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!
“We wanted to present an alternative option for couples in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area who want to get married in the city. All of the vendors are able to accommodate vegan couples in every aspect, from fabrics, to beauty products, to food.”
Read MoreIt’s that time of the year! Here are our favorite real wedding moments from 2018!
Read MoreWe met online; our first date was at the Frothy Monkey, a coffee shop, three years ago when we were both living in Nashville, TN. I got there early and found a table outside. I will never forget seeing Liz walking up the front path. She was smiling, and I immediately felt her warmth and a hint of nerves.
Over coffee we exchanged the typical first date information (what do you do? Where are you from? How many siblings? Do you have pets?). We hit it off immediately and ended up spending the rest of the evening wandering around the cute 12 South neighborhood.
Liz has this remarkable way of caring and nurturing. She kept me sane during the long hours and late nights of my medical internship. From the nights at home playing our ongoing Uno game (which I am currently winning 1,789 to 1,567) to our weekend excursions, every moment is the best adventure. Our relationship has always been full of laughter, flirting, encouragement, and support. We have moved states, homes, and jobs over the past three years, and I couldn't have imagined making any of these life shifts without Liz. She is not only my partner but my best friend. I cannot wait to see what life as in store for us!
Read MoreWe wanted to create an organic, modern atmosphere mixing hard and soft elements. Combining the Assembly Room’s brick walls and graffiti with pastel florals, candles, and organic dress details really made that theme come alive.
We also wanted the true love between Hassan and Dymir to stand out as much as possible. I used directions and fun techniques to make them feel at home and focus on the connection they have with one another. They were the most humble couple I have ever met, and so deeply connected, that it was a dream working with them.
Read MoreOur wedding venue is the most beautiful, timeless space that combined historical significance with updated charm. It was also conveniently located not too far from where we lived. We drove by it several times a week and felt comfortable there. Since we aren't native to Baltimore, we decided that we would marry here and bring all of our loved ones to the city we call home.
Our ceremony was short and simple, officiated by our sister-in-law, Colleen. Everyone in our immediate family walked down the aisle in pairs with flowers. Meg walked down with her mom and dad. Lovey ran down the aisle and joined our bridesmaids up front in one of her favorite camping chairs. We had small wedding parties with a few friends and involved other close friends and family in our ceremony with our readings. We also worked with a great caterer, Copper Kitchen, that we knew would make our wedding food something to always be remembered.
Read MoreWe were business associates for many months before we officially started dating. I tried to keep it professional, so I rejected his advances. But what can I say? The guy was persistent! After about six months of using him on a consulting basis, I was completely intrigued by his strong work ethic, his integrity, and his determination. As a first time property owner and landlord, I was full of questions on how to best handle obstacles, and he was my go-to-guy. He's been my go-to-guy, my travel partner, my ace, and my friend ever since.
Read MoreCeremony and ritual help us acknowledge change and transition in our lives. You can think about the difference between a meal that starts with a toast or saying grace versus a meal that just starts. In the former, everyone takes a moment to settle in and be present with each other before eating, and in the second we just start right in and we don't necessarily stop to be present.
Read MoreMydanh Nguyen Tran and Alec Baker met only a year and a half ago, and it was love at first sight. They were both newly divorced with kids in tow and decided to do a very low-key two day event at Alec's farmhouse in Upperco, Maryland, this past June with only close family members invited to the actual ceremony and close friends and other family for the reception the following day. Mydanh's daughter, Laya, and Alec's daughter, Justine, were the flower girls, while Mydanh's son, Liam, walked her down the aisle. The kids stole the show to say the least
Read MoreKanayo: 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.
Read MoreThe good news is that it is possible to take the pressure off of your friend to prepare a perfect ceremony for you, while still allowing them to lead the celebration and legally marry you and your partner. Life-Cycle Celebrants are trained ceremony and ritual professionals who can work with you and your officiating friend to create a ceremony that feels comfortable and meaningful to all of you. We are skilled and trained in blending and incorporating elements of different faith traditions and backgrounds into secular (but possibly spiritual) ceremonies.
Read MoreStyled shoots are all about creativity and the spinning entree choice was such a cool way to present your guests their menu options. On top of that, our model's bolero is removable, making it the perfect way to transition from a formal ceremony to a more laid back reception! And for colder wedding months this is the perfect accessory to add a bit of warmth! It's funny because we originally planned on a sunny styled shoot, so at first when we saw the wash out weather we were mortified, but I think all in all the rain really added to the intimacy and portrayal of the couple, proving that a rainy wedding day can still be just as gorgeous, if not more!
Read MoreLauren and Adrian met at her brother’s wedding and even walked down the aisle together as part of the bridal party! They hit it off right away in all their quirky glory. Adrian proposed in Paris on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower with a gorgeous ring he had specially-made for the Disney-loving Lauren (can you see the hidden Mickey Mouse?).
Read MoreBrittani and Christine are the definition of opposites attract. Brittani is more on the carefree side while Christine was previously in the military, and the two met while she was at West Point. While this wedding was a long time coming as the couple had to work past many barriers to get to this point, the union is one of the most natural things I've ever seen. They have pushed on through judgement and stereotypes and also worked through separation when Christine was deployed.
Read MoreIn the late 1970s, in Santa Cruz, California, Annie and Janice met and realized that they enjoyed each other's company so much that they should give living together a chance. Thirty years later, at their home in Maryland, they celebrated their marriage with family, neighbors, and life-long friends. They believe that the strength of their relationship comes from mutual respect for each other's creativity, the ability to enjoy being alone, and of course, the joy of a profound love that comes along once in a lifetime.
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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!
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