmont park engagement session san diego embrace in front of merry-go-round

belmont park engagement session san diego angela laughing on carousel horse with jamie standing beside her

belmont park engagement session san diego jamie brushing angela's hair back

belmont park engagement session san diego couple sharing ice cream cone at outside table of sweets shop

belmont park engagement session san diego angela holding large waffle cone

belmont park engagement session san diego kiss at game booth

belmont park engagement session san diego jamie kissing angela's hand in front of darts game

belmont park engagement session san diego embrace in front of darts game

belmont park engagement session san diego couple on twirling ride

belmont park engagement session san diego couple in wedding clothes at park

belmont park engagement session san diego kiss under park string lights

VENDORS

Venue | Belmont Park

Florals | Eastlake Floral Design

Hair and makeup | Hairspray Studio

Jewelry | Happily Ever Borrowed

ALYSSA RACHEL

Alyssa Rachel is a San Diego based photographer specializing in weddings & engagements. Her style is romantic and intimate, focusing on capturing each couple's authentic interactions. When Alyssa isn't behind her camera, she enjoys beating her husband and two kids at board games, eating tacos, and traveling the world.

Contact Alyssa Rachel here to book your wedding & engagement photography.