Three years ago the Catalyst team was orchestrating the third {un}convention conference and was lucky to be host to this amazing styled shoot at The Quirk Hotel. Erik & James are a real-life couple and they agreed to be the models for the shoot. It was such a fun day, both while celebrating in the hidden courtyard and while looking out over the Richmond skyline from the rooftop.

Unexpected and emergency expenses crop up in almost every wedding, and that’s why the experienced wedding pros in our vendor directory encourage all couples to have a wedding contingency fund.

This pride month is especially meaningful, as we mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising which brought visibility to LGBTQ+ issues and the community’s struggle for equal rights. We still face a great deal of discrimination in this world, but no one can dampen the light of love shone from these couples. To honor the sacrifice of every one who has helped the community reach this point, we are highlighting 50 moments of pure queer love and joy from past Catalyst couples. Thank you for sharing your love and light with us and the world!

It’s no secret that weddings generate a huge amount of waste. With the pressure to have the perfect picturesque day comes the impulse to buy lots of items to make your wedding more beautiful. If you care about our planet, then here are just a few things you can do to cut down on waste during your wedding day.

Sometimes, we assume that the only want to make “beautiful” happen is with the help of hair and makeup services, but it’s important to note that not all members of your wedding party may feel comfortable getting their hair and makeup professionally done for your big day.

Creating moments with people you love connects you to the reason you’re even here. It gives you the boost to keep going when you feel like giving up.

Handfasting is a marriage unity ritual that has been used during weddings for centuries. Like many other unity rituals, such as unity candles or sand rituals, it represents the combination of two people coming together to create a new singular entity.

I will tell you the best thing about being married—it literally is like having a sleepover with your best friend every night. Before I met Natalie, there was nothing I hated more than this sleepover saying. I thought it was stupid and inaccurate. I was so wrong. Natalie and I make it a point to always let the other person know that they are appreciated, either through word or deed, and both of us work consciously to make sure the other person’s “love tank” is full (Read the book 5 Love Languages—it’s amazing). Knowing that you have a partner and best friend who is always trying to make you feel loved and secure makes it so easy to give that back to them in return.