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!

"Michael and I met each other while attending college at the University of Arizona. We had Latin American Studies together freshman year. We were each other’s crushes at the time but did not know each other at all. Michael would describe me as being “beyond words” to his brother before meeting me, and I would gush over Michael and his blue eyes to my friends and sister.

My roommate decided it would be funny to send a prank email to my Latin American Studies class list, including Michael, which led to Michael replying back confused and me realizing what she had done. This sparked a funny conversation between the two of us and ended with Michael asking me out to coffee before our Friday morning class.

Our first coffee date was rather short, we went to class together afterwards and whispered back and forth the entire lecture. After class Michael asked me out on a proper date the following Friday, March 8, 2013.

Being the romantic guy that he is, Michael made reservations at Hacienda del Sol, the finest restaurant in Tucson. The evening was nothing less than perfect. This began our journey as a couple.

We got engaged on our four-year anniversary. Ever year we try to outdo each other with gifts on our anniversary. I was sure that I would win this year as I planned on gifting Michael, not one, but two Seattle Sounders jerseys because they are his favorite MLS soccer team. I had planned to record his reaction live for all of our family and friends to witness his priceless reaction. However, I did not realize that Michael had planted all of these ideas into my head through various family members.

Michael played along with the surprise and had a small gift to give me so that I felt I had won that year’s gift exchange, and at the very end of it all Michael got down on one knee and proposed to me while all of our family and friends watched from all over the country. It was a magical moment that we’ll have forever and can relive whenever we want because he made sure that I had recorded it.

Diablo Lake was chosen as our photoshoot location by suggestion of our photographer, Meghann. It had been on our list of places to visit and therefore it was the perfect opportunity."

Words by Iyanna, as told to Amber Marlow. Photos by Meghann Grah.

Diablo lake engagement session lyanna and michael embrace with mountains in background

Diablo lake engagement session embrace with mountains and lake in background

Diablo lake engagement session lyanna and michael on plateau overlooking lake

Diablo lake engagement session candid overlooking lake and mountains

Diablo lake engagement session lyanna and michael over lake

Diablo lake engagement session couple holding hands looking at mountains

Diablo lake engagement session lyanna leading michael along by the hand

Diablo lake engagement session lyanna on michael's back

Diablo lake engagement session couple embracing

Diablo lake engagement session couple sitting on ledge looking at sun setting behind mountains

Diablo lake engagement session lyanna and michael close against dark background

Diablo lake engagement session embrace near river

Diablo lake engagement session couple's silhouettes close together

Diablo lake engagement session embrace overlooking mountain with sun setting

MEGHANN GRAH

Hi! I'm Meghann Grah, a photographer based in Tacoma, WA who specializes in weddings, elopements, and adventure photography in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. With nearly a decade of professional experience, I've learned that the best photos aren't forced. Instead of using strict posing, I highlight the fun and precious moments that are unique to you. From snowy mountain-top elopements to beachside weddings, I love telling your story, your way.