April 10, 2019

Magical Desert Wedding Elopement Inspiration in Joshua Tree: Mia + Sasja

April 10, 2019/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Catalyst co-founder Carly Romeo started the Feminist Photo VayCay a few years ago, a retreat where photographers can participate in styled shoots using local vendors and gorgeous couples who are PoC, and/or queer/non-binary. This the first of two styled shoots from the retreat: an elopement inspiration in the high desert at the Tumbleweed Sanctuary. Mia and Sasja are our real-life couple and models, and they were incredibly brave in what was shockingly cold weather.

October 09, 2017

Real Couples // Stylish Intimate Airbnb Desert Elopement: Kelly & Lee

October 09, 2017/ Joshua Tree/ Catalyst Wedding Co

The one thing that really stood out at our wedding was the view! Our location was everything we wanted it to be, and the table decoration was beautiful: put together from various vintage thrift-store finds and plants we sourced from the LA flower market. During the months leading up to our wedding we collecting various vintage plates, silverware and glasses. All mix-and-match. They were all gorgeous. We flew them down in various suitcases before the event, thankfully most made it un-smashed! We also had a few items from our home including rugs and small vintage accessories. Lee hand-made some cool custom Joshua Tree matchboxes which were given out to guests and used to light all of the candles we had around.

November 07, 2016

Real Couples // A Desert-Fabulous Wedding: Jenny + Chris

November 07, 2016/ Catalyst Wedding Co

Jenny and Chris follow their own rules. She works in theater and both of them are whiskey loving, desert obsessed, and all around fun-lovin' folk that aren't afraid to "get a little weird." They DIY'd their entire wedding and used an online calculator to figure out how much booze they need, which they ended up doubling out of fear of running out! Their wedding was a little bit Rock n Roll mixed with desert fabulous. A bunch of guests stayed on site in the cabins (this is where the film crew for old westerns that were filmed at the fake town next door would stay) and partied the night away. Chris constructed the photo booth, they had BBQ ribs and pulled pork, whiskey and lemonade, and some kegs followed by an epic dance party.

September 29, 2016

Wedding Inspiration // Joshua Tree Modern Geometric Lesbian Elopement

September 29, 2016/ Catalyst Wedding Co

The idea for this shoot was to capture the natural beauty of the desert in Joshua Tree alongside the natural beauty of these two gorgeous brides for elopement inspiration. To accentuate the minimal, modern appeal of eloping, we chose dramatic, modern copper geometric accents for the decor contrasted with loose organic florals and plants, and minimally adorned but beautifully draped gowns in black and white. Our models are a real-life couple, Bridget and Kristi, who were planning their own elopement at the time of our shoot!